The mafia's last debt

Jasmine's POV:

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was how unnaturally still the man beside me was. For a few seconds, I didn't think anything of it, my head was pounding and my body was sore from last night, a night I'd rather not remember.

I stared at the ceiling, I hated doing this but I had no choice, It was the price to pay to keep Liza alive. It was all for her, everything.

I took a deep breath and turned my head to face the client. He was lying with his back turned to me.

I hesitantly pushed through the pain in my body and reached to press my hand against his shoulder to wake him, but the moment my fingers brushed his skin I froze. He was cold, too cold.

"Hey sir, please it's time to wake up." I said, with my hands still pressed against his shoulder.

No response. I glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned; it was already 12 noon, I was late. Aunt Mika hated when her clients made their payments late, I'm sure she was already at the reception, fuming and waiting for me.

I turned toward him again. "Sir, please it's time to make your payment." He didn't move, why isn't he waking up? Was he a deep sleeper?

That wouldn't surprise me, he had barely spoken the whole night. I found that very strange, most of Aunt Mika's clients liked to talk, they always boasted about how important and rich they were. Making sure I never forgot how powerful they were.

This man was the complete opposite, he'd arrived in a casual outfit with surprisingly no security and a black mask covering half his face. I'd thought nothing of it, important men came to the Red Velvet all the time, so it wasn't surprising that he hid his face. He barely looked at me the whole night, avoiding eye contact anytime I glanced at him.

I shook him lightly, this time his body loosely slid against my hands. I touched his arm, it was cold. I leaned closer, his chest wasn't moving, panic immediately flared in my chest.

"No. Sir please wake up." I pressed my fingers against his neck, in hopes of finding a pulse. There was nothing. My heart started pounding, I scrambled backwards, almost falling off the bed.

"No, no, no, no." This can't be happening, he was fine yesterday people just don't die next to you overnight. I opened my mouth to call for Aunt Mika, after all it was her client, she should know what to do.

Before I could get a word out, the door suddenly burst open and five armed men in uniform stormed into the room. "Put your hands where we can see them." They yelled, scanning the room with their guns.

I froze immediately. "Why?" I asked shakily. "Get on the floor now, we're not here for games." I hesitated, one of them grabbed me and pushed me down, "Now!" He yelled.

I screamed, "please I didn't do anything. Why are you here?" He twisted my arm behind my back and pushed me further down. "Don't resist, or else." He said, pointing his gun directly at me.

One reached to touch the client's neck, "He's dead!" He shouted. Those two words nearly made me faint, a part of me knew he was dead, the other refused to accept it. I didn't kill him, so how could he be dead? The rest of the men instantly pointed their guns at me and carefully scanned my hands.

Oh my goodness, were they looking for a weapon on me?

"You did this?" One said looking at me with sheer disgust, "I...I." I stuttered, how could I possibly explain myself. "She definitely did." One said nodding at the rest, another officer was already moving towards the bed.

Everything happened so quickly, one minute I was kneeling beside the bed, the next I was being put in handcuffs and being dragged towards the door.

"Wait please." I begged, "can I talk to my Aunt first, please she'll know what happened." One of the men hesitated at first then nodded and motioned for the other to let me slightly loose. I hurriedly scanned the hall for Aunt Mika and finally saw her in the back corner. She was wearing a red silk robe, her grey hair tied loosely behind her head.

"Aunt Mika!" I screamed, she didn't answer,

instead she stared blankly at me. I noticed something in her hands, a thick stack of cash. She was counting it calmly one after the other, my heart dropped.

Was she counting money? Where did she get that money from? I pushed my questions aside and screamed "Aunt Mika, please help me, these men are taking me away." She looked at the officers and gave a small nod then she turned into the office beside the lounge, without sparing me another glance. What was happening? Why didn't she say something?

The officers dragged me out of the Red Velvet and searched me throughly, they took everything off me, my phone, my purse, my identity card, my keys, everything. They put everything into evidence bags.

I looked back at the door. "Wait, please ask my Aunt what happened, she brought him here. She can explain everything." I screamed. No one answered, they didn't care.

They shoved me into the back of a police car. In the car, I held my cuffed hands over my head, I was shaking from the cold in the car, traffic moved along the road as if nothing happened. The world continued like normal, but mine had ended.

