Chapter 2

Serena’s POV 

What should I do? Oh God. Please save me. I don't want to die. 

They wore black suits with a few buttons open and the tattoos told me I wasn't dealing with regular people. 

“Miss Serena,” the middle one and the tallest said. His voice was smooth but cold. “We're sorry for your loss.”

Did he expect me to respond to that after scaring me half way to death? I kept quiet, shivering as he came closer. 

He studied me, and continued talking. “We'll keep this short. Your father owed us money. Quite a lot. And you're his daughter…so that means you now owe us.”

“Huh?” I gasped. My voice shook as he took another step closer to me. “Y…you have the wrong person. My father had a lot of money. He didn't owe anyone.”

They all laughed and I felt shallow. The second man and the shortest spoke. “He did sweetheart. Millions. Let me show you some evidence.”

He clapped and some young man dressed in the same manner appeared with a file and handed it to him. 

He took it and tossed it to me. I crouched down slowly and picked it up, reading through it and I gulped. 

It had my father's name and signature. It was true. My father had borrowed ten million euros from them and had only returned three million. 

“He still owes us six million with interest. We came to notify you that you would continue to pay or else…” 

I swallowed hard, feeling the ground shake beneath me. “We will take the house and maybe something else,” he added, looking at me with lustful eyes and licking his lips. 

“Let's go,” the tallest one spoke and they left. I breathed out, coughing and ran to my bodyguard, shaking him until he regained consciousness. 

Luckily, none of the workers were here and the second guard was also knocked out. I was in trouble and needed escape, but first I had to do something. 

I searched through my father's study, looking for any document that could help me. That was when I discovered he had just finished paying off a couple of loans which were mostly used for my schooling, and expensive lifestyle. 

“Why didn't he tell me?” I muttered, sinking to the floor. 

The first thing I did when I got my strength back was run to my room. I opened the double doors of my closet and started throwing everything out. The expensive designer dresses, the bags and I went to the next closet, taking out my shoes. Then I stacked up my jewelry, only saving the ones that Dad had given to me as birthday presents. 

One by one, I took out everything and packed them into boxes and called a private dealer I knew. 

By nightfall, the boxes were gone and I was left with only a few everyday clothes. I sat on my bed, thinking in despair when my phone buzzed. 

I got the pay but it was only a million dollars sent to me. My breath hitched as I realized it wasn't up to one-third of what I needed. 

The next morning, I tried again, selling the antique watch collection my father had loved and then the limited edition paintings he had bought at auctions. 

I cried every time I sold something. It felt like I was giving a piece of him. The workers started to leave, scared that I wouldn't be able to pay and worse, the legal authorities sent papers wanting to investigate Dad's company for tax evasion. 

By the end of the day, I had only Maria with me and four million Euros. Everything was falling apart so fast I didn't know where to turn. 

Then, I remembered Uncle Gabriel. He was my godfather and dad's step brother. He would help me. 

I dialed his number and he picked after a few rings. “Hi, sweetheart. How are you holding up?” His warm familiar voice eased my heart a bit. 

I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds, then spilled everything. “It's terrible, uncle. I need help. It's about Dad. He has a lot of debts and I ...”

He didn't let me finish, and replied. “Come to my office tomorrow.”

~

I walked into the company, and the secretary led me to his office. When I got into his office, he pulled me in for a hug. 

“Tell me everything,” he said, gesturing for me to sit.

I told him, without missing a detail and he listened, without interrupting. 

When I finished, he leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk. “Your father…he kept things from you to protect you. But I’ll help you, Serena. I can’t give you the full amount because I already invested in some business, but I’ll give you as much as I can.”

He reached into his desk, took out a check, and slid it across to me. My eyes stung when I saw the number. It was generous. But I knew it still wasn’t enough.

“Thank you,” I whispered, holding it tight like it was my lifeline.

“Serena,” he said gently, “be careful who you trust. The men you’re dealing with…they are ruthless and don't care about law or reason.”

I nodded, acting brave, but my stomach was already twisting with anxiety. 

The next day, the loan sharks returned. I was in the living room, flipping through some of the company's papers when the front door burst open. The same men walked in, but they weren't in suits today. 

I ran toward the door and stopped when I saw their hardened expression. 

The tallest one stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me. “Miss Serena,” he said slowly. “Do you have our money?”

“I…I have five million,” I breathed and they laughed. 

The third man kicked the table so hard it flipped over and he walked over to me, pulling my hair. 

I groaned, falling to my knees as I struggled to free my hair from his grasp. 

“I thought I made it clear you owed more than that. I expected seven million in cash,” the tallest one spoke, lighting his cigarette. 

“Please….I don't have that amount with me. I sold everything. I don't…”

My heart pounded, as the leader stared at me, blowing his cigarette. “I don't care. I want my money now!”