Jaime's POV : What should i do?

Thirty million dollars? Oh my gosh, where am I going to get that much money? Even if I work hard until I'm old, I won't be able to save that much.

It's Zoren's fault. How long will he be a burden in my life? He didn't do anything but gamble and get drunk after he got to borrow that much money from those loan sharks!

Where am I going to get that thirty million?

I couldn't be restless to think where I was going to get the money to pay off Zoren's debts to those gangsters.

I know that he is addicted to his gambling, but how did he get such a big debt? Has he been corrupted? He doesn't even have a decent job. Then he had the courage to make our house a collateral. That was the only inheritance left to us by our parents, and it will be lost due to his negligence.

Wait, where is that man?

I tried to contact him on his phone number many times, but he didn't answer it, or maybe he sold his cell phone too.

I just sat down with so much stress. How many part-time jobs will I have to enter to finish my problems? I haven't even finished paying for the motorcycle he took, which he also lost once, and then he left another difficulty to me.

Hey, Zoren. What else can I do to you? When will you change? I am the one who is being destroyed because of what you are doing.

Actually, he wasn't like that before. But since our parents died in an accident, he suddenly became like that. Until he learned to get drunk, gamble, and fight with any person he meets on the road.

Where have you been, brother? What do I do now? If we don't pay them within a week, we will definitely be throwing on the street.

I took a few breaths, but still couldn't get rid of the big thorn in my chest. I also couldn't help but be dumbfounded and think deeply. Furthermore, I just want to disappear from this world and forget who I am.

Not only that, but I have been working three part-time jobs. Food server in the morning, tutor in the evening and then by twelve o'clock at midnight I was still on duty at the twenty four-seven grocery store as an all-around staff. Occasionally, I only rest and sleep for about three or five hours. I couldn't even go for a walk to entertain myself because if I didn't work for a day, we wouldn't have anything to eat or spend on our needs.

Maybe I was a bad creature in my past life, that's why my life is so difficult now.

“Why do you look like that? Your eye bags seem to have grown even more now.” Clara said to me, my colleague and friend at a fast food chain.

“If you only knew what I'm going through right now, you might not even get out of bed.” I replied sluggishly as I handed her the tray.

“What happened? For sure, it's about your brother again.” She said, and I looked at her while nodding my head.

“Hey, Jaime. If I am you, just leave your useless brother. Let him pay what he owes.” She added, but I let out a deep breath.

“I would have done it if it was possible. But since they saw my face, it was too late for me to retreat.” I answered, and she faced me with a look of surprise on her face.

“Huh? What do you mean? Who are you referring to who saw you?” She asked, so I also faced her and bowed.

“Gangsters.” I replied weakly, but it seemed like she didn't hear me, so I repeated to her. “He owed thirty million to the gangsters.” I said that her eyes widened.

“What? Thirty—” I cut her off from speaking and immediately covered her mouth with one of my hands.

“Don't make any noise or someone else will hear us.” I whispered and slowly removed my hand from her.

“Is he going crazy? Why did he borrow such a large amount? What for? Where is he going to use that much money?” She asked and I sighed.

“He gambled.” I replied, and her jaw dropped in shock. She walked in front of me and place her both hands into my arms.

“Jaime, admit it to me. Are you and Zoren really brothers? Why do you two seem so far apart when it comes to your outlook on life? What does he consider you to be as his servant? A bank? Or a payer of his borrowed money?” She said, but I just look down and swallowed deeply.

What else can I do? Even if I tumble here or roll around on the floor, it still won't change the fact that there are thirty million on my head right now.

“Where is Zoren now? Where is your useless brother now?” She added, but I shook my head, which made her even more angry. “We'd better report him to the police. So that man can go to jail, and he can pay what he owes to whoever.” She said while pulling me by the hand, but I just let go and looked at her.

“I'm sure he'll be back too.” I said.

