Chapter 2 On One Condition!

FLASHBACK.

Baby had her aunt's number on redial. The situation was totally out of their control. They needed all the help they could get.

"Please pick up, aunt." Baby was getting scared with each call her aunt missed. She redailed but still got nothing.

"Did she pick up?" Her Dad asked. The situation had him weary and confused. He knew just as much as she did that her aunt was their last hope.

"...and that's forty times. Fuck!" Baby spattered, hurling the phone to a corner. She ran her hand through her hair in utter frustration. This wouldn't end well. Not when they had no one to turn to.

"Your aunt Beca has never been there for us. Whenever we need help, she disappears. But when things are going smoothly, then be prepared to see her face every second."

"That's not the issue here, Dad. The deadline is impossible. We can't afford such money so quickly. Even if we're given all our lives, we still wouldn't be able to afford it!"

"It's alright, Baby. I will look for a way to sort this out. I got us into this mess. It's only fair that I be the one to resolve it."

Baby snorted at her Dad's sentimentality. "Oh..please Dad. Cut the drama. How will you raise such amount of money? Even if you sell a kidney, it still wouldn't get you the money."

Mr. Philips huffed in defeat. There was no gleam of hope. Sooner or later, he might have to pay the debt with his life.

Baby sat next to her Dad on the sofa. With her hands soothing his back, she said. "There's nothing more we can do, Dad. I think it's best we go see Mr. Dane."

"We will do no such thing!" Mr. Philips rasped. Mr. Dane was an indomitable man. Fierce and Ruthless. "He'll have our heads on a platter, you can bet on it.”

Baby was hellbent on convincing her Dad that talking to Mr. Dane was the only option.

It's only a matter of time before Mr. Dane demands for his money. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be a little lenient if they go beg him now.

Mr. Philip was still defiant on the opinion. "What do you think he would do if we go to him, huh? Do you think he will solve everything for us just like that? No, baby girl. Things might turn sour if we ever do that!"

"If we don't do that, father, then what other options do we have left? None. None, father! We should just try our luck with him rather than assuming things."

"It's really difficult, baby. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I know you mean well, Father. Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine."

The buzzing sound of the doorbell interrupted their moment.

"Please, go get the door."

"Yes father"

Minutes later, she returned with a mailed letter.

"Who was that, Baby?"

"It's...it's a reminder"

"From the bank?"

"Yes Father"

Mr. Philips sighed lowly. The problems just keep piling up. "It's alright, baby. It will all be fine."

"Father, I hope you understand now why we need to go talk with Mr. Dane. Our problems are bigger than us. That's the truth and you know it. Let me go talk to Mr. Dane, please."

Panic gripped the elderly man at his daughter's words. "Please, don't do this, Baby. I'll will work hard to make everything better, but please don't."

"You have tried enough, Father. Besides, you can't work any harder then you already do, else you'll have a breakdown."

"I won't."

"Yes, you will. Let me go and plead with him. There must be a way out of this. We can't just continue waiting and hoping fruitlessly. Stop worrying, father. I will be fine. Things will turn out well, you'll see."

"Isn't there another way?" Mr. Philips sobbed. He rubbed her cheeks with his thumb. "Must you really go?"

"If I don't go, the bank will come for our house. We won't have anywhere to go. Please, Father. Let me go to him. He is the only solution we have right now."

"He might...he might do something to you in there." Mr. Philip stuttered amidst sobs.

"I'll be fine, Father. He won't do anything bad to me. Please, stay here and don't worry about me, hmm?"

"My baby! Oh, my sweet child. Please, forgive this father for punishing his precious baby like this." He cried out, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Stop that, father. You never punished me. You gave me everything that any child would ever think of in life. How many people can afford Harvard's tuition, hm? Though I didn't finish there, you gave me that opportunity and I came out this way. You take care of me and I heard you also took very good care of mother too when she was still alive. And how I wish I had met her…" Baby pulled out of the hug with a sad look on her face. She misses her Mum, always.

"I'm sorry I said those things to you. Please, don't cry. My beautiful baby."

"I'm not crying, Father. I'm okay. I will go to his office now and...you know, work things out."

"Mhm. But be careful, alright?"

