"I will take her with me,” Bobby said calmly, letting his words sink deep so each of them could hear. Sarah’s heart skipped a bit, but she was brave enough to pull her hand away.

“Please keep her out of this." Jonah begged. She is still my little girl.”

“No, Jonah, don't be ridiculous; you and I know that these aren’t kids any more. Huh?” Bobby said, scanning their bodies again with his eyes. Both girls had good assets, and Bobby is sure someone has to harvest them while they're still fresh. He grinned sheepishly, exposing the set of braces in his teeth.

"They are ripe and mature enough for the harvest, 'or don’t you think so?” Bobby asked, grabbing Sarah by the wrist again, pulling her harder to himself this time. This enraged Sarah; she yanked her wrist hard and freed herself from his grip. Her strength surprised the group because they all know how difficult it is to get something out of their boss's grip.

“You have so much power and affluence, but that doesn’t mean you can harm us and go free, Mister," Sarah spits venomously.

Now her beauty and curviness weren’t the only things that attracted Bobby. He liked the fire that burned within her and her fierceness to save her family. Perhaps she might be useful to him in the future to accomplish his plans perfectly. She is smart, and that’s all that mattered.

‘Your family owes me money, so I am free to do as I like. Bobby said, as he leaned forward to intimate her more, but Sarah didn’t move an inch.

“You are brave, uh!

"Let’s see how long that little bravery of yours is going to last. I am Bobby Duke, and whatever Bobby wants, Bobby gets. You heard me!" He barked in her face.

“I don’t care what your name is,” Sarah said, stinging his ego. - "But I promise you that we will pay you all the money that my father owes you in full,” she tried to request, but it sounded more like an order.

“And you think you can save up to pay me with the peanuts you make from that god-forsaking bar?” Bobby squalled.

His men burst out in laughter, and after letting them laugh for a while, he raised his hand to stop them.

“How do you know where I work?” Sarah asked, her large eyes widening in their sockets. Bobby had seen her the other day, working and serving tirelessly at the bar. That was the first time she caught his attention, but he had no idea she was Jonah’s daughter. What annoyed him was the fact that she didn’t even bother to look at him twice. I mean, who doesn’t look at Bobby Duke twice at the bar? A man who had all the handsomeness any woman could think of.

“How did you know that? Have you been stalking my daughters?” Jonah asked, slurring his speech.

“Oh! Shut the hell up, bastard; I have better things to do with my time.” Bobby added

“You should be ashamed of yourself for letting this beautiful damsel take up your responsibility while you lavish your life away on liquor and gambling."

“Stay out of our business. Do not interfere in our business,” Sarah glared at him.

“I never want to do it again as long as your jerk of a father returns every penny he owes me.".

“We will pay up. "Just give us a few more months.".

"48 hours is all I can spare,” Booby blared loudly.

“That’s too short,” Sarah tried to plead. She swallowed the lump in her throat and examined Bobby’s emotionless face.

“48 hours or be ready for my property,” Bobby said, then snapped his fingers at his men. They immediately jumped and followed him out. Sarah held her sister in her arms for a while, too perturbed to speak. She rushed to the window and watched them screech their wheels away.

“What do we do?” Olivia asked, but Sarah didn’t answer. Sarah hurried, got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and headed for the bar.

**********

At the bar, Derrick sat on a bar stool, swaying slightly as he stared blankly into his mid-way empty glass. He slurred his every word as he gave his order to the bar attenter, Sarah, with unapologetic eyes.

“My brother is deliberately trying to pull me down,” Derrick began, "but I won’t let him ruin my life and the family business I and my father have toiled for.”.

Sarah leaned in, a concerned look sweeping across her face. This wasn’t the time to listen to a stranger blab about their family feud; she has 48 hours to pay some money she knows nothing about just to save her family from the cruel hands of that brutal Bobby Duke. That’s even more reason she had come to work overnight; at least she could add up her little savings and the money a few other family members had raised for them. With this, she was sure of wiping out the reproach of her family forever. She didn’t want to engross herself in his conversation.

“Sir, I think you’ve had too much to drink in one night,” Sarah told D frankly.

Derrick's grip faltered, and his now-emptied glass clicked against the surface of the counter. “Mix me another shot," he insisted, his soft voice tinged with desperation.

Sarah signed, already upset by his demand. “And what if I don't?” she said in a mildly harsh tone.

