chapter 2: Midnight beauty
1607 Words
The moment Theo heard the knock on his door, he hurried over and pulled it open , standing outside was a heavyset wearing a torn dark stocking. she weighed over 300 pounds . Her red lipstick was slightly smeared and a bundle of jangling keys hung from her waist like a prison guard.
"Good evening,Mrs Martha Biggs," Theo greeted with an awkward smile after a brief pause.
" Don't try to sweet talk me ,Theo Johnson,"the woman snapped." I called you earlier to come for a drink at my place but you ignored. Tell me right now when do you intend to pay the four months of rent you owe ? "
Theo lowered his head slightly."ill receive my salary in three days. could you please give me a little more time?"
"Three more days ?" she repeated mockingly. I've already been patient because my daughter have feelings for you. your rent should be paid every month, yet you've fallen four months behind and now you're asking for another extension? aren't you embarrassed? Do you think this building runs on promise?
A helpless expression crossed Theo's face . some weeks early he had spent every cent he had on valentine present and new phone for Naomi. since then,his pockets have been completely dry.
"I honestly have no money right now ,"he said quietly. "But I promise I'll settle everything within three days,"
"I'm tired of hearing empty promises ,"the woman barked," either you pay today,or you move out immediately."
Theo stood frozen .He had no idea how to solve the problem, because he truly had no money.
Just then ,the apartment next door opened .A young college girl stepped into the hallway wearing darkish lace sleep dress . She looked as though she had just woken up.
"what's all this noise?" she complained with a sleepy frown ." some people can't enjoy there rest peacefully."
The landlady instantly changed her attitude like turning a new chapter and smiled politely.
im sorry ,miss Ashley.This tenant hasn't paid his rent,so I came to collect it."
Ashley glanced at Theo before asking calmly," How much is worth all these noises."
"only seven hundred dollars," the landlady answered quickly,"That's four months rent." Ashley raised an eyebrow.
"seven hundred dollars? and your causing this much commotion over such a small amount?"
The landlady laughed awkwardly," well he's been delaying payment for a long time......
" Fine, Ashley interrupted. I'll send you the money .Now stop disturbing everyone,,,The landlady face brightened suddenly." Thank you ,miss Ashley! you're too kind."
she then pointed at Theo " you got lucky this time . Don't expect anyone to rescue you again."
Theo nodded " I understand ,I'll definitely pay yo......." thud before he could finish Ashley had close the door ,,Theo also return back to his tiny apartment.
The room was small and worn out. A single fan turned slowly overhead, producing an annoying squeak every few seconds. Delivery boxes were stacked in one corner, and his faded delivery uniform hung behind the door.His eyes drifted toward Ashley's apartment.
Even now, he couldn't understand why she had helped him.
Most people ignored him.Others mocked him.Yet a woman who barely knew his name had paid six hundred dollars without hesitation.
Before he could think further, his phone suddenly rang.The unfamiliar number appeared again.Theo hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
Young Master Johnson, did you receive the money?" The calm voice of a middle-aged man echoed through the speaker.
Theo frowned ."money ?"Then he remembered the banking notification he had ignored earlier.
"You mean that transfer?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
I understand your doubts. That's why I transferred part of the funds first."Theo's heart skipped a beat."Part of the funds?"
"Please check your account balance."
The call ended.For several seconds, Theo remained frozen.Then he grabbed his bank card and rushed outside.Ten minutes later, he arrived at the nearest ATM.His hands trembled as he inserted the card.The machine processed his request.A balance appeared on the screen.Theo's eyes widened.His breathing stopped.
Twelve million dollars. million.The number seemed unreal.He checked again.The amount remained unchanged.His knees nearly gave way.All his life, he had counted every dollar carefully, Sometimes he skipped meals to save money.
Sometimes he walked home because he couldn't afford transportation.Yet now more money than he had ever imagined sat inside his account.Theo stared at the screen for nearly a minute.Only when a customer behind him complained did he finally step aside.His hands shook as he dialed the mysterious number.The call connected immediately.
