Chapter 1 Daniella

My two friends and I sat in Clara's backyard, celebrating our graduation with chicken wings and soda. We laughed and joked around while playing Monopoly.

Our school didn't have a prom night, and we were the unpopular kids, so we hadn't been invited to any fancy parties at our classmates' houses.

"We graduated from high school. We're not kids anymore. We're going to face the real world," Gabriella said wisely.

"Yeah, you're right." Clara nodded. "I used to be impatient to graduate high school, but now I want to be a kid again."

"Hey, we haven't done anything yet. We're starting our new lives tomorrow. Why do you want to give up now?" I gave Clara a disapproving look.

Clara grinned. "I'm sad because I'm the only one going to college."

We were lost in our thoughts as we watched the sunset.

Gabriella and I walked home. Our houses were on the same block.

Starting tomorrow, I will focus on earning money to help my adoptive parents.

"Why haven't you paid off your debt this month? We're tired of coming to your house every month!"

"Are you happy that we come to your house every month, huh?"

"We'll pay if we have the money. Why should we delay paying the debt and interest?"

I stood in front of my house with my shoulders slumped. The dim light on the porch helped me see my parents and the two debt collectors.

They had ruined my graduation day. Besides, why did those two men come at night?

I gasped. I reflexively ran as fast as possible when the man with the dragon tattoo on his right hand took Anna's favorite hibiscus flower pot.

I saved the flower pot before the man threw it.

Breathless, I hugged the flower pot tightly while staring at the two debt collectors in annoyance.

"Daniella." Gilbert and Anna approached me. They were glad that I came home safe and sound.

Anna took the hibiscus flower pot from my arms and placed it on the floor.

"Good evening, Daniella." The two men smiled broadly, looking disgusting.

"Your daughter is beautiful," said the man with the dragon tattoo. "I want to take her as my hostage."

"That sounds good," said the man with the snake tattoo on his left hand.

I shuddered and swallowed hard.

"Please give us time. Just three months. I promise I will pay off all the debts and interest." I said with determination in my heart. I was confident that I would get a job soon.

"We almost got fired because of you!"

I gasped in surprise when the man with the dragon tattoo pulled my hand. Luckily, my parents spontaneously hugged me tightly.

I kicked the man's leg. I immediately regretted my actions when the man grimaced and stared at me angrily.

"I'll report you two to the police!" Gilbert growled.

"Oh, will the police respond to you?" The two debt collectors laughed mockingly at us.

Gilbert clenched his fists with his jaw clenched. Anna calmed him down.

Suddenly, a black car entered the yard, surprising and distracting us.

Two tall, muscular men exited the car and walked firmly and calmly towards us.

"How much do they owe and interest?"

It was a man's voice with hazel eyes, a sharp gaze, and black hairstyles with pomade.

He wore a long-sleeved white shirt that fit his body so I could see the muscles on his chest and arms and black pants. He put the black suit on his shoulders.

Who was he? He was cool, handsome, and had a mature look.

"Tell my assistant." His voice was deep and full of command.

A man wearing glasses who was standing next to him approached the two debt collectors.

His assistant was also handsome. They seemed to be the same age, but his assistant respected him as his boss.

"Hey, hold on." Gilbert stood between the two debt collectors and the hazel-eyed man's assistant.

"Who are you? I've never seen you before. Why do you suddenly want to pay off all my debts?" Gilbert asked with a suspicious look at the hazel-eyed man.

"Hey, are you stupid?" The dragon-tattooed man pushed Gilbert until he fell to the floor.

Anna and I panicked. We approached Gilbert and helped him up.

"Hey, why are you so rude!" I shouted at the dragon-tattooed man.

"You should be happy someone will help you pay your mounting debts!" The dragon-tattooed man snapped at us with veins bulging on his neck.

"Do you want us to take your daughter?" The snake-tattooed man grinned widely.

"You're crazy." Gilbert wanted to slap the two men, but he didn't.

Without us realizing it, the hazel-eyed man's assistant had completed his task of paying off our debt and interest.

"Your debt is paid," the dragon-tattooed man said, displaying the money transfer on his phone. His expression had lost its irritation and arrogance.

"We'll return to your house if you owe us again." The two debt collectors chuckled.

They left us with happy faces, but I realized that they didn't dare glance at the hazel-eyed man.

My parents and I were silent for a few seconds. We couldn't believe what had happened, making us unable to feel happy.

I scanned the hazel-eyed man from head to toe.

I didn't understand. Why did this man suddenly appear and pay off our debt?

Gilbert turned his attention back to the two men. "Who are you? What do you want from us? Just say it."

I held my breath as I made eye contact with the hazel-eyed man. He was staring at me intently.

He seemed angry, making me confused and wondering if I had done something wrong.

"I'm Daniella's stepbrother," the hazel-eyed man said, handing me a paper bag.

I couldn't breathe for a few seconds. Stepbrother? No. That was impossible.