Chapter Five

ERIKA'S POV

@MALL

"That will be $690. What would you like to pay, ma'am? Cash or credit card?" The cashier asks with a smile written on her lips.

Her smile seemed to be the sweetest smile on earth, but if you are a poor woman who just wanted to window shop. She'll treat you differently.

I flashed her the black credit card, and my eyes couldn't imagine how surprised she was after seeing it.

"Does it work?" I asked.

"You're a black card user."

"Yes, and why is that? This is the fourth store I came in and still wondering why you seem surprised?"

"This card belongs to our VIP clients, however, this is the first time I saw you here. Maybe you are the wife?" She giggles.

I laughed awkwardly, "Y-yes. I am."

She swiped the card before handing it back to me, "Thank you, ma'am. Come again."

"I will," that's all I said before heading out of the store, and approaching the man who was carrying my paper bags.

His card has no limit and everyone treated me nicely because I have money, they assisted me like I am the owner of the mall because of this black card.

"Don't get used to it, Erika. The last woman who had that credit card turned into a psychopath, she thinks the world was spinning in her palm. So, I'm warning you."

I glance at him and chuckled, "Whoever that is, I swear she's obsessed with money. Don't worry, Asher, because I won't become a psychopath."

"We'll see about that. Besides, that's the same words she said before losing her breath."

"Pardon?"

"Where is the next store? It's getting boring."

"Oh, the toy store. I want to surprise my little brother, which means you don't have a choice but to wait. Furthermore, you are here since he told you so."

He chuckled, "I'm doing this not because he is my boss, but because I want to. You are bound to carry his heir."

Yeah, I almost forgot about that part. That guy is no joke, he hired me to carry his heir but in a normal way. Like we are a married couple who planned to have a baby.

But likewise.

"Out of five candidates, you're the chosen one and you should be thankful because from now on your life will change. Maybe you see his bad side at the very beginning, but isn't it good?"

"What'd you mean?" I inquired while carefully listening to his story.

"He showed you what kind of man he is. But I assure you he's still a good man in any aspect as long as you obey him," He muttered.

We stop in front of the toy store and suddenly felt guilty for spending his money. Perhaps it was part of our agreement, but wasting money wasn't my thing.

That's why I stepped backward and exhaled, I want to prove this isn't about his money.

"What's wrong? The toy store is in front of us."

"Yes, it is. Actually..." I turned to him, "Can we go now? Maybe I'll buy my brother something valuable, or next time when he got out."

"Fine with me. That's your choice, by the way."

I nodded before walking ahead of them maybe my decision is the best decision I made since I shouldn't be spending more money in just one day.

My mother trained me how to save money and be appreciative, especially since this is part of the deal we've made.

I stepped out of the mall where our car is already waiting outside, and the driver standing beside the door. We approach it but immediately stop when I saw a homeless in the side of the mall.

My generous side sink in that's why I approach the beggar and lend him some money, he smiles as a sign of thank you. But when I turn around, he suddenly grab me and point the knife at my throat.

"Erika!" Asher yelled, and point the gun at the man behind me.

The people around us start screaming in fear, and the men who are taking care of me point their guns toward me. While my limbs shake in fear.

This is not part of our agreement!

"Put the knife down, you bastard!" He shouted while keep pointing the gun at the man behind me.

"No!" The man behind me shouted back.

"How courageous you are, pal. Don't you know who are you trying to kidnap? If you love your freaking life, let go of her!"

The man laughed like a madman, "Of course, I know who is this woman. She's Grayson's wife and my boss wants her."

We are surrounded by men, Grayson's guards, and I'm hoping they'll save me before he thinks about using me as a trap. Perhaps using me as a trap is his real plan.

Until a white van stopped beside us, the door opened but before we get in the man spoke again.

"My boss wants me to leave this message for you. Tell your boss he can retrieve her tomorrow. At the abandoned mall on the west side."

"Asher! Help me! No!" I shouted in fear.

He pushed me inside the van and shoot them, before hopping in and closing the door instantly. I keep shouting while Asher and his men start shooting at us.

"Asher! Help me!"

"Shut up!" The man punches me in the stomach, causing me to stop shouting.

I scream in pain but they instantly covered my mouth, so the crowd's attention wouldn't stick to me. Then even cover my eyes, so I couldn't see the road where they taking me.

"Our boss will going to be happy and I bet he will reward us with so much money! Whoo!"

"Do you think how much money he will give to us? Ten million? Twenty? Sixty?"

"Who knows? As long as she's alive we'll get more than that."

They are talking about the money they can get as if I wasn't there sitting beside them. I didn't know what kind of people they are, especially since I had nothing to do with this.

"Put our guests in a deep sleep, she needs that before meeting our boss."

As the driver said that, the man who pointed a knife at me earlier, cover my mouth and nose with a handkerchief. Suddenly, my vision starts to become blurry and changes into dizziness.

And then, everything went black.