Scarlet Heart

It was 9pm, Swan flipped the tag outside the store to read 'closed'. She walked back inside and locked the door from within. She picked up the sales day book and proceeded to knock at the door behind the stalls. "Come on in," a feminine voice responded.

Swan walked in and bowed slightly as she greeted her boss. She presented the sales day book and Mrs Elise nodded. "Good work gal, I will fix this before tomorrow, you can go now," Mrs Elise said as she scanned through the entries. "Yes ma," Swan bowed again and took her leave.

Mrs Elise stepped out of her office and watched Swan's auburn hair bounced behind her as she walked away. She wondered why such an intelligent girl ended up working as a sales girl and not studying. She had tactically kept her personal life hidden from her.

Apart from Swan's intelligence, Mrs Elise found her a bit off. She has an unusual energy well hidden behind her usual calm facade. "There you go again," Mrs Elise cautioned her line of thought and walked out to lock up the store.

Swan arrived Marinda hospital two hours later. The hospital was just thirty minutes drive from the store but she was stuck in Los Angeles' traffic for 2hours.

She walked into her mother's ward and made her way to her bedside. She took her seat by her bedside and cried as she watched her mother sleep. She wished it was a peaceful sleep where she would wake up full of smiles and energy as usual.

A nurse walked in and Swan stood up abruptly. "How was her dialysis today? I was stuck at work, I could not come around." Swan asked. "It went well, but technically speaking, I am not sure her body can take anymore dialysis. She would need the transplant as soon as possible... You should see the doctor before leaving," the nurse advised.

Swan walked out of the doctor's office with tears flowing freely from her face. She knew she wasn't going to get the money needed for the transplant soon.

Beep beep beep,

her outdated phone rang out and she picked up instantly, it was her younger brother. "Why are you so late tonight...The landlord wants..." Rian said but the voice from the other end changed abruptly. "You darn wretched girl! Do you think you can play smart with me? You promised to pay me today. If you don't, I am sure you know you will be on the streets by the next time we are having this discussion," the landlord said and hanged up. Swan sighed and walked faster to nab a cab. All that filled her head was Rosey's offer.

******

"Are you sure we were caught on the cameras? I mean our faces?" Trevor asked his PA; Dan. "Of course," Dan responded. "Good. Get the footage to reporter Jung right away, the news must be out by tomorrow morning," Trevor commanded. "Yes sir," Dan responded and got on his way whlist Trevor continued to his suite.

Almost all staff bowed as Trevor walked past. Though he wasn't in charge of the hotel. Everyone who worked at Pebbles Hotel knew that Trevor Slawson owned it. Some argued that Trevor built the hotel from his parents' wealth which but Trevor wasn't concerned about the genuineness of such assertion.

Owning one of the famous hotel all by himself and outside his parents' reach and control was the best feat Trevor has ever single handedly acheived without his parents' influence.. The hotel gave him independence, a tool he needed right now.

He exited the elevator and made his way through the hallway. He brought out his card and flicked it on the door's lock. The door clicked opened. He blinked hard as he saw the back of a lady sitting at the dinning. He had forgotten all about the girl he used for the day's ordeal.

Fiona sat at the table with her back at the entrance. She turned slightly at the click of the door. A manly footstep approached her and she stared into Trevor's charming eyes.

Trevor walked past her and took his seat right before her. He brought out his cellphone and resumed discussion with reporter Jung through chats.

Fiona helped herself with wine and soon rose up to get a shower. She changed into a lingerie and applied the cosmetics needed to make her inviting enough for the night's business.

She was surprised that Trevor was still in his suit. 'Not to worry, two can play the game... I have dealt with nosey men who always try to play hard to get,' she thought and curled up invitingly on the large bed- like sofa in the space that served as a living room. She employed her never failing antic as she positioned herself to reveal more flesh. It was a move that none of her patronizers has ever resisted, not even her lesbian customers.

Trevor looked in her direction and became irritated. "What's your deal you tramp! Aren't you here for the money? Get your ass off the sofa and get dressed. You stay in here till morning and get yourself outta here. Understood?!" Trevor yelled.

"Yes sir," Fiona responded shakily and sprang off the bed immediately. Trevor looked on with disdain and threw a bundle of dollars at her feet. He shook his head slowly as he entered into an inner room and clicked the door shut behind him.

"That was hot, another temptation down," he muttered and rested his back on the door. His face was covered in grin as he began to pull off his suit.

It was 4am in the morning, sound of punches and grunts emanated from the single room in the rooftop house at Vernon avenue, Nevin in Los Angeles.Streams of sweat tripped through Swan's skin as she continued her exercise. She hit the boxing bag hard and repeatedly in a crazy speed that made her enlarged biceps ripple.

The usual unsettling feeling swept over Mrs Elise as she watched Swan walked across from the other side of the road. Swan's gait and strides were always too intentional and precise. "She is just a feeble lady. Moreover, she looked too under- nourished for such display of strength. I wonder how skinny she would look like under her oversized dresses," Mrs Elise thought as Swan walked closer. Swan approached her, bowed slightly in greetings and resumed the day's work.

