I was clearing the bar counter of empty beer bottles, straw wrappings and spilled nuts glancing nervously at the clock over head, the music hammering loudly in the background, the crowd shoulder to shoulder.
Friday night is the most busiest night of the week, the only time I really make anything substantial. A little profit after paying my staff, clearing the bills but still it wasn't enough.
He would be here any minute to collect his money, opening the cash register. I had a few hundreds but nothing close to ten million, slamming the draw shut the coins rattling inside.
Why did my father burrow such a huge sum knowing that he wasn't in a position to repay his debt.
To this day I still don't know why the bastard died six months ago leaving me to face the wolves.
Greed Emily, greed and his pride gazing around the richly decorated bar.
His mistake could cost me everything. My mind fleetingly wondering to my three bedroom victorian home and Jasper my pet cat.
I smiled lightly as a customer approached the counter never taking my eyes off the front entrance, my stomach boiling with stress and adrenaline.
Run Emily run but where too?
Nickolai Casarro walked in alone wearing a crisp, expensive royal blue tailored suit, his dark eyes pinning me in place from across the room. He looked out of place amongst the sea of bodies. His don't fuck with me expression etched on his hideous face, a long white scar ran across his cheek bone.
Okay hideous was to harsh a word tugging my skirt, hidding my own flaws.
My entire body ignited as his jaw clenched, his gaze unclothed and terrified me.
He drew the interest of women who nudged their girlfriends pointing in his direction while the men avoided him, eyeballing him in envy from a distance.
None the matter he wasn't here to socialise, he was here to collect his money, money that I didn't have.
My breath hitched as he walked behind the counter, his menacing gaze ran over me slowly inch by inch, his suit rustling quietly as he walked pass me. He moved smooth like water but I knew beneath this smooth demeanor lay deadly currents and ripples.
He moved down the dimly lit corridor leading to my tiny office. My desk clustered with invoices, unpaid bills and over due library books. Sighing I followed him dreading this moment, my scared leg throbbing with pain as I tried to keep up with his long strides.
He took a seat stretching out his long legs, folding his arms across his broad chest. Everything about him seems mean, hard and sinister. He was at least six feet tall with a great tan, dark eyes, stubbly square jaw and sharp widows peak. Nimbly I took a seat briefly caressing my left leg.
"Can I get you anything tea, juice or water?" I croak, clearing my throat.
"No thanks, I just came here to collect my money Ms Côte." shifting his intimidating frame in the chair.
I glup twiddling my thumbs, staring at him barely breathing.
"I don't have the money as yet but if given more time I will be able to repay you" wetting my dry lips.
"The interest is half the original amount for each month you haven't cleared your debt Ms Côte and you are already three months late."
Quickly I did the mathematical calculation in my head. Ten million plus fifteen million in interest, that's.
What the fuck my stomach churning.
A rush of wobbliness hit me, lucky I was seated or I would have surely fainted.
"I understand this Mr Casarro but"
"No more excuses Emily, I want my money, all of it." he snapped.
My breath quickened, I wanted to leave his presence hide away in a corner and cry. I had no money and nothing of value to cover such a huge sum, my eyes turning liquid pools.
"I have ten thousand presently in my office safe, I can give you that as a down payment."
"What do you take me for?" his voice soaring beyond hush tones.
"I carry around more than that in my wallet on a daily bases, surely you can do better than that Ms Côte"
My mouth flew open at his arrogance.
"What do you want my car, my home and my business, you heartless goat. You rather see my mother and I on streets homeless and broke" smashing my eyes together, fighting back my tears.
My mother would be devastated, she was already bedridden suffering from the last stages of cervical cancer, this would just push her over the edge.
"What do I care." his body bordering on angry.
The chillness of gaze warned not to push but I couldn't help myself nobody pushes me around.
"Get out I have no money and that's that" standing pushing the table forward.
Emily have you gone mad. He is what at least six feet one and you only a mere five feet two, petite in physical structure. Do you really think it is wise to pick a fight with him?
"Emily I own you and I have the document to prove it, signed by your father. It clearly states that if he was unable to pay his debts upon his passing you as his first born, his only child would clear his debts. Now sit and let's talk about this rationally." his tone friendly but with a hint of warning.
Silence
"Sit Emily" slamming his hand on the desk, rattling my coffee cup.
I stood frozen to my core, my heart racing.
"Sit Emily this is your final warning."
Sucking teeth I pulled my chair taking a seat, folding my arms.
"As I was saying I own you"
"Nobody owns me you bastard" I screamed not caring if Jerry over heard me from the bar area.
He chuckled it was deep, rich and very seductive before he reached across the desk gasping a fist full of my dark hair dragging me half way across.
It happened so quickly I didn't have time to react. I open my mouth to scream but he covered it with calloused free hands.
"Shhh" he hissed between clenched teeth.
YOU ARE READING
Indebted
عاطفيةEmily Cote was indebted to Nickolai Carsarro. A ten million debt she couldn't afford to repay, a debt she inherited on the passing of her father. Emily was no longer free, her life controlled and owned by another until all debts are paid.
