My Sweet Escape

Nougat

Candy’s POV

As I walk towards the parking lot, I felt a sudden pain upon seeing my car. I can still recall the day when I bought it. It was my 27th birthday. I couldn’t buy a car in the previous years because of mom’s hospital and medical expenses. A year after she passed away, I felt like I need to give something to myself because I have been spending so many hours in the hospital. It also became burdensome whenever I had emergency calls and I still need to ask Sarah for carpool. It took me many years before I decided to have properties. Now it's only taking days to lose them one by one.

As I was about to go to my lawyer, my phone beeped. There was an incoming message.

“Candy, I’m sorry to tell you but the other party refused to settle. The hospital refused to give a back-up statement on your behalf. I don’t think I can do anything about the situation. It’s either you lose your license now or fight but if the other party gets more sympathy, you might even go to jail. I suggest that you just give up your license now than fight to the end. You will just…”

I stopped reading the long and painful message. Tears suddenly roll down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and sat on the pavement. I couldn’t even find the strength to open my car door. Another text message came in. I don’t plan to read it. It might be my lawyer again. I can’t bear to see another bad news. I slightly saw a glimpse of the unknown number on my screen. So, I decided to read the message.

“Good day! I want to see your unit and car. Can you tell me how much you are selling? Can you give a good rate if I take them both?”

I slowly wiped my tears and took a deep breath. Whether I like it or not…I simply don’t have any choice at this point. I need to make a quick decision. The buyer might change his mind and it will not do me any good.

“Hello! Thank you for the interest in my properties. Yes, I can give you a good price if you take them both. When do you want to see the unit and the car?” I texted the buyer back.

A new message came in. “How about now?”

“Oh, I can meet you in an hour. Here is my address…” I texted the address and hurriedly went home to clean the house and the car. I told myself that I need to move on and be strong.

Dave’s POV

“Alex, you need to come to the place that I will text you. I will meet you there. It’s urgent.” I hurriedly told my assistant and immediately drove to Candy’s apartment.

Alex came to me after 10 minutes. I asked him to sit on the passenger side of my car as I explain the situation. Of course…he was shocked. It was the first time for him to see me doing a harsh decision like this...to be involved in somebody else’s life.

“Just take a video and photos of the unit and the car. Pretend that you are the buyer and pay her right away. Use the company card. Do not ask for a bargain. Just agree to her terms. Tell her that you like the vicinity because it’s accessible to…”

Alex cut me out as he knew I was nervous and kept on blabbering a lot. He was laughing as he went down my car.

“Hey, Can you do a video call so I can see the…” I told him hurriedly but he just waved and walked away not making me finish. I know he finds me weird and crazy as this time but I really feel crazy too.

After a few minutes, I saw Alex' video call prompt on Skype. I answered without turning my camera on. I can see Candy’s pretty face as she showed Alex her apartment. She lives on the 25th floor. Her house is a typical busy lady’s house. It is tidy and has good interior but I sensed the sadness in it. I saw some photos of her on the shelves. Maybe the woman is her mother. They look close. I wonder where she is now. Then I hear Alex ask the price. Candy answered.

“Honey, did you hear the price? Is that okay with you?” I didn’t know that Alex can be a good actor. But he is pretending that I am his wife or girlfriend. “Candy, I will just talk to her for a while. Just a moment.”

Then, Alex spoke. “Sir, are you okay with her price? It seemed a bit high.”

“Just pay her now.” I said and hung up.