“Then when? Did he tell you where he was going or when he would be back?” She asked, but I didn't answer. “Is that what I'm saying to you before? You're so easy on that brother of yours that he doesn't care how much he borrows from other people because you're there. You pay what he owes, right? Listen to me, Jaime. What a date it is? You are getting old, but you still don't do anything for yourself. How long will you stay in that kind of life? He is old enough and has his own mind, so please don't help him if whatever problems he made in his life. Leave him alone. Do what you want to do with your life.” She added.

Clara is right. Everything she said was right. I'm getting older, but I'm still at the point in my life where I'm a solution maker for the issues my older brother causes. I've been like this for years.

Five years have passed since our parents disappeared. And I have been suffering for five years in my life because of him. I didn't even finish my studies because of the difficulties he added to my life. Will I be like this forever?

“At that age, you should be enjoying your life with the man who will be with you forever. You should be working on yourself, not your older brother. He is just enjoying his life while you are working hard just to make money. That's all I want to tell you, Jaime. Take care of yourself. Go on a date or go to places you've never been before.” She said while I was quietly listening to her.

Date? When I heard that word, what the gangster told me yesterday, “Be my wife,” suddenly came to my mind. If I accept what he offered me, I will be able to pay off what Zoren owes him, besides that, I won't have to search for another man to date because we will be married straight away.

But I still get scared every time I remember how he looked. Well, he is handsome, and his body is brusque. However, he had a strange look in his eyes, as if he were undressing me inside his mind. 

Does it be his really impression? Or maybe it's natural to him because he's a mafia boss?

“Hey, Jaime. Are you listening to me?” My attention turned to Clara again when she nudged me by the elbow and called my name.

“Well, the truth is,” I stopped speaking and stared at her as she waited for what I was going to say.

Wait, should I tell her about the gangster's proposed marriage to me? What if she spreads the word about that to others, and they find out that I'm going to marry the person who my brother owed thirty million? They might even think that I sold myself to him. But doesn't that seem to be the case?

“Ahh, nothing.” I just told her and chose to keep it a secret from her.

After more than seven days, the group of gangsters came back again and messed up the house and broke our door. Although, it's surprising that they have a big truck with them and some equipment there that looks like new.

Do they also sell appliances? Or maybe they just want to show me how rich their leader is?

In a black car with an expensive brand logo, my expected unlucky visitor got off. Like the last time we met, he was in formal attire and wearing black sunglasses even though the sun had set.

“Look who's here. You seem to be really expecting our arrival.” He said, but I didn't say anything and just looked at him. He raised his left hand and gestured to his men. Then one by one they unloaded the newly purchased items from the truck and then brought them inside my house. Therefore, my eyes widened in shock mixed with curiosity on my face.

“Wait! What are you doing? Why are you letting those things inside?” I asked them but no one responded to me except for their leader who suddenly approached me.

“Why not? This is my house now.” His response shocked me even more.

“What did you say? But didn't we both agree that after a week I would pay you?” I said, and he grinned as he stood in front of me confidently.

“So, where is the one I asked you for? Do you have the thirty million now? It seems from what I see now that you can't bring out even one million in your pocket, isn't it?” He said with a teasing smile on his lips.

“So, am I right? Don't worry because I'll allow you a few minutes to pack your things. But only clothes you can take with you and nothing else, do you get it?” He added while I was sharply looking at him and clenching both fists.

He passed by my side and I heard him grin. That's annoying to hear, but I have to calm myself just for the sake of this house. I will do everything to protect the legacy left to us by our parents.

“Just a moment,” I said as I held his arm. He stopped and turned to me. “About what you told me last time.” I stop and let go of him. He faced me and cupped his hands.

“What do you mean? What did I say last time?” He said with an innocent face. Even though I know he's just kidding. I look around for a moment and took a deep breath because I needed to understand my situation now.

“Marry me.” I replied, and he didn't seem to believe what I said, so he backed away and snorted loudly. “I will be your wife, isn't that you want?” I added as I looked at him and clenched my two fists.