"Yes Father, I will"

"Oh, my poor baby girl. How did all this happen? I was extremely careful with those documents. What really happened to them? This is really strange" Mr. Philip soliloquized, watching his daughter leave the house.

********* @Dane's Office. *********

"Sir Dane?"

"Yes?" Diam Dane couldn't spare the secretary a glance. His gaze were fixed on the littered files on the table.

"A young lady is here to see you. She says you are expecting her."

"A young lady?" He looked up. Surely, his interest just aroused.

"Yes, Sir Dane"

"How did she come through to the vvip floor?"

"She used a pass. She said it was given to her by her Father."

"Who is her Father?"

"Mr. Philips Smith"

"Oh, okay. You can let her in."

"Yes, Sir Dane."

The secretary met Baby at the waiting lounge.

"Miss, you can go in now"

"Alright, thank you." Baby smiled. Once again, she braced herself up before heading into the office.

*******

"Good day, Sir Dane."

"Mhm...good day. You said you are Mr. Philips Smith's daughter?"

"Yes, Sir Dane. I am his daughter."

"That's...surprising. I never knew he had such a beautiful daughter."

"Thank you, Sir Dane." Baby could feel her cheeks heat up.

"Please, sit down."

"Thank you, Sir"

"Call me Diam."

"I'm sorry Sir, I can't. I don't think it'll be appropriate. Please, let me call you Sir Diam."

"Alright. But that's just gonna be for now."

"Thank you sir."

"Mhm. What do I offer you?"

"Um...thank you sir, I'm okay."

"Alright. So, what brings you here?"

"Uhh...Sir...Diam?"

"Yes?"

"It's...it's about my father's debt. Please, all we ask is a little consideration. We'll pay off the debt. I promise."

He laughed at her words which sounded like mere jokes to him. "Pay me back? With what exactly?"

"I...we will work very hard and pay. I swear, Sir Diam." Baby was already in tears.

"Oh, my dear. You don't need to swear. I've heard those lines before."

"We will pay sir. Please…"

"What is your name?"

"I...I am Phillips Baby"

"Sorry, what?"

"My name is Phillips Baby."

"Okayyy...? That's quite odd. It's really one weird combination. I've never heard anyone bear such a name before. Is that your real name?"

"Yes Sir. It's my real name"

"Ok. Baby? Oh, my." He chuckled. " I'm sorry. Your name just sounds a little...you know, sweet!"

Baby wasn't sure how to feel when he tries being flirtatious. Still, she muttered a "Thank you Sir."

"Hmm. 8.5 million dollars is no small amount. I worked with your father for a very long time and I respect him a lot. But seeing what he put me through, I just can't say anything more. If I should add all the damages he has caused me, then that amount would be just a loose change.

"I'm...I'm so sorry...Sir. Thank you for not summing it up. We will work really hard to pay back."

"You know, I still can't understand what's happening here. Are you asking for more time to pay off the debt or you need a favour from me?"

"Both, Sir Dane. We really need your help. We've got money problems up to our neck. It's choking."

"Am I not the one who is supposed to ask money from you? Why are you asking me for money now?"

"I know, Sir. And I'm sorry. But the bank will claim our house if we don't pay our debts. We don't have any other place to go. Please help us, Sir."

Mr Dane sighed after minutes of deep thought. "Okay. I will speak with the bank in question and work things out."

"Oh my God. Thank you so much Sir Diam"! Baby giggled happily.

"But on one condition."

"Condition?"

"Mhm, Condition."

"What kind, Sir?"

"Oh, the very special kind." He smirked. "You will work as a maid in my house and will do every single thing I ask of you."

"A maid? Sure. I can do that. Thank you, Sir."

"That's not all!"

"Huh?"

"You will be my sex partner. You're gonna quench my libido anytime I'm aroused and you will never refuse to pleasure me. I don't care what you're doing or where you are. You'll always be at my beck and call."

"Umm...sir...I…" Baby was perplexed. She'd never imagined making such an agreement with him.

"I don't have time for indecisiveness, Baby. It's either you are ready to do it or bear the consequences of your refusal."

"But Sir..."

"No more buts! You have just today to decide. If you are okay with my terms, then come back here tomorrow evening with your luggage to start the job. You can use the door when you are able to stand. Good day, Baby."

"Sir Diam?"

"Yes?"

"Can I...start today?"