The hidden terms in my contract.

Chapter One

"Dad, you need to rest," Anita's voice was high, her tone sounds furious. "You just got discharged from the hospital and you are already planning to get back to work!" She dropped the plate of served toss bread on the dining table while pouring some coffee for her dad.

"But I need to feed and take care of you," Mr. Thomas said with a sharp voice, smiling at his daughter. "Yes, but it is still early, you should call your boss and inform him." Said Anita, sitting on the dining table close to her dad. "Don't worry my dear," he said placing his hand on her shoulder with a comforting voice. "I am fine." He added.

Anita sighed and look at her father with a sad eyes. "Okay, if you say so. But..." Mr Thomas quickly interrupted her, "that's enough, eat my daughter."

Their breakfast was short and quick. Mr Thomas took his leave while Anita try to get herself prepared to leave for her working place.

>>>

"Hurry up, Anita." John's voice echoed through the walls of his office. His temple brow with furrow as he tries to destroy the white papers containing some important information. "We need to be fast before the they get here." He said, focusing on the machine that was destroying the documents.

"But Sir it will take at least 20 minutes to destroy any evidence," said Anita clicking through the keyboard. "And we need to move the money into a paper account if we are to cover any trace." She added, her gaze fixed on the computer screen as she tries to delete every folder on the system.

The FBI have been on John's neck for some months now, they must have been tip by someone about Marvin's money laundering activities.

"Sir, we have a problem!" Anita's voice pierce sharply through John's ear. He turns sharply, his eyes a bit white, evidence of his heart beating fast, "what is?" He asked walking towards Anita.

John stood behind her, staring at the screen over her shoulder, his eyes widen open, arching a brow in confusion.

"What do we do now?" He asked with a low voice. Anita kept her gaze on the screen before she finally spoke, "we have to make someone the culprit, Sir." Her voice tinged with confidence yet, not sure if what she said convinces her boss.

John placed his left arm on the table while placing his right arm on the chair Anita was sitting, "And who do you suggest?"

Suddenly, the door to John's office bang open with a quick interruption to their discussion. Anita looked at John and then, back to the man standing in front of them. John gave her a 'No way, like for real' look. Anita shrug her shoulder and nodded her head in agreement.

"S.. Sir," Mr Thomas came into the office trying to catch his breath. "They are here, Sir." John walked towards Mr. Thomas placing his right arm on his shoulder. "Mr, Thomas, you have been a loyal servant of this company and I truly appreciate your contribution to it growth." John spoke gently to Mr Thomas, but his voice is betraying his innocent face.

"It is my duty, Sir." Said Mr Thomas, smiling sarcastically at John. John turn around his head and signal to Anita to go ahead with what they had planned.

The FBI are now in the building, heading straight to John's office. "Search everywhere, every corner of the office," said the chief in charge

John and Mr. Thomas stood by each other looking as the officers trying to confiscate everything they could lay their hands on. "Over here Sir," one of the officer shouted as he stood by the computer where Anita was sitted. The chief in charge hurriedly walked towards him to see what it is about. What the h*ll,"

The chief in charge walk straight to John and spoke, "And who is Mr. Thomas Walker?" His brow furrow with seriousness.

Mr Thomas's face went confused instantly, what is happening? Why is the officer seeking to know who bears the name? John quickly point to Mr Thomas, "Here is he?"

"Sir, you are under arrest," the chief in charge spoke harshly trying to handcuff Mr Thomas. Mr Thomas was speechless, confused and couldn't find the right words to speak, "For what sir?" He finally found his voice and spoke.

The chief in charge look up to him with a straight face, "For money laundering." Mr Thomas suddenly went blank and confused, "Me, mo.. Money laundering, Sir..." Mr Thomas turn to his boss to get an answer but John just shrug his shoulders with 'I have no idea Mr Thomas's look.

"Let's go!" Said the officer holding Mr Thomas by his arm and dragging him out of the office. Mr Thomas try to resist but he was drag forcefully out of the office.

>>>

Fountain Chambers is one of the most visited place by different set of people with cases that are beyond redemption. Damain is an experience lawyer, who have helped top politicians and business owners win cases. His record speak for him.

Inside Damain's office, "Mr and Mrs Walter, do you still want to go ahead with signing the divorce paper?" He asked the couples in front of him. His hands interlock and placed on the table.

"Yes, Mr Damian, I damn sick of her.." Mr Walter spoke with furry. Mrs Walter quickly interrupted, "Ah, you what! How dare you."

