Chapter 2

I gapped at my parents in shock. What do they mean by ‘I’m the collateral?’

“What-what do you me-mean?” I stuttered.

“That man came to us and offered to take care of Mitchell’s bills, he also promised me a better job.”

“And?” I asked impatiently. I want to understand everything that is unfolding out here.

“All he wants is you. We didn’t agree at first, but when Mitchell’s illness started deteriorating we had no other choice but to agree. It’s not like he’s going to kill you anyway,” Mom continued.

I stared at her in disbelief, what else would they want from me?

“Does that mean that I’m becoming a slave?” I muttered

My Mom and Dad exchanged glances but said nothing.

“He’s a nice man,” mom complimented.

“Nice?” I flared up.

“Nice with a beautiful well-planted smile or a sweet calm voice. Come on, he’s after something, you don’t expect him to showcase his actual manners!” I was screaming out my lungs.

I’m sure the buyer heard me, it was confirmed when he opened the door and sauntered in, hands fixed in his pant pocket.

The innocence in his eyes was gone, it was replaced by anger.

“Mr. Thatcher, this wasn’t what we talked about. I have a business to handle,” his voice was unusually calm. A perfect contract of the impatient flame that flickered in his eyes.

“Fuck off, I’m not a property and I’m going nowhere with you!” I shot at him. He didn’t look surprised, instead, his little seductive lips curved into a coy smile.

He directed the smile to my parents. “Haven’t you explained it all to her?” he looked at me and muttered, “Or, will it take her years to understand?”

“Hey, I never knew about your lame deal, I’m ready to pay back every cent you’ve spent on my brother,” I ranted. Even though I know I can’t afford to pay a quarter of the money.

He casually glanced at his wrist watch then back at me.

“Sorry, I don’t do business like that.”

“Business?” I huffed. Does he think this is business?

“I bought you for a price that you’re not worth up to, but no worries, I did it for your poor brother,” he replied and smiled sweetly.

“Bastard! How dare you insult me in my house?!”

He glanced intimidatingly at our dingy living room.

“House? Didn’t your parents tell you that part too?” my brows furrowed in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“Honey,” my mom reluctantly touched my arm.

“We had a deal. If you don’t go with him, he will take away the house and your brother.”

“Wait, what do you mean by the house and my brother?” I think my voice quivered. What the hell is going on?!

“I have my men hovering around your brother’s VIP ward, failure to fulfill your part of the deal will lead to his execution,” a dark smile spread across his face as he said.

Mitchell! Executed!

I shook off my mom’s hands and raced towards him in a mad dash.

“Don’t you dare lay your miserable hands on Mitchell!” I made to smash his chiseled jawline out of shape, but he slimed out of the way and I tripped, diving at the bookshelf and my mom’s new glass vase.

A yell escaped my lips as I crashed into the shelf and vase, the vase shattered under me, sending splinters into my flesh. That wasn’t all, I heard a crack on my ankle and everyone froze.

“Baby, are you okay?” my mom’s cracking voice asked.

My head began spinning as I doubled over in pain, some parts of my body were bruised and yes, my ankle didn’t escape the punishment either.

“Ouch!” I groaned, the thought of moving my body made me cringe. The broken vase was still tearing into me.

The man hovered over me, an amused look on his face.

“You wanted it the hard way, didn’t you?” he mocked.

“You brute!” I managed to spit out.

“Do you still want to keep on dragging an argument you cannot win?” he chuckled. A wince was my response.

“Please sir, come back tomorrow. She’s wounded,” Mom begged.

He grunted and threw a glance at me.

“I told you that I’ll go with her immediately she arrives.”

I peeked up at him. I don’t remember telling my parents that I’ll be back today, it was supposed to be a surprise.

“I told you, I have eyes and ears everywhere,” he muttered, answering my unspoken question.

“Sir please…”

“No!” he cut my mom off, “I have capable hands that will take care of her better.”

I winced again. I don’t want to go, but to imagine losing my brother and our house was unimaginable.

“Come on, get up,” he snapped at me. I glared contemptuously at him

What a nice man he is, can’t his dumb head also tell him that I can’t move?

“Of course it does, lady,” he muttered. I widened my eyes. Who is this man?

He puffed, bent down, and picked me up.

I felt like a five-year-old girl in his large arms.

He looked down at me and stared until I managed to poke his ribs with my fingers. He snickered and trotted out of the house.

I craned my head back and saw my parents standing by the doorway.

Tears glistened in their eyes and mine. My best day has suddenly become the worst day of my life.

“What about her clothes?” my mom’s voice was quivering. My certificate!

He stopped walking and craned his neck in the direction of the house. “She doesn’t need the clothes nor the lame certificate,” he said, mimicking my words. In three strides he made it to the car and carefully dropped me into the passenger seat.

“It was nice doing business with you,” he smiled at my parents, bowed slightly, and got into the driver's side.

“Fix your seatbelt,” he muttered as he strapped a seatbelt across his body. I rolled my eyes at him and faced the house. A house I don’t think I will ever see again.

Tears glittered in my eyes and my throat was parched.

He glanced over at me and sighed when he discovered that I wouldn’t listen to him.

The car roared to life and bounded off.

My parents waved till I could see them no more. How will Mitchell feel when he returns from the hospital?

I didn’t even get to see his face.

“Bye Mom, bye Dad, bye Mitchell,” I mumbled under my breath as the tears finally kissed my cheeks.