BEAUTIFUL MONSTER

~ MIA ANTHONY~

“Let me introduce myself…”

"My name is Mia Anthony, the first child of Mr Hodor and Maria Anthony and I am twenty two years old—"

“I love you already,” Mrs Douglas squealed excitedly, “Please Mia, come help me in here,” she said.

I just got a coffee job downtown not too far from my house, though I got this job through Madam Anita; a very close friend of Mrs Douglas and my father's co-worker.

“Hello Mia, I got a job downtown for you; it's a coffee shop managed by my friend and she would need a little hand to assist, hope you wouldn't mind?” Madam Anita had asked me one afternoon when I came back from school, I didn't even think much because I needed money, especially while I was in my final year in college.

“Yes Mrs Anita,” I responded immediately and the next day, hopefully, I didn't have lectures so I went with madam Anita to the friend's shop and surprisingly, that was my best coffee spot. I never knew the owner was a close friend of madam Anita.

“Douglas, this is the pretty girl I told you about and she's Mr Hodor's daughter" Mrs Anita had said when she initially took me to the cafe spot.

"Oh my! You're such a pretty girl. How are you?” Mrs Douglas , she muttered.

"I'm fine ma'am."

"That's good but don't worry pretty, call me Douglas, it's fine by me. So what's your name?”

“Thank you Mad.... Oh sorry, Douglas," I uttered, followed by a small chuckle.

“Let me introduce myself....”

After the introduction, I joined Mrs Douglas, though we didn't talk about the pay or my schedule for work because I believed Mrs Anita must have told her about me being a student.

Thankfully, I know how to make great coffee with top notch designs. Don't ask how I knew, my mum ran a coffee shop before she died but it had to close because nobody was able to manage it and I was just thirteen then.

Shaking myself from the awful memory, I focused on making the coffee to go give madam Anita as ordered by Mrs Douglas.

"You know how to make good coffee, I wouldn't be surprised, your mum made great coffee too." Mrs Anita said with a small smile and I was satisfied she loved it. I mean, it's been over many years since I made coffee like this.

The first customer order was from an African couple. I went to them, collected their orders and made two cups of beautiful latte design coffee. I'm sure they would love it and they did.

My first day at work was getting interesting. While I was at the counter, Mrs Douglas came, spoke to me about my schedule and the pay which was fair.

I heard the loud ring of my phone from my purse as I went to pick it up. It was a call from my dad.

“Hello papa,” I greeted.

“Mia amore, can you come home now?"

“Like now? Is there a problem papa? I am at work,” I asked confusedly, my voice small.

“Erm.... Mia amore, I know but there really is no problem, but there would be if you don't make it down here on time, please" My papa pleaded and from his tone, I knew it's not a good cause so I took an excuse from Mrs Douglas which she granted without any second thought.

I took the next available taxi to the house.

At the front of our small gate were cars lined up neatly and I wondered. I counted the cars and there were like about eight. They weren't just cars, there were expensive cars.

Who would have come with so many cars to our tiny abode? Do we have visitors? My head reeled with questions.

As I went in, My father was sitting terrified and at the corner of the small parlour was my brother, Caleb who was hauled beside Miss Milan, our amiable babysitter turned stepmother.

“Dad! Mum! What's going on?” I stepped in, moving around the house. I counted ten men, all, clothed in black, looking stuffy and scary. Seeing that none of my family could answer, I decided to ask one of the black clothed monster looking guys behind me.

"What's the meaning of this and why are you all here,” It was as if I spoke to a ghost; blank, nobody spared me a response.

I stared at them, my face scrunched in anger, and maybe fear. I knew immediately these people weren't en't to be messed with but why my house? And what are they here for? Was all swirling in my tiny head but before I could go crazy again, I heard a very masculine voice speak. The deepest I have ever heard. "I am here to collect what's mine.”

What's yours? The voice was so defiant, so sure, so captivating.

“Uh!” I gasped as I turned quickly behind. Here, I saw the most mesmerized being ever. He was walking down our stairs with his blue eyes weaving directly into mine. I was enchanted, until his voice broke my reverie.

“Isn't young miss saying anything? I thought you wanted to know why we're here" The beautiful man said.

“What do you mean? I stuttered. Initially I didn't know the severity of this gathering but coming to my senses and seeing the evil smirk on his face, I suddenly realized this wasn't a good situation to drool over a man considering how terrified my father was.

I ran to my father, who was shaking and guiltily looking at me.

"I’m sorry my sweet Mia.” My dad muttered and my curiosity and fear grew.

"Sorry for what dad, explain to me clearly, please." I shook him softly trying to know if he had any clue of what was happening.

My heart was beating intensely. My dad has been my world for me and my brother ever since the death of my mother, he has strived daily to see we made ends meet.

I also remembered how he had gone to look for Miss Milan, our babysitter at her hometown to come take care of us but he later decided to marry her five years ago and I was happy he ended up with her. She was kind and even though she can't replace the void my mum left, she was doing a good job in taking care of my father and even my twelve years old brother.

"Well, enough of this, if your father can't speak, I would do that."

"Your father is a thief and should pay for the consequences.”

Surprised, I slowly looked at the man who I had earlier been enchanted by, looking back at my silly obsession, I cursed myself internally.

This time, I looked at my father intently. I need an answer as soon as possible and I want to hear it from him.

“Papa, please! Explain.” This time, I spoke with a bit of anger laced in my voice.

My father looked me in the eyes with tears at the corner of his, threatening to fall.

"What's all this?" I asked no one in particular as I watched my father tear up for real.