Desires Gambit

I knock on the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I hate doing this. I hate having to come here every month, to beg for mercy. But I don't have a choice. I need to pay off my father's debt. And I'll do whatever it takes. I hear the door open, and Mr. Johnson stands in the doorway. His face is hard and unyielding, and I already know what he's going to say. But I try anyway. Mr. Johnson looks at me, his eyes cold and hard. "What do you want?" he demands, his voice low and rough. "I don't have time for this." "Please," I say, my voice trembling. "I need an extension. I just need more time to pay off the debt." He laughs, a cruel, mocking sound. "You think I'm just going to let you off the hook? You think I'm going to give you more time, just because you asked nicely? You're an idiot." My stomach churns, and I feel like I might throw up. "You have until the end of the week to pay me back," Mr. Johnson says, his voice low and dangerous. "If you don't, I'll make sure you never see another penny. I'll make sure your family never sees another penny. I'll take everything you have, and leave you with nothing. Do you understand?" "Yes," I whisper. Does he not know I have no one? Mr Johnson was a good friend of my father apparently they were business partners and my father cheated him. Laundered all his money and left him with nothing, unfortunately my dad passed a while back and now he demands for his money. Apart from Mr Johnson my father owes a lot of people money, from drug dealers to supermarket owners to different type of people and outlets. Last I checked the total money he owes is approximately $100,000 this is from all the people who reached out to me. What of the ones I do not know of? My two jobs can barely pay off anything, A waiter at a diner and a an employee at a bake shop owned by a friend of father, I was desperate so she hired me. Believe me I’m fully aware about how these jobs amount to nothing, but I have no degree or whatsoever. I dropped out of school because my father couldn’t afford my tuition fees and till now I can’t afford even the tuition fee if a public university. This huge burden he left on my head is consuming me from the inside out. I headed home consumed my my thoughts, I laid back trying to get some sleep but then my phone rings, and I jump, startled by the sudden sound. Oh how I begged for it not to be another person my father owed, I took a deep breath and answer it, trying to sound calm. "Hello?" I say, my voice shaky. "Luna," the man says, his voice familiar, low and gravelly. "I heard about what happened with your father. I'm sorry” I don't know what to say. I feel numb. “Umm thank…you” I mumbled I recognise his voice, it’s Jason. He digs an old memory I want to bury for as long as I live. I know I should hang up, but I can't bring myself to end the call. "You know," he continues, "I always thought your father was too hard on you. I never agreed with his methods." I stay silent, not sure how to respond. He seems sincere, but I can't bring myself to trust him. He's always been so loyal to my father, and I can't forget that. "I know you don't believe me," he says, "but it's true. I want to help you. I want to make things right." The words he's saying are kind, but I can't believe them. I think back to all the times he came to our house, all the times he hurt me. I can't forget that. I remember his cold, cruel eyes, the way he looked at me like I was nothing. And then I remember the last time I saw him, when he told me he was sorry. I didn't believe him then, and I don't believe him now. "Please," he says. "Let me help you. I know I've done bad things in the past, but I want to make up for them. I can give you money, I can help you get out of this situation. Just give me a chance." I can't trust him. I know he's not telling the truth. He's not sorry for what he did, he just wants something from me. I don't know what it is, but I know I don't want to find out. "No," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want your help." "Please," he says, "just think about it. I'll be here if you need me." I hang up the phone and memories of all those nights that to flash in my head. “Take them off” a voice echoes in my head. “Stop please” I muttered out loud, Feeling restless I pick up my phone and dial a number The phone rings a few times, and then I hear my best friend's voice. "Hey," she says, sounding happy and upbeat. "What's up?" I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to talk to you," I say. "Can you come over?" "Of course," she says. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Are you okay?" "I'm not sure," I say. "I'll tell you when you get here." "Okay," she says. "I'm on my way." The line goes dead, and I feel a wave of relief. I know I can trust her. She'll be here soon, and she'll help me figure this out. I go to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water. My hands are shaking, and I'm starting to feel lightheaded. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. The front door opens, and I hear my best friend's voice. "Hey," she says, sounding worried. "Are you okay?" I turn to face her, and I feel tears starting to well up in my eyes. "No," I say, my voice breaking. I collapse into my best friend's arms, sobbing. She holds me close and lets me cry. After a few minutes, I start to feel a little calmer. "I can't do this," I say, wiping my eyes. "It's too much. I can't handle all of this." "I know it's hard," she says, "but you're stronger than you think. You can do this." "I don't think I can," I say. "It's too much." "What if I told you that I've found a solution?"