Debbie's news caught Isa off guard. "What? Why?" She wanted to know the reason for her dismissal from work.
Debbie looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulders. "No reason. The boss just sold our company to a bigger one." She walked towards their room and shook off her high heels from her feet. "And, oh, they bought our company way over the current market price with just one condition. They should fire me." Debbie added. She dropped herself on the bed without even changing her clothes. She buried herself under the covers.
Isa knows this is the way her sister copes with her emotions. She shuts people off and pretends she is okay. She respected her sister's decision. She silently picked up Debbie's shoes and placed them on the shoe rack. That was the least she could do for her sister, who seemed like she had just lost everything.
The next day, Isa woke up earlier than usual. She intended to be the one who would serve her sister today. She cooked breakfast for them and patiently waited for her to wake up so they could start the day right together.
"growl…" Isa's stomach was growling in hunger. She hadn't eaten anything since her early dinner last night. She reached for the pitcher and poured water for herself. "Hope this will be enough to settle down the creatures in my stomach." She humored herself.
After a few minutes, Debbie went out of their room with eyes mildly swollen. "Good morning." Isa greeted Debbie. Looking at her like she was measuring up her mood. Debbie just did not answer, but nodded her head, acknowledging Isa.
They were both quiet as they started with their breakfast. Isa wanted to ask her sister about what had happened, but she opted to eat first. The silence between them was creeping into Isa. She placed her fork on the side of her dish. "I'm sorry for what has happened to your work." She finally got it out of her system.
Debbie again just bobbed her head. "It's not your fault. Don't worry about it"She answered as if it really didn't bother her at all. "ring, ring." Her phone rang. She immediately checked who was calling her first thing in the morning.
"Hello? Yes, this is she." Her voice sounded serious, it was obvious that the other person on the line meant business as well.
Isa observed her sister's facial expression and it was apparent that it was bad news for them. She waited until the conversation was over before she inquired about the phone call. Isa held her sister's hand as she ended the call.
Debbie covered her mouth with her other hand, trying to bring herself to talk about it. "It's the bank." She said briefly.
"What about the bank?" Isa's heart sank in her chest as she asked further. She knew it would be bad news, but nothing could prepare her for the truth.
"They want the principal amount and interest back within the month."Debbie bared the bad news to her sister. She heaved a sigh and slouched in her chair.
"But why? We have four months left to pay it off, right?" She asked Debbie, as six months was the initial term they agreed upon. Isa frowned, thinking about how they would be able to get out of this tricky situation.
"The manager said they have a buyer for the property and are willing to pay double for it. The only way we can get the house back is to pay it back within the month." She answered and clenched her fists, as she mentioned another 'supposed buyer' in the picture. "Big buyers suddenly popping out everywhere." She chuckled at the strange situation they found themselves in.
Isa grunted in annoyance. "Just how lucky can we get? Unfortunate incidents after the other? This is slowly making me believe that we are bound to something grandiose." Isa declared, wanting to negate the misfortunes in the past few days.
"What do you mean?" Debbie asked her sister.
"I mean, what else could go wrong? Everything went south already. I can't think of any more bad news." Isa managed to let out laughter. "ring, ring." Isa looked down on her phone and it was her landlady calling. "Hello Ms. Hopkins. What's up?" She asked, infusing some cheerfulness into her voice. Isa jolted from her seat. "What? Are you serious?" Debbie felt like electricity suddenly flowed through her body.
Isa's tears flowed down her cheeks like it was a waterfall. She looked at her sister and sat back on her chair. "We're being evicted. This apartment and my store, we are given a week to move out." She broke the news to her sister.
Debbie exhaled heavily. "I need a break. I'll go out for a quick walk." She said and went to her room to change her clothes. Debbie was gorgeous even in casual wear, like usual. Isa just watched her sister walk out of the door.
Isa is still speechless with everything that dropped on them. "This Cayden is looking for war!" She blurted out, but slowly crumpled back in her little corner. "This is the type of war; broke and ugly women like me are not in the position to win." She poured a dose of reality into herself. "Gosh, I'm not even sure if it is really that creepy dude's doing." She thought as she bit her lower lip.
***
Debbie wore a brown coat over her white dress. Her big sun glasses hid her gorgeous unpainted eyes. She just wore a lip tint today, and very subtle Concealer on her face. She decided to walk to the central park which was just a few blocks from their apartment. When she reached the park, she quickly found an empty bench and sat on it.
Debbie savored the cool breeze as she looked up at the sky as if she was asking her father for an advice. She is caught up in a situation she could not even talk about with her sister. This is a big thing involving all of them but she still can't decide and will definitely involve Isa in deciding.
"Look! It's her!" a young girl exclaimed and excitedly rushed towards Debbie.
Debbie was caught off guard, she is completely clueless about what was happening. "Why are a group of teenagers rushing in?" She thought to herself as she raised her hands to cover her face.
"Ms. Moore, right?" One of the teens asked her.
"Ahm, yes, why?" Debbie asked the group.
The teen took out her phone and started filming and went live. "Hi guys, for today's video we have a surprise for you." All her friends surrounded Debbie and screamed in excitement. "This is the famous love guru, Bella Moore!"