II: Enter the Devil

"Why do you need more shifts? Can you handle it?" asked Melissa, the manager of the restaurant where I work as a part-timer.

Her eyebrows rise up as she looked at me with that silent scrutiny. I have no problem with Melissa most of the time. If anything, I am more grateful to her for even giving me this job despite having no experience. And I am thankful for her being patient with me as I kept on making mistakes at work when I first started. What I couldn't stand the most about her is that silent judgment she has on me as though she's roasting my every decision. Just like now.

"I just need to pay something and I need the extra cash," I said. It was the truth and she would understand especially since I am a student. But the money I would earn should I be granted extra shifts won't be for me. They're for Theo.

It's been two weeks since Theo gained consciousness and was finally let out of the hospital. His mom did not have any problems with the bill as Heather Kelcey already took care of it. Heather Kelcey, the daughter of the owner of the hospital where Theo was staying.

She insisted on us not paying back but I don't want to. It was not a little amount and I am not comfortable how she uses it to her advantage. Just a few days after Theo got out of the hospital, she invited for him dinner. Just him. And Theo, feeling indebted to her, couldn't say no and went anyway.

I need to pay her back so she could not use it against Theo. Against me.

"You're a student, Valerie. You take extra and what's going to happen to your studies?"

I thought about it and she's right. If I take extra shifts, it would mean I would have to sacrifice my studies. But I can't ask my father for help and I need to pay Heather back.

"I'll manage," I lied and she squinted her eyes as though she could see through my lie.

She sighed and nodded. "I don't know what's going on with you right now but I hope you're not going to discard your studies."

I shook my head and smiled at her. "I won't, Melissa."

"Very well then, I shall arrange it immediately." I could not stop the grin on my face as I walked out of her office.

I still have savings on my bank account--the allowance I received from my father before I left. I saved them up for myself but I need it more now. I just need a small amount in order to pay Heather back in full.

For Theo, I would do anything. We have been dating for years and I've loved him ever since. That's why I feel bad for not telling him who I really am.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and sent him a message.

'I will come over your apartment later after my class. I want to tell you something.'

I figured it is time for me to tell him everything. I know Theo loves me and it wouldn't matter to him now, whoever I am.

Not five minutes have passed and my phone vibrated -- a message from him.

'I dont' see you here on campus. Where are you?'

Another thing I haven't told him is my part-time work. I've been doing this for two weeks now since he got into an accident and I planned to tell him but we never got the chance to talk properly when everytime we try to spend time together, Heather comes in and asks him for small favors. My boyfriend couldn't say no. Not when Heather's family's hospital paid for everything.

'I'll be there. I just have to get something from the shops.'

'Alright. See you later.'

I have no idea how he's going to react if I told him who I am. I hope it's not going to scare him away. Perhaps that's the lingering fear that's been stopping me from telling him the truth. That's what pushed me to hide my real identity.

But that fear ends now. I almost lost him to an accident. We're not promised tomorrow. I need to tell him.

But first, I need to get Heather's claws on him. I need to pay her back so Theo wouldn't feel obliged to do whatever she asks.

I fished my phone once again and typed an excuse.

'On second thought, I won't be able to attend the lecture today. I feel dizzy.'

Seconds later, he responded. 'We have a quiz later, Val. What are you going to do?'

'I'll find a way. Dont' worry about me. I will take a rest. I don't think I would be able to see you today too.'

'Are you sure? I will go to you instead.'

I immediately composed my response, smiling. I will surprise him later with the money I will get. I will tell him everything about me. I will let him free from Heather. 'It's fine, Theo. I'll see you tomorrow.'

He already got into an accident when he wanted to come to my apartment once. Somehow, the fear was still there settling like stone inside my chest.

I sacrificed a lot for this relationship. To be with him. And I don't regret them. Now, I will tell him the truth. I will tell him who I am. I will tell him about this job I am doing to pay off Heather. I don't know yet how well he will take this but I have also braced myself for the possibility that he might not take this well. I lied to him about who I am. I would understand if he would get mad. The thought of him ending things between us because of my lies clawed inside my chest, digging its way down to my core. The best thing I could do is hope for the best.

And there is another thing I need to care of.

I know that no matter how many extra shifts I get working in the restaurant, it still won't be enough to pay Heather. I need to make it as quick as possible.

I clenched my fist as I stared at my phone, looking at the unregistered number.

My throat dried. With trembling fingers, I dialed it.

After a few rings, a rich voice answered the line. His voice like silk and sin.

"Well, well," he started, making my clench my hands. "Look who finally decided to call."

I could already see him smiling from ear to ear, leaning back on his chair, or rather, his throne. Azrael King is the epitome of darkness. He is someone I shouldn't be calling. He is ane extremely powerful man, perhaps even more powerful than my father.

Everything about him screams danger and yet here I am, trying to make a business deal with him.

"I'm glad you've thought about my offer. I heard your little boyfriend is out of the hospital now. Although, I can't help but wonder why you need my help if the bills were already paid for," he said. My throat went dry as I recalled the way Heather hugged Theo at the hospital. How she's using that debt to make my boyfriend do whatever she wanted. I wanted him out of that.

I want Heather out of the piture.

"That is none of your business, Azrael," I said -- hissed -- at him.

He let out a low chuckle, the sound skittering along my spine. "Let me guess, it's already been paid for by someone you don't like and you're going to pay him back ... Or perhaps it's a her...?"

I bit my lower lip, wondering how did I even get myself involved with a man like him. But then again, I remembered, I am desperate. I need to help Theo. Even if it meant making a deal with a devil.

Azrael is well-known in the business world. People say he's got suspicious business going on but nobody could ever prove it. I was one of those people and now, I am dealing coming to him asking for help. I came to him days after I got hired in my part time job. The job won't be enough to pay the staggering hospital bill and my father had made it explicitly clear that I won't be receiving any help from him.

"When can I get the money?" I asked, dropping my voice.

"Today is fine. 3-11 Northerndale. Be sure to come alone, sweetheart," he said and before I could even say something, the call dropped.

I looked at my phone and realized I have less than five hours left before I meet with him.

My heart thundered inside my chest. I don't know what's going to happen but I will figure it out.

I always do.

I opened my messages again and read Theo's message.

I smiled at my phone before I stuffed it inside my pocket. Then I adjusted the cap I was wearing as part of our work uniform.

I heard the sound of the bell on the door just in time that my coworker stood beside me, arriving for her shift.

"Sorry I'm late," she whispered and I just smiled at her before looking at the newly arrived customers.

Instantly, the smile on my face faded.