CHAPTER FIVE — READY OR NOT?

Chapter 05.

READY OR NOT?

Lauren's POV.

I dropped my gaze to the wads of cash in the briefcase. No doubt the money, whatever amount it was, would help me in so many ways. That's an understatement. It would completely change my life.

However, thinking about it, it didn't seem right to me. I mean, I killed his father last night, and today he's offering me this amount to do a job for him?

“Can I take some time to think about this?” I asked, lifting my gaze to him. “I would really appreciate it if you can give me a few days to think about this.”

“Do you think this is some kind of joke?” he asked, his brows gathered in as he leaned forward. “I don't have much time on my hands, and you want me to give you some time to think about it?”

He scoffed.

“Are you kidding right now?”

“No, I just,” I sighed. “I have never seen such amount of money before. So, it just feels…”

“Weird?” he raised a brow. “Well, I thought as much too. But there's nothing to be scared about. I just need you to do as I say. If you do, we'll be good.”

“Alright, but I can't take this with me right now.” I said, shaking my head as I glanced at the money in the briefcase. “Perhaps, I'll get it from you some other time.”

If anything, I didn't want to risk it. By staring at the wads of cash in the briefcase, I could tell it was over ten million dollars. Although, I could be wrong, but that was just an estimate.

He doesn't expect me to go around with such amount. What if people find out? I mean, what am I going to tell Anita, Camille and Agnes when they find me with the briefcase? Besides, who would I tell them gave it to me? It'd be difficult for them to believe that someone gave me such amount, for doing what exactly?

“Alright then, that's not going to be a problem.” he said, smiling as if he had made plans beforehand should such situation arise. “Don't worry, Gaby here will bring it to you by nightfall. Is that okay by you?”

“Uhm,” I opened my bag, took out a blank page from one of my books, and held a pen. “I think it would be better for us to meet here.”

I scribbled down some words on the paper, and pushed it to him across the table. He picked it up, and glanced at it.

“You want him to bring it to this address?” he asked, dropping the paper on the table. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I am.” I said, with a subtle nod of my head.

For one, I couldn't allow him to bring it to me like he suggested earlier. That would only get me into trouble with my mom, which of course, I wasn't prepared for. Knowing who she is, she wouldn't stop asking me questions on how I got such amount of money. And if I don't provide an answer, she would ask me to take it back.

But that's not going to happen. I mean, how do I even break the news to her that I murdered someone last night? I guess my dad was right all along: some secrets stay with you till the end of time.

“Very well then, it'll be brought to this address.” he said, with a smile. “I guess we're done here.”

He got on his feet, and tugged his collar. Meanwhile, Gaby closed the briefcase.

“Talking about time,” he turned to face me just as he was about to leave. “You have just twenty-four hours to think about it. It's not like you have a choice. But then again, I need you to prepare your mind for it.”

That said, he turned around and exited the library. I sighed, clutching my chest with a hand. For a moment, it felt like the surrounding air had suddenly grown thinner.

If there was a way to avoid doing what he wants, and receiving that money from him, then I would love to know about it. Perhaps, if I hadn't made the mistake of going to the bar last night then I wouldn't find myself in such awful situation.

I gripped my head in my hand, and pushed my fingers through my hair. In as much as I was trying to gather my thoughts, I was also trying to kill time. The last thing I wanted was to leave the library and find him out there. So before stepping out, I wanted to be sure that he was long gone.

I remained that way for a few minutes before righting myself from the chair. For one, I believed that I'd waited long enough for him to have gone. I walked to the door, opened it and exited the library.

Walking down the hallway, I swept my eyes all over the place to be sure that he wasn't lurking around. Of course, I didn't expect that he would, it would only be a stain on his reputation.

“Lauren?” — the voice came from behind.

I paused, and looked back. It was Camille. My heart gave nervous jolted. I watched as she quickened her pace to get to me.

“Where have you been all the while?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. “I have been searching for you all over the place. For a moment, I thought that the ground had opened up and swallowed you.”

“Why would you think that way?” I asked, crinkling my face at the words.

“Well, you were nowhere to be found.” she said, with a shrug. “I spoke to Agnes on your behalf, and she's agreed to talk to you. She's waiting; come with me.”

She gripped my hand and tried to pull me along. But I refused to move an inch from where I stood.

“What is the matter?” she asked, in a curious tone of voice. “Why aren't you coming? Look, if this is about what she might say to you, then you have nothing to worry about. I already spoke to her, and she said that she's ready to talk.”

With Agnes, it's sometimes different. You can never really tell with her. She might have said those words to Camille, and then when I eventually arrive, choose lash out at me.

I mean, it's not the first time she has done something like that. But with everything going on with me, I don't think I'm prepared for such. If anything, I just wanted a moment alone.

“There is something I need to tell you.” I said, in a soft voice.

“Which is?” she folded her arms across her chest and raised a brow.

“I am expecting some money tonight, so I gave your address instead of mine.” I said, trying to study her reaction as I said every single word.

“Alright, is that it?” she asked, raising a brow.

I didn't expect such reaction from her. If anything, I expected her to get a little angry with me for giving out her address to some stranger without her permission. But then, there was no one else I could think of.

“Yes.” I said, barely breathing the words.

“That's not a problem, let's go. Agnes is waiting. Trust me, you don't want to keep her waiting for long.” she gripped my hand again, and tried to bring me along, but I refused to move.

“What is the problem with you?” she asked, her voice almost rising to a scream. “Is there something else you want to say?”

“How would you feel if someone walked up to you and told you that I am a…” I paused, letting out a heavy sigh.

“That you're a what?”

“What are you both still doing there?” Anita's voice came from a distance. “Agnes is waiting.”

“Are you ready to fix this, or not?” Camille asked.