"What's your business with grandma?" A masked man calmly asked while grabbing the man from behind.
The guy was speechless at the sudden interruption but another man answered on his behalf.
"Who the hell are you?" That was a rough voice coming from the man in the middle. He turned to the guy beside him. "Hey, who's this?"
"I don't know boss, the people I asked said this old lady only has a granddaughter." The man in question was needlessly nervous.
"Hey, put me down!" The captured guy was struggling to stand straight after recovering from the shock. He tried to twist free by turning his body, only to be thrown off balance, landing on the floor ungracefully. His pride was hurt, along with his knees.
"So, back to the question, what gives?" The masked man is standing tall with his hands crossed in front of his body now. Lucy can see his shoulders get pumped up as it compresses.
There was a moment of pause from both parties.
"Tsk! I was told not to make a scene. You're lucky oldie. Let's go!" The guy in a horse voice waved his hand for the others to pull back.
He pinches one man's ears as they walk away. "Your only job is to get me useful information and you can't even do it right." Lucy hears them clearly as they pass her. Despite wanting to fight earlier, she was clearly in shock, too.
The men were barely gone when Lucy hurried to Nana's side. "Are you okay Nana?" She held her arms and felt the woman's body trembling.
Oh no. Worry ran across Lucy's face as her heart sank realizing she wasn't able to do anything to protect Nana.
"Now?" A slight jolt came over Lucy as she heard the masked man talk loudly on the phone. He looks tentatively at Nana before hanging up. "Grandma, Pack this up, I'll buy everything."
While Lucy is thankful to this man for saving Nana, she can't help but be irritated by his unconcerned words. I mean, my Nana just got mobbed by hooligans but you're just buying snacks and scramming?
Nana stood up but Lucy stopped her and packed the snacks herself. "Thank you." She bowed respectfully. She hesitated a bit when the man held out cash towards her but he basically shoved it into her hands, making no room for appeal.
"Yeah." He answered indifferently and walked away in large strides.
Lucy asked Nana to lie down as soon as they got home.
After judging the old lady had calmed down enough she asked who the thugs were. Nana said they were loan sharks collecting her father's debt. Lucy wanted to ask more but figured the old woman should rest first.
It doesn't make any sense. Loan sharks? Debt? The f*ck? Lucy's thoughts are spiraling. They've been living poorly but in peace all these years. Why the hell is this happening now?
She didn't leave Nana's side till she was sure her dear grandma was asleep. She pulled the cover over her own body and felt the familiar warmth that put her to sleep too many times to count. Unfortunately, it's not working right now. Sleep circumvents her body but does not really settle in.
A thousand thoughts fill her mind while looking at the boring ceiling. Looks like there's another hurdle for us to overcome. That guy from before is quite buff and has good skin. He has fierce eyes and some nicely shaped eyebrows, too.
*Slap!* She slapped her face. Lucy panics as she realizes her thoughts wander towards a stranger when they are in a dreaded situation right now. She closed her eyes, still blushing, feeling warmer than before.
I have to earn more so I can take Nana away from here. I wonder if the MMA big shot's offer is still standing. I understand Uncle's concerns but I'm running out of options here. She wanted to sleep but monologues kept popping in her head. Her eyes gave in eventually but not until it was near daybreak.
Morning came. Lucy had to attend classes today. She told Nana to take the day off for now till they figure out what's happening.
She dozes off in class because of the lack of sleep. Luckily, the professors who noticed decided to let it go. They are well aware of Lucy's situation since she diligently explains her circumstances when she's late for classes due to work engagements.
She barely got a wink of sleep last night and her body is winning every fight against keeping awake. The day finally ended and she is surprisingly recharged from the naps.
---
"Hi, uncle!" She dropped by the clinic to ask about the private session offers he mentioned. She opened the door to the office abruptly not knowing there was a guest inside.
It was Jimmy.
His eyes gleamed when he saw her at the door and stood up immediately.
"Lucy!" He turned his eyes fiercely towards Uncle Fred before getting back to her with a beaming smile.
---
"Okay, so let me get this straight." They are now sitting in her uncle's office discussing a very important proposal.
"You need me to do an hour of basic massage treatment every week in your gym for your client. You'll pay triple the usual amount. Then, there's an occasional request for a scheduled onsite massage with allowance and you'll compensate me for 10x my daily wage?"
Lucy slammed both her hands on the table. "I'm in." There was no need to think twice… or so she thought. She underestimated Uncle Fred's overprotectiveness and his strong protest against private sessions.
"She's not a certified physical therapist." She can't believe Uncle is throwing that bomb right in her face right now.
"Not a problem." Jimmy answered in a heartbeat.
She looked at her Uncle's dumbfounded face before extending her hand towards Jimmy.
He shook her hand and they shared satisfied smiles. "I'll see you tomorrow at 10 AM, I'll leave the address with the secretary outside. It's nice doing business with you, goodbye."
He gave Uncle Fred a final nod and gave a thumbs-up to Lucy before shutting the door.