Chapter 10 More Pressure

EMERALD

Mother organizes a bouquet, while father takes care of the bill.

"Your wife must be a very lucky woman," she tells Jake, who responds with another mischievous smile, which I'm tempted to slap off his face.

"What about you? Is there anyone?" She asks Spencer.

"No. Just a divorce victim," he answers.

Divorce Victim?

Really now?

Mother is quick to wear a sympathetic look, which infuriates me even more. I want to tell her not to waste her solace, but that would cause havoc. It would bring up the issue I'm trying so hard to keep my parents out of.

"Don't feel bad for me." He swats his hand in dismissal. "It was a contract marriage, and she breached the terms of the contract. I could not be with someone untrustworthy."

"Oh," mother looks confused for a while. On the other hand, I know better than that. The fake story was meant for me.

If you dare think of backing out of our agreement, you know the consequences. I conclude to myself.

"But if your friend found happiness, you will too, as long as you don't dwell on the past," mother comforts.

Oh, God. She's going to give them that slogan...

"Past is past, today is a gift, and the future is bright."

There it is.

"You're a very wise woman," Jake compliments.

"That's why I married her," father, who had been busy all this while, chips in.

"And you made a very beautiful daughter."

Oh, crap. I want to throw up.

When they leave, I craft an excuse to step out for a few minutes and follow the men.

Of course, they were expecting that move. They must have been crawling because I catch up with them quickly.

"There she is," Spencer says as soon as I'm on the same level and they stop.

"What do you think you're doing?" I cross my arms. "I agreed to the deal. I'm the one who's to get your money. Why are you trying to involve my parents?"

They burst out laughing, which honestly, I find annoying.

Do they find everything hilarious?

"Yes, we had a deal. But we need to take precautions. I'm very paranoid about trust. My ex-wife did a number on me," says Spencer.

Oh, that story they gave my parents? I'm sure it's fake. There's no wife. It was just a form of threat.

Jake chips in. "You can call it motivation. At least you have one week before delivery of the first installment. I can see the florist is doing well..."

"Don't involve them in this." I point a finger like they would listen to me.

His expression darkens. "Good. I'm sure by now you're aware of what we're capable of...and, just a reminder, if you involve the authorities, this will be a Big Boss case."

"Like we said, he's not as soft as we are," Spencer supplements.

"So you guys are soft?" I ask with knitted brows.

You just threatened my whole family.

"Of course." Spencer moves closer and rolls a few strands of my hair around his finger, which absolutely makes me feel uncomfortable. I swat his hand away, but he returns with the same move. "You're beautiful. I could make you my wife just to close this whole thing. That would make everything easier, don't you think?"

"Over my dead body," I hiss.

"Are you sure about that?" Spencer asks. "You do realize that being my wife would clear you of everything."

I don't even give any thought to it. That's an easy way out, but also a ticket to a miserable life.

"I play fair," I say.

Jake hands me the bouquet. "Think about it, Emerald. The offer has an expiry, which is soon."

Before they walk away, Spencer adds. "In case you don't consider my proposal, we'll text you the details of the location and time of the delivery in cash. It's next Friday. And don't worry, we have your contact."

Of course, they do. There seems to be no limit to what they are capable of.

I exhale loudly as I watch them disappear.

I have a week to find a job. Even if I got the job, I wouldn't get paid immediately. The other option isn't something to consider. Or maybe I should try to find the drugs or the money. Theo must have hidden them somewhere. Yet, I can't think of any constructive place.

I must be looking like a mad woman on the road, with a bouquet. I can't go back to the shop with them. It would raise so many questions from mum and dad. What do I do with them?

I find a random woman walking.

"Hey, you're so beautiful. You deserve this." I hand it to her with a smile.

_________________

I spend the weekend looking for other options as well as finding Jobs online. Alicia is of great help. She asked for an opportunity for me at the jewelry store she works at, but there wasn't any good news.

I haven't told her about the kind of mess I'm in. I don't want to have her worry. That, and the fact that my family is already in danger. I don't want to put my best friend in a difficult position. The less people involved, the better. Alicia would probably resort to more dangerous measures. I can't have that.

On Monday morning, I wake up to a disheartening email from the housekeeping agency, stating they can't accept my application at the moment. I don't even proceed to read the rest of it. The first few words bore the magnitude of it all.

It's just the beginning of the week, for goodness' sake.

How many days until Friday? Since the Galaxy is a renowned Hotel, I thought Cecilia's recommendation would come in handy. But here we are.