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“Were you able to settle my debt with Joe?”
“Are you gambling?” I’m out the door before I know it. “Where are you? Are you home?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“You don’t need to come, Pumpkin. I just need to know if you paid him.”
“It’s almost paid. Two more payments. Why? What’s going on? Has he done something to you?”
“He wants the rest of his money with interest.”
“I had an agreement with him.” I fume as I try to hail a cab.
“Your relationship with the Manarch boy is public knowledge. He wants more money.”
“Don’t leave the house. I will be there shortly.”
“Ok, Pumpkin. You be safe.”
“Thanks Dad. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I end the call feeling angry. This relationship with Viktor is causing more trouble than I want. Just another reason why I should never have agreed to it. I can’t believe Joe would go back on our deal. I’ve paid all my dad’s loans in the past. I probably shouldn’t be leaving the office without telling Viktor. I can’t even begin to imagine how he is going to react. But this isn’t about him. If anything, this is because of him.
“Thanks, keep the change.” I tell the cab driver as he stops in front of my building. I take a deep breath before taking the stairs. I have no idea what is waiting on the other side of the door. Upstairs I take out my keys and unlock the door. “Dad, are you here?”
“I’m in the bathroom, Pumpkin, I’ll be right out.” I sit, waiting for him to come out.
“Ok.” My phone rings. The screen reads Viktor. I can’t deal with him right now. “What happened to you?” His eye is bruised shut and his lip is busted. It’s worse than a few days ago. I walk to him to take a closer look.
“I’m fine. Nothing that won’t heal.”
“Who did this to you? Was it Joe?”
“He was demanding more money, which I don’t have.”
“When?” I close my eyes trying to calm myself.
“Last night.”
“Are you gambling again?”
“I am not. I swear.”
“Where?”
“I was at the club just to watch. He spotted me and pulled me into his office. He demanded I call you for more money but I refused.” My phone rings again. I don’t need to look to know it's Viktor.
“Why were you there?”
“Like I said just to watch. I was with Bob.” I sit, trying to understand. I want to believe him but I just don’t know if I can. “What did he tell you exactly?”
“A five-thousand-dollar fee for having to do a payment plan. I told him I don’t have that kind of money. He told me to speak to my future son-in-law. He has money to spare.” More drama because of Viktor.
“I’ll take care of it. You have to promise not to go back to that place no matter what. You can’t expect anyone to bail us out. I might be marrying Viktor but it’s not my money.” I lie. I have knots in my stomach. At the end of our arrangement I’ll be back to this life. “I’m going to fix this.” I hear the beep of a text.
