Chapter 3 The million dollar bag

As the summer days waned and the first signs of fall arrived in light showers, the gloomy overcast sky reflected my inner turmoil.

Just as the stranger was about to pull the trigger, a sudden bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the scene with its electric brilliance. The terrifying ordeal shook me to the core, but in my heart, I couldn't help but feel that there was a divine presence looking out for me. In that moment, Detective Johnson released his grip on me, setting me free from his arms. I stumbled away, my body trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed down my face, and my knees felt weak, threatening to give way beneath me.

Turning my gaze towards the departing figures, I caught a glimpse of the stranger walking towards his car. Someone inside rolled down the back window, and they engaged in a hushed conversation. Straining to see his face and identify who he was, all I could discern was the side profile, marked by three distinct, scratched lines above his left eyebrow. Despite the chaos and fear, there was no denying the man's outstanding handsomeness. However, I couldn't place where I had seen him before. It was as if he was a stranger in Lack Heart, but there was a nagging feeling in the depths of my memory hinting at a connection.

Turning to the person I had hoped would reveal the truth, I saw the shame on Detective Johnson's face, buried beneath the weight of his guilt as he remained silent. In a feeble acknowledgment, he nodded his head, confirming my suspicion.

The strange man bowed respectfully towards Detective Johnson before entering the car and driving away. I was left bewildered, unable to comprehend the meaning of his actions.

As everyone departed, I found myself still kneeling beside the duffle bag containing the two million dollars. Tears continued to flow as I grappled with the confusion and uncertainty that enveloped my world. The light rain that had started falling mirrored my inner storm.

Slowly, I rose to my feet and picked up the bag. Numbly, I walked towards the car and placed it in the trunk. As I sat behind the wheel, rain pelted the windshield, blurring my vision. Lost in a daze, my thoughts were consumed by the enigmatic stranger, fixated on that distinctive mark on his face and the captivating charm he exuded.

As I sat there, my mind filled with questions about the mysterious man and the sudden influx of cash in my car trunk, I was faced with the dilemma of what to do and where to hide the money. Should I confide in my best friend? So many unanswered questions overwhelmed me.

In that moment, a vivid memory from my childhood flashed before my eyes. Growing up with a poor foster mother had instilled in me the desire to one day attain wealth and power. I dreamt of marrying a prince and ruling over a kingdom.

Life had never been easy, especially after my foster mother fell ill, and I had to shoulder the responsibilities at the young age of sixteen. Finding an after-school job to support the household strained my high school experience and left me miserable. However, throughout it all, my best friend had remained by my side since we were both five years old.

However, fate dealt another harsh blow as my foster mother passed away a year later, leaving me all alone. The pain of losing the people I loved most in my life to death had left a mark on my heart.

I was placed back into state care until my eighteenth birthday, but before she passed, my foster mother had set up a trust fund for me and secured a job for me at her friend's husband's company, ensuring I had a promising start in life.

The tragic loss of my parents in a fire when I was just five years old haunted me deeply. The thought of them perishing in such a horrifying manner made my stomach churn with anguish. I longed for their presence, yearning for the comfort and companionship of siblings that never existed.

Life became even more challenging when I lost my job and apartment in a devastating accident. It was only a matter of time before I had to leave Sasha's apartment, and relying on her hospitality weighed heavily on my conscience.

But then it hit me. I was rich. A millionaire. The possibilities of how I could begin my life anew flooded my mind. The prospect of pampering myself with luxurious hair treatments, stylish clothes, and renting an elegant apartment all seemed tempting. Perhaps I could even move to the upscale Lack Heart gated community. The money affording me numerous business ventures was an intoxicating thought.

However, as tempting as it was, my conscience refused to waver. This wasn't the person I was raised to be. The lure of materialistic desires clashed with my inherent values.

Taking a deep sigh, I reached for a tissue to wipe away my tears and headed home. Although a strong desire surged within me to uncover the identity of the man with the distinctive mark above his eye, a feeling of familiarity and a need to confront him, I struggled to find the right words. What would I say to him?