Damain shock his head in disbelief, "It's okay, you don't have to do this here." He try to calm the tension in the room. Damain leaned back to his seat, "okay, here is what I will suggest, maybe you both should see a marriage counselor first to see if this will work out, Mm."

"I am going nowhere with this old s*g," said Mr Walter looking at his wife with a disgusting face. "How dare you call me that!" Mrs Walter stood up dragging her husband by his hair.

"Hey! Hey, not here!" Damain stood up from his seat quickly and try to separate them from over his table.

>>>

Willa was busy serving coffee and taking orders from customers in the restaurant where she was working part time.

"What are your orders Sir," Willa asked a customer sitting in one of the seat. "Yeah, just a cup of coffee will do," the customer replied gazing at his mobile phone. "Okay." Willa answered and walk away to get his order.

Couple of minutes later, Willa is back with the coffee. Few steps away from the customer's table, her phone rang. "Willa!" The manager yelled, pointing to the sticker on the wall by the counter which reads 'WORKERS ARE NOT ALLOW TO USE PHONE DURING WORKING HOURS'

"Sorry!" She gently said looking at her boss with a pitiful eyes, her voice barely audible. She picked the call, what she heard next broke her heart.

"Miss Thomas, We need you at the FBI office now, your father has been arrested for money laundering." Said the voice on the other end of the phone.

The cup of coffee from Willa's hand fell heavily on the tiled floor, spilling the content in it at the customer who was waiting for his order. Tears filled her eyes. She was lost and confused. And instantly, she walked towards the counter, trying to take off her apron. "And what do you think you are doing, Willa?" Her manager asked with a furious voice. Willa didn't answer him and walked out on him.

"If you walk out of the door, you are fired," he yelled, his voice echoed through the room but his words fell on a deaf ear. "You are fired, Willa!" He yelled once again at the top of his voice.

Willa step out of the restaurant and stop a cab. "Where to miss?" Asked the driver. Willa answered, wiping away her tears "FBI office." The driver turn and gave her a confused stare before turning front and drove away.

Chapter Two

"Mr Thomas," The FBI director called out, looking through some papers before him on the desk. "Let's get straight to the point, the money you wired to the offshore accounts..." He raised his head and look at Mr Thomas before he continued, "What was it for?"

Mr Thomas who sat on an iron seat, looking confused and sad. The room was quiet and look odd to him. He was placed in the interrogation room for further questionings. "Look.." Mr Thomas Lean towards the table placing his hands with cuff on the table, "... I don't know what you are talking about, I.. I don't even have an offshore account."

"Okay, I see.." the director threw a white paper in front of Mr Thomas, "... So explain this." He said, leaning in his seat and placing his right arm on the table supporting his chin with the index and thumb finger.

Mr Thomas took the paper and stare at it. His eyes widen in shock. The contents of the paper where transfer of money to different offshore accounts which were illegal, probably for drug business. "I swear I don't know what or how..." The director quickly interrupted, "Mr Thomas, look, I don't want to make this hard for you but if you don't cooperate with us..," he leaned forward to Mr Thomas, "... Be sure to get yourself a 30 years jail sentence." He leaned back to his chair

"This can't be real!" Mr Thomas bow his head in pain. The director stood up and spoke "Think about it. Think about your daughter." Immediately, Mr Thomas raised his head. "Willa!" He said softly but his tone evident of pain and sadness.

>>>

John sat in his cozy office, the smoke from the cigar he spit out find it way up. He picked his phone and punch some numbers before putting it on his ear. "Everything has been handled perfectly, for now we should be off their track." The voice on the other side spoke, "What if he spit the truth about everything?" John was quite for few seconds before he replied, "I will make sure he doesn't and spend some time in jail."

John hang the call and place the phone on the desk. "Well, Mr Thomas, you have to take the blame. I need to save my company," his voice sounding arrogant and remorseless.

>>>

"Dad!" Willa ran towards her father who was still locked in the interrogation room. She hugged him tightly, shedding tears uncontrollably. "How.. what happened! She asked, her voice unclear as she spoke.

"It's okay, Willa." He held his daughter by her arms, looking straight into her eyes. "Then what really happened?" She asked, trying to wipe away her tears. She grab the seat and sat close to him. "Well, for now I can't really say but I believe someone is trying to frame me to cover his illegal business dealings." The words from Mr Thomas pierce through Willa's heart. "He! Who is that?" Willa asked arching her left eyebrow in confusion.

The door of the interrogation room suddenly opened, interrupting their conversation. The director came in and stood before Mr Thomas, "It's time."

