CHAPTER 3: Asking for Help
505 Words
"It's... so hot... I can't... take it anymore..."
Farin's condition was deteriorating rapidly. Her face was flushed from whatever Anna had slipped into her drink. She twisted uncomfortably on the leather couch, clearly in distress. Even the cool air from the office's air conditioner did nothing to ease her symptoms.
Joshua watched her with a mix of disdain and concern, setting his wine glass on the table before turning to Jada, who had brought this unfortunate girl to his office.
"Why did you bring her here?"
"Help her. I know you have something to counteract what they gave her."
"Hmph... why should I help? She got herself into this situation," he said dismissively, lighting a cigarette and letting the smoke curl through the air.
"But she's innocent. She was tricked without knowing anything," Jada argued, trying to appeal to whatever humanity might exist beneath his cold exterior. She hadn't needed to bring the girl to Joshua, but something about Farin's genuine nature had sparked her protective instincts.
"Is she a relative of yours?" the young mafia boss asked flatly, exhaling another stream of smoke while glancing at Farin's distressed form.
"I just feel sorry for her. Please, just help her."
"I don't have the antidote here. Sorry for wasting your time, 'madam.'"
Jada clenched her teeth in frustration. What kind of man was this, blessed with such looks yet cursed with such cruelty? What sort of person could ever reach the humanity buried beneath such a cold exterior?
Farin's discomfort was visibly increasing. Joshua watched her with growing unease, though his expression remained neutral.
"If you don't get her medical attention soon, I won't be responsible for what happens."
"Just give her the medicine first."
"No," he replied curtly, blowing smoke in Farin's direction, making her cough.
"Don't be so heartless. How much could it cost?"
"Do you think you can afford it?"
"How much?"
"I don't sell individual doses," the mafia boss said with a sneer. "But there might be other arrangements we could discuss."
"Hah! Out of the tiger's mouth and into the crocodile's jaws," Jada muttered. She leaned back, crossed her legs, and tried one last time. "So, are you going to help or not?"
"I already told you, I don't have it here. Even if I did, you couldn't afford it."
"Is that an insult?"
The mafia boss merely shrugged, his expression unreadable.
The ringtone made Jada click her tongue in annoyance. She pulled a luxury smartphone from her designer bag and answered it.
"What is it? What? Alright, I'm on my way."
"If you're leaving, take her with you. She's not my responsibility."
"Just watch her for a bit. Something urgent came up." Jada didn't hesitate, quickly departing in her six-inch heels.
"Mmm~" The moan in her throat made the mafia guy look down again. Farin was now unbuttoning Joshua's black shirt. The scent from the opposite s*x was intensifying the effect of the sedative.
"If you don't want to get hurt, you should know better than to do this."
- Writer
