Chapter 4 The Price

Annette's pov

It's ten in the morning and Laura's not back, her phone is switched off. I walk back and forth the living room while Peter tends to his wounds. The sudden ringing of his phone startles the both of us.

" Hello? "

I hear Laura crying in the background as Peter answers his phone. I want to scream and demand them to let her go, but I know the macho brothers too well, they won't.

" You have twenty-four hours to refund our money Peter, or I'll put your precious little sister in a place where she can make back that money for us. " The call ended before me or Peter could say anything. A sudden heat of fear envelopes me, threatening to burn me to ashes. I wrap myself with my arms to steady myself.

" What do we do now? ". Peter asks me, his eyes fixed on the floor in pain and anger and shame.

If we don't do something, we could lose our sister. I can't stand the thought of the vile things they'd make her do to atone for Peter's crime and I definitely can't call the police or else Peter could end up in jail, but one thing I'm not gonna do is still back and let my sister get trafficked.

" What the fuck do we do hun? You should have thought about that before you squandered the macho brother's money. " I shouted at Peter as tears poured from my eyes, just thinking about how frightened Laura would be makes me want to rethink my decision not to involve the police. But even if I do file reports, the Macho brothers are so good at what they do that the police haven't been able to apprehend them in years.

" Annette," Peter called me calmly, his eyes were still fixed on the floor

" This isn't time to push blame, what we need to do is get that money A. S. A. P. "

" And how do we do that Peter, how? I still haven't finished paying off the loan I took to cover up the mortgage, I can't get any other loan right now, I can't even get an advance...." I stopped talking, an idea was already forming I'm my head.

" Tell me, Ann, what you thinking? You got someone who can help us with the cash? ". He asked, his eyes wide with expectation. I nodded in return and he let out a small sigh of relief

" Who? " He asked. I swallowed a lump in my throat before turning towards him

" Nathan Anderson. "

★

I'm walking into the company building at eleven fifteen. I ignore small talks about me, and instead of going to the administration area where my desk is, I'm headed for the first floor. The CEOs floor.

Ever since that day, he kissed me in the foyer, he has been acting strange with me, either watching me from a distance or making silly eye contact with me. I'm sure he just wants to finish what we started at the club, but I didn't, so I made no move towards him, well I didn't until now.

If offering the CEO my body would guarantee him giving me an advance, then I would do so to save my sister. I have only twenty-two hours left. I reach the first floor and like the rest of the company's building, it's magnificent.

His sectary tells me I can't see him if I don't have an appointment but I don't back down pressing her to call him

" Good morning sir, there's a junior staff demanding to see you by the name Annette Brown. "

She drops the call and ushers me inside his office. I walk into the office, three times the size of Mister Blake's. He's sitting on his chair, his eyes already scanning me.

" You've looked better, Annette. " He says to me. I know. I didn't bother dressing up properly before leaving home, all I wanted was to negotiate this with him and have my sister back in one piece.

" Sir, there's something I need your help with. " I responded, my heartbeat doubles, if he refuses to help me save Laura..... No, he won't, he can't... He's my only hope. I've tried to think of other solutions but everything falls flat, there's no other way I can raise such money in a short time as this... Twenty-one hours and fourteen minutes left till the Macho brothers do their worst. I swallowed hard and look at the man in front of me, the one I made out with a week ago. The CEO of Anderson's Empire.

I will not fail Laura, not today, not ever.

" I need two hundred thousand sir. I'll pay back in installments from my salary. "

I said with unwavering eyes. My gray eyes locked to his lighter shade of gray.

" I'll do anything you want, I'll give you anything you need from me, but please sir, I need that money now, my life depends on it. I need it as much as I need to breathe. "

I kept my composure in front of him, breaking down in front of a powerful man like this was not an option. His lips curved into a slow sinister smile, if I wasn't troubled within me, I'd be scared of that face, quickly he changed his expression to a more serious one, the kind he uses in business meetings.

" Be my wife for three years. "

"W..w..what? ". I hadn't expected this. Marriage? Was that really what he wanted?

He pulled out a file from underneath his desk and handed it to me. It contained documents for a contract marriage and a prenuptial agreement. For a moment, confusion, panic, and anger flooded me, but mostly anger.

" What in the world is this, sir? " I asked and he narrowed his eyes at me

" You want two hundred thousand, I want three years of your life. It's simple, sign it and I'll give you the money right now, or don't you want the money? " He leaned forward in his chair.

" Sign the contract, be my wife in name, I'll pay you five hundred thousand today, another after our marriage which would take place with immediate effect and two million after the end of the three years. "

Before I can respond, my phone rings and I hurriedly answer it.

" Be warned Annette, we're not bluffing. If that money doesn't come through in twenty hours, you'll never see your sister again. We sent out her pretty pictures and there's a lot of people ready to pay for her services. "

I closed my eyes as a tear slid down my cheek, followed by another and another.

I hear Nathan inhale sharply behind his desk, but I don't open my eyes.

I will not fail Laura, not today, not ever.

" Where's the pen, sir? I accept. "

The ink hasn't even dried on the documents before he sends me the money. I storm out of his office without another word, desperate to save my sister.

I call back the Macho brothers.

" I've got your money."

" Good, we always trust you to clean up Peter's mess, but you've outdone you're self this time. Well done Annette. It's a pity you broke up with Cole, we always thought you were perfect for him. "

" Just spare me that send Laura back. "

" Money first darling. "

I don't hesitate, I send them the money, the price for three years of my life.

I embrace my sister tightly, so tight I'm afraid she can't breathe, but Laura doesn't let go, she holding me, crying in my arms. Her hair is damp with sweat, Peter stands by and wipes the tears from his eyes. We're together, we're safe now, all thanks to Mr Anderson.

The Macho brothers sent me her address after I made the transfer, I rushed here with Peter to find her blindfolded and tied up, left in a deserted alley.

I can smile now that she's safe. We're safe, we will be. Nothing like this will ever happen again, I'll make sure of it.

I did not fail Laura today, I won't fail her like I failed dad.