Chapter 3: Determination

I arrived in two hours and I struggled through the front door, exhausted and weak, hoping to find my mom already home. But the silence in the house told me she wasn't there yet. I shuffled into the kitchen, my hunger pangs growling loudly. I poured myself a bowl of cornflakes and sat down to eat, my eyes fixed on the clock on the wall.

Just as I took my first bite, a knock at the door broke the silence. I wondered who it could be at this late hour. I got up to answer the door, hoping it was Ruby.

"Who's there?" I asked, trying to hide my fear.

"It's me, Ruby," she replied, her voice shaking.

I opened the door, and Ruby walked in, looking distraught. I could tell something was wrong.

"What's wrong, Ruby?" I asked, my heart racing.

She burst into tears, and I knew it was serious. "It's your mom," she sobbed. My heart skipped a beat. "What happened to her?" I demanded, fear gripping my chest.

Ruby hesitated, then handed me a small ID card. It was Charlie's loan ID. My mom had been taken by the loan sharks.

I felt my legs give way beneath me. I had to get my mom out of there. I grabbed my coat and ran out of the house, determined to rescue her.

I arrived at Charlie's office, my heart pounding in my chest. I banged on the door, demanding to see him. Steve, the security guard, told me Charlie was at home, but I refused to leave. I waited until morning, determined to get my mom back.

Finally, Charlie arrived, and I begged him to release my mom. He refused, demanding his money first. I offered to stay in her place, but he refused. I was desperate and didn't know what to do.

I decided to seek help from Mrs. Sophia, but when I arrived at her office, she told me I had been sacked. I couldn't believe it. I had always been obedient and hardworking. I realized that Petal had sabotaged me.

Feeling hopeless and angry, I left Mrs. Sophia's office. But then my phone rang. It was Charlie Loan. He offered to release my mom on one condition: I had to meet him in his office. I didn't care what the condition was; I was willing to do anything to save my mom.

I rushed back to Charlie's office, my heart racing with anticipation. What did he want from me? I was ready to do anything to get my mom back.

As I entered the office, Charlie looked up at me with a sly smile. "So, you're willing to do anything to get your mom back?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with greed.

I nodded, my heart in my throat. "Yes, anything."

He leaned back in his chair, a calculating look on his face. "I want you to work for me, doing odd jobs and tasks. If you succeed, I'll release your mom."

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But the thought of my mom in danger pushed me to agree. "Okay, I'll do it."

Charlie smiled, a cold and calculating smile. "Good. I'll release your mom, but you have to promise me one thing: you have to do exactly as I say, no questions asked."

I nodded, my heart heavy with fear. What had I just gotten myself into?

I nodded, my heart heavy with fear. What had I just gotten myself into? Paul's smile grew wider as he pulled out a contract from his desk drawer. "Sign this, and your mom will be released," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

I took the contract, my hands shaking as I scanned the pages. It was a slave contract, binding me to Paul for a year. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as I realized the extent of his plan.

But I had no choice. I had to save my mom. I took a deep breath and signed the contract, feeling a sense of despair wash over me.

Charlie's smile grew even wider as he took the contract from me. "Excellent," he said, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Your mom will be released, and you will start your new job tomorrow."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me, mixed with a healthy dose of fear. What had I just gotten myself into?

As I left Charlie's office, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I be able to survive a year of slavery? And what would happen to my mom if I failed?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the present moment. I had to get my mom back, and I had to survive. That was all that mattered.

I arrived back at Charlie's office the next day, my heart racing with anticipation. What would my first task be? And what would happen if I failed?

Charlie greeted me with a cold smile, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Welcome to your new job," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your first task is to deliver a package to the other side of town. It's a simple task, but I'm sure you'll find a way to mess it up."

I took the package, my hands shaking with fear. What was in the package? And what would happen if I failed?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. I had to deliver the package, no matter what.

As I made my way across town, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I be able to survive a year of slavery? And what would happen to my mom if I failed?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the present moment. I had to deliver the package, and I had to survive. That was all that mattered.

Finally, I arrived at the destination, a run-down warehouse on the outskirts of town. I delivered the package, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I turned to leave, I was confronted by a group of rough-looking men. "You're the new slave, I see," one of them sneered. "Welcome to the team."

I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as I realized the extent of my situation. I was trapped, with no way out. But I refused to give up. I had to survive, no matter what. And I had to save my mom.

I took a deep breath and faced the men, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm ready for whatever comes next," I said, my voice firm and resolute.

The men laughed, their eyes gleaming with amusement. "We'll see about that," one of them sneered.

And with that, my new life as a slave began. I was trapped, with no way out. But I refused to give up. I had to survive, no matter what. And I had to save my mom.