"Do you believe me now, Young Master Johnson?"
Theo swallowed hard."Who are you?"
"My name is Samuel obunga."
"Why would you send me this money?",,,,,"That answer cannot be explained over the phone."
Theo frowned."What do you mean?"
"If you have time, please visit the twenty-ninth floor of Appex height.",,,"And then?",,,"I will explain everything."
Theo's mind raced.Everything about the situation sounded suspicious.Yet the money was real.Very real,,After several moments of silence, he nodded.
"I'll come."
"We'll be waiting."The call ended.
Theo withdrew only fifty dollars.Even though millions sat in his account, he still couldn't fully trust the situation.If this turned out to be some kind of mistake or scam, he wanted as little involvement as possible.
Soon, he hailed a taxi.The city skyline passed outside the window as he traveled toward Appex height.His heart beat faster with every passing minute.One question repeated endlessly inside his mind.
Why me?
An hour later, the taxi stopped outside one of the most luxurious office buildings in the city.Theo stepped out and looked upward.The massive glass tower seemed to stretch into the clouds.Luxury vehicles filled the parking area.Business executives moved confidently through the entrance.Everything about the place screamed wealth.Compared to them, Theo looked completely out of place, His shoes were worn.His jeans had faded from years of use.
His delivery jacket looked cheap beside the designer suits surrounding him.Taking a deep breath, he walked inside.Immediately, a receptionist behind the front desk noticed him.Her eyebrows knitted together.
"Excuse me."Theo stopped."Yes?"The receptionist looked him up and down."Can I help you?"
"I'm here to meet someone." ,,,"Who?"
Theo paused.That was the problem.He didn't know the man's name."I was asked to come to the twenty-ninth floor."
The receptionist laughed."The twenty-ninth floor?",,"Yes.",,,"That's impossible."Theo frowned."Why?"
"Because people like you don't have appointments on the twenty-ninth floor."Her words stung.But Theo ignored the insult.He had dealt with worse during his years as a delivery rider.Without responding, he continued walking toward the elevators.
"Hey!"The receptionist hurried after him."You can't go there!"Theo kept moving.The elevator doors suddenly opened.Relief flashed across his face.Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
Unfortunately, someone was stepping out at the exact same moment.Thud!Theo collided directly with the person.A startled cry echoed through the lobby, "pervettttWatch where you're going!"
Theo looked up.For a moment, he forgot to breathe.The woman standing before him was stunning.Fiery red curls framed her beautiful face.A fitted red dress highlighted her elegant figure.Black stockings and high heels completed an appearance that attracted attention from everyone nearby.
Unfortunately, the collision had sent her coffee flying.Brown liquid splashed across the front of her outfit.The woman's expression darkened instantly."You i***t!"
"I'm sorry," Theo said quickly."It was an accident."Instinctively, he grabbed napkins from a nearby stand and moved forward to help.The woman stepped back immediately."Don't touch me!"Her voice echoed across the lobby.People turned to look.The receptionist arrived moments later.Her eyes widened."Oh my God."
The red-haired woman pointed angrily at Theo."Who let this man inside?",,,"I'm handling it, Manager Stephanie," the receptionist replied nervously.Manager Stephanie glared at Theo."I want security here right now."Within seconds, several guards rushed over.
Theo felt panic rising.The last thing he needed was trouble.Without thinking, he slipped into the elevator and pressed the button for the twenty-ninth floor.The doors closed just as the guards reached him, As the elevator ascended, Theo leaned against the wall.His heart pounded heavily.
Below, Manager Stephanie stared at the elevator doors."Catch him when he comes back down," she ordered.One of the guards hesitated."Manager Stephanie... that's the floor of General Manager Obunga."
The anger on her face faltered."What?",,,"Nobody goes there without permission."Manager Stephanie clenched her jaw.Then her eyes narrowed.
"Fine."She folded her arms."Block every exit."A cold smile appeared on her face."I refuse to believe that troublemaker can stay upstairs forever."
- Writer
