A Chance to Change (Success)

With my eyes closed and hands neatly folded on the table, I sit and, attentively listening to everything that's going on.

"So, you don't have our money? Don't be afraid to say no, just...tell us the truth," said Frank. He always confronted everyone with a gentle, calm voice, no matter what the situation was. The man in front of him used to be a gambler. He would use the check that was for paying bills and bring food to the table, and gamble all of it away. But he's been through some things, like the recent divorce and the fact his wife took custody of his kids. I gave him a chance, I tried to take his unfortunate tragedies into consideration. You could say I invested money into his life. Or you could say I gave him a loan, a loan i expected him to pay back after a few years. Parts of my expectations were achieved. He started a small business that turned into a very big business. He became rich, famous, and married again. I'm very happy for him, too.

However, the other half of my expectation was not achieved. "I-I-I'm sorry, Frank. I don't h-have all the money. I'll get it soon, I promise!" The man, Dovan Johnson, has failed to bring forth my money that I loaned him a few years ago. Frank closed his eyes for a second and slowly shakes his head. He then looked at me for further instructions.

I finally open my eyes and stare at Dovan. I give him a reassuring and kind smile to help relax him and stop his constant stuttering. He calms down and gave a silent sigh of relief. I give Frank a look. He nodds his head and walk to the corner of the dim, small room and start dialing a number on his phone.

"Dovan," I say with a calmly. "You don't have to worry. I know you've been through some things. I know you've been trying your hardest to run a business and stay on top of the business world that's just like Darwin's theory; survival of the fittest. I know you've been trying to take custody of your children again and also try to keep a steady relationship with them. I know you've been trying to contain your urge to just run away with your money and gamble as much as possible. I know a lot about you, Dovan. I know, I know, I know. I also know that you've been telling me the same excuse for some time now."

I get up and walk towards him. He was sitting in a chair and wouldn't look me in the eyes. Some would say even if I had a nice and kind aura, I had the most piercing opal colored eyes. I thought they were beautiful, especially since I had a dark skin color, it brought out my eyes more. However, people thought it was like I could look into anyone soul if I wanted to. Which is not true; I could just tell if someone is lying or telling me bull or not.

I lean down and hold his face in my hands. I make him look at me in the eyes. "I gave you a chance Dovan. I gave you a chance to change your life around, which most people don't get a chance to do. I waited patiently for you to start your business and make your money. I knew you would make me proud. I knew you would make a better person out of yourself. I also watched you as your attitude start to change. You thought since you were my favorite, that you could get away with paying me my money. Well, you thought wrong. But, I let you do what you want for a while. I thought you would come to your senses and stop playing these games with me. But I guess I thought wrong, so I guess we're even. Let me make something clear to you, I am a nice person. I love helping people change. I enjoy their success. But I love being repaid as well. There are more than me working in this organization. They need to be paid just like I need to be paid. Did you think of them? Did you think you could cheat me out of my money? Did you think you could cheat those people out their money?! Huh?!" I start to squeeze his cheek harder with each word, my nails dig into his skin and draw a little blood.. He starts to sweat and look around for help.

"You don't like it when I yell, sweetheart?" I switch back to my calm voice. I smile sweetly at him. He looks confused and lost. He then shakes his head and laughs a little, like I was joking with him. I bring my hand back as far as I could and slap him as hard as I could. By now Frank just stares at us expressionless; he doesn't like it when I get angry and yell either.

Dovan grabs his stinging and blood red face, since he's white you can see the hand print. "DON'T PLAT WITH ME DOVAN, THIS IS NOT A GAME!!" I yell and stare hard at him. just then men bust through the door; really buff men. Two of them grab Dovan by the shoulder and make him stand up.

"Maybe these men can teach you a lesson. Very few have tried to cheat me out of money. I'm very disappointed in you. I hope you can understand this hurt me more than you. I also would like you to know after this, I would like to give you another chance. But I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for your kids. I know they need you. So after this long lesson your about to receive, I'm going to check you into our hospital and get yourself cleaned up. Then you're going to go to the nearest bank or wherever you keep your.....well more like our money and you're going to pay back your loan. Ok?"

At first he looked scared but then he understands whats going to happened. He solemnly nodded his head. "I understand"

I smile softly, and reach out to rub his swollen cheek. This weirdly relaxes him a little. "I really hope you continue working working with us Dovan, you really were my favorite. And we need you just as much as you need us," I tell him. "Take him away boys and remember, don't kill him" They nodd and drag Dovan out the room. I sit back down and fold my hand on the table again, I close my eyes and patiently wait for my next appointment with Frank standing not too far from me.