"Then I’ll have you fired,” he replied, stumbling over his words.

“Ha! Ha! Jokes on you!” She feigned a laugh in his face.

Derrick locked his gaze with her for a while before proceeding with the complaint he had to make.

“You know... you are actually the only one listening to me right now." His words were filled with honesty. My father… He is insensitive and blind to see all my brother's shady businesses, but I know all about it." Sarah’s eyes softened for a moment as she listened to him.

‘Then why don’t you just speak to your father? Maybe he would listen." Sarah added

A bitter chuckle escaped Derrick’s lips as he caught Sarah’s gaze. ‘And you think I haven’t done all of that?”

“If you say so, but I think you should get going,” she informed him. Derrick clumsily pushed the empty glass in front of her. He tried to stand up, but he lost his balance, stumbling dangerously. Sarah rushed to his side and held him. She took him out of the bar, letting him lean on her for support.

"Betty, please cover up for me. I need to take him to a safe place. He is really drunk.”

“Sure” Betty responded and went her way without hesitation.

At the gate, Derrick pointed to his car and let go of Sarah’s grip. He swayed clumsily towards the car.

‘Shit’ Sarah muttered as panic filled a better part of her soul. She rushed over to him and grabbed his keys. She helped him into the passenger's seat while she hurriedly took her seat in the driver's position. "Do you really want to risk your life for this stranger?” Derrick asked her in a croaky baritone voice.

“Uhmm… Where exactly do I drop you off?’ she inquired.

“Landmark hotel” Derrick's response was clear and precise.

Within a few minutes of driving, they arrived at the hotel. Sarah assisted Derrick out of the car and into the hotel with the utmost care.

‘Room 306’ Derrick mumbled the words. She led him peacefully into his room, but just when she could make her exit, Derrick gripped her tightly on her waist, causing her breath to quicken.

“You are really drunk, Mister...'

‘Call me Derrick,” he protested.

"Uhmm, Derrick, I can't; she tried to speak again.”.

“Say no more—is it money? I have lots of it." He brought out his phone and asked Sarah to call out her account digits. Her eyes widened; this has to be a miracle, and finally she doesn’t have to use all of her savings to pay that bastard. Selling herself for money isn’t right, but at this point she is left with no other choice; after all, no one would know she did anything like that. Derrick is even too drunk to remember her face or what happened between them. She hastily called out her account digits as he punched each number into his phone. In a few seconds, her phone beeped in, she brought it out, and she swiped through the credit alert she received.

"$1 million?” she screamed. He pulled her close to him, his voice full of desire and passion as he whispered the words in her ear, “Spend the night with me.” Sarah’s heart raced with a sudden desire.

“I ummm…”

Sarah tried to explain, but before she could find the perfect words, Derrick's lips were locked in hers in an unexpected kiss. She is astonished at how quickly his drunken state is replaced with a deep longing; she shuts her eyes instinctively, responding to the kiss with fervour. He quickly pulled her to the bed and began to explore her body, and then he paused.

“You haven’t told me your name.”.

I’m Sarah,” she answered quickly.

“I have never felt like this for any woman in years,” he said, flashing her a smile, then continuing to trace her body with his lip.

The loud chime from the phone got Sarah jumping to her feet. She hurriedly traced the phone with her hand and studied the strange number calling her phone at 8 a.m.

“Hello! Is this Miss Sarah Carter?” The caller asked

“Yes,” she replied.

“Your attention is needed at the Greek specialist hospital; your sister Olivia had an accident."

”Greeks hospital,” she said in a shaky voice as she hopped into the first cab she found. Sarah rushed into the large hospital building. Fear gripped her as she searched desperately for answers. She only left her sister with her dad last night so she could raise the money for their debt, and now this? What happens if she cannot pay the bills? Diverse negative thoughts flooded her mind as she hurriedly walked into the waiting room.

“Where is Olivia? I am looking for Olivia.” She spoke with a voice full of anxiety. Since she lost her mom, she has never been this scared until this day. The fear of losing a loved one again is something she cannot deal with. She raced to the direction the nurse pointed, up the stairs she went, her heart pounding in her chest.

However, as she approached the corridor leading to the numerous patient wards upstairs, her eyes caught a familiar figure. She squinted her eyes and prayed it wasn't what she thought in her heart. Anger was jolting through her; she couldn’t wait to vent all her venom on him.