After enduring an eventful day filled with unexpected twists, one would assume I had learned my lesson. If this man had cared enough to call for an ambulance that whisked me away to the hospital, then perhaps there was a beating heart within his chest that held some concern for me.

As I entered the apartment, Sasha's angry voice pierced through the air. "Where have you been?" she yelled, her eyes conveying a mix of anger and worry. "I've been trying to reach you incessantly since the heavy downpour started. I even feared you might have met with some terrible fate in a dark alley."

Her words struck me with fear, pushing me to tears. The realization that I had indeed been on the brink of death in a secluded alley, combined with her accusation, stirred a momentary doubt. Could Sasha have been somehow involved?

Overwhelmed with emotion, we embraced tightly, tears streaming down our faces until we couldn't help but dissolve into laughter.

"Promise me you won't ever do something like that again," Sasha warned with a stern yet relieved expression. "I was so worried, thinking the worst had happened."

"I'm sorry," I replied, genuinely remorseful for the distress I had caused her.

However, despite the urge to confide in Sasha about everything that had transpired and the threat to my life, I couldn't bring myself to do so. She was already deeply concerned, and I didn't want to prolong the evening's nightmare any further. As for the money, it was a secret I couldn't decide whether or not to share.

Fear consumed me, preventing any semblance of sleep that night. Every sound from outside sent tremors through my body. Thirsty and on edge, I hurriedly made my way to the kitchen. Suddenly, the landline started ringing, causing me to freeze in my tracks. I wondered who could be calling at such a late hour. Curiosity compelled me to answer.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" I hesitantly uttered into the phone.

The sound of heavy breathing reverberated from the other end, causing my heart to skip a beat. The kitchen fell into an eerie silence, interrupted only by that breath. Finally, a voice broke the silence.

"I know you want to uncover the truth," the voice spoke, a tempting yet intriguing tone lacing its words. Curiously, it felt oddly familiar, as if I had heard this voice before.

"It's you, isn't it?" I nervously responded.

"Take the money and let go of the past," he insinuated gently, a sense of concern present in his voice. "If you attempt to unravel the events of that night, I will make your life unbearable. Remember, I know everything about you, orphan," he added with a hint of menace.

"Who are you? How did you get this number?" I demanded, a mixture of confusion and fear mounting within me.

"I know everything about you, Ravia," he whispered, a mischievous grin evident as he emphasized my name. "Forget what happened. This is your final warning."

Before I could utter another word, he abruptly ended the call. I stood there, forgetting the reason I had entered the kitchen in the first place. My curiosity peaked, the desire to uncover the identity of this enigmatic man became unbearable. His voice, it resonated within me. He knew me.

"Ravia, who were you talking to?" I exclaimed, startled by her presence as I turned to find her standing by the entrance to the kitchen.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, my mind racing with suspicion.

The expression on Sasha's face revealed that she had indeed heard something. The questioning look she gave me made me wonder just how much of the conversation she had picked up on, leaving me uncertain about what she truly knew.

We retreated to bed that night, an uncomfortable silence lingering between us. With a myriad of thoughts swirling in my mind, I struggled to find the right way to express or share the events and feelings I was experiencing with my best friend.

The following morning greeted me with the promise of a beautiful day, and I decided to seize the opportunity by embarking on a job hunt. I wanted to find any type of work, no matter how simple or small. However, a realization suddenly struck me. Wasn't I now the possessor of two million dollars? What was I doing, desperately hunting for a job? Frustration mixed with self-righteousness washed over me, and I couldn't help but feel trapped in my own misery. The prospect of having such a substantial amount of money intimidated me, making it difficult to accept the idea of taking advantage of it.

In the early afternoon, exhausted from my job search, I entered the bedroom. I kicked off my shoes, desperately needing a moment of rest. Yet, as I prepared to lie down, my gaze fell upon the duffle bag resting on the bed. It was the same bag that held the two million dollars.

"What in the world?" I exclaimed aloud, shocked by its presence.