Chapter 2
1422 Words
Lily's POV
A big smile plastered on my face as I checked the cellphone I snatched from the handsome but stingy man's pocket. I couldn't believe my luck on the first day of my vending in that park.
Yes, I was a bad person. A thief, a scammer, you name it! But I did all of that to survive, not just for myself but also for my mother, who had been in a coma in the hospital for months.
We lived in a squatter area, and the land our house stood on was owned by Ventura Incorporated. The company wanted us out, and they wanted it done quickly. They gave us only three days to leave the place. How could we do that in such a short time, especially when no donations were given to start a new life?
We gathered as neighbors to seek help from the government and even tried to get the media's attention. But our case was ignored because we had no chance; the company had all the necessary documents.
My mother protected our house from the demolition team when she got hit by a wall, severely injuring her head, ribs, and spinal cord. If she ever woke up, she would likely be disabled.
The doctor advised me to sign the papers allowing them to remove the life support machine to end my mother's suffering. I was furious. Were they playing God to decide my mother's life like that? I did everything, even becoming a bad person, just to get money for the hospital and put food in my growling stomach. And then, was that what they would say?
I was only a high school graduate, and being a sales clerk was the best job I could get. And my salary wasn't enough for our needs. Fortunately, some nuns helped me, so I managed to get by with the hospital expenses.
The company offered me money in exchange for not filing a case, but I refused it because I wanted justice for what happened to my mother, even though it seemed futile since the case was progressing slowly even after six months.
I had long prayed to meet a wealthy man, not caring if he was older, as long as he could shortcut me to my goal. I needed money and power to hold those people accountable for my mother's coma.
I didn't know how to start, but there was one thing clear in my mind: I couldn't give up on my mother, Lilia. I would eat well and take care of myself because that was what my mother wanted. Besides, I needed strength to seek revenge. I knew it was impossible to break down walls, but I wouldn't stop or give up.
"How much can I sell this for?" I wondered to myself as I pressed the cellphone. I knew it was the latest and most expensive model. It required a password, but when I swiped left, it automatically went to the camera, even though it was locked.
I tried taking pictures of my surroundings, and I even took a selfie. I was delighted to see that the camera's high resolution enhanced my beauty.
"You're really beautiful, Lily!" I praised myself.
Not to brag, but many people told me I was beautiful. Some even said I could be an actress or a model. Maybe it was because my father was an American who went missing in action. He was a soldier who had an affair with my mother and then just left. I never saw my father.
I put the cellphone back in my pants pocket.
I needed to clean up because that grumpy man might come back. But before I could finish, I stopped and widened my eyes. The man who owned the cellphone had returned! However, what frightened me was the group of men trailing behind him.
Oh no! They were members of the syndicate I had borrowed a large sum of money from.
"Hey, Miss!" the man said as he reached me first.
"Just wait, Brother, Sir, or whoever you are. I need to run!"
"What?!" The man's face contorted.
"They're going to kill me!" I pointed to the group of big men. "We can talk later!"
"I need my cellphone now!"
I scratched my cheek. "Yes, you'll get your cellphone back, but you have to run!" I shouted.
"Miss—"
"Shut up! Just run!"
I could have given him what he needed, but I had a Plan B. If he caught me, I would say he dropped the cellphone, and I needed a reward.
I pulled the man along, running across the street. The gang chased us, but luckily, some cars and buses passed by just as they were about to cross, causing them a delay.
"Miss, I don't have time for this! Just give me back my cellphone!" The man abruptly stopped and yanked his hand away from mine.
I looked back and forth between the man and the gang on the other side of the street. In the end, I decided to get the cellphone from my pants pocket and placed it in his hand before quickly leaving it with him.
"Miss—"
I looked back at him as I continued running. My eyes widened in fear as I saw the gang had already crossed the street. I pushed myself to run even faster. I had no idea where this narrow alley led; I'd never been here before. After all, I was just a visitor to the park, and I had never imagined that the gang would follow me here.
My breath grew heavy as I ran. At first, I passed by some houses, but as I moved past the squatter area, I was confronted by the towering wall of an abandoned building. There was nowhere else to go; it was a dead end.
I silently prayed that they wouldn't find me here. Unfortunately, my prayers went unanswered as I heard footsteps approaching. I desperately scanned my surroundings, but apart from a few scraps of metal and wood, there was nowhere to hide.
"Cardo! I'll pay, just give me some time!" I pleaded, sweat pouring down my face as I took a step back, bringing me to a corner with five menacing men in front of me.
"How many times have you said that to us, you b*tch!" Cardo sneered.
"Promise!" I clasped my hands together, my desperation evident.
"Boss Ronald said if you want to pay, you should offer your body, and everything will be settled!" Cardo said, nonchalantly removing his chewing gum from his mouth. He then grabbed my arm and pulled me forcefully. "Come on!"
"Let go of me! Help! Someone help me!" I screamed, veins bulging in my neck.
It was impossible that no one heard me; there were nearby houses. But maybe fear kept them from helping me. I even saw someone peering out of a window.
I owed them three hundred dollars, and now they were demanding my virginity as payment? Of all people, it had to be someone with pockmarked cheeks from acne scars?
"Let go of her," a deep voice commanded, causing me to turn my head in surprise.
To my amazement, the man I snatched the cellphone from had arrived. Maybe he had followed me to rescue me! Tears welled in my eyes at his kindness.
"Do you have a problem, buddy?" Cardo challenged him.
In the blink of an eye, the man threw a punch at Cardo.
"Enough . . ." Cardo said, struggling to get on his feet as he knocked to the ground.
My presence of mind worked immediately. I kicked the one who was holding me in his crotch. And, I seized the opportunity to grab a piece of wood. Whatever it took! I was ready to use it on anyone who dared to approach me.
I wielded the wood, and the other gang members appeared to be thrilled about the situation. They looked like beasts, ready to slaughter us.
"Now, it's my turn," the handsome man said, taking the wood from me. He walked right in the midst of the gang.
In a matter of moments, he had incapacitated the other four men. He was clearly an expert in martial arts, and they were left unconscious. Only Cardo remained, who had recovered from the pain and pulled out a butterfly knife.
The handsome man took a step back, approaching me once more, and he took my hand, pulling me away.
"Let's get out of here!"
- Writer