Willa looked at her dad with a confusing face, "Time for what?" She asked, her voice barely loud enough. Two agents came in and were about to take Mr Thomas away before he finally speak, "Willa, I need you to stay strong. We will get through this." With that, the two agents took Mr Thomas away.

Mr Thomas is been transported to the court where he will face his judgement.

>>>

The court room was filled with people, a case was been attend to before Mr Thomas case.

"I hereby, dismiss any evidence against Mr Fei and declare him not guilty." The judge said, hitting the hammer before inquiring for the next case.

Damain, this time around again won a case for a client. He felt proud of himself as he gave a confident smile at his client. "Thank you Mr Damain." Mr Fei appreciated Damain, shaking hands with him. "It's my pleasure Mr Fei." Damain replied smiling back at him.

Mr Thomas was brought into the court room and stood inside the accused box. And after all evidence pointing to Mr Thomas involving in money laundering was presented to the judge, he gave his verdict. "With all evidence showing Mr Thomas in money laundering, I hereby sentence him to 35 years in jail without bail." The words stung Mr Thomas so deep, cutting deeply into his heart.

Suddenly Mr Thomas started having difficulties in breathing, his palms became sweaty and his face turning white. Willa stood up from her seat, trying to approach her father but the police officer standing by the witness box refused her any chance of meeting her father. "That's my dad, I need to speak to him please." Willa pleaded but the officer pay a deaf ear to her.

And then out of nowhere, Mr Thomas slump on the floor. He was quickly rushed out of the court room and driven in an ambulance to the hospital.

Damain stood looking at the whole scene without interfering. He saw how weak and helpless Willa was but that didn't bother him. His legal expertise isn't for free. He walked towards her and helped her up to her feet, "Here," he offered his hand to Willa trying to lift her up. "Here is my card, if you need any help, just give me a call." He handed her his business card and walked away.

Willa took the card, glance at it and saw the name boldly written on the blue sleek card DAMAIN MATHEW.

>>>

Mr Thomas woke up from his slump. His eyes met unfamiliar environment as it trace the ceiling before the the tip of his nose was hit by the smell of drugs and antiseptic spray. That was when he realized that he is in hospital environment.

Thomas groan, trying to sit up but soon he discover that his left arm was in cuffs. "Is this necessary?" He mumbled to himself.

The doctor came in and walked towards Thomas. "How are you feeling Sir," he asked trying to check on his vitals. Thomas gave a faint smile and replied, "Better, doc."

Willa came in as soon as possible to check on her Dad. "Thank goodness, dad," She said hugging him tightly. "I thought I have lost you."

"Urrg..!" Thomas groan gently. "Oh sorry dad," she pull away from him, "what did the doctor said?" She inquire.

"Miss Willa, please see me in my office now," the doctor request of her and stepped out of the room. Willa stood up, looked at her dad before walking out of the room.

"Miss Willa, your father suffered an heart attack," said the doctor with a low tune, not sure of how to break the news to her. "He was lucky to have been brought in early."

Willa's eyes were almost filled with tears. The news of her father having an heart attack isn't good. "So doctor, will he be alright?" She asked trying to wipe away her tears. "Well, for now but I fear that he may likely suffer a stroke if he has another episode."

Willa felt a heavy and Sharp pain pierce through her heart. She couldn't process what the doctor said and was sitting, looking so confused.

Willa left the doctor's office and went back to the wardroom where her father is been admitted. And upon opening the door, she couldn't find her dad.

Chapter Three

Willa scan the room but didn't see her dad. She stepped outside and took a look at the room number to be sure if she entered the right one. It was the same number 231 on the door. Willa search for her father around the hospital but couldn't find him.

Willa walked towards the reception and spoke with the lady sitting behind the desk. "Please, have you seen my dad," she inquire, her voice trembling and her tone quiet weak. The lady gave her a cold look, chewing gum lazily before speaking, "And who is your dad?"

"Mr Thomas, he was adm..." Willa spoke but was cut short by the lady before she could finish speaking. "Oh! Some guys in black suits just walked out of the hospital with him not qui.." by the time she would finish talking and raised her head, Willa had varnished. ".. quite long ago in a black car." She concludes with a surprise face. Her eyes scanning the hallway to look for Willa.

Willa stood outside the hospital building, looking worried and her eyes scanning everywhere to spot the van. Just as she was about to get back into the hospital, the black van drove past her.

"Hey, miss." A voice behind her calls out. Willa was startled, shrugging her shoulders with quick reflex. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"Mr Damain, I...I" Willa stammer a bit, trying to hide her tears. "He was taken away..." She burst out with tears again before Damain comforted her.