*****

Mr Mark Slawson hanged up and yelled angrily at his wife, "Did you hear that? Did you hear what your son has done?! He is such an ingrate and I won't take that from him. This is the most appropriate way he can pay me back for my long years of labour over him but he chose to be a traitor... Don't tell me you two are in this together!"

"You should be mindful of your health and keep calm. I am sure Trevor is just acting up, it's unlike him to keep chains of girlfriends. I am sure..." Mrs Slawson responded but was interrupted by her husband. "Isn't it obvious? You need not tell me that. I know he is deliberately being defiant. He is doing it to let me know he isn't in agreement with my choice...You should make him know it's all decided already and he has no say in the matter."

"He has no choice? How could you say that father? Mother! Will you just sit by and do nothing? I hope you guys won't ship me off one-day to be married to a stranger as the payment of a business deal," Natasha; Trevor's younger sister said as she bumped in and walked over to her father. She threw a newspaper at his face and flipped the pages. Therein, was a bold picture of her brother.

In the picture, Trevor wound his arm around Fiona's waist and the other hand settled overtop her breasts. Natasha pointed repeatedly at the picture and said, "all because he wanted to show you he isn't interested in your bullshit, you made him resort to this!"

Mark gave Natasha a demeaning look and looked from mother to daughter. Natasha looked pathetically at her mother, shook her head and walked into her room. She slammed the door shut behind her.

Mark held up the newspaper and gave it a knee look. He read the heading out loud and clear.

TREVOR SLAWSON CAUGHT WITH A WOMAN IN HIS HOTEL AMIDST THE RUMOR OF HIS PROPOSED CONTRACT MARRIAGE

"This is scandalous! I wonder how Lonnie would feel after seeing this. Little wonder her mother lambasted me on the phone. Talk to your son, else you both would regret this." Mark warned his wife who remained silent.

*****

A car revved and came to a screeching halt right in front of Elise Stores and mini Mart. A sturdy man who looked like the leader of a gang alighted from the car, he was followed by his underlings. They made their way into the store. "Aren't they loan sharks?" Mrs Elise asked Swan. Swan turned around and saw them approached. "Shit!" She exclaimed and rose abruptly. She walked towards the exit. They met by the door and she walked them out.

"Where is what you promised?... We had an agreement." The sturdy man asked feigning calmness. "Yeah, we had and agreement but I am sorry I don't have it right now." Swan said and moved backwards to dodge the punch that was meant for her mouth. "Wow, nice show, I know you've got the spirit, we are ready for this." The sturdy boss said and signaled to his underlings

The five underlings rushed at Swan at a go. She dodged some of the punches while some made their landings on her face. She was out for defense, she knew she couldn't manage a face off with the five guys.

She was lucky enough as the police siren blew past. Her attackers stopped immediately. "You are lucky today, when we return, we will raze down all you've got in there," The sturdy man threatened and led his boys away.

Mrs Elise was right behind Swan, she watched all that transpired and walked back in as soon as the loan sharks disappeared.

"Who are those? Mrs Elise asked Swan immediately she walked in. "They are loan sharks... My parents... I mean, we have debts to settle with them..."Swan stammered. "Oh I see... Where do you learn such attack and defense skills? I was sore afraid. I think you will be better off as a guard than a sales girl. I empathize with you but I can't condole such shameful act in my store. Moreover I heard them clearly. They are returning to raze my store? No way! You can't continue here. I will give you a full month payment," Mrs Elise said and Swan fell on her knees.

"Please ma, don't send me away, I will be more careful..." Swan's pleas fell on Mrs Elise's deaf ears. She counted five dollars and handed it to Swan. "Good luck girl," Mrs Elise said and pushed Swan out of the store.

"Crazy girl. I said it... She wasn't ordinary, what a great fighting skill! I need a sales girl not a fighter. Good radiance!" Mrs Elise yelled and walked into the store and straight down into her office. She redressed a board with an inscription, 'Sales girl wanted'.

Swan cleaned up her face which practically was dry and tearless. The bruises on her face hurts badly and she flinched as her hands ran over them. "It not over until it is, this is just the beginning," Swan told herself and walked around in search of another menial job.

Swan returned to her mother's bedside tearfully. She had walked hopelessly all around during the day but her search for a new job was futile. Despite the dialysis, her mother was barely awake. She was weak and could barely lift a finger.

"Her body cannot bear the level of toxicity anymore. The dialysis can only help a little, she needs an urgent kidney transplant. Luckily enough, we have a donor already. We have carried out the compatibility test and it's a match. You should act fast else it would be too late to safe her." The doctor had told Swan the previous night.

"Mother, I am sorry, I have to do this and I hope father will have to forgive my foolishness. I can't afford to lose you too," Swan muttered and brought up her phone. She took her leave and looked behind sorrowfully at her mother as she took she last step out of the hospital room. She secured the door and dialled Rosey's number as she walked away.