I tried to steady my ragged breathing, who was that man? Who killed him? How did the police get here so fast? Who called them? A hundred questions raced through my mind all at once.

I was supposed to leave the Red Velvet as a free woman today, instead I left in handcuffs.

I left a dead body in my room, with every finger already pointed at me.

I didn't kill him, but it damn sure looked like it.

The interrogation room was freezing, it reeked of disinfectant, the smell burning into my eyes.

I sat at a metal table, my cuffed hands resting in my lap. The detective in front of me hadn't said a word, he hadn't introduced himself, he simply brought out a note pad and stared at me.

"Tell me exactly what happened." He finally said after a brief silence that felt like years. "Sir, I already told the officers." I said shakily. "Do I look like the officers you spoke to? Tell me again." He said, his lips immediately curving into a frown.

I swallowed hard. "Sorry sir, I woke up at around 11:55, and..." "And what?" He said, writing in his note pad. "And the man was still in the bed asleep."

"Did you know him?" "No sir." I said immediately. "So you expect me to believe you spent the night with a man you didn't know?" He said, a dry laugh escaping his mouth.

Tears stung my eyes, "I didn't know his name sir." "Well, his name was Adrian Graves."

He brought a folded newspaper out and pushed it across the table. "He's the headliner." I opened it, the man in the headline was older than I expected, he was fitted in an expensive looking suit and wore a confident smile. Then I noticed something, his jaw. I recognized the jaw under the mask immediately.

My stomach dropped. "That's him." "Exactly, and you were alone with him." The detective said, pulling back the newspaper. "Yes I was." I said hesitantly.

"So you were with him all night, yes?" "Yes." I whispered. "But I didn't kill him, I swear."

He just stared at me blankly. "Tell me about The Red Velvet." I paused, "I work there." I said blankly, I didn't like that question.

"What goes on there?" He asked, scribbling in his note pad. "It's just a private club." I said looking down at my hands.

He looked up at me. "That's not what I asked." I didn't respond, how could I?

"Miss Jasmine, you're twenty five years old, right?" "Right." I said looking up.

"How long have you worked there?" "Three years sir." "Good, that means you know enough about the place." "No, no, not really." I said hesitantly.

"Sir, please I swear I didn't know who he was." I begged. "Let me tell you, Adrian Graves was a loved and respected man." I stared at him, confused. "He was also the top candidate in the mayoral election." I froze, I had heard that name before, everyone in the city had.

Adrian Graves was everywhere on Television, he gave speeches about refining the city, creating jobs and making Blackridge safe. The people truly loved him and I had woken up next to his lifeless body.

"I didn't know, I swear," I whispered. "You didn't know who your client was?" He asked, "No sir." "Why was he wearing a mask, Jasmine?" He asked, his eyes scanning my face for answers. "I don't know."

He took a deep breath, "Who arranged the meeting?" "My Aunt Mika." "She owns the Red Velvet?" "Yes sir." I said quietly.

"Did Graves have anything to eat or drink while he was there?" I remembered the glass, "yes he did, he had a drink waiting for him in the room." "What kind?" God, how was I supposed to know that? "I'm not sure, but it was something alcoholic." I remembered because his mouth reeked of alcohol.

The detective opened another page and mumbled something as he wrote. "Evidence suggests Graves was poisoned." I froze immediately, "wait what? I didn't poison him." "Well you were the only one alone with him." He said smugly. "But I didn't do anything." I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Your finger prints are everywhere Jasmine." Is this man kidding me? "Of course they are, I worked there." He laughed dryly. "Your finger prints were on Graves' shoulder." "Sir, I was only trying to wake him up." The detective dropped his pen and watched me carefully, "what happened when you realized he was dead?" "I tried calling for help, but the police came in." He didn't say anything.

He rested his shoulders on the metal table and opened a white file. "Mika White gave a statement today." I froze, how did Aunt Mika already give a statement? Was she here at the police station?

"What did she say?" I asked hurriedly. "She said you were the only person with Graves the whole night." "Yes that's true, but..." "she also said you knew exactly who he was." He said cutting me off. My heart broke instantly "What? She's lying." He raised an eyebrow "why would she lie?"

