Chapter 2: The Price of Help

I checked his pulse, he was still breathing, although the pulse was faint. I kept trying to control myself from panicking.

“What do I do now,” I thought to myself. My first thought was to call for help, but none of the neighbours would be willing to help out, instead they would laugh and mock me.

I picked up my phone from the table and the first person that came to mind was Marcus. He picked on the first ring. “Hey baby,” He said with a sultry voice. 

“Don't call me that,” I said firmly. “I need your help with something, can you come over now,” I added.

“Okay baby,” he called me that name again.

“I said don't…” He hung up before I could finish my statement. What a bastard. 

He showed up some few minutes later, at least he didn't waste time.

“What happened to him?” He asked, shocked to see my dad on the floor.

“I think he fainted, I don't even know, he has a faint pulse, I just need you to help me get him up so we can take him to the hospital,” I said panicking.

“Okay darling, I will help you out,” he said lifting papa up. I was about to scream stop calling me that, but I remembered I need his help so I just swallowed my anger and turned deaf ears to those weird and cringe names.

When we got to the hospital, the nurse rushed him to the emergency ward.

“You can't go in Ma'am,” the nurse said politely. I nodded still trying to peep through the ward door.

“Ma'am calm down,” she said before leaving.

“He will be fine,” Marcus said to me. And that was the first time he didn't use those weird names. 

I sat there for what felt like forever waiting and then finally a doctor came out.

“Miss Voss I would like to talk to to you privately,” he said pointing the way to his office. I nodded and followed him.

“Is Papa going to be fine?” I asked as I entered his office not even waiting for him to have his seat.

He gave me a small smile and sat down, gesturing for me to sit down.

“Unfortunately your dad is on the verge of losing his life, he currently has kidney failure and would need to be operated on immediately.” The doctor explained.

I put my hand over my mouth in shock, I always warned him about drinking but he never listened. 

“How much is it going to cost?” I said wishing it won't be much but when he showed me the bill my eyes almost popped out of my sockets.

“If we don't operate on him immediately, he might lose his life,” The doctor said plainly. I nodded and left his office.

How was I going to raise money for his treatment, I thought to myself as I walked back to where Marcus was. He looked less concerned, and was busy on his phone.

“Marcus I want to ask for another favour,” I said not believing a time like this would ever come.

“What do you need?” He asked not even bothering to raise his head up.

“I need some money for Papa's treatment, it's very urgent, can you help me with it, I promise to pay it back,” I said weakly.

“Oh I see, I could help you get the money, but you don't have to pay it back,” he grinned widely.

I looked at him trying to read his expression but didn't understand. “You would really give me for free?” I asked shocked.

“Not really free darling,” he said getting up and walking close to me, too close I had to take a step back. “You could pay with something else, I'm sure by now you know how bad I really want you,” he added, tracing his fingers from my shoulders to my waist.

I moved back immediately frowning. “I will never sleep with you, if you don't want to help out just say so,” i said feeling disgusted. 

“You're playing hard to get now, but you would definitely come back to beg,” he whispered in my ears before leaving. I stood there watching him leave as tears dropped from my eyes. There goes the best friend I thought I had, I mocked myself.

After a while I cleaned my tears and went home. I would come up with a solution but for now I had to study for my exams tomorrow. I tried hard to focus on what I was reading but the doctors words kept replaying in my head and Marcus reply to helping me out, I sighed, dropped the book and forced myself to sleep.

The next day came by quick, I prepared and left for school, although I didn't get to study much but I still put in my best for the exams, I didn't wait around for my school bullies, I had to get to the diner and see if I could work extra shifts to get extra money.

“So I can't get an extra shift?” I asked the manager as he explained I would need to be working fully if I wanted an extra income, I couldn't because of school.

“I'm sorry I can't help you,” he sympathized with me before walking out.

“What's wrong,” Sofia asked looking concerned.

“Nothing, I'm fine,” I lied.

“Don't lie to me, you don't look fine, have you been crying?” She touched my cheek gently. As if on cue, my tears dropped and I broke down hugging her tightly.

“Papa was diagnosed with kidney failure, the cost for treatment is expensive and Marcus wants to sleep with me before helping me out with the money,” I explained, crying even more. She held me tight, patting my back.

“If he isn't treated immediately, he might lose his life,” I added between sobs.

“We would find a solution, I promise you, just give me time to think of something” she said breaking the hug to clean my tears. I wonder what idea could solve this problem.