Chapter 21

Lilian

  I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, it was almost dark outside.

I had missed calls and messages from Zayden, but I was too scared to open them. He was getting married, I should have known. 

   It shouldn't hurt this much , I had zero feelings for him but I didn't understand why it felt like my chest was on fire. Like I was deceived and used.

   He called and kept calling and I just watched it ring. He texted asking where I was and why I left. 

 I switched off my phone ,not being able to stare at the caller's ID.

I felt numb, my eyes hurt. I didn't want to even think about where I go from here. It was as good as saying I was now jobless.

  The only thing that made me smile was when I received a credit alert. 

My first salary.

I went to bed on an empty stomach and waited for sleep to drown me.

A knock on the door caught my attention. At first, I panicked but then remembered that only Aiden knew where I lived.

"Mr Finn?” I felt my stomach roil. Why would my landlord come to my apartment this time of the day?

"Good evening, Mrs Ace.” 

I opened the door, inviting him in only to see that he wasn't alone. Two bulky men followed him right in.

“What brings you here?” I choked, the atmosphere suddenly turning cold. 

"I don't want trouble, Lillian ” He sat causally on my couch.“I'm here to collect your debts!” 

I shuttered." But..but Jade already...” 

He cut me off.“ is rent the only thing you owe me?” He raised a brow, his voice quite rough.

I looked down at my feet, my body trembling slightly.“But you said I could pay back when I have the money.”

He sighed, shaking his head.“ you've been living here for the last six years am I right?”

“yes ”, I spoke, my voice barely a whisper.

“We agreed to split the rent between you and Jade, am I right?” 

I didn't understand where he was going with this conversation.“ yes.”

“ the fact that the rent was split doesn't mean that you've paid yours completely.” 

My eyes widened." What do you mean, jade covered up for me .” 

He snapped." I have a record, Lillian. And in my record, you didn't complete your payment for the first two years after you moved in. Jade only started covering your payment from the third year.”

I remained silent, the memories all coming back to me. How could I have forgotten?

" And, I had lent you some money remember. fifty thousand dollars for your hospital bill.” He continued.

I opened my mouth to speak but words refused to come out. I just stood there, my legs shaking like jelly. He had helped me pay half the bill when I had surgery after getting into an accident some years back.

“Now, I've known you for a long time, Lilian, but this is business. I need my money right now.” 

I looked from the men standing at his sides and then to him.“ I can give you the fifty thousand dollars now but I need time to cover up for the rent." 

If I give him my salary then I'll be left with nothing. I was tempted to call Jade, I knew she would help, but I was tired of depending on her. 

Right there, I made the transfer; I wired him the fifty thousand dollars. 

He snorted.“ so if I hadn't come then you probably would have kept the money to yourself.” 

"No, I just received my salary. I was planning to pay you back, and I will cover the rent; just give me more time.” I pleaded.

He shook his head “ I'm sorry, but your time ends tonight.” 

I tensed."what do you mean tonight?" 

"It means I'm kicking you out; now that Jade's gone, I believe you won't be able to pay up, and I have a business to run Lillian.” He spoke without batting an eye.

My eyes were beginning to sting." Where am I supposed to go.” I whimpered.

"That's your business; I'll give you an hour to move out tonight; if you don't, then I might have to use extra force.” He glanced at the men beside him and I knew what he meant. 

The first tear ran down my cheeks." Please Mr Finn, just give me a few months.” My voice cracked as I pleaded with him.

He ignored me, exiting the door with his bodyguards." Your time is counting. Don't make me use force.”

And then he left.

I collapsed on the carpet. More tears poured out of my eyelids. I wouldn't blame him, he had helped me a lot but I guess my time was up. 

   My fingers were inches away from calling jade but I couldn't press the button. 

Only today and it felt like I had been through hell and back.

  Just when I thought I was finally alright, everything became worse. 

  I was as broke as a shattered glass. All my funds were now with Mr Finn. Even if I found a hotel to spend the night, I had no money to pay.

     I went through my contact list, and I then realized I had no one. 

I was alone; I had been alone since my parents died. Their death was sudden so they didn't leave a will.

   I can't remember much of it, but I knew my uncle hated me and left me with nothing. He took the house and dumped me at an orphanage.

I shook my head, remembering my past hurt a lot.

  My eyes were blurry as I contemplated whether to call jade. She was happy with Nico, I didn't want to use my misfortune to ruin her happiness.

  Without a second thought, I pressed the button and called Aiden.