"I'm not.. I'm not sure." I stammered. My mind instantly went to the money she had been counting while I was being taken away.

Did she frame me? I immediately pushed the thought away, she couldn't, Aunt Mika wouldn't do that to me.

The interrogation lasted thirty more minutes before they took me to court. The small court room was packed, the jury whispered as I walked in. I sat beside my appointed attorney, with my head down trying to avoid the stares of the jury.

The prosecutor stood, he glanced at me briefly. "Your Honor, given the countless evidence proving the defendant guilty, the defendant should be detained, until proven otherwise."

I gasped quietly, he was talking about me like I was some kind of criminal, a murderer. I pinched my palms, trying to knee my hands from shaking.

"The state requests bail of fifty thousand dollars." The judge announced.

The amount echoed in my head, fifty thousand.

I didn't even have a thousand, all the money I made has gone into Liza's treatment and paying Aunt Mika back.

I turned to look at my attorney with pleading eyes, "We object that amount, Your Honor." He said.

The prosecutor immediately jumped up, "Your Honor, Adrian Graves was an influential public figure and his death shouldn't be taken lightly."

The Judge listened carefully and finally said " Bail is set at fifty thousand dollars." Tears welled in my eyes immediately, there was no way I could pay that.

My attorney looked at me and mouthed "We'll request another hearing, don't worry." I nodded absently, I knew there was nothing we could do.

I thought about Liza, I was meant to see her today, she's probably waiting for me, alone. She had no idea what was happening and Aunt Mika definitely wasn't there.

As the guards led me away, reports yelled questions at me "Why did you murder Adrian Graves?" "Did you poison him?" "Tell us what happened ma'am."

I kept my head down, trying to hide my tears. Why is this happening to me?

The guards led me to a cold cell and reality settled harshly on me.

I wasn't going home tonight and I didn't even know when I would go home. I was going to jail for a murder I didn't commit.

A loud metallic sound forced me out of sleep

"Hey, wake up." My cell mate grumbled, I forced my eyes open and stared blankly at the grey ceiling and suddenly remembered where I was, jail. I was really in jail.

I pushed myself up, wincing from the pain in my back. My whole body was sore from sleeping on the prison's thin mattress.

A guard stood by the cell, tapping his baton against the cell door. "You, you're entitled to a phone call." He said pointing at me.

I swallowed hard, who would I call? The thought of calling Liza made my chest ache. I got up and followed him as he led me to a small room.

I picked up the phone with shaking hands and dialed the only number I could. Liza.

She answered on the second ring. "Hello? who's this?"

Her voice made tears form in my eyes. "Liza." I said gently. "Wait, Jasmine?" She replied.

"Where were you yesterday? I waited hours for you." She said angrily, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "I... I can explain Liza." "You promised me you'd come." She said with a tang of hurt in her voice.

"I'm sorry." I said quietly.

"Where were you?"

My hands gripped the phone tighter, I couldn't tell her. How could I?

"Did something happen?" She asked. "You're weirdly quiet."

"I'm just tired, Liza." I replied quickly. "Are you okay Jasmine?" She asked.

"I'm fine Liza, don't worry about me." The lie tasted sour, I hated lying to Liza.

I forced myself to sound normal. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay sis, the doctor said my treatment is going smoothly." I breathed a sigh of relief, "that's really good to hear."

"Jasmine.... You don't sound okay." She said hesitantly.

"I'm fine Liza I promise."

"Okay, if you say so." She said dejectedly.

"I'll see you soon." I said quickly.

"When?"

I didn't have an answer, I didn't know when I'd be let out, I didn't even know if I'd ever be free.

"Soon." I managed to say. Before should could ask anything else, I ended the call.

I never ended the call first, but I had to before she asked any more questions.

I took a deep breath and wiped my tears, I turned to the guard by the door. "Please can I make another call?"

He looked at me blankly. "You can only make one call."

"Yes, I know." My voice cracked. "But please... just one more." I begged.

He took a deep breath then sighed. "Just one minute."

"Thank you so much, Sir."

I took the phone again and immediately dialed Aunt Mika's number.

She answered on the first ring. "Hello, this is Mika. Who am I speaking to ?" She said sweetly.

"Aunt Mika, it's me Jasmine."

Her voice changed. "What do you want, Jasmine." She replied harshly.