Amie Donald knocked and walked into her daughter's room. "Mum, you should be sleeping already," Lonnie said and rose up from the bed. "You are not asleep either," Amie said and sat by her daughter's bedside. "Mum, I insist, you should retire for the day," Lonnie maintained. "How can I sleep peacefully when your father is laying out there in the cold and his murderers are out there enjoying their lives. He..." "Mum, if this is about revenge, this discussion is over," Lonnie cut in.

"It isn't, my love. You were deprived of fatherly love because those bastards killed your father in cold blood. I can't believe they have the guts to ask for your hand in marriage after what they did. I was just eight months gone when they murdered your father..." "Argh! Mum! Enough! I have heard this story more than thousand times! Fine, I am not against your revenge mission but I am human, not a tool for revenge. I have plans for my life. Marriage is not my thing and you know it!"

"You must marry into that family. This is 'our' revenge not mine alone," Amie said emphatically. "Mum! Can't you achieve your revenge through other means? Why must I lost myself and get married into the Slawson's household? If I ever want to settle down, I should marry someone I love... Mum, my joy should be more important to you than your revenge," Lonnie lamented.

"A different strategy you say. Why do you think Slawson Group has been our business associate over the years? It's not because they are extraordinary. I keep them close for my revenge. I have tried to bring them down on different occasions but all my effort was abortive. They walked into my trap when they come asking for your hand in marriage. Killing your father off isn't enough for them, they want to get you under their wings to devour my years of labour. I took over the company's affairs after your father's death. Do you think it was an easy feat? And now, they covet what I built up from the ashes they created. Two can play the game. Their greed would be their grave and you can't deprive me of such blessing."

"Alright mum, if that's what you want, I will play along but I am sure we can get our revenge without me ultimately marrying Trevor. I detest marriage," Lonnie said and dialled Trevor's number.

Beep, beep, beep

Trevor's phone rang and he picked it up, he was surprised when he checked the caller. 'a night call from Lonnie? My prank is already working', he thought and smiled scornfully before picking up.

"Hello... It's Lonnie, Trevor?" Lonnie asked from her end. "Yeah it's Trevor, nice hearing your voice tonight..." He responded. "Can we go on a date 10am tomorrow?" Lonnie asked. "Tomorrow? I will have to check with my PA, if I am free, I will let you know." "Alright, keep me posted," Lonnie responded and dropped the call. "A date?" Trevor chuckled, "I will look forward to it... Tomorrow it is," Trevor said to himself and clamped his eyes shut.

"Satisfied?" Lonnie asked her mother. "Yes dear, I am happy you can feel my pains, we must avenge your father..." "Do not start again mum, go sleep, let's talk tomorrow." Lonnie interrupted. "Alright, sleep tight my dear," Amie said and walked out with a grin.

*****

"I know you like your kids' independence but I am surprised, why did you suddenly insist on a contract marriage for Trevor ? I am sure you know that such decision is a crucial one where he should be the one making his choice." Mrs Mary Slawson challenged her husband.

Mark pulled up the bed-cover and said to his wife, "Director Amie Donald of Nobel Pharmaceutical Company brought up the idea, she wanted her only child and daughter to marry Trevor. I am sure you know of her association with one of our subsidiaries. I felt it was a welcome idea and the best way to pay back for her husband's death. Moreover, that woman single handedly sailed the company ashore. She revived a company that almost liquidated. I am sure the daughter trained by such woman will be a good compliment for our son when he finally seats in my position."

Mary sat up and laughed scornfully. "Can I say you are simple minded or are you hiding the real reason behind this from me? I can't accept what you just said," Mary responded. "Woman! Let me have my peace!" Mark yelled and his wife left the bedroom angrily.

Mary walked into the living room and rested on the sofa. She ruminated over what she just heard. She knew her husband well, he wasn't an easy man. The reasons he gave for taking such step sounded unreasonable and she wondered what was going on.

It was hate at first sight for her, she disliked Amie Donald at first sight. She met her the for the first time when she attended a symposium with Mark. Being a crafty woman herself, Mary was able to see through Amie's subtleness. She later found out that Amie was the Director of Nobel pharmaceuticals, a compay in partnership with Slawson Biohealth. Slawson Biohealth is one of the Slawson subsidiaries which deals with scientific research on terminal diseases and drug production.

*******

It was 4am. Swan rolled around in her sleep and shook her head vigorously at intervals. Suddenly, her eyes popped opened and she sat up abruptly. It was the usual nightmare. She heaved a sigh and pulled down the string arm of her lingerie to reveal a large scar on her chest. She pulled her lingerie back in and position walked up to her younger brother's mat.

She knelt and tucked him in perfectly to ensure he was well covered and shielded from cold. Swan returned to her corner and resumed her 100 rounds of push ups. Her discussion with Rosey the previous night propped up in her head;

"Desperation has finally launched you into reality. I will over look your foolishness and help you out but tonight is out of it. All slots are fixed, I will fix you up for tomorrow." Rosey had told her over the phone. Her mind pictured all that would be happening over the night. She lost her grips and fell flat on her face. She remained in her position and sobbed quietly.