“What are you doing here, Mister?” she asked with anger slitting through her words.

“Call me Bobby; I thought I made that clear.” His tone was calm.

“I don’t care what your name is; leave us the hell alone,” she spat the words at him, shivering yet trying so hard to get a grip on herself.

“Hey, tigress, relax.”

“I want you to leave this minute,” she barked at him. He took a few steps towards her, obstructing her from reaching through the door.

“I’m here to help.”

Sarah’s voice was quivering as she spoke. “I have your money, okay, and I will pay it all once I see that my sister is fine.”

“I bet you have to pay double,” he informed her with a wicked grin. This even made the bile in Sarah’s throat grow stiff. - “I would take a chill pill if I were you.” Bobby’s tone was cold and adamant. Sarah’s irritation worsened as she stared blankly at the devil in front of her.

“Get out of here before I do something really crazy,” Sarah threatened. Bobby didn’t budge, and before she could trace her steps into the room where Olivia is kept, Bobby interrupted her again, this time lifting her chin with his hands.

“Olivia needs surgery as soon as possible, and I am the only one who can help with the bills." Sarah hit his hand off her chin, her bitterness momentarily quelled by his words. Her gaze met his, and she couldn’t help but demand, "What exactly do you want from us?”

“I ran her over,” he stated, point blank. Sarah’s heart swelled with fury. With a heavy rush of emotions and burning anger in her eyes, she charged towards him, her feeble hands ready to strike, but Bobby was smart enough to catch them. He knew her kind, and he knew exactly how to tame them. He gripped her hand before she could reach him.

“I didn’t mean to do it.” Bobby said

‘But you did it anyway." Sarah said as she burst out in tears. She struggled with his grip, and when she managed to get off him, she rushed into the room where Olivia was lying unconscious on the bed, her entire body covered in her own blood.

“Damn bastard”. She cried, pointing a finger at Bobby, who enjoyed every bit of what he was seeing. He loved to make tough women cry. Sarah’s heart is shattered to pieces as she sees her sister’s unconscious body lying on the bed. The doctors try to stabilise her as much as they can. She rushed to her sisters’ side. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, her cheeks pink and pale. She screamed her sister’s name in anguish.

“Olivia… Olivia… Please wake up.”

One of the assisting nurses gently held her back so she wouldn't obstruct the process. Her grief and fear are too enormous to be tamed. She cried out bitterly, blaming her father for putting them in the mess they are. “If only he was more responsible," she wished. The doctor approached her and introduced himself as Dr. Sheed and explained the accident was a severe one and had affected her brain, which had also led to internal bleeding. However, the only way to ensure her survival is surgery.

Sarah paused. Her attention is now focused on the doctor. She stuttered. “How much is it?” she demanded.

“It's a really huge amount of money—about a few millions—because we would fly in a neurosurgeon to complete the other procedures,” he informed her. The response was too heavy; Sarah barely received it in her mind.

“I have about a million and some change; I will go get them right away,” she said, turning to leave. She could not comprehend her offence, as her world was gradually crumbling right before her eyes. She couldn’t stand losing Olivia.

“You should be gone before I arrive, or else I will get you arrested,” Sarah barked at Bobby.

“Oh poor thing, you should be begging me to help you,” he said as he held her chin, gently pushing it up to make her see his face.

“I will get your money across to you in the evening as well,” she informed him with assurance.

“I’m only here to help you,” he told her. She furrowed her brows at him, knowing fully well that this was just a sweet meal served by the devil himself.

“What do you do?” she asked. His motives were not clear to her. Bobby closed the distance between them. He lifted her chin with one finger and stared into her blue eyes.

“We are running out of time, ma'am; her pulse is dropping,” one of the doctors shouted.

Sarah’s heart broke at the sound of those words. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared into Bobby’s eyes.

“Please let me go,” she begged.

“Marry me”, he said with a stern look. Sarah blinked her eyes repeatedly, unable to comprehend what her ears had just heard. Bobby’s words were harsh, piercing through her already bruised soul.

“Be my wife for eighteen months, and I will save her life, or I will order them to kill her right away." A wicked smirk tugged at his lip. Sarah’s already bulgy eyes widened in shock.

