Chapter 3 The summon

Amber is still in disbelief. She collects the letter from Rina and reads it again. This time, aloud.

"Your debt has been acquired by Leon Viremont. You're expected at 106 Vale Crescent in 48 hours. Come alone."

The note had no signature, just clear instruction.

She still wasn't sure of what she had just read. "This must be a scam. Leon Viremont? The most influential and powerful billionaire in Ravelle? The heir of Viremont Holdings? What business does he have with me or my father's debt?"

"Girl, this ain't no scam. It's a blessing in disguise!" Rina jumped. "This is Ravelle. Anything can happen. But, there must be a catch. You should find out what it is! And who knows, he may end up being your prince charming," she giggled.

"Rina, please." Amber said as she pressed her lips together. "You play too much."

The door opened suddenly, "Enough of the chit chat. Break's over, get back to work, girls," one of their colleagues interrupted.

"Here we go again," she sighed and rolled her eyes, folding the paper neatly back in her bag, and they resumed back to work.

Amber had gotten off duty, and on her way home, she couldn't stop thinking about the letter she had received. Drifting away in her thoughts, the honk of an incoming vehicle brought her back to reality, "Watch where you're going!" The driver yelled. She quickly adjusted herself and bowed slightly in apology.

When she got home, the house was quieter than usual. Her mother had probably gone to the neighborhood casino center, and Zara was fast asleep. She quietly slipped into her room, making sure not to wake Zara.

Amber paced to and fro and reached out for the letter. She opened it again, read it continuously like it was going to change if she had read it for long.

"What does a billionaire have to do with a girl like me?" she plundered. It was too good to be true. She had only heard about Viremont on TV, saw them on billboards, and knew how much influence they had in Ravelle, but she never thought she could be summoned by Leon Viremont. "He probably wants to use my weakness for his selfish gain." She thought as she dropped the letter on the table beside her bed, laid down, and fell asleep.

The next day, the alarm rang at exactly 6:00am as usual. Amber got up grudgingly and continued her daily routine.

On getting to work, before she could even breathe, Rina dragged her to a corner, "So, when are you going to the Viremont mansion?" She asked. Amber looked at her with a stern look, "Going? What do you mean? I'm not going anywhere."

"What? Are you crazy? What do you mean you're not going? This is a rare opportunity. At least, you should know about the said requirements in the letter even though it may not be of interest to you."

Amber sighed with confusion in her eyes, but she shoved it off, and they both went back to work.

On getting home, she walked into the living room to her mother, holding the letter.

"How did you get that? Were you going through my stuff?" She asked furiously.

"Oh, so, you planned to keep this away from me, huh?" Her voice is sharp and clear.

"I didn't think it was important. And besides, I'm not going." Amber responded as she walked past her.

"Come back here. What do you mean you're not going? Do you think you have a choice in this? People like us don't get to say no!"

"People like us? What do you mean by that?" Amber echoed.

"Yes! People like us who only survived by knowing where to shut up and obey. Whether you like it or not, you leave first thing tomorrow morning, no excuses."

Amber's chest burned down with rage and humiliation. She always knew her mother resented her for being a burden, but she never knew it was to the extent of selling her out. She didn't care to know the reason. All she cared about was money.

She entered her room, and while she was still trying to figure out what had just happened, Zara walked in. She had overheard the conversation between their mother and Amber. Without hesitation, she gave her a hug and whispered, "Everything's gonna be fine. I believe in you." These words melted Amber. She didn't know when the tears rolled down her cheek. After a moment of shared emotions between them, Zara left for her room.

The silence in the room was deafening. Amber stood up, walked towards her window, and stared at the sky. "Dad, what do I do?" she whispered, somehow, expecting an answer. Then, suddenly, someone tapped her from behind with a soft voice calling out, "Am, my dearest," it was her dad.

"Dad? How are you here?" She asked, looking like she had seen a ghost.

Her dad was dead, so she had technically seen a ghost. He looked exactly like he did before he died.

"Come, sit with me." He pulled her as she followed. They both sat on the bed.

"Dad, I miss you so much. It's hard without you here. I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I don't know what to do anymore." Amber said with a cracked voice.

"You don't have to worry. Sometimes, our breakthrough comes in mysterious ways. There's always a silver lining."

"But dad..."

"Shhhhh, no buts. Just be rest assured that everything will be fine." He cuts in. "Remember what I always tell you, "No matter the situation you find yourself in, there's always a way out. Be strong and face your fears," they both recited in sync.

"I'll always be here for you, my darling."

Just as she was about to hug him, he faded away with the breeze. It was then she realized it was all a hallucination. She sat on her bed, holding her knees together and sobbed quietly, not knowing what the next 24 hours would be.