Alan sat outside on a chair, observing the overcast sky. The clouds seemed to sway and twirl, as if possessing a vitality of their own. The air was cool and moist, and the fragrance of fresh rain filled his nostrils. He closed his eyes, grateful for the solace provided by the chair.
Engrossed in contemplation, his mind wandered to the occurrences of the past few months and years. There had been much to assimilate and reflect upon. He couldn't help but speculate about what the future held for him and his siblings. Would things ever revert to their former state? Especially in a town like Patami Creek, where all manner of vices thrived.
He yearned for the ability to relocate his siblings to a more favorable environment, far removed from this depraved slum. Patami Creek resembled the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, where various forms of sexual deviance flourished. As he ruminated on the tragedy that had befallen his family, he failed to notice the passage of time. The clouds began to disperse, and the sun made a fleeting appearance.
His elder brother, Anthony, had fallen victim to a fire that engulfed the office complex where he had once toiled for his uncle. The incident had left him in a vegetative state, and the expenses incurred solely for his medical care could secure them a fresh start in a different town. Alan and his younger siblings, Mari and Vincent, had been managing the situation. Unfortunately, their uncle, whose company Anthony had served, had provided nothing but excuses for withholding any financial aid. He had recently disappeared without a trace.
Their predicament took a turn for the worse when Alan was accused of forging documents to misappropriate the company's funds. As the head of the accounting department, he was suspended from work pending the outcome of the investigation. Now, he had to provide for his bedridden brother and two younger siblings, who were being exposed to the harsh realities of life at a tender age. Due to financial difficulties, Alan had to withdraw the children from school.
Their mother passed away four years ago during a premature childbirth, leaving behind a pair of twin girls who had been residing with their maternal aunt since birth. The circumstances surrounding their mother's demise had a detrimental effect on their father, who transformed into a mere shadow of himself, always brooding and lost in thought. He partly blamed himself, as he believed that if they had taken the doctor's advice on family planning and precautionary measures, she would still be alive. Tragically, he perished in a car accident caused by his absent-mindedness while driving.
The bank from which he had borrowed seized his assets to settle the debt, compelling Alan and his siblings to rent an apartment in Patami Creek, commonly referred to as "Babylon." They were only permitted to take their personal belongings with them, and Alan utilized some money he had saved in his account to cover the cost of housing. However, Patami Creek was a perilous locale infamous for harboring some of the city's notorious gangs and facilitating prostitution.
The tragedy that had befallen him and his siblings over the past years was akin to a plague that had only resulted in further misfortunes.
"If it weren't for the fire and the conspiracy at the office, I wouldn't be present here now," he murmured to himself.
Suddenly, his elder brother, Anthony, called out to him. Anthony had suffered severe bodily harm as a consequence of the fire incident and had been left dependent on his siblings.
"What is it, Anthony?" Alan asked with concern.
"I am famished. Do we have any sustenance at home?" Anthony inquired.
"To be honest, there is nothing available at home presently. However, allow me to go to Lady J's and inquire," Alan responded.
Anthony asked Alan, "Do you possess any money on your person?"
Alan replied, "Not at the moment, but I am certain Lady J will provide me with some."
Lady J is a widow in her late 40s, possessing fair complexion, a shapely figure, and exquisite beauty. She takes great care of herself, which is why numerous men are attracted to her. She owns a provision store that is among the largest in the area, comparable to any prominent supermarket in the city, though her sales turnover and profits pale in comparison to those of the city malls. She encounters absconding debtors on a daily basis, and her ruthless methods of dealing with defaulters intimidate many.
However, she does not employ these methods with Alan for some reason. Although he has owed her for the past two months, she continues to provide him with provisions and even encourages him to return for more whenever he requires any. Alan and his siblings have only resided in this city for a year, hence he is unaware of Lady J and her dubious dealings. He has heard rumors, but the closer he becomes to this charming lady, the more he realizes that the stories are unfounded.
As Alan stepped out of the house, ready to face the world, fate crossed his path with his younger sister Mari, returning from the bustling market. Mari, a bright and resourceful 13-year-old, possessed a wisdom well beyond her years. With schools on a break and financial constraints impeding their education, Alan devised a brilliant plan for both of them to embark on a journey of self-reliance. He proposed that Mari could venture into the world of entrepreneurship by selling bags of refreshing sachet water each day, envisioning this endeavor as a means to accumulate funds before the schools reopened, enabling them to enroll in the most affordable public schools in their vicinity.