"I need your help, please."

She scoffed. "How dare you call me?"

My chest tightened. "Aunt Mika please, my bail is fifty thousand dollars."

"Yes, I know, and?" She replied.

"Wait, you know?"

"Obviously, the news is everywhere." She laughed.

"Then please help me." I begged.

"I can't."

"You can lend me the money."

"No, I won't, Jasmine, this is your problem, not mine."

Tears fell from my eyes. "But I don't have fifty thousand dollars."

"You'll figure something out, I trust you."

"Aunt Mika, please."

The line went off.

I stared at the phone, she really ended the call.

She didn't even ask if I was okay, I don't think she cares.

I walked slowly to the door, and followed the guard back to my cell.

When I sat down on my bed, Mika's words rang in my head. "You'll figure something out."

But how, there's no way I could figure something out.

I'd spent three years working at the Red Velvet because she promised to pay for Liza's treatment.

I believed that if I had tolerated enough, worked hard enough, and paid every penny back, I would finally be free.

I was supposed to be free yesterday, instead, I'm here sitting in jail for a murder I didn't commit.

"First time, huh?"

I looked up, the woman sitting across from me was looking at me.

My cell mate, I hadn't paid much attention to her since yesterday. She looked older than me, maybe in her late 30's.

"What?" I asked. "Your first time in here." I nodded.

"So, tell me what did you do?" She asked. I hesitated, "Nothing, I didn't do anything."

A light laugh escaped her. "That's what they all say."

Tears rolled down my cheeks. "I really didn't do what I was accused of." I explained.

She looked at me shocked, she didn't press further. Instead, she walked over and sat next to me on the bed.

"Why are you crying girl?" She asked, wiping my face.

I took a deep breath, trying to stop the tears. "My sister."

She looked at me puzzled. "What about her? Do you want to talk about it?"

"I had to do some things I'm not proud of to save her life." I explained.

I sighed, then my mind drifted to the day everything fell apart.

One minute, Liza and I were making pasta, she was busy complaining about how hungry she was, the next minute, she was on the floor.

I screamed for Aunt Mika and rushed Liza to the hospital. There, the doctors ran multiple tests before finally telling me she had a tumor near her heart.

They said she needed intense treatment, intense treatment meant expensive treatment. Treatment we couldn't afford.

I had sat by her hospital bed that night, sobbing looking at her sleeping face, wondering how I was going to save her.

Then, Aunt Mika finally arrived, I had begged her to help with the money for the treatment. She told me she would pay for everything.

I was happy, I thought she was finally choosing to help us without asking for anything in return.

Until she explained she would only pay for the treatment on one condition. I thought she would say I should help around the house everyday without complaining.

I was wrong, she revealed she owned a private club called "The Red Velvet". She gave me a choice, work for her at the club and earn back the treatment money or watch Liza lose her life.

I should have walked away, I could have searched for jobs, but I knew no job could pay the high amount the doctors asked for.

I had to save my sister's life, so I agreed. For three years, I suffered and did what I had to do.

Thankfully, Aunt Mika didn't make me work every night, she saved me for her important clients, the ones who paid more.

I hated my life, but every time I wanted to quit, I thought about Liza.

My cell mate snapped her fingers, dragging me back to reality.

"I understand more than you know." She said softly. I nodded and gave a warm smile.

Suddenly, a guard opened the cell. "Jasmine Hart?" I stood immediately, "Yes? That's me."

"Come with me, you're being released."

I froze. "What? Really?"

"Yes, your bail has been paid." The guard explained.

I stared at him. "Wait, by who?"

"No idea."

I immediately ruled out Aunt Mika.

Who would pay fifty thousand dollars for me?

Anonymously even. I don't understand why.

My things were returned to me in a clear plastic bag.

I held them tightly against my chest. The guard walked me toward the exit.

Before I stepped out, I turned to look at my cell mate. "Good luck." She mouthed.

"Thank you." I said.

"You're braver than you think, girl." She yelled.

I smiled weakly, she's wrong about that. I'm far from brave.

Then, I stepped outside the cold night air immediately hitting my face.

I looked at the empty street in front of the station and took a deep breath.

"You'll be okay." I whispered to myself.

I walked forward with only one question in my mind. "Who paid my bail?"