Jasmine P.o.v
I had received a call from Mateo in the early hours of the morning to resume my work as his maid following his arrival from his trip. As I stood outside the imposing mansion, clutching my bag filled with cash, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. I've been able to gather some money from selling the crystal from the auction together with the one from my new job at a night club.
Although, it wasn't enough, but I'm not going to allow Mateo and his goons bully me or say nasty things about my father.
I looked down at the bag I was holding and I knew I couldn't go through with it. I had made a mistake and now I am determined to right the wrong.
I took a deep breath and pushed open the door, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. Mateo men eyed me warily as I approached Mateo's room upstairs, but I stood tall, my heart pounding in my chest about the decision I am about to make. My father's legacy is in the mud I won't stand by and watch that happen.
As I arrived at his door step, I knocked on the door but didn't receive any answer. My instinct told me he was inside and without any further ado, I entered. Mateo looked up from his desk where he's seated in the room and away from the system he seems to be working on, a hint of surprise on his face.
"Look who's here, my little maid Jasmine" he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I didn't expect you to come this soon. Good to know you're changed."
I moved closer to where he's sitting and placed the bag on his desk, my hands shaking slightly but somehow, I summoned the courage to speak. "I, umm... I've come to return the money, Mr. Mateo," I said, my voice firm. "This is $20,000 and I promise to pay up in twelve months. I don't think I can stay on as your maid any longer."
Mateo's laughter filled the room followed by a sudden darkened expression. He leaned forward with anger written all over him. "You think you can just walk away from a deal like this?" he growled. "You owe me, girl. You owe me two years of service. Now take that back and get to work already."
He continued with his work, but I stood my ground, despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm me. "Your goons came to my working place to attack me, calling my father names that don't belong to him," I blurted out, damning the consequences. "I made a mistake, and I'm willing to pay the consequences. But I won't be bound to you for two years. Not with a murderer like you!"
"Sit," his deep baritone voice commanded me.
"No, I won't. I'm not staying any minute longer in this god forsaken place," I yelled and turn to leave dropping the bag containing the money.
As I exit his room and reach the staircase, a hand pulled me by my hair and dragged me into a room pushing me to the couch.
"Listen, you bitch. When I say sit, you do as I say, OK?" he pointed and bellowed at me, his face red with anger. He adjusted the polo shirt he's wearing and head for his chair. He sat right in front of me and continued to yell at me. "Now, listen and listen well. Your father killed not only my father, but he ruined my family's life because of his greed. Not only that, he also went as far as stealing a sum of $500k from him, a primary motive for his assassination because he got caught. And I had sworn on my father's grave to seek revenge on his murderer"
He stood up from his chair and squat right in front of me, his eyes looked onto mine.
"Fortunately, for your father, he died before I could even start with my revenge, but unfortunately for you, you are alive and a blood of his."
He heaved a sigh, rising up from his squatting position. "Speaking of consequences, you will definitely pay for his crimes because you are his daughter. However, I am ready to make you an offer, if you truly want your freedom like you had just demanded. You will return the sum of $500k your father had stolen from my father with interest and in you will do that in just ten days. And you don't have to worry about the auction money because taking it back like I said is an insult to Mateo."
"Ten good days," he stressed, my sob getting heavier. "Ten good days only, not even a minute longer. And if you fail to do so within the stipulated time... you will only have yourself to blame."
Mateo's face twisted with rage and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. "Now, that been said," he looked at his wrist watch.
"Your time starts now!"
He walked back to his desk, not minding the effect of his words on me or being sorry for dragging me all the way from the stairs inside or his goons that had come to attack me.
I tried to stand up from the couch, but only managed to do so. I looked at Mateo who is now busy with his system like he didn't just scream at me like a beast minutes ago. I swallowed hard, knowing that I had just made a powerful enemy. It is now clear; his hatred for me hadn't begun at the auction. He probably has been tracking me and has come this far to seek his revenge on my father through me.
I walked out of his room and pass by some of his goons seated downstairs in the basement who only looked at me with pity before finally walking out of the mansion. I emerged into the bright sunlight and I could only think of my life in ten days to come. Mateo's action had caused me my job and I was only able to get another one at a club because it was the only available job I could lay my hands on. Besides, I can't afford any suspicions from my mother. I have a long and difficult road ahead of me, and I would need all my courage and determination to get through it.
A call came in on my phone and I fidgeted as I picked up. I looked at the caller and it turned out to be Rachel. "Hey, girl. How are you doing? How did it go with that Mafia of a man?"
A lump formed on my throat and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves." Rachel, I need to talk to you about something," I said, my voice shaking slightly.
Okay, what is going on?" Rachel's tone turned serious, and I knew I had her full attention.
I hesitated, unsure of where to start. But then, the words began to pour out of me like a dam breaking. "You remember Mateo's men from Madam Silvia's store the other time?" I asked with my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, I remember," Rachel replied, her voice with concern. "What about them?"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the rest of the story. "Well, today after I had gone to return the money I had told you about. I then proceeded to confront him about sending his goons to harass me and I realized he had done that on purpose. Not only that, he made me realize that my father stole a sum of $500k from his father and that was why he killed him because he was caught in the act. Now, he has given me a ten days ultimatum. I have to pay him back in ten days if I really want my freedom or I'm afraid he could do the unimaginable."
Rachel's gasp was audible over the phone." Oh, my God, that's insane, Jasmine! What are we going to do?"
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I replied," I don't know, Rachel. I really don't know. I feel like I'm in way over my head."
Rachel's voice was calm and reassuring. "We'll figure something out, okay? We'll come up with a plan together. You're not alone in this."
We said our goodbyes and hung up the phone. I got to my mother's shop and decided to take rest. Her recovery has been nothing, but a complete miracle from above. She is recuperating really well and now back to her clothing business.
"Are you okay, Jasmine?" My mother asked me, studying me like a paper work as she arranges the pile of clothes for display.
"I'm fine, mother." I quickly turn to face her with a smile and then looked away.
"Where have you been going these days, Jasmine?" My mum's words struck me like a thunder.