Chapter 2 The Threat

Annabella walked aimlessly down the street, her steps slow and hopeless. She had been searching for a job all day, knocking on doors, asking for any position-but nothing. No one wanted to hire a girl with "attitude issues," especially after the incident that got her fired the night before.

Her eyes drifted to the restaurant across the road-the same place she was dismissed from just two nights ago. The signboard glowed like a cruel reminder of her helplessness.

D'BONE Restaurant

TWO DAYS AGO...

Annabella had been forced into wearing a tight, skimpy black gown that barely covered her thighs. It was humiliating, but it was the uniform, and she needed the money, desperately else she wouldn't wear it or work there.

She felt every hungry gaze as she moved from table to table, her chest nearly spilling out of the tight neckline. She hated it.

At one table, a smug-looking customer gave her a long, lingering look as she approached.

"Two bottles of wine," he said, not meeting her eyes-but rather, ogling her cleavage. She nodded stiffly and turned to leave.

That's when it happened.

SMACK!

A sharp slap landed on her backside. She gasped, spinning around in shock.

"You were tempting me anyway," the customer said with a smirk.

Fury boiled in her chest. She slapped him-hard-across the face and then dumped a glass of water all over him.

"You psycho!" he shouted, wiping water from his face.

The manager rushed over. Not to support her-but to comfort the man.

"This girl assaulted me!" the man barked.

"He touched my butt! I wasn't going to let that slide," Annabella said through gritted teeth, her voice shaking.

"So what if he touched you?!" the manager exploded. "You think there's anything special about you?"

Her heart broke a little more at those words.

Before she could respond, the manager grabbed her arm roughly.

"Security!"

She tried to explain, pleaded through her tears, but it fell on deaf ears. Security dragged her out as customers whispered and stared.

"This is the second time, Annabella," the manager sneered. "You're done here."

And just like that, her job-her only source of income-was gone.

BACK TO THE PRESENT

Tears streamed down Annabella's face as she sat by the roadside, her head buried in her hands. It was late, but she didn't care. Her world was crashing around her.

Suddenly, a car zoomed past, splashing muddy water on her face. She gasped, drenched, stunned-but too tired to react. The car was already gone.

Her phone buzzed.

It was the doctor.

"Miss Annabella," he said, voice tight, "if you don't make the payment within twenty-four hours, your mother will be discharged, and we'll have to cancel the surgery."

Click. The line went dead.

She stared at her phone.

9:00 p.m.

Her mother was out of time.She took a shaky breath.

Maybe... maybe this was what it had come to.

If her virginity could save her mother, then so be it. Her dignity wasn't more important than her mother's life.

She turned and started running-back to Sandra's place. Back to the one person who offered her a path... no matter how dark.

"Mom," she whispered through tears, "I won't let you die. I'll do whatever it takes."

{GILBERT'S MANSION}

The room was filled with echoes-moans, the rhythmic slap of skin against skin, and the heavy scent of sweat and sex.

"More, baby, more!"

Her screams were loud-too loud-as Charlie Gilbert grunted, slamming into her one final time before pulling out.

He didn't look at her. He just reached into his drawer, grabbed a wad of cash, and tossed it on the bed.

"Don't forget to beep me next time," the girl said, kissing him before walking out naked.

Charlie smirked, lighting a joint as he relaxed. The notorious playboy of the city-rich, powerful, feared.

Sex was his drug. He didn't need love. He didn't believe in family.

Just pleasure. Power. Control.

His father's mansion was his playground. Hotels were too secretive. He wanted his dirty deeds loud, visible. If it embarrassed his father? Even better.

But peace never lasted long.

The door burst open. Mina, his mother, entered with disgust etched on her face.

"Privacy, woman!" he spat, blowing smoke into the air.

"Is this a house or a brothel?!" she yelled, nostrils flaring at the smell of weed.

He puffed directly in her face. "Touch my weed and I'll burn your hand."

"When will you stop this madness, Charlie?"

"The day you stop breathing," he hissed, eyes cold.

"Charlie!"

He leaned in, his voice low and cruel. "You don't deserve an easy death."

Mina stumbled back, clutching her chest. She couldn't recognize her own son anymore.

Charlie turned away, indifferent.

Minutes after she stormed out, his phone buzzed again.

He glanced lazily at the screen.

Unknown Number: "Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

His lips curled into a twisted smile. He sensed nothing but trouble. Perfect,he loves anything like that.

__________

Mina sat on the edge of her bed, sobbing quietly into an old photo of Charlie as a child.

"He used to love me..." she whispered.

Her husband, Gilbert, walked in from the bathroom and scoffed.

"He'll come around."

"No. You only care because he boosts your political image."

Gilbert stayed silent.

"You turned him into this monster," she added bitterly.

Gilbert didn't argue. He didn't care about Charlie's love. He cared about Charlie's influence.

Just then, his phone beeped.

A text message.

"Your son will be the next in line. I'll make him my pawn,wait and watch".

He blinked. What?

Before he could screenshot or trace it-the message vanished. Number deleted.

He stood up abruptly and called his assistant.

"Double Charlie's security-now. And find out who he's meeting tonight."

"Yes sir."

------------

Annabella stood in front of Sandra's door, her heart pounding. She raised her fist to knock.

But before she could, her phone buzzed again.

A message.

Unknown Number: "You don't need to sell yourself. Come to 52 River Street. Alone."

She froze.

Who was this?Another message came through instantly.

"I can give you the five million."