George was lying down on the hospital bed with a worried look on his face. He got up and started pacing around the room. His thoughts were on Mona. He wondered if she would show up.
He doesn't have much time, he needs to take her to Mr Santiago before the end of tomorrow. He still doesn't know if the acting was able to convince her.
George heard the door opening and he quickly composed himself to look weak. But his friend doctor Vijay came in.
"Oh! It's only you" George said.
"I told you to lie on the bed. Didn't I? What if your daughter was the one that walked in? You are critically ill for now so you can't be pacing around the room. Lie on the bed" doctor Vijay scolded him.
George obeyed immediately but he was still looking worried. It's not about lying on the bed. What if she doesn't come?
"Vijay, do you think Mona believed me? Do you think she was convinced by my acting?" George asked anxiously.
"If she wasn't convinced, she wouldn't have come looking for me. She followed you the last time you appeared to her" Doctor Vijay said.
"Yes, I had a feeling she was following me but I didn't know she visited you" George exclaimed.
"She did and I am sure she will be coming today or tomorrow because she called to ask how much for the expenses. Remember we are sharing it by half" Doctor Vijay said.
"I know. I just hope she comes today. The deal would be off by tomorrow…I hope there was a way to lure her out" George said.
As they were talking, Doctor Vijay had a call from his phone. His eyes suddenly lit up when he saw the number calling him.
"Hello, Miss Mona Anderson…. Your father is sleeping at the moment…you will be here in two hours? That's fine. I will let him know as soon as he wakes up… Yes, you can make the payment at the reception" Doctor Vijay answered before hanging up.
George was beaming in excitement. Finally, he was going to be a billionaire. Once he hands Mona over to Mr Santiago, he would be given the remaining balance of the fifty million dollars. He would go and gamble straight away.
He had to borrow one thousand bucks from Vijay so he could tip Greg for the winning card. All that was left now was for him to go and gamble with the full money.
George can't wait to be a billionaire overnight. He brought out his phone and dialled a number.
"Mr Santiago, I think I need your men for something urgent. The deal might happen in two hours"
"What do you want my men for?" Mr Santiago asked over the phone.
"I need them to kidnap her in two hours. I will send you the address shortly"
George quickly sent them the address and a picture of Mona attached to the text. Immediately after she was captured, he would go over to sign the final deal.
*********
Walking along the corridor of the clinic, Mona felt uneasy for reasons she can't figure out. What was this eerie feeling she was having? She wanted to turn back but when she remembered her father's pale face, she didn't have the heart to leave him.
She had not paid the clinic fee yet. She needed to see her father first before making payment. Mona was not feeling comfortable at all.
The receptionist had said it was a private ward by her left. She walked briskly towards the room. When she got there, she took a deep breath before pushing it open.
But it seems the room was empty. There seems to be no one in there. Was this the wrong room? But this was the only private ward on the left. Where was her father?
Seeing no one in the room, she turned around to leave but just as she turned, she felt a shadow move swiftly behind her. The next thing she felt was a prickly needle-like pain in her neck.
She felt herself losing consciousness and then everywhere went blank.
A few hours later, Mona tried to open her eyes and she had to close them again due to the blinding light on her face. She heard some voices and a very familiar one that she could never mistake.
"I have done my part of the deal, Mr Santiago," George said.
"And I will fulfil mine too," Mr Santiago said as the sound of a suitcase opening resounded in the room." Here is the balance of twenty-five million"
George grinned widely. He was a billionaire at last." Thank you so much, Mr Santiago."
"No need to thank me. It was a business deal after all" Mr Santiago smirked evilly.
Mona who was listening to their conversation felt her heart-shattering. The pain of being set up by her father hit her in a sore spot. Was his illness a cover-up?
"How could you do this to me, father!" Mona screamed but unfortunately, she was tied up.
George who did not expect Mona to be up was shocked. He didn't know what to say and looked down guiltily to avoid his daughter's accusing gaze.
"You weren't sick, right? You planned all this to get me here! Did you sell your daughter because of money? Don't you have a conscience? Are you even my father?" Mona continued screaming at her father.
"Mona, I did it for your good. You will be going to a place where you will have everything. You will be treated like a queen" George tried to convince her.
"Have I ever complained to you? Did I ask to be treated like a queen? All I ever asked was for you to show me, love! You didn't give me what I asked for and yet you are offering what I never asked for to me? Did I ask to be treated like a queen, father!"
George, who was filled with guilt, couldn't watch anymore as he made to leave with the suitcase.
"Mr George Anderson, I hope your daughter is still a virgin?" Mr Santiago asked just as George wanted to leave.
George stopped and turned to him." Of course, Mr Santiago. I can assure you she is untainted".
"Then it was nice doing business with you, Mr Anderson," Mr Santiago grinned.
George took a last look at his daughter before leaving with the suitcase. Mona watched as his father dragged the money along with him.
Ha! Virgin indeed! She thought. They would be surprised to find out the truth.
But for now, she had to devise a means to escape from this place.