Chapter Three-The inevitable knock

Satera

I look at my friend, and I know the inevitable is here. I should have allowed her to leave. She wouldn't have to face this chaos.

“Lord, rest my soul” I wail, closing my eyes and waiting for the end.

Bensjasmin didn't move. Her initial fear had hardened into a furious mask of resolve. “If we’re going to die, we’re not doing it with our eyes closed” she hissed, pushing me toward the kitchen. “Get a knife. Now!”

I fumbled for the carving knife, the dullest one, just as the door rattled under a heavy, measured knock. This wasn't the manic tap of the Landlord; this is the sound of a fist backed by cold, calculated power.

“See? See! I told you!” I whimper, clutching the knife and trying to force Bensjasmin behind me.

“Shut up and hide!” Bensjasmin grabbed the wooden spice pestle from the counter. “Go into your room, under the bed. Now! If he thinks I'm alone, he might let me go.”

“No! I won't leave you!”

“He doesn’t want me, Satera. “He wants the one who called his eyes out for chasing 'booties.'”

I scrambled back, just in case the door was pushed open but I wouldn't leave my friend to the vulture. I'm definitely staying and not hiding. I watch Bensjasmin with teary eyes and hitched breath as she approaches the door cynically. Like a flash, she pulled open the door and we were met with a blinding Torchlight.

“Satera, are you okay?” The person thought it was me so he bent to aid Bensjasmin but she quickly flipped him over at the speed of light. Cheap TV shows must be really paying off. I will make sure to lock in after this saga.

“Who are you?” Bensjasmin boomed at him. Her body quivers slightly, I do not know if it's from fear or anger. “What do you want?”

“It's me, the head vigilante. I just want to make sure you're okay” The poor man groaned and stood up immediately.

“Ohh, it's you sir. I apologize. . I thought. . It was a . . threat” I quickly rushed forward and tapped Bensjasmin, a cue for her to retreat.

“We are checking each house to see if they are safe. We heard the imminent danger alert” He explains.

“Ohh” I am still embarrassed by the altercation earlier.

“I will leave. .” He proceeds to leave but stops on his tracks and whispers. “By the way, is that your friend? Blink twice if she's dangerous and you need help”

“No no sir, she's my friend. You know her, Bensjasmin”

“The Bensjasmin I know is a teacher, not a wrestling expert. That move was murderous” He looks shocked. I don't blame him. I didn't also know that watching a karate show could teach so much as the deadly move I witnessed earlier.

Bensjasmin slowly dropped the pestle and matched forward like a prodigal child. “I apologize sir. I was only looking out for my friend”

“That's a life skill to have as a human being by the way, you caught me off guard. Nice guarding I must say” Then he turns to me. “Lock your doors and stay safe”

We quickly bolted the door and turned to each other.

“Blink twice if you need to sleep”

The next day

I know I started my day with my daily roll ritual on the bed like a writhing snake in bliss rather than pain. The sunlight was seeping in through the slack blinds and drawing a perfect straight kiss around my eyes. The bed feels empty. Teacher Bensjasmin is gone. Of course, she wouldn't sleep until the sun is out. She has a real day job.

I rise lazily from my magnetic bed and a sticker note falls from my forehead. I frowned and picked it.

“Breakfast is probably cold by now, lazy head. See ya!”

She made me breakfast? What can I do without this amazing lady? Probably nothing! I literally flew from my bed to the bathroom. I grab my toothbrush and go through the boring ritual of rigorous dancing and shaking while the toothbrush assaults my enduring teeth and gum. I wash my face, grab a towel and bolt out of the bathroom towards the kitchen. But guess what, I find my food kingly served and covered on my wooden and chapped dining table.

“Princess treatment, purrr” I snap my fingers in the air in the typical Tiktok girlies fashion.

I finish the hearty meal of toasted bread and eggs and gulp water down in satisfaction. “I love you Bensjasmin”

Now, I reason within myself, I need to get a job. I can't just stay here and sit all day. I don't even have enough cash to brew a lot of aphrodisiacs to sell. I pack up the used dishes and dump them into the sink. As I turn around to leave the kitchen,my eyes land on the remaining aphrodisiacs I had stored up in different bottles like eagle eyes on chicks. Why didn't I think of this? Let's go hawking for this rent f*e, gurl! With a determined heart, I flew into the bathroom.

★

“Buy your wellness herbs. It's good for physical well-being and coital bliss. Buy your wellness herbs. Buy from me. It's one hundred percent safe to consume. Buy your wellness herbs” I was advertising my products shamelessly even with all the weird stares I keep getting.

I keep on with my advertisement. My drive is paying my house rent. I already know there will be weird and judgemental stares and that was why I stuck to going to nightclubs to sell. That way, I will be helping everyone while getting paid with money and grateful stares.

“Buy your wellness herbs”

★

The Void Club

Yes, I'm here as usual with my products but this time, I'm careful not to bump into the devil himself. I don't want any trouble. The club is in full motion and within minutes, I find myself making significant sales and there's only two bottles of aphrodisiacs left. I might as well wait a little to finish selling.

“DJ, we wanna party!” The crowd yells in a deafening loud voice.

I make my way to a corner of the club that has less activity but what I met there were two people entering and devouring each other's faces. I quickly make my way outside. I've learnt to tolerate this environment but that doesn't mean I'm used to it. It's all for survival.

“It's you”

God forbid I will not recognize that chilling voice. Oh God! I've been praying to not bump into him. What's this? I pretend as if I can't hear him and proceed to go back in to sell off these bottles.

“I thought you speak your mind. I didn't picture you as a runner” He is taunting me now. I just have to stay calm, stay cool and say hi. Bensjasmin already told me how ruthless he is. At least, if my ego will not allow me to apologize, I should not add more insult to the injury.

“Hi” I wave at him with an exaggerated smile.

“I will buy the remaining ones” He points at the bottles in the bag.

You will what? I didn't realize I'm standing transfused on a spot and staring at him foolishly.

“Let me have the bottles when you're done drooling” His authoritative voice jolts me back to reality.

“I'm sorry. I will give you now” I quickly pack up the bottles of aphrodisiacs into a nylon and hold it out to him.

A guy shot up behind him and collected it. That must be his driver. Pompous thing. He offers me the money and I collect it. This is more than the amount I sell these bottles. I don't want free handouts. Especially not from this proud CEO. I took out the exact amount of my products and proceeded to handover the rest.

My phone rings immediately. It's the old landlord. I decide to ignore it but this vulture of a boss is staring directly into my soul. I need a distraction so I pick it up.

“Come for your receipt when you're ready” He succinctly spoke.

“Hello. . Old landlord” He had already ended the call. But I've not paid my rent. What receipt is he talking about?

“Isn't this the point where you say thank you?” Khaid gave his usual devilish smile.

I shook my head, my eyes going to the pile of cash that had become a blur—the landlord had been paid, a chilling 'gift' from Khaid's man who was certainly not my guardian angel. I was indebted. And I had an ultimatum hanging over my head. My sleep would not be peaceful

“Come supply me your products everyday” He dropped the bombshell

“Sir”

He moves closer. “You're not deaf, are you? If I'm going to have my eyes inside booties, I should as well do it right, right?” He smirks.

“Yo. .ur add. .ress sir”

“Find it yourself” He walks off.

“CEO sir, I will ransack the whole of Belg City to locate your house if I have to”