chapter 9
333 Words
Brielle returns to her apartment after a long day, exhausted. As she reaches her door, her landlord is waiting with folded arms.
"Miss Cole."
She forces a smile.
"Good evening, sir."
His face doesn't soften.
"Don't 'good evening' me. Where's my rent?"
Brielle freezes.
She had completely forgotten. Between school, Daisy's warning, and everything else, the rent had slipped her mind.
"Sir... please give me a little more time."
The landlord shakes his head.
"I've been patient for two months already."
Neighbors begin opening their doors to watch.
Embarrassed, Brielle lowers her head.
"I'll pay. I just need another week."
"One week? That's exactly what you said last week."
He pulls an eviction notice from a brown envelope.
"If you don't pay within forty-eight hours, you and your mother will leave this apartment."
Just then, Margaret (Brielle's mother) arrives from work carrying a small grocery bag.
She immediately understands what's happening.
"Please," she says quietly. "I'm expecting my salary next week."
The landlord sighs.
"I'm running a business, not a charity."
He walks away, leaving the eviction notice on the ground.
Brielle picks it up with trembling hands.
For the first time in years, she feels completely helpless.
Meanwhile...
Charles reports everything to Alvin.
"Sir... we've learned something."
Alvin looks up.
"What?"
"Miss Cole is about to be evicted."
Silence fills the office.
Charles hesitates.
"Should we ignore it?"
Alvin slowly closes the file in front of him.
"No."
"Pay every naira she owes."
Charles blinks.
"But, sir... if she finds out—"
"She won't."
"Make sure she believes it's anonymous."
Charles nods, though he knows nothing Alvin does is ever truly anonymous.
The next morning, Brielle goes to beg the landlord for more time.
Instead, he stares at her in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"The rent..."
"Your rent was paid last night. Every kobo."
Brielle's face goes pale.
"Who paid it?"
The landlord shrugs.
"The man refused to give his name,my own is that the rent has been cleared".
- Writer
