"HE'S COMING," my father voice panics than a minute ago. He sprinted right away after peeking at the window and close the curtains. "Ready yourself. Give your respect, alright, everyone." dad added, organising himself and practicing his words for the conversation.
Mom's get alerted, she asked me and my five-year-old brother to stand up from the sofa. I forced to stood up. I can't help but press my teeth with my tongue. He's coming again. He's the only visitor I am not glad seeing.
"I don't understand why we all need to be here. And I don't understand why we need to give a respect to that asshole."
"Lorelai." my mom warned me. If only sharp eyes could kill, I'm already a goner. "He might hear you."
I don't care. Actually, if he would somehow hear it, I'd be happy.
Dad begging eyes almost got the softest part of my heart, if I haven't just avoided his gaze.
When my eyes landed at our house entrance, a tall, dark, and lean drop-dead gorgeous billionaire entered the sala. His entry was melodramatic or maybe, it's how I perceived him, walking like a greek god with his other hand expertly tossing keys. There were two personal guards on his back just like the usual. He wore a business suit, and his presence was powerful and commanding.
I closed my half-open mouth. He has changed so much from the last time I saw him. He's huge and... well, attractive, honestly. Not that he's not handsome the last time I saw him, he's just much more well-defined now. His clean hair cut irrefutably looks good on him. I shook my head thinking I just praise the devil.
"Good evening, Sir Acosta." My mom and dad greeted with a respectful bow.
Jimmy, my little brother, and I remained standing still at our parent's back.
"Good evening." his deep voice suddenly gives shiver on my spine. "Let's get straight to point here, Mr. Gomez. I bet you know the reason why I'm here. So where's my money?"
My dad already had the idea at the back of his mind why the asshole is here, but still he didn't expect him to be frank so his body moved, panicky now. He looked at us before looking back at the monster who's now examining every part of our house. His brows moved as his eyes alighted on every corner of the inside. His judgemental eyes makes me want to scoop his eyeballs!
"Mr. Acosta. I sincerely apologize, but we don't have the money yet. I promise and I am truly committed to pay it back once we have the exact amount to pay our remaining debts." my father remains his head low.
I really hated when they bow to the Acostas like that. Like they're not even gods. They're evil, they don't deserve every inch of respect.
"Mr. Gomez, that's what you said too last year I came here. You know I hate it when people aren't true to their words. You're suppose to give me what I expected. Now."
His 'now' was commanding. Even my mom moved by the way he's stressing the word. Jimmy hides at my back and hug my legs. Even my brother's afraid of him! I can't believe it.
I seethed with rage when my father once again bend his knees and bowed down at Noah Acosta's feet! This is unforgivable! This is disgusting! I can feel my blood gurgling.
"Please, Sir. Accept once again my apology. My business' revenue didn't really meet the amount of our debts this year. It's not enough to pay you back. If you could just give me another year or more, please." he bowed more.
"Dad!" I was about to go stand him when my mom grabs my arm and put me back in my place.
"Lorelai. Stop." my mom who was hurt, but doesn't have the power to help, shook her head. Her eyes begging me to dismiss or else things might get more complicated.
No! I couldn't just stand here watching them being humiliated in front of an Acosta! Or whoever it may be! No one deserves to bend a knee to a person! Especially when its name is Noah Acosta!
"Dad, don't do that! He's not a god! Don't kneel at his feet!" I hissed.
"Lorelai, please! Don't meddle on our business! You're not part in this." dad screech, pleading.
Noah's eyes playfully watch me. There's a hidden smirk on his lips and at this moment I want to wipe out that smug face of him. The jerk.
"How old is she now?" his out of the box question made my parents freeze.
So I am. I hold my brother's hand tight. What is he doing now?
Mom and dad eyes proceed to me.
"She's 20 already, sir." my mom.
Noah rolled his tongue inside his cheek. The amusement on his mouth becoming more evident to me. My face heated in anger. So what is he planning now?
"Then, I have a deal," his brows arched, serious. "Your debts done, I won't ask you again to pay for it, but in return... Your daughter will be working for me for a year."
Lost in his words for a moment— I cursed under my breath. I pensively think about his words. I don't know if it's okay— no, it's never okay to me. But considering the fact that after a year working for him whatever work that may be, our family will be free from the Acosta's debts. I've been always praying for that. I kept telling myself that when I graduate from college and work, I will work my ass off in a big company so I could slap the payment on his face!
Though my family's debts were millions — I think it's between ten to fifteen million. Perhaps, to the Acostas that amount meant nothing, but for us it's already huge.
I can still remember how my parents borrowed money from Noah's father. It was for my brother's surgery the time he was born. It's a matter of life and death and my parents really did everything just to cover all the medical bills. Even if... even if they need to lose the respect for themselves.
"But she's still in her last semester, sir. I'm afraid working might affect her studies. She's a graduating student." my father's not sure about letting me go.
I bit my lip. Of course, I know how heavy it is for them to let go of me.
