Chapter Three

Petra's fear was evident in her composure. The office was equipped with air conditioners only, yet she shook like a breeze was blowing heavily across her skin.

“Please reconsider, Please don't do this to me,” she begged, crying. Petra began to regret her decision silently.

The loan sharks seemed to be a better option at this point. She would probably be done paying them, or not, but whatever they decided to do with her would definitely be better than what she was going through right now.

An evil smile played across Evans's lips, and the response he was about to give was clear.

“There's no room for reconsideration, you should have thought about that before borrowing your net worth.”

Her knees crashed to the ground at this statement. She had indeed borrowed her net worth, or probably even greater.

“I beg that you have mercy. It's been five years of unquestionable loyalty to you, I do everything without questions and without a word to anyone. Please,” she cried vehemently, hoping Evans would perhaps change his mind.

The slam of a hand on the table was enough response to her plea. He only ever did that when he was enraged.

She was screwed, so screwed. There was no glimmer of hope in this situation, she was in.

His shadow drew nearer in her direction and didn't dare raise her head. She knew better than to risk her life.

On reaching her, he bent closer to her and raised her head with his Index finger. “Look at me, Petra.”

She couldn't denote his expression, but the few seconds their eyes crossed, she knew there was a raging anger in them, and she dropped her head back instantly.

“Nobody, I mean nobody!” If voices could destroy buildings, the roof would have come crashing in at the loud sound of Evans's voice.

“Nobody says that to me and walks away without a bullet in their skull,” Petra cowed on the floor shaking in fear. His voice had become a whisper once again, and that was even more deadly.

“The only reason I haven't put one in yours is because of your loyalty to me over the years, else your brains would be scattered all over the floor.”

He leaned closer, his face just inches from hers, his eyes cold and voice brutal as he spoke. “This spot, right here,” he spoke quietly, placing his hand on her forehead. “It's an easy spot. All I need to do is place a gun here and pull the trigger, you would die before you can blink.”

Evans paced around for a bit with his hands in his pocket before casually walking back to his chair.

“Take a sit, let's discuss.”

Petra debated whether she should get up or remain that way. After hearing her name a second time, she decided to get up to avoid getting on his nerves further.

She took her sit with horror written all over her face. It was a fact that Evans wouldn't hesitate to take her out within a split second. She shuddered just thinking of all the morbid scenes she had experienced over the years.

“What more do you want?” He asked, in a tone that didn't imply he wanted an answer from her.

The calm voice scaring her even more. Why was he asking such a question?

The only thing she wanted was to be free. The mortified faces of people as they begged for their lives wasn't exactly a scene she was willing to revisit, but she sat still in her chair with her hands locked together and her gaze on the table.

“It's been five years, right?” She nodded continuously in response.

“Have I not provided you with a good life, a good apartment, a good car, and a good pay. Do you think any other person would do the same, considering the amount of money you borrowed?”

“Answer me,” he added.

Petra took in a deep breath, gulped, exhaled and made to speak, but the words hung in her throat. Nothing was forthcoming.

“Exactly, that's it. There's no answer,” he chuckled maniacally.

“Return to your post, and I'll forget this happened.”

Petra was shocked to her bones, she was expecting a punishment of some sort according to the stories she had heard. Maybe they were all lies.

She got up from the chair and made her way to the door, but not without the fear that he was pointing a gun at her, and he would blow out her brains before she could leave his office.  

As soon as she heard the door close behind her, she sighed heavily and ran all the way to her car.

The engine revved and Petra drive back to her home in high speed with so many thoughts running through her mind.

Why did she think she could pull off a deal with a mafia boss and go Scot free after discovering his secrets? Definitely, she had failed to think deeply about what she was getting herself into.

Her mother's life was more important at that moment of decision, she just didn't think she had to substitute with her life and career.

If there was ever a need for stories about people with horrible lives, she was sure she would be picked. Her life only ever went from bad to worse with mounting everyday problems. Unlike Cinderella, there was no Prince, fairy godmother or night in shining armor to save her. She had to save herself.

Approaching her home, she realized Evans was right. She lived in a reserved area of the city, the residential area meant for the fairly rich. This had been her home since she began to work for him, and she never had to worry about the bills.

Thinking about it now, she wondered how she missed such an essential piece of the puzzle. After doing all of this for her, he definitely wouldn't let her go just like that. She needed to do something.

"Sasha, I'm in big trouble,” she texted. Less than a second later, her phone was buzzing, but she refused to pick up.

Doing this would make Sasha rush over immediately.

“Just the way I left it,” Petra sighed, looking around her room. Clothes were scattered all over, she was about to arrange them when she got the summon from Evans.

His words were stuck in her brain:

“Do what you wish with that piece of information.”

She wasn't getting just herself out, she needed her mother out of the picture too. Frustration set in at the thought of this, she began to yank her legs and cry into her palm.

This wasn't the life she had always dreamt about, there were no roses.

****

A frantic knock on the door brought her out of her misery for a second. It was definitely Sasha, the only one who didn't care to use the doorbell.

“Hey babe, what's wrong? Are you crying? Do you card to tell me?” Sasha loaded her with questions as soon as she opened the door.

“It's Evans,” Petra replied, sinking into the chair.

“What about him?”

The next ten minutes were spent explaining about things. When Petra was done, the look on Sasha's face was petrifying.

“Shit, shit! This is big trouble,” Sasha panicked. “I had no idea Evans was wicked, I wouldn't have suggested you met him. I'm so sorry, Petra, this is all my fault.”

“No, you saved me, Sasha,” she replied. “I'm so glad you stopped working for him, though, he's a Devil.”

“Why did he let me go so easily, and he's refusing to do the same for you? Do you think he has it out for you?” This question cracked Petra, she laughed so hard, she almost fell.

“It doesn't work that way, Sasha. You were a bartender, that's something he can find anywhere.” Sasha feigned annoyance at this statement, making Petra laugh again.

“You know I don't mean it that way. It's just that it's hard for him to find a pharmacist. No one in their right mind would agree to do what I do for him, that's precisely why he has a hold on me.”

“Besides, you know nothing about his dirty business. I know almost everything as I'm always present to deal with some mess,” the images of some of the people she had to stitch up messed with her head and she cringed in disgust.

Petra hung her head, the only thing she could think about right now was her mother. She needed to get well, so she could be moved from Evans's ever watching eye.

“So what's the plan? You can't keep doing this forever,” Sasha asked.

“If I had one, do you think I'd still be working for him. The only plan I have right now is to keep my head, I need to stay alive." The last word escaped her lips with a sigh.

The duo sat in silence for a while until Sasha jumped out of the couch.

“I have an idea.”