CHAPTER 4: Debt Paid

Alura arrived at the Temple at exactly 8 AM.

"Lily." Grandma Mabel smiled warmly. "You're right on time."

Alura smiled back and sat across, her eyes fixed on the duffel bag on the table. It looked heavy and full.

"That's four million dollars," Grandma Mabel said, following her gaze. "It's cash just like I promised. You can count it if you want."

Alura shook her head, "I trust you, Grandma."

Grandma Mabel smiled, "Smart girl." She pushed the velvet box forward. "Open it."

Alura nodded and opened it. Inside the box were two rings. They looked elegant without being too flashy. One was slightly larger than the other one.

"The smaller one is yours. Try it on." Grandma Mabel said.

Alura slipped it onto her left ring finger. And it fit her perfectly.

"How did you know my size?"

"I have my ways." Grandma Mabel smiled suspiciously.

She pulled out a thick document from her handbag and set it in front of Alura along with a pen.

"Read it carefully at home, don't sign until you understand every word. This is a real marriage contract, Lily, it's legally binding. You need to know what you're agreeing to." She explained.

Alura nodded, her hands trembled slightly as she took the document.

"My grandson sends his apologies," Grandma Mabel continued. "He wanted to be here, but something came up at work."

"Oh, don't worry I understand." Alura tried to hide her relief. She wasn't even ready to meet Lou yet.

"This Saturday by three PM. You'll come to the courthouse in Cedarville. Bring the signed contract along with your lawyer. If you don't have a lawyer don't worry, I'll hire one for you. Lou will be there too. You'll exchange vows and register the marriage officially. It'll be simple and quick."

"Really? That soon?" Alura asked in surprise.

"Is it a problem?"

"No, of course not." The sooner she was legally married to Lou, the sooner Percy wouldn't be able to touch her.

"Alright." Grandma Mabel stood up gracefully. "Now, about the money. You shouldn't go to Percy Miller alone. I've arranged for bodyguards to escort you."

Almost immediately, two massive men entered. They were over six feet tall, with shoulders like mountains. They wore dark suits that barely contained their bodies.

"This is Mr. Cole and Mr. Harris," Grandma Mabel said. "They'll accompany you to pay off the debt. If Percy Miller tries anything, they'll handle it."

Alura looked at the bodyguards, she looked like a short kid beside them.

"Thank you for everything, Grandma Mabel." Alura said, feeling genuinely grateful for meeting grandma Mabel.

................

Percy Miller's office was downtown, a sleek building that screamed wealth. It was all glass and steel, like he was trying too hard to look impressive.

Alura walked through the lobby with Mr. Cole and Mr. Harris, and they both looked like twin towers beside her. People stared and whispered as they passed.

The receptionist's eyes went wide the moment she saw them. "Can I help you?"

"We're here to see Percy Miller," Alura answered. Her voice sounded stronger than she felt.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but he'll want to see me. Tell him Alura Wayne is here."

The receptionist picked up the phone nervously, keeping her eyes on the bodyguards. After a quick conversation, she hung up.

"Go to the tenth floor. His office is at the end of the hall."

The elevator ride felt unusually long, and Alura's hands were already sweaty.

When they got out on the tenth floor, Percy's office door was open.

She walked in without knocking, but froze almost immediately.

Her father was on his knees begging.

"Please," her father sobbed. "Just one more week. I'll find the money somehow, you don't have to take Alura."

Percy sneered, "Are you crazy old man, it's too late for that, and if you disturb me ever again because of this I'll--" Percy raised his hand to punch Robert.

"Stop!" She snapped.

Percy turned around immediately. His eyes went to her first, then to the bodyguards, then to the duffel bag. His expression went from surprise to confusion and then a hint of fear.

"Alura dear," he said slowly. "What's this?"

Alura walked forward and dropped the duffel bag on his desk. It landed with a heavy thud.

"Four million dollars. Count it."

Percy stared at the bag like it might explode. "W...where did you get this?"

"That's not your business. Our business is finished." Alura's voice was ice. "Take your money and never contact either of us again."

