Chapter Four: What's going on here?

Camilla POV 

I almost bumped into the guy at the door as he was also coming in.

I didn't have time to waste. I checked my phone to see Olivia had already made the transfer and hurried to the hospital. 

“Sir, can you hurry?” I said to the cab driver as I checked my time for the hundredth time. I am almost late.

Alina, wait for me. I have enough money for your surgery.

“Tina?” I barged into her office. “I have the money.” 

“Hi, Camilla.” She sighed, looking dejected. “I am so sorry, but we did our best.” Her shoulder sagged.

My world collapsed, air was knocked out of my lungs, and my eyes became blurry. “No. No. No. She can't die. Alina can't be dead. I have the money.” 

I didn't know when I fell to my knees, “Help me, Tina. I can't lose her too. Please. I have no one in this world.” I was crying hysterically now.

“Oh no. Camilla. She's not dead. That's not what I meant.” She helped me up.

My face lit up with a smile even though tears were still falling.

“You didn't come on time. I am so sorry.” Her voice trembled.

“Another family came in before you. They paid more than the standard f*e. The heart went to their daughter.”

My worried heart became filled with anger. “How is that possible? Alina was next on the list for the transplant. We have waited for three years.” 

“I know, Camilla, but there was nothing we could do since you weren't here with the money, and honestly, I didn't think you were going to come.” 

“What do you mean? I told you I will get the money. What's going to happen to her now?” I asked, annoyed by her little faith in me to save my sister's life.

“I know. There will be a heart coming in tomorrow. We can…”

“No. No. You said if we don't do the surgery. She's going to die.” I was panicking at this point.

“Yes, I said that, but she's stabilized now. We put her on life support and she'll be fine.” 

“We are doing everything we can to get another heart flown in by morning. You need to stay strong.”

My palpitating heart calmed down a bit. “Alright. Can I make the payment now?”

“Eh, about that. There's a tiny bit of a problem.” Her eyes dropped. “The initial payment for the first heart was three hundred, but this one is five hundred.”

“What? Why?” 

“Well. This heart is being flown from Wellington. The preservation cost, transport, and priority processing pushed it to six hundred. You know the distance is like six to seven hours.” 

She glanced at me, a sad look etched on her face. “The heart will be here in the morning… But we'll need full payment before we prep your sister for surgery.” 

My knees buckled as my eyes landed on the wall clock. 

Where do I get a hundred thousand bucks in the next six hours?

“Ok, I will get the balance ready before then.” I said, with sheer determination as an idea struck me.

“Alright. See you then, and please be here in time.”

“Ok.” I rushed out. 

My heart was yearning to see my sister, but I couldn't bring myself to—I hate seeing her in that state of helplessness.

I took out my phone, scrolled to his number, and said, “Can we meet?. Please.” 

***

I got to my dorm, took a shower, and changed into some decent outfit before heading out to meet him at the gym.

“Danny?” 

He turned around, and a disgusting smile lit up on his face. “Well, if it isn't my girlfriend.”

“Can we talk outside? Please.” 

“Sure. We are outside after all.” His teammates started laughing. 

I felt like the floor should open and swallow me whole, but I stood there taking in all their mockery—I was the one in need anyway.

“Well? Cat got your tongue? Jane the Virgin?” 

“Uhm. I… I… uhm.” I stuttered, trying to find the right words, “Can you help me with some money? I am in a tight spot right now, but I promise to pay you back in two weeks.”

The whole gym erupted in laughter. “Ohhhh, janitor girl is broke. Janitor Girl is broke.” They said in a sing-song voice.

“Alright. I'll give you.” Danny said, loud enough for the whole gym to hear.

“Oh, thank you.” Instant relief flooded me.

“But how are you going to pay me back? He stood in front of me, smirking. “With your janitor salary? please. We'll know you'll be asking for something big.”

“I'll… I'll figure it out. But I promise, Danny. Please.” 

The whole gym erupted again—screams, laughter, someone banging a weight on the floor.

“Let's say I don't want you to pay me back.” He said, getting in my personal space. “I want something else.”

“What?” 

I wanted to just go back to my room and cry, but will it solve my problem? No.

So I stayed and took all their insults. Some were taking videos of me.

“Come on. Don't act dumb.” His smirk grew wider. “With your mother's heavy debt and your sister's hospital bill. You'll always need me.” He whispered the last part.

“I want you,” he added, dipping his head down so only I can hear him. “Your virginity. That's the good thing about you anyway.” 

“What?” The tears I was holding in slipped out. 

The hope I was holding onto shattered. This man in front of me isn't the same man that gets angry at his friends for bullying me. It's like I don't know him anymore.

“WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?” the same velvet growl from the arena.

My skin lit up like a fireball, and the hair on my neck rose up.

“None of your damn business, big ma…” He didn't get to finish as a fist collided with his face. 

A scream was bubbling in my throat when a body stood in front of me, shielding me from the fight.