Due Interest

Chapter 4-Due Interest

“That’s enough.” Alexander Vermont spoke and took the folder from my father who has yet to let my wrist go.

Sure I wanted to leave the house, to leave my family because living with them had become unbearable for me. It was taking a toll. However, I never wanted to be given as a payment for a debt, to be owned by anyone. He will own my life, my freedom, like a slave sold to a new master. I have dreams of my own, I have plans, and being a maid, or a servant was not one of them. At home, I have choices, I had a choice to leave or stay, to have a life once I leave. But in this, I have nothing. 

Alexander Vermont held his fountain pen and I spoke to him, “Please, not like this. I could work, I could pay some of the debt. I could overtime, I could – AH!” my bottom landed on the floor when Dad threw my hand away forcefully to stop my protest.

“You are not in the position to negotiate on this. Your things are already handled by his assistants. I asked Paula to pack everything. Do not ever return to us or I will make your life more miserable.” 

And with that, he left with the lawyer, not even glancing back nor hesitating to leave his daughter to a man he barely knows.

I held back my tears as I felt pity for myself.

How did I have a life like this? Did I commit an unforgivable sin in my past life?

How unlucky.

I stood up and looked at Alexander Vermont who was watching me from the other side of his desk. I never knew a devil could look this good. But still, a devil is a devil. And so his deed to take a human life - my life, my freedom, and my future. Money sure does a lot of things.

And with the fact that he was the one who negotiated with my father with regard to the debts, he is not just a mere general manager who happened to have the same last name as the Corporation. He IS a Vermont.

And I know that filthy rich and wealthy people like him have a side they would never show in public. Politicians, businessmen, influential, and wealthy people, they’ve got dirty laundries to hide. And I would not be staying here to find out how twisted this man’s mind is.

“I am leaving,” I uttered and turned around to leave. No matter how much I marvel at his looks and at that one night I spent with him last year, which he most definitely does not remember, I will not gamble with fate.

But before I could get near the door of his office, the man who once opened the door for us stood against me, blocking the door from my sight. I tried to avoid him and walk to his side, but he stepped in again.

“You are not permitted to leave yet.” Alexander Vermont uttered and my head snapped back to him.

“This is not right. At this age, you cannot own anyone! Nor use a person to pay a debt. This is illegal.” I argued.

“Not when you have the money.” 

Of course, not when you have the money. Money runs the world. The government, the law, the society, money rules over everything. It can give you a good life, or a miserable one. And in my position, it gave me the latter.

He gestured a hand to the man and then he grabbed my shoulders, led me to the couch, and made me sit. He stood at the door like a guard, watching my movement, making sure that I would not be running away in the next minute.

And with a little hope, that perhaps something would side with me, I took my phone out and started to dial, “I am calling the police.” 

“And then what? What would you tell them? Go on, tell them how your family could not pay their debt, TO ME.” 

“It is the corporation that our company was indebted to. Not you.” I bit back.

And he smirked. Oh, I would have loved to stare at his handsome face all day, if only he did not have a repulsing attitude. Though I liked him, after that night, he never left my mind anymore. His sleeping face before I left that morning was forever ingrained in my memory. He looked at peace, and I guess, I would always like that version of him. 

Not this cruel one in front of me right now.

“The corporate is a separate entity–” he cut me off when he spoke to prove me wrong.

“Oh no, darling. It was me. I personally funded a few of your father’s company projects. But they were loans… from me. And it is just right that I must collect the payment –” he stood against his bookshelves, facing me with his hand in his pocket. His eyes studied me like he was evaluating my existence.

“and the due interest.”

I frowned. I did not know. I thought…

No, I did not know a lot about the company, dad never gave me the important details, I was just a mere employee in his business and he paid less than the regular salary of someone in my position. It was for the reason that I am a member of the family and must put a portion of volunteering in my job.

And I never complained, as long as I got paid.

“What is your name again?” 

“C-Claire.” I answered quietly while everything sank in. I was just literally kicked out of the house. That is a good thing tho, that I am out of that hell hole, but… what life do I have in here?

“Claire Hugh.” my name rolled off his tongue like a red velvet cake. It sounds soft, and gentle, contrasting to his stern look and hard tone he had used on me earlier.

“As your father had mentioned, I own you now, your liberty, your life, your future, and you will follow everything I say. Your belongings have already been taken care of by my people. This is Tanner, my secretary,” he introduced the man who had blocked my way out and he just gave me a quiet nod.

“He will take you to where you will be staying.” Alexander Vermont said dismissively and turned towards his desk.

“What am I supposed to do here? Do I clean your house? Change your shoes? Polish your floors?” I said sarcastically. I could probably do that. But that is not the life I have wanted for myself.

He looked at me and exhaustion was evident in his eyes. It is just the middle of the day and he is already tired?

“Get her out of here.” he just spoke and his secretary opened the door and I walked out, and even before I could take a run at the hallway, he immediately grabbed my elbow, and despite my struggle to take my elbow off his grip, he did not let go and acted like we were just normally passing by the offices.

“Let me go.” I hissed.

“And get my head chopped off by the Vermonts? Nah uh, not a chance, miss,” he replied taking me to the elevator and pressing the basement button.