Indebted to the Billionaire

Chapter three

Camelia POV

I quickly muted the call, because there was a situation to sort out. "I can't go…." But Lily cut through the tension. "Dad, it's late already. I don't think it'll be right to let her out tonight."

My father's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at Lily. It was a look I remembered well, one that had once been reserved for me. But that was before Mom passed away, before I married Brady. Before, I fell out of his favor.

“You can take yourself to the room," he said curtly. "Make sure you find a solution before tomorrow!" He scoffed, his disdain evident. I felt a sting, but Lily's gentle touch on my arm was a comforting distraction.

"Goodnight, Lily," he whispered to her as he went back to his room. "Good night, Dad," she responded with a subtle smile.

Lily turned to me, "You should freshen up," she said gently. I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do just that.”

I stumbled towards the bathroom, my hands shaking as I pulled off my clothes. The bathroom door creaked as I opened it, the knob falling off as if it had been loose all along. I tossed the knob aside and slammed the door shut, the soft glow of the lights enveloping me.

I stared at the mirror and I saw my reflection, a woman with sunken eyes, pale skin, and a soul that had been ravaged by betrayal.

The cool tile beneath my feet seemed to seep into my bones, matching the chill that had settled in my heart. Have I really lost Brady to another woman? The answer was obvious.

I dried my body with the little towel Lilly gave me and wore the night gown she provided, since my things were still at Brady’s. I dived on the bed and its comfort made me calm. I shut my eyes, drifting slowly to sleep.

****

Beep beep

The bop sounds of messages waking me up. I yawned and stretched my arm, struggling to pick my phone which was beside the bed but I couldn't find it. I finally saw it on the table beside the bed. I picked it up and scrolled through the messages.

“Your loan is overdue, and the interest is already piling up. We would advise you to pay as soon as possible before certain decisions are taken.

We would be waiting for your response from Charly ventures.”

My heart dropped…loan??

What loan?

I never took one. This is some sort of mistake. I dialed the number, my hands shaking slightly. The same number has been calling for days. Chill ran through my body as I waited for them to pick up. Finally, a deep masculine voice spoke from the other end of the call.

Hello, Mrs. " Brady," the masculine voice said.

"Miss Camelia, please," I corrected him.

"Sorry, Miss Camelia." He paused. "We've been trying to reach you for some days now, but you haven't been picking up our calls. That's why we sent a text.”

I felt a surge of confusion. "I never applied for any loan.” My heart was beating fast at this point.

Are you playing smart with us, Miss Camelia? He smirked. I'm sure you remember the agreement!

What agreement? I asked

The voice dropped to a menacing tone. "If you have any further questions or clarification, visit the office, Miss Camelia. You know better than to play smart with us."

With that, the line went dead.

It felt like a dream.

A loan….??

I hurriedly stood from the bed, washed my face in the bathroom, looked for a simple gown and wore it. There must be a mistake somewhere. I convinced myself as I rushed out of the house. The address sent was etched in my memory.

Lily and dad were still sleeping when I left home. I boarded a taxi to their office and in a few minutes I was at “Charly ventures” . The name was boldly written at the entrance. It was an old building painted brown.

Good morning…I muttered.

“Good morning ma”, a lady in her early 20’s replied. I paused for a while looking at the strange office, there was a lot of paperwork going on, while some men were at the other end of the office stacking cash into a briefcase. The air was thick with the smell of cigarette smoke. Suddenly, it clicked – these were loan sharks.

A tall, heavily built man with a cigarette dangling from his lips approached me. "Miss Camelia, right?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.

I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. "I guess you were the one I spoke to this morning." He raised an eyebrow, running his palms together. "Oooo, did we? You were acting all confused on the phone or did you lose your memory?

Well Mrs Camelia, I have a lot on my plate right now, and I will be heading out soon. I don't have time to start explaining s**t!.

I felt a rage of anger inside me when he said those measly things, but I remained calm.

He thrust some papers at me, "Maybe this will jog your memory," he said, his voice low and even.

I took the papers, my fingers trembling as I scanned the heading: LOAN AGREEMENT.

I read on, my heart sinking with each passing sentence, the terms and conditions were not palatable, there was an increase of 20% every month and if the loan is not paid back within 3 months after the stipulated time, what you've laid down as collateral would be taken.

My eyes dropped to the bottom of the page, and my breath caught in my throat. My signature stared back at me, a stark reminder that I'd agreed to these terms. But I have no memory of signing the loan agreement. None.

Sweat trickled down my forehead, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

Sorry sir, can I ask you a question before you leave? I stammered. And what could that be? He shunned back!

Who came in to receive this loan? Do you have an idea of what the person looks like?

“A young man in his late 20’s if not early 30s” he uttered, scratching his head like he was trying to remember something.

Brady can't be that evil, right? I asked myself. At the same time, I wanted to clear my doubts.

Was it this man here? I took out my phone and showed him a picture of Brady. He was the only one I could think of. My father won't do that and neither is he in his late 20’s.

That's him, he gasped. He took the loan.

For me?? My lips quivered.

I guess so, is he not your husband? He asked showing me a copy of our marriage certificate.

How am I supposed to explain that we're divorced already?

Immediately, I fell to the ground. Brady took out a loan in my name and used my father's house and grocery shop as collateral!

At this point, my father is going to disown me, and I'll have nowhere to go.

Miss Camelia, he called juggling me back to reality. You have two weeks to pay back or else we will take drastic action that you won't like. He barked and walked out.

l remained on the floor, other eyes were watching. I didn't even bother, they watched for a while and went back to their work.

No, I have to see Brady. I said , cleaning my tears and lifting myself from the floor, I left their office and took a taxi to Brady's place.

*****

Brady! I gave the door a loud bang, Brady! I shouted again. I don't care if anyone thinks I've gone nuts. I don't deserve this deceit and ill-treatment from Brady.

There he was standing looking at me confused, there was no time to read his looks.

Did you take out a loan in my name? I asked him coldly.

" No sweetheart, I didn't. " You took the loan," he said, shrugging his shoulders. Or what were you told?

Is that why you are here banging on my door? For a loan you took out?

I was becoming more confused.

Camelia, you signed some papers a few months ago. I told you I needed money for my business….so there you have it.

What!!! I screamed.

Yes, you're so dumb and naive who would want to keep someone like you as a wife?

Just get the f**k out of here. I don't want Maddie to see you here.

As if I care.

This is fraud. I'm going to arrest you Brady.

Oh really?? And tell the police what?

Just to get

out! He barked and pushed me out of the gate. I found myself stumbling and falling to the floor.

Now my life is a mess!