Two Hearts

Chapter 2

Three days later, by 8:30 a.m., Mr. Johnson went off to the farm to get some fruit and vegetables.

“Where is your dad?” Mrs. Kate asked Emily.

“I saw him step out of the house a few minutes ago but he didn't say where he was off to. He just said he would be right back,” Emily answered.

She was leaning by the window side humming, and just then she saw her father through the window coming home with two baskets that contained fruits and vegetables. She hurriedly ran out to help him.

“Welcome home, honey,” Mrs Kate greeted as her husband stepped into the house. “What are these for? We still have some left in the store. Why restocking so early?” She couldn't help but ask.

“We are not restocking. These are gifts for Kimberly and something to eat on your journey," Mr. Johnson said, not quite meeting their inquisitive gazes.

“Why are you getting gifts for your sister Kimberly?” Mrs. Kate asked with a frown marring her features.

Mr. Johnson looked up at his family. “Didn't we agree that you both will be staying at her place for the time being?”

“No, Dad! We can't leave you here alone. It's not safe,” Emily objected.

“You don't have a choice dear.” her father laughed.

“But … but…”

“No buts, Emily. Don't be stubborn!”

Mrs Kate moved towards her husband. She tried to speak but she was choked with her tears. With a heavy heart, she reminded her husband of the way out she suggested a few days ago.

“No. Taking a loan from the bank is no solution to this situation. We can't create another problem for ourselves, we can't. Mr. Greg is just disappointed and that's why things are the way they are now. This is our only option and the farm will be sold tomorrow," Mr. Johnson uttered firmly.

He leaned closely and hugged his wife, caressing her hair, and then pressed a slight kiss on her forehead.

“Oh, please. Are we doing this now?” Emily playfully broke the tension.

“Come here, sweetie.” her dad said, laughing and stretching out his left arm for a hug.

*****

Two days later, after the farm was sold, Mr. Johnson went off to see Mr. Greg as early as 8:00 a.m. in the morning to pay part of the money he was accused of stealing.

In his bag was two thousand and thirty dollars which he sold his small farm for. As he walked through the crowd in the subway, he noticed a group of men following him. His heart pounded so fast and cold sweat ran down his spine. He suddenly slowed his pace and his eyes peered at the side. He turned around slowly but there was no one. He breathed deeply and sighed.

“It's just my imagination,” he muttered as he paused to assure himself.

He started walking again. Then he saw through his peripheral vision three men in dark shades with a sweatshirt and faded black jeans.

His heart raced back and forth as he increased his pace. “This can't be happening today,” he thought. While lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice that he was already surrounded by the three men. One moved to his front, another by his side and the other stayed behind him.

“What's in the bag?” The man by his side drawled in a low yet confrontational tone.

“My...my clothes,” Mr. Johnson stammered as he held the bag even more firmly. “What do you want?”

“You are a smart man.” The man by his side said with a mischievous smirk on his face as they walked closer. “I knew this wouldn't be a difficult task. Now gently unzip the bag. I want to see your pretty clothes.”

“I can't!” Mr. Johnson told them as he took a step back.

“Oh yes, you can,” the man cooed as he raised his sweatshirt to show Mr. Johnson the pistol that was tucked into the sides of his trousers.

Mr. Johnson's eyes widened at the sight of the gun. At that moment, he thought his soul had left his body as the memories of how beautiful and whole his family is, flashed through his eyes.

Without a second thought, he handed the bag over to him with shaky hands, and without hesitation, they left.

Mr. Johnson, at that spot, knew he was doomed. He had to think fast. His only way out is to plead for forgiveness. “Perhaps, I would be pardoned.” He thought to himself.

A few minutes later, he got to Mr. Greg's office. Immediately he opened the door, he locked eyes with Mr. Greg.

Mr. Greg scanned him from head to toe and said, “ I see you came empty. Coming empty-handed isn't part of what we agreed on. I know we were quite familiar with each other but I didn't expect you to forget so easily that I'm your boss.”

He stood up from his chair and perched on the side of his table. “You are a talented man. You crept into my office, stole eighty thousand dollars, and tampered with the CCTV footage. In less than two days, you miraculously spent half of the money, leaving you with the second half. I'm sure it took you months to come up with something like this.”

“No sir, I didn't tamper with the CCTV footage. I had two thousand dollars on my way here to deposit, but I got robbed at the subway,” Mr. Johnson tried explaining but he knew how fake his whole words sounded.

“Why add lies to worsen the situation?” Mr. Greg inquired, feeling angry. "I still find it hard to believe that you are capable of such. Well, no man is as innocent as they look.”

Moving towards Mr. Johnson, he looked straight into his eyes, still trying to find some truth. “So, how do you intend to pay back?” He asked.

“If you give me a few weeks, I will be able to come up with the money,” Mr. Johnson answered with a look of uncertainty mixed with determination.

“How much time do you need?” he paused. “Unfortunately there isn't much time again, and there's nothing I can do."

"Take my daughter,” Mr. Johnson said, breathing heavily as sweat greased his palms. He could hear his heart beating in his head.

"What!" Mr. Greg exclaimed, his brow arching. “Your daughter doesn't look like money to me, and I certainly do not need another wife or help.”

“She can be of help to your family, she can be a wife to your son," Mr. Johnson proposed.

“What do you mean?" Mr. Greg asked with a confused look.

“I overheard the discussion you had with your son, Joe, and your wife concerning him getting a life partner before he takes over the company," Mr. Johnson answered.