As the golden sun began its descent, Mari approached her older brother with a radiant smile, uttering the endearing words, "Good afternoon, Brother Al." Amongst the household members, she was the only one who addressed him so affectionately, a gesture that deeply touched Alan's heart. After all, she was the eldest girl in the family, and the bond they shared was truly precious.
"Hey, May, you've returned. Did you manage to sell all the sachet water you took out today?" Alan spoke, his affectionate tone blending with the familiar nickname, May, derived from her birth month.
"Yes, brother. That's why I hurried back before the sun kissed the horizon," May responded, her voice brimming with pride and satisfaction.
"Thank the heavens you made it back early. I was just about to seek credit from Lady J's establishment to secure some sustenance," Alan confessed before departing.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Alan hastened his steps toward Lady J's store, hoping to acquire essential food supplies on credit, a favor she had kindly granted him on numerous occasions before. As soon as he neared her humble establishment, Lady J greeted him warmly, her radiant smile illuminating the surroundings. She promptly summoned one of her diligent attendants to assist Alan, acknowledging his presence with admiration.
"Alan, my dear, you exude such remarkable charm today," Lady J declared, marveling at his presence.
"Good evening, ma'am," Alan replied, his cheeks tinged with a gentle blush. Though her endearment of "my dear" made him feel bashful, he had grown accustomed to it, understanding that such affectionate gestures were instrumental in keeping food on the table for him and his beloved siblings.
After extending her cordial greeting, Lady J courteously inquired about the purpose of Alan's visit to her emporium, genuinely eager to be of assistance.
"Welcome, young man. How may I be of service to you today?" she inquired with a genuine curiosity, her eyes brimming with warmth.
Alan began to articulate his purpose, yet before he could convey the entirety of his intentions, Lady J graciously interjected, recognizing the dire circumstances that brought him there.
"Please, refrain from addressing me as 'Ma.' Kindly refer to me as Lady J," she declared, her voice tinged with a touch of annoyance.
Alan humbly apologized, explaining his urgent need for assistance in procuring provisions for his siblings, and vowed to repay any debts incurred.
Although concerned about Alan's mounting debts, the woman eventually instructed one of her attendants to lend him a helping hand.
As Alan prepared to depart, the woman graciously extended an invitation to her residence the next day at 7:00 pm for a meaningful discussion.
Alan was taken aback by the revelation that she resided in the illustrious Royal Forth Estate, and his curiosity piqued.
With an enchanting smile, she simply encouraged him to pay her a visit on the morrow.
Residing within the esteemed Royal Forth Estate was a privilege reserved solely for the crème de la crème of society. Thus, upon discovering that Lady J called it her home, Alan assumed she possessed immense wealth. However, he couldn't help but wonder why she resided in Patami Creek, an area notorious for its unsavory activities encompassing drugs, prostitution, robbery, and other nefarious deeds. This question plagued his mind until he resolved to visit her the following day.
Upon returning home with essential groceries, Alan wasted no time in preparing a delightful dinner, aided by his younger sister, Mari. Alan's culinary prowess shone through, and they swiftly completed the meal. Everyone gathered eagerly around the table, save for Vincent, Alan's brilliant mathematician brother, who had yet to return from work accompanied by Roselyn. Ordinarily, they would arrive home promptly by 7 pm, which piqued Alan's curiosity regarding their delay. Just as he pondered, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a resounding bang on the door, followed by a voice urgently calling his name.
Initially, Alan remained silent, cautiously peering through the window to catch a glimpse of the source of this unpleasant voice. Residing in Patami Creek meant being vigilant to avoid unnecessary conflicts. However, the voice persisted, and Alan finally responded, annoyance evident in his voice.
"Who's there?" Alan inquired.
"Hurry, it concerns Vincent, your younger brother!" the voice replied with visible distress, intensifying the force behind each knock on the door.
Those seven words were all it took to propel Alan into swift action. Without further hesitation, he bolted out the door, determined to uncover the situation surrounding his brother.