Sarah hurried out of the room with tears in her eyes. There were two ways to save her sister: hurry home and get all the money she has, or risk the time and marry the devil himself. She got out of the gate and headed home to break her savings bank, then she took her card and withdrew all the money she had, which came out to a total of $1.5 million. The money Derrick gave her last night was surely all that gave her hope.

Back at the hospital, Sarah went straight to the room where Olivia was kept, but the bed was vacant. Her eyes widened, her throat ran dry, and she swallowed the stiff rock blocking her throat as she carefully scanned the empty room.

"Olivia!" she called out and raised the white sheet covered on the bed. Then she ran back to the nurse station with the bag filled with money.

“Where is Olivia? Where is my sister? She asked impatiently. She hit the table as pain welled up in her. She searched the nurse’s face and began to scream at the building.

“Calm down," the nurse told her. “She was taken to the theatre after you left because she was losing her pulse.

“Oh! Okay, so how much is the money ?" she said in a quivering voice, and she pulled out bundles of dollar notes from it.

“There will not be any need for that,” the thick baritone voice said behind her. She turned and found Bobby walking towards her in quick, authoritative steps. She froze, seeing his men standing behind him just like they had done the night they visited her home.

“Why did you do it?” she asked, frowning at him. Her face swallowed with spite as she eyed the remaining men.

“That chicken change you have there is not necessary,” Bobby informed her.

“Well, I have all your money and the bills here too, loser,” she spat the words at him, ignoring the four men dressed in black suits standing behind him.

Bobby scuffed. “You think so?”

“I know so. I have your money, and I am here to pay so I don’t get to see your horrible faces again.” Sarah said.

Bobby smiled and said,

“Oh! I would love to see you every single day, crying, weeping, and begging. How about that?

“Huh?” He darted towards her and grabbed her by the arm. The nurse suddenly got up and left. Does Bobby have all these people at his beck and call? Why does everyone around here seem to freeze in his presence? She questioned herself in her mind.

“Take your money; that’s $1.5 million; take yourself and your chipmunks out of here." Sarah threw the bag at him and barked in frustration.

“Your father owes me $10 million, and the bill for the surgery is $6 million; this piece of sh*t cannot fix it, he retaliated. Kicking the bag away, the money popped out, littering the entire hall.

“Now listen to me,” Bobby said as he gripped high and tight on the wrist.

“You’re hurting me,” Sarah cried out.

‘I have a deal for you. Be my wife for eighteen months, and I will forget about all that your family owes me, and I will let your sister walk out of this place alive." He tightened the pressure on her wrist. "What do you think? Huh!

“Fine, fine. I will marry you,” she answered in pain.

“Good girl,” he said, releasing the grip on her wrist and commanding his second in command to give her two separate papers. She took the papers, confused and sad. She didn’t bother to read, but all she could see was a signature beside Bobby’s name.

"That's the contract signed by both of us now,” he ordered her. “Just sign it, and you’ll become Mrs. Bobby in just eighteen months," he urged. His words stung in the air like the stench of dead meat. an unwelcome agreement that will bind her to the devil for one year and six months—a sacrifice she has to make to save her family and, most importantly, her sister’s life.

With a trembling hand, Sarah collected the pen from Bobby’s second-in-command. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the pen with which she etched her signature on the paper.

“Sign the damn contract now!” Bobby grabbed her tight on the arm and applied pressure against her fragile bones. “That’s my girl,” he declared, his tone triumphant.

“Let go of me!”

“You are my wife now, remember?! Or are you forgetting so soon?” Bobby replied with a triumphant smirk on his face. He knows he has her pinned to his bosom now. She is definitely the perfect match for his little shady plans, and no one would know.

“What about my sister?” Sarah inquired.

“Do not worry about her; she’s in safe hands, and so are you, my bride,” he grinned after forcing the words out of his mouth. He then took a bag containing a dress and a pair of shoes and shoved it into her hand.

‘Here, go change into them,” he stated.

Sarah looks at him with confusion written all over her face. She obeyed and went to the restroom, wishing that the monsters would leave; however, by the time she returned dressed in that beautiful black sequin dress, they were all patiently waiting for her.

“Come with me, “he instructed, and he began to pull her.

Confused, she looked straight into his eyes and asked, “To where?” for what? She protested

“I’m taking you home." He answered bluntly.

"Home,” she repeated after him.

“Where is home?”