"You can't just--"

"I can." Alura stepped closer. The bodyguards moved with her, silent threats. "The contract you forced my father to sign? It says if the debt is paid in full, the marriage agreement is void. Well, here's the debt. Paid in full. So we're done."

Percy's face turned red. "You little bitch. Do you know who I am? I could--"

Mr. Harris cracked his knuckles. The sound was like bones breaking.

Percy's mouth snapped shut.

"You can count the money," Alura said quietly. "Make sure it's all there. Then give me a receipt stating the debt is cleared and my father is released from all debts."

For a long moment, nobody moved.

Then Percy grabbed the bag and unzipped it. His hands shook as he pulled out the stacks of money.

He counted and recounted. His face got redder with each stack.

"It's all here," he finally whispered. His voice was strangled.

"Good. I want a receipt."

Percy pulled out a piece of company letterhead with shaking hands. He scribbled something on it, stamped it and threw it at her.

Alura picked it up and read it carefully. Debt cleared. Robert Wayne released from all financial obligations. Signed and stamped.

"If you ever come near my father again," Alura said, "these men will come back. And they won't be as nice as I am. Understand?"

Percy scoffed through gritted teeth. "You think you've won? You think this is over?"

"Yes. It IS over."

"Nothing is over until I say it is." His eyes were full of hate. "You were mine, Alura. You'll always be mine. And one day, I'll collect what I'm owed."

Mr. Cole stepped forward. "Is that a threat?"

Percy's courage disappeared. "No. No threat. Just... just take your father and go. We're done here."

Alura helped her father to his feet. He could barely stand and was leaning heavily on her.

"Can you walk, Dad?"

He nodded slowly.

They left with the bodyguards, one in front and the other one behind, closing them in safely.

Only when they were in the elevator did Alura let herself breathe.

"Alura," her father whispered. "How did you get that money? Where did those men come from?"

"Later, Dad. Let's just get home first."

............

Mr. Cole and Mr. Harris waited in the hallway while Alura helped her father inside. She got him water and ice for his face.

"Thank you for your help." she told the bodyguards.

Mr. Cole nodded. "Grandma Mabel says if you need anything, call her. Whether day or night." Then they left.

Alura locked the door and turned to face her father.

He looked terrible.

"Where did you get the money?" he asked again.

"I got married."

His eyes went wide. "What?"

"I married someone. It's a business arrangement. He paid off your debt in exchange for... for me being his wife in name."

"Who? Who did you marry?"

"That's not your concern, Dad. All you need to know is the debt is paid. You're safe. And I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Where?"

"Away from you." The words came out flat and final. "I can't do this anymore. I can't keep cleaning up your messes. I can't keep sacrificing my life for your addiction."

Tears spilled down his bruised cheeks. "Alura, please. I'm your father."

"You're a gambler who sold his daughter. That's what you are." Alura's voice didn't shake. "Don't contact me. Don't look for me. Don't gamble away money you don't have. Because next time, I won't save you."

"Where will you go?"

"That's not your concern either."

She walked to her room. Grabbed the contract Grandma Mabel had given her. She sat on her bed and read every single word in it.

She signed her name at the bottom. Alura Wayne.

The moment she set down the pen, her phone buzzed.

It was an email notification.

Subject: Interview Confirmation - Hunt Corp.

Her heart stopped.

She opened it with trembling fingers.

*Dear Ms. Alura Wayne,*

*Congratulations! You have been selected for a final interview for the position of Executive Secretary to the CEO. Your interview is scheduled for Saturday, 3 PM, at our headquarters in Cedarville.*

Saturday. 3 PM?

The same day and time she was supposed to go to the courthouse to marry Lou.

"No," Alura whispered. "No, no, no."

Hunt Corp. One of the biggest companies in Cedarville. The job she had applied for months ago, the one she had given up hope on.

And now the interview was the exact same time as her wedding.

Alura stared at her phone, then at the signed contract, then back at her phone.

She had fought so hard to escape one cage. Was she about to lose everything because of bad timing?

Her hands shook as she pulled out Grandma Mabel's card. But what if she doesn't agree? What if this was a test? What if asking to change the schedule meant losing the marriage deal entirely?

Or worse, what if she asks for the money back?