My Possessive Mafia

--- Ifeoma had never borrowed money in her life. Not even 1k from friends. But on Tuesday morning at 3am, her phone rang and it was LUTH hospital. "Miss Ifeoma? Your mother's surgery has been moved to Friday. If you don't pay 5 million naira deposit before Thursday 12pm, we will give the slot to someone else. And her case is critical." She ended the call and stared at her ceiling in her small Yaba one-room. Her mother was all she had. Her father left when she was 10. Her mother sold puff-puff for 14 years to send her to university. 5 million. In 2 days. She called everybody. Her aunt in London said "I will try." Her church members contributed 80k. Her savings was 320k. At 2pm, she was scrolling desperately on i********: when an ad popped up. "EASY CASH LOAN APP - Get up to 10 Million in 5 Minutes! No collateral! No stress!" It looked legit. Blue logo. 100k downloads. 4.8 stars. She clicked. The app asked for BVN, NIN, contacts, pictures. She gave everything because desperation makes you blind. She typed: Amount needed: 5,000,000. In 5 minutes, money entered. 5 million. Actually 4.2 million entered, they removed 800k as "processing fee" but she didn't care at that moment. She transferred immediately to hospital. Her mother cried on phone. "God will bless you, Ife. You saved my life." Ifeoma slept well that night for first time in weeks. For 6 days, everything was okay. Her mother did surgery. Surgery was successful. Ifeoma was in hospital, feeding her pap. On the 7th day, her phone buzzed. Message from EASY CASH. "Dear customer, your loan of N5,000,000 is due today. Amount due: N15,000,000 including late fees. Pay before 6pm or we will contact all your contacts." Ifeoma dropped her spoon. "What?" She opened app. Interest was 10% PER DAY. She missed the small writing. 5 million became 15 million in 7 days. She called customer care. Number switched off. She went to their office address on the app - 10 Adeola Odeku, VI. It was an empty shop with just a chair. She started shaking. 15 million. Where will she get it? At 5:30pm, while she was still at hospital, two big black Prado jeeps parked in front of LUTH. Men in black came out. A nurse ran to her. "Ifeoma, some men are looking for you downstairs. They say you owe." Ifeoma ran down, heart beating. The men were not area boys. They wore suits. Clean. Expensive perfumes. One opened the back door of the Prado. A man came out. He was tall. Very tall. 6'3" maybe. Wearing all black kaftan, beard trimmed perfectly, scar on left eyebrow, eyes cold like ice. He looked 32. He looked like money and danger in same body. Everybody in hospital car park stopped to look at him. He walked to Ifeoma. "Are you Ifeoma James? NIN 234..." He called her full NIN. "Yes... who are you?" "I am Khalid Bello. You borrowed 5 million from my company. You have 30 minutes to pay 15 million. My men checked your account, you have 12k. So you can't pay." Ifeoma's legs shook. "Your interest is illegal! You took 800k from my money! I will report to police!" He smiled small. Cold smile. "Report. My uncle is CP of Lagos. My interest is my rules. You agreed when you gave us your mother's hospital, your 200 contacts, your naked pictures from your gallery." "What? Naked pictures? I didn't..." "Your gallery sync. You have 3 pictures in bathroom. Very nice." Ifeoma wanted to die. She felt naked and exposed. "Please," she whispered, tears coming. "My mother just did surgery. Please give me time. I will pay. I will work." Khalid looked at her tears for long time. His cold eyes softened small. "You have two choices," he said, voice low so only she can hear. "What choice?" "Choice one: I send your pictures to all your contacts and your church w******p group by 6pm. And my men will carry your mother from that hospital bed and drop her at your Yaba house. Because you used fake address on form." "No! Please!" "Choice two," he continued like he didn't hear her begging. "You marry me for one year. Contract marriage. You live in my house on Banana Island. You act as my wife for business meetings. I clear your debt, I pay your mother's full hospital bills including drugs, and I give you 2 million per month for yourself. After one year, you walk away with 10 million." Ifeoma stared at him like he is mad. "Marry you? I don't know you!" "Now you know me. Khalid Bello. 32. Not married. No girlfriend. I need a wife because my grandmother is dying and she wants to see me married before she dies. You need money. It's business." "It's not business, it's crazy!" He brought out a black card from his pocket and dropped it on her palm. It was heavy. "This card has no limit. Buy anything. But decide now. My car is leaving in 2 minutes. If you enter, you are safe. If you don't, my men will start calling your contacts from number 1 - your pastor." He turned and walked back to his Prado, sure she would not follow. Ifeoma stood there, holding black card, tears on her face, hospital noise behind her. Her mother inside fighting for life. Her phone buzzing with EASY CASH threats. She looked at the Prado door open, waiting. She took one step. ---