"She will still go to school. But she will be in my house. So she can work for me after school."
"What? No!" I interjected fast.
He's insane. I'm not going to his house nor stay there! Can't he see? I couldn't stand to see and be with him any longer.
"That's the best offer I can give. It's either take it or leave it." his eyes challenging me. His gaze never fazed up. As if the moment we decline it, there's no more another chance. This jerk knows what he wants.
My father looked at me. He began to stood up. His apologetic eyes made me weak. It twitched my heart. Of course, I know... Of course, I need to sacrifice. It's for dad, mom, and my little brother who still needs money for his high maintenance.
"Maybe we could—"
"No." Noah didn't let my father finished. His voice colder than the ice now. "Leave it or take it."
A business man, of course, thinks in a business way. What do I expect from a Noah Acosta? He's an Acosta after all. The evilness runs in their blood.
"Lorelai?" my mom waited for my opinion.
But I know she and dad were hoping that I'd agree. Noah's right. This is the best offer he can give that we need to take. Millions are big deal. It's just a year, Lorelai. And after that, no more Acostas anymore. You and your family will be free from them! You just need this big sacrifice.
"Fine, then." I heavily breathed out. "If that's what it takes to be free from our debts then one year's not a big deal."
I really tried my best not to roll an eye. Because the truth is... one year feels forever staying together with Noah Acosta! Just picturing about it already suffocates me. It is really against my will yet I had left with no other choice.
"Thank you, Lorelai. And sorry for this sacrifice you need to take, ija." Mom was teary eyed the moment I stepped down from my room.
I finished packing my clothes and essentials just what the wicked Noah ordered. He's now waiting outside in his car. If I could just kill that man, then our problem's over now.
"Mom, it's fine. I understand."
"Is 'Ate' leaving us, mommy?" Jimmy innocently asked, his eyes were puffy.
Mom wiped her cheek. I squatted to go level to my brother. "I am not. Ate will just need to work for our family. I promise I'll be back soon. Don't worry, Ate will be visiting you once I have the time so be a good boy to mom and dad, alright?"
Jimmy obediently nodded. I kissed him on his cheek and hug him tight before positioning myself straight back. I hugged mom.
"I'll be all right, mom. Just take care of yourselves while I'm not here."
"We will take care of ourselves so you should too. If Noah will do something to you, call us immediately."
I stifle a brief laugh. "I will, Mom."
Dad was on the threshold of the entrance waiting for me. I ushered to give him a squeeze.
"I'm sorry, Lori. If I could just do something to stop this." I heard my dad sniff.
"Dad, it's fine. Don't cry. I'll be okay. After this, we can be all together again and live in peace. No more Acostas anymore."
Dad nodded, agreeing.
I went outside after bidding my goodbye to them. Noah's thick brows met when I set foot in the car and sit on the shotgun. His personal bodyguards were in the other car, behind his expensive Mercedes-Benz.
He muttered something under his breath before starting the engine and began to drive. His forehead creased more, he looks annoyed.
"What now, Noah?" I hissed at him.
If someone here should be irritated, it should be me. Being here with him just sucks. And disgusting. Well, at least his car's got the nicest view and smell. It's so glorious and luxurious inside.
"Just shut up, Gomez."
"You shut up, Acosta." I rolled my eyes.
The entire drive was silent. He never talked to me. So did I. As if I like talking to him. In the middle of his driving, he wore an earpiece. He touch some buttons of the car right after he clicked his phone and talk.
"You two head straight home. Don't follow us. We need to go somewhere." he trailed off. "Yeah. Good. All right."
He get off the earpiece. Then throw his phone on the dashboard while eyes still on the road. He maneuvered the wheel adeptly. I can't help but watch how his long clean fingers move around the wheel. His veins protruded every time he spins.
I quickly shifted my gaze. Oh heck. Why is this evil has the most attractive hands ever?
"We're not going home yet." he said, making sure I know about that.
Yeah, I've heard.
"Why?" I tried to keep my voice mad, or at least... hard.
"I need to go buy something."
"Can't it wait tomorrow?"
"No."
"No." I rolled my eyes, mocking his word and the way he said it.
He glanced at me, face unreadable. "You're annoying."
"So are you."
"Hey, I hope you didn't forget I'm your boss now. At least show some respect."
"I don't have any respect for you. And you're not my boss. I may be working for you, but you are not my boss."
His jaw moved. I can see that he's more irked now. Hell yeah, like I care. "You're working for me so technically, I'm your boss. So stop your stubbornness. Starting tomorrow, I'll make your life a living hell. I'll make you work hard. Real hard, Gomez."
"Go, Acosta. You think I didn't know about that? Of course you will make my life a living hell. Coming from an Acosta? Yeah, I already expected hard labours from this work. To pay for millions debt isn't a chill work after all."
He studied me for a while. He opened his mouth— it's like he wants to convey something, but then change his mind and close it again.
"Glad you know."
"Of course, I knew."