A Dangerous Affair

CRASH The sound of shattered glasses startled me, causing my heart to race. I quickly turned around to see what had happened. I saw my mother drinking a bottle of beer, her hand trembling as she tried to steady herself. The room was in disarray, with broken glass scattered across the floor and a look of despair on my mother's face. "Mom, you're drinking again." I sighed and approached her to offer my support. I held her arms gently. "Mom, the doctor said you should cut your drinking habit," I said, my voice filled with concern. "I'm worried about your health." My mother looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes. "Your father has already left me," she whispered, her voice trembling. I guess she still hasn't forgotten and has moved on from my father's death. "Still, mom, it's better for you to stay healthy." I tried to reassure her. Her grip on the bottle tightens as she chugs it down quickly. "Healthy? Ha!" She laughed bitterly. "Why can't you just let me die." I could see the pain and desperation in her eyes as she spoke those words. It was heartbreaking to witness her struggle, but I couldn't give up on her. Taking a deep breath, "Mom—", I paused. She quickly went inside her bedroom with her glass of beer and slammed the door behind her. I could hear her sobs and muffled cries. I know it was hard for her, she was traumatized by my father's death. I approached her bedroom door. "Goodnight, mom, rest well," I whispered softly before closing the door. I went back to my bedroom and shut the door behind me, feeling a mix of sadness and determination. I knew that supporting my mom through her grief would be a long and difficult journey, but I was willing to do whatever it took to help her heal. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and letting the tears fall. The next morning, I woke up from the alarm clock on my nightstand, feeling a sense of heaviness in my chest. I groaned and sat up on my bed before rubbing my eyes and getting out of bed, and I quickly went inside the bathroom to wash my face and get ready for the day. I was in the kitchen making breakfast for me and mom when I suddenly wondered where she was now. "Mom?" I called out her name, but there was no response. A feeling of unease washed over me. I quickly went to her bedroom and checked to see if she'd been inside, the room was empty. I sighed. "She must be taking a stroll." I decided to finish making breakfast and set it aside for her when she returned. As I sat down at the kitchen table, my mind couldn't help but wander, hoping she would be back soon. I quickly put my suit on after eating my breakfast and getting ready for work. As I grabbed my briefcase and headed towards the door, a sense of worry lingered in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. "Mr. Carter, good morning!" My co-worker greeted me with a smile on his face as I walked into the office. "Good morning." I smiled backed, and greeted him back. And I quickly sat down at my desk, trying to focus on my work and push away the nagging feeling of unease. It's already past 8, and it was time for me to go home. I packed and arranged the things on my desk. I took my briefcase and arranged my papers and documents inside. "Oh, Mr. Carter, you're going home?" One of my co-workers asked. I smiled and nodded my head. "Yes, I'm a bit worried about my mother," I explained, hoping my co-worker would understand my need to leave early. He smiled and waved his hand. "Alright, stay safe!" He said, going back to his desk to continue doing his work. I quickly gathered my things and left the office, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I called for a taxi and headed home, eager to get some rest after a long day at work. "I wonder if mom is already home," I mumbled to myself. The taxi stopped and arrived at its destination. I paid and got out, feeling grateful to be back in my house. BANG! A sudden, loud banging sound coming from the house made me jump in surprise. "Mom!" I immediately went to the house and checked outside to see what was going on, and I saw a group of men standing in front of my house, looking suspicious and dangerous. I approached them, "May I ask what brings you here?" I asked them politely and waited for their response. "Young man, are you related to Oliver Carter?" One of the group of men asked him with a menacing tone. I looked at them suspiciously, "My father? How do they know him?" I cleared my throat. "Yes, he's my father," I admittedly said with a hint of fear in my voice. They smiled sinisterly, exchanging glances with each other. "Well, young man, your father owes us a substantial amount of money," one of them said, his voice dripping with malice. My heart raced as I tried to process the information. "What do you want from me?" I asked cautiously, fearing the answer that awaited me. One of them started to take their bat out from behind their back, twirling it menacingly. "We want you to deliver a message to your father," they said, their eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "And if you refuse... well, let's just say the consequences won't be pleasant." I hesitated to talk for a moment. "My father is already dead." I tried to hide my fear, but my voice trembled as I spoke. One of them sneered at each other as if they knew about my father's death. "Really? Then sorry, young man. You have to pay for your father's debt." I felt a chill run down my spine as they approached me, their eyes filled with malice. "How much does my father owe you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "He owes us $10,000 bucks. And if you don't pay, you will have to pay the price." They smiled sinisterly. I felt a chill run down my spine as they approached me, their eyes filled with malice. I barely gulped. "I don't have much money in me, please give me some time." They laughed and said, "Alright, young man, just make sure you pay." They started to leave, and in a moment one of them turned around and looked at me with a sinister smile on their face. "You have 4 months, and that will be enough." I knew that they were not joking. I went inside the house feeling a mix of fear and determination. I knew I had to come up with a plan to gather the money within the given time frame. As I closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was about to take a dark and dangerous turn. "Louis, you're home." I heard my mother's voice from the living room, and that made my thoughts shift momentarily. I forced a smile and greeted her, trying to hide the worry that was consuming me. However, deep down, I knew I couldn't burden my family with my troubles. I had to find a way to solve this problem on my own, no matter the cost.