Love by Contract

The debt I must pay

"Keisha".

He called my name gently, still smiling.

Swallowing the fear I had in me, I decided to know what I was doing here, and why I was brought here.

"What do you want from me, why am I here? And... how do you know my name? I asked, my voice sounding strange in my ears.

I was trying to sound brave, and unafraid. But alas, I sounded like a foreigner to myself.

I saw a ghost smile appear on the old man's face, he was trying to suppress a laughter.

I guessed I must have sounding funny to him.

"Well, however I got to know your name is not important at this point my dear. And, you are here because you owe me money". He said smugly.

"I owe you money? How? If I can remember vividly, I was the one who helped you the first day I met you and not the other way round. So how am I owing you? I replied him, as confusion marred my face.

He laughed quietly again at what looks like my stupidity, as he walked to a seat at the other end of the huge table and sit down.

"Have you ever wondered why your father was wealthy, when he has a poor father?". The old man said to me.

I stared at him, hoping to understand where he was driving at.

"Your father's wealth was all thanks to me because he borrowed 500 million dollars from me". The old man added, and became silent. Looking at me as though he was waiting for the word to sink into my brain before he could continue.

Shocked, I was still staring at him. And hoping he would tell me that it is all a joke.

But, when I didn't see him say anything to me, I finally sank into my head.

I am in a serious debt!

My father had borrowed money from the mafia!

Stars began whirling round in my head, my eyes were almost popping out of its socket.

I focused my stare at the old man as though I could find the answers to the numerous questions in my head from his face.

How could my father borrow money from the mafia? I wondered.

Immediately, I began to strategize on how to get out of this. I had done this man a favour the very first time inset my eyes on him for goodness sake, why would he put me under such duress?

So, rather than cry over an already spilled milk, I decided to look for a way to make things right.

"Okay, I now understand what is going on now. And, I can now see that I am indebted to you now. But please, give me some time; I will get a job, and I will start paying you little by little till.... till I can... clear the debt". I said to him, sounding so naive to myself and I wondered how the old man was going to take the word.

Well, I got the shock of my life, as the old man bursted laughter.

I wasn't surprised at his laughter, I had also sounded like a clown to myself.

So I let him have his laugh.

"Oh Keisha, please forgive my outburst. I actually admire your courage to make things right, but... don't you think that it's too late now? I had waited for your grandfather to work and pay me back my money ever since your father's death, and up till now, HR hasn't been able to do that. And I need my money now". Although the old man was still smiling, but his words were as firm as the heart of a mafia can be.

"Okay, I know my grandfather had promised you, but I am not my grandfather; I will do my best and I will pay you back. Everything,just give me some time". I was determined. I had no other option at this point than to look for a way out of this, I don't trust what these people would do to me.

The old man became silent, as he leaned back into his seat across the table and fixed his focus on me.

The silence that followed was so disheartening, and I wondered what could be going on in his mind right there.

Instantly, my heart started palpitating, and I prayed my plea worked otherwise, I may not come out of this, and may never see my grandfather again.

My grandfather!

The thought of never seeing him again sent a shiver down my spine, and I tried to force back the tears that threaded to start flowing down my cheeks.

I had to be strong for him, and fight this separation.

"You know I can actually wipe away the debt". I heard the old man's voice say.

I was taken aback.

Was that a question, or a statement? I wondered in my heart as I stared at the old man in shock.

"Yes, I can do that for you because you are a good girl". The old man said to me, as though he read my mind.

Suddenly, I chinned up.

He must have remembered how kind I was to him the other day. I assured myself, as I said.

"Oh really? That would be so kind of you sir! Thank you so much!". I said, smiling broadly.

I was really excited but never knew it wasn't going to last long.

"But.....". The old man said, and the room went silent again.

I looked at the old man, searchingly. My heart began to race.

"..you will have to do one thing for me". He added, and I wondered.

What else does he want me to do for him, I thought he was helping me because of the other day.

One good turn, after all, deserves another.

Isn't it?

I wanted to ask him that, but I rather said.

"And, what would that be?!". I asked, my heart still racing with speed as I watched him to see hear his response.