Yours For A Price

Chapter 2

Debt Collectors.

Third person POV:

A hard knock echoed harshly on the door causing a commotion in the room.

Bella's little brother held on to her tightly. The little boy seemed terrified.

Who would be knocking this late at night?

Bella gulped at the thoughts that played into her mind while she stared at the door. She was sure she knew who it was but her fears got the better of her. She shivered slightly at the thought of the creep at the door. The demon is back to torture them!

"Who's there?" She asked, trying not to sound scared at all. The question wasn't necessary since she knew who it was but she still asked regardless feigning ignorance.

"You brat!" The voice of a man roaring angrily.

"Open this door now before I knock it down!" His voice resonated with brute anger and warning.

Jackson leaned behind her back, shaking like he heard a ghost. She hated seeing him this scared but there was nothing she could do.

"Can't you hear me!" He growled, "Since you proved to be stubborn like your useless father! This door is coming down!" Then it all went silent.

Hopefully, he had gone, she thought as her heart slammed hard against her chest.

Suddenly they heard the door burst into pieces making the house vibrate.

Bella held on to her brother shielding him from the scene.

"You bastard!" She screamed at the man standing in the doorway.

She lifted her head and saw an angry muscular man in black staring at them. Behind him were two men also in black wearing dark sunglasses to conceal their identity.

"Mr. Rico?" She called softly, the uncertainty thick in her voice.

"Don't you dare say my name, you vermin!" He growled as he pulled her hair roughly separating her from the little boy.

"Gia!" Jackson called, crying.

He doesn't want to lose his sister the same way he lost his father.

"Just look at him. Scared. Helpless. And it's all your fault." he whispered to her ears. He kept his lips close to her ears like a man in the deep endless net of lust.

Her frightened eyes fixed on the innocent boy covered in tears. He was right, this was all her fault. She had brought this beast into their lives.

"Aww... He needs his mummy." Rico made a creepy sound to mock the child's innocence. He sounded like he was enjoying their pain. The animal!

"You don't want to end up like your father right?"

Those words broke something inside Bella. She stared with blank empty eyes at the far end of the room.

Suddenly she burst out struggling against the man laughing at her pain. A surprising amount of energy filled her as she trashed and clawed at him but everything she did was effortlessly waved away.

"This will be my last warning!" He releases her and she drops to the ground harshly, unable to find strength needed to support her legs.

"You only have a week to fetch me my money! That's if you love your lives! The next time I come here I promise not to break just your door but your bones as well!"

He snapped his fingers and his men let go of Jackson. The boy crawled quickly to his sister.

"Just look at them. Tiny helpless kittens." he laughed along with his men.

They walked out about to leave when the voice stopped them.

"Rico!" Bella called angrily, holding on to her head which had hit the ground hard.

"You want your money right? I promise to give it to you within three days!"

Three days? Is she f*****g serious about this? How can she make that money within three days!? Was this courage or just plain stupidity, she wondered – Maybe she hit her head a little bit too much.

"Hmmm." he snorted. "Interesting. Not bad for a little girl like you." he laughed.

"That means I would be expecting my money within three days." he left with his men, mocking as they disappeared along the road. He was sure she was just talking big. He would derive so much pleasure in snapping her bones in just three days from now.

Three days? Did she think at all? How?

But she had to stand up for herself if not this torment wouldn't stop. Rico would never allow them to have peace in their lives, the same way he had tortured their father that made the old man lean into drinking and gambling all he had!

Now's their turn to pay for what their father couldn't finish. Rico is just another example of the existence of beasts. He doesn't care if they are too little to even feed by themselves. All he wants is his hell forsaking money!

She didn't believe that word came out of her mouth but she was certainly sure there was a way out of this mess her father created for them.

Although she was broke, that doesn't give any i***t the opportunity to step on her.

"Gia," Jackson called, still crying. "H- how? How are you going to pay for the money?" The crying boy asked her.

She gulped as she looked down on the broken boy. This is too much for him to handle for his age. She hated herself for feeling so helpless.

She managed to fix a fake smile on her face, "It's going to be okay" she simply replied. She's certainly sure all will be okay.

She taps on him.

"You gotta be," she whispered as warm tears escaped from her eyes.

This has to stop!

Lani!

Immediately, her mind flashed to her. She might be the answer to her problem,

Her old friend.

*********

Sharaton Hotel, aka Slut delivery.....

Lani sat on a soft couch comfortably going through the file placed before her. It wasn't easy running this type of business but she had dedicated her life to the business.

Besides, it pays more than just being a simple waiter in the fanciest restaurant.

Gosh! She hated the idea of serving, washing dishes and cleaning people's rubbish.

Hell no! That's not her type of work.....

At least, sitting down and making orders to satisfy their customer's urges was the best she could offer since she got promoted as the boss in charge of delivery.

The phone rang disturbing her silent mood. "What the f**k!" She exclaimed to herself.

"What?!" She screamed at the caller harshly.

"Madam, a lady is here to see you," the other voice on the line said,

"A lady? Who?"

"She said her name's Isabella."

"Let her in immediately!" she commanded flexing her new position. Her voice had softened at the sound of the name Isabella.

It was a great surprise. After all these years? She hardly heard from Isabella after she left school. What could have happened that she appeared out of the blue?

She positioned herself well on the chair not knowing how to appear before her old friend. She glanced patiently at the door waiting for it to open any minute.

'Click'

The door made silly sounds whenever it opened from the outside. The head of a lady pops in first, peeking to take a view around the little apartment.

"Bella!" She called excitedly. She stood up squealing and embraced her in a warm and welcome hug.

"It's been so long." she said with teary eyes. She saw another shadow and glared at her back and saw she was not alone. Little Jackson was with her.

"Oh, you brought Jackson too?" she nodded silently. The little boy seemed happy to meet her even though it had been years since he saw her. He still remembered her face.

"Come here, my little prince," she said, giving him the same hug she gave his sister.

"You still look pretty as always." Lani said as she watched Bella.

"You too," Bella replied, finding herself a seat.

"So, tell me what brings you here."

"Lani, I need your help" Lani could see the trouble in her eyes. Something must be wrong. She knew Bella and the girl looked worked up.

Even though she seemed worried, her eyes were still prettier than ever.

But this looks big. Lani watched her watery eyes seeing the release of teardrops.

"What happened?" Lani went straight to the point, sounding worried. She can't console Bella without knowing what exactly was eating her up so badly. Lani feared the worst instantly...

"My Dad," she said sadly.

If there's one thing to tear Isabella down was that good-for-nothing father she had.

That bastard never cared about them after the death of their mother, the only thing he cared for was money!

That's the same money that has brought problems into the lives of his children...

"Don't tell me that bastard laid his hands on you?" Lani asked with her eyes burning in full hatred.

"No, he's dead."

"What!?" Lani threw her hand over her mouth, shocked.

It's been a long time since they contacted each other. She never knew her friend had been going through hell.

When did she lose her father? The word still ran on her mind when Isabella suddenly ended the silence by saying

"I… I..I want to be….”