"Here," Damain hand her a white handkerchief. Willa took it, "Thank you." Her voice barely above whisper as she appreciated him. "Wipe your tears. You would ruin your beauty." He spoke and smiled at her. Willa try to force a smile.

"You know, you could hire me for my legal service." Damian broke the silence between them. Willa look up at him with surprise, "but... I mean.. hiring you will be expensive and I don't have the money for that." Her voice echoed her pain and struggle through Damain's ears.

"Who says you will need to pay me!" Damain answered with a sarcastic tone.

"What do you mean?" Willa asked. Damain sighed and licked his lips before he replied her. "Let's go to my office and discuss better." He smiled mischievously and lead her to his car before zooming off.

>>>

Mr and Mrs Walter sat quietly in the marriage counselor's office and despite been seated closer to eachother, they couldn't connect emotionally to eachother. Then, the silence was broken by the marriage councilor as she walked in and greeted, "Good morning Mr and Mrs Walter."

"Good morning..." They both answered before staring at eachother with a dejected face.

The counselor looked at them in a wired way as she pause, "okayyy!" Before she then sat down in her soft leather chair. "So where do we sta..."

Mr Walter quickly interrupted "Look, all I want is for us to divorce, I am tired of her." He spoke with a furious tone.

"Did you see that!" Mrs Walter spoke looking at the councilor. "You are unbelievable, I regret the day I mar..." Mrs Walter spoke, her eyes rolling in disgusting towards her husband before he cut her short. "Aha! Did you see that? She doesn't respect me." Mr Walter spoke with a light tone yet his voice was sharp.

The marriage councilor sat in her chair leaned back in it. Her left hand was place on the chair hand supporting her chin as she watch the drama unfold before her eyes. Amidst the conversation between Mr and Mrs Walter, the councilor broke them with just a statement, "Instead of getting a divorce why don't you both have a vacation."

Mr and Mrs Walter both turned and faced the marriage councilor with a shocking face, "What!" They both screamed. "No..no, this idea..." Said Mr Walter. "...is a terrible one." Mrs Walter concluded.

The marriage councilor leaned forward to her desk and then spoke, "Maybe what you both need is sometime together, to explore around the world together..." She clip her fingers together before she continued, "... sometimes what couples need to understand eachother better is just a little vacation away from everything. To be alone."

Mrs Walter nodded her head in agreement, arching her lower lips into the upper one. Mr Walter seeing the reaction on his wife's face, "No...no!" He said adjusting himself into his chair.

"Mr Walter, this is the best option." Said the councilor. "If you must proceed with the divorce then, you will have to give up 80% of your property to her," she added, gesturing her hand towards Mrs Walter.

Mr Walter sat quietly on his chair, his eyes evident of confusion. He looked at his wife who gave him a crook smile. And then he sighed heavily. "Okay. I will go but I will be the one to decide where we are going."

"I think I get why you both want to divorce now, Mr Walter." Said the marriage councilor. Mr Walter eyes opened a little wide, "And what could that be?"

"You don't carry along your wife when it comes to decision making." She answered.

Mr Walter was shocked to learn that and gave a simple answer, "Let's start with the vacation." He spoke with a gentle voice.

They left the office and headed back home to plan for their vacation but with each mind filled with a different plan.

>>>

Willa sat in Damain's office, her eyes tracing the luxuries and paints on the wall. She thought to herself, 'Does he make his money from offering his expertise on legal affairs? He must have other means of making huge money.' Searching for answers to her questions that were roaming in her head, her eyes fell on a glass carved award, boldly written on it was ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR.

As if reading her mind, Damain spoke "I love to explore and expand my options when it comes to making sustainable income." Damian's words distracted Willa's attention, bringing her back to reality.

"I see!" Willa said softly, her voice barely above whisper. She smiled gently as she look straight into Damain's eyes before bowing her head a bit. "So..." She raised her head a bit before continuing, "... How do I pay for your legal service fee?"

Damain smile and then leaned back into his seat, "Become my mistress!" Willa blinked her eyes simultaneously, scoffed and spoke, "I am sorry... You said what?" Her eyes widen in shock and her tone evidence of disbelief.

"You heard me right," Damian said, leaning forward to the desk. "You want to save your dad..." Willa quickly interjected, "Yes, but not this way!" She exclaim. "But that's the only way," Damain said, leaning back into his seat. "And the way I see it, he isn't on bail. So the only way to get him out of the jail is to prove his innocence."

Willa bow her head and buried it in her palms, tears roll down her cheeks. The next words that came out of Damain's mouth send shocking wave through her heart. Her eyes widen in shock and couldn't believe what she just heard him say.