Now, facing Oscar's cold stare, Alejandro regretted his decision. "Oscar, please, I thought we agreed on a timeline. I just need a little more time. The business is in a tough spot right now, but I'm working on it," Alejandro pleaded, trying to keep his voice steady.
Oscar grinned and crossed his arms around Alejandro's shoulders. "Time is not my concern, Alejandro. I don't care if we agreed that you would pay up within six months. Yesterday marked the end of three months, so I'm here for mi dinero." he replied, his tone low and threatening.
Alejandro's heart raced as he remembered the stories he had heard about those who failed to meet Oscar's demands. The loan shark's reputation for violence and intimidation loomed large in his mind. Desperation clawed at him as he searched for a way out of this situation.
"Have you forgotten we signed an agreement on paper, Oscar?" Alejandro's voice was shaky as he asked, noticing the grin on Oscar's face slowly disappear.
Oscar pulled away, his expression darkening. "Paper, huh? Bring it to me," he ordered.
Alejandro dashed into the house, glancing back to see Camila and Estelle peeping through the window. "No, qué fuera de que dos. (Don't come outside, you two.)" They both nodded, and he hurried into his room.
A few minutes later, he emerged, holding the document triumphantly. He presented it to Oscar, who took it with a quizzical expression. Alejandro felt a rush of relief; he was glad he had insisted on signing an agreement, or else he would have been in a serious predicament.
Oscar laughed heartily, the sound echoing ominously. "I can't believe you still kept this trash till now."
Before Alejandro could respond, Oscar pulled the golden skull from his staff, revealing a sharp blade concealed within it. Alejandro's heart raced as he realized the skull was not just an ornamental piece but a weapon. Oscar swiftly shredded the paper into tiny pieces, sending the confetti-like remnants flying into Alejandro's face.
Camila and Estelle held their breath, frozen in shock at the sight of the knife. Alejandro's composure melted away like snow in the sun when he saw Oscar shredding the only thing keeping him calm. The threat was real and imminent.
"What are you doing?" Alejandro exclaimed, his voice trembling. "That was our agreement! You can't just—"
"I can do whatever I want, Alejandro. Now, my friend, I'm going to count to three, and if you don't bring me mi dinero, one of your fingers will be gone, courtesy of this knife," Oscar said, his tone dripping with menace. He signaled two of his thugs to hold Alejandro.
Alejandro soon found himself tackled down to the ground, lying on his belle with both hands outstretched. Camila gasped, her face pale, while Estelle nearly bolted outside, but Camila's grip on her arm held her back.
"Son que estúpido! (Are you stupid!) Your father made it clear we shouldn't go out!" Camila hissed, panic lacing her voice.
Seeing her mother's terror, Estelle burst into tears, her cries echoing in the tense atmosphere.
"I have already saved up half of the money! If you tell them to let me go, I will transfer it to you right now! I promise by the weekend, you will get the other half!" Alejandro pleaded, his heart racing. He had managed to save one million pesos within three months thanks to Esmeralda's support.
"Tsk tsk tsk! The weekend is too far," Oscar replied, unfazed. He signaled for his thugs to release Alejandro, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. "I will give you until tomorrow." He carefully sheathed the knife, keeping the threat lingering in the air.
Alejandro scrambled to his feet, trembling as he fumbled for his phone. He transferred the money, his hands shaking with fear and urgency.
"Good. Now I will be expecting the two million by tomorrow evening," Oscar said, his grin widening like that of a Cheshire cat flaunting its golden crown tooth.
Alejandro was taken aback. "I just transferred one million pesos! Rightfully, it's meant to remain another million pesos," he protested, confusion mixed with frustration.
"Yeah, the one million you transferred is the interest. The agreement I just tore up clearly states that the money should be paid at once, and the interest can be paid bit by bit," Oscar replied, his grin unwavering, as if he relished the torment he was inflicting.
Alejandro felt a wave of nausea wash over him. "The interest was two hundred pesos!" he growled, glaring at Oscar, his fists clenching in frustration. If it weren't for the thugs surrounding him, he would have punched the smug grin off Oscar's face.
"Ah, but you see, Alejandro," Oscar said, leaning closer, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "In my world, it's not about what's fair; it's about what I say goes. So calm down, Alejandro. This anger won't get you anywhere. I have taken my interest. The eight hundred is for the finger you didn't lose and for my trouble in coming here. So be happy," Oscar said, his tone mocking.
The grin suddenly faded, replaced by a menacing glare. "But if you can't pay up by tomorrow evening, I will take four fingers—one from each member of your family. Your wife and that daughter of yours will work in my brothel, and your other daughter in Las Vegas will be one of my personal bed warmers because a beauty with enchanting green eyes shouldn't waste away in a brothel. Also, your house will automatically be mine. Know that the fate of your family is now in your hands."
With that, Oscar strode out of the compound, his thugs trailing behind him, leaving Alejandro paralyzed by fear.
As soon as they left, Camila rushed out of the house, her face pale. "Oh mi bondad! (Oh my goodness)! We are doomed!"
"Papá, I don't want to be sold to a brothel! What are you going to do?" Estelle cried, her voice quaking with fear.
Seeing his daughter in distress, Alejandro enveloped her in a comforting embrace, resting her head on his shoulder as he patted it gently. "I won't let that happen, cotton candy," he said softly, using the pet name he had given her because of her dainty nature.
Just then, another visitor arrived. This time it was Rafael, Estelle's boyfriend. "Uncle, Auntie, what happened? Why do you all look so gloomy?"
Estelle rushed to Rafael's side, holding onto his hand tightly. "Babe, you have to do something. I don't want to work in a brothel."
Rafael's brow furrowed in concern. "What do you mean?"
Before Estelle could explain, Camila interjected, her voice trembling. "Oscar and his thugs came here a while ago. He threatened to make us work at his brothel if we don't pay back the money we borrowed by tomorrow."
"I think I have a solution," Rafael said suddenly, surprising everyone.
"What solution?" Alejandro asked, eyeing him with suspicion. He doubted that whatever solution Rafael had would be anything he liked.
"My boss just came back from a business trip, so he is currently available. I can speak to him about the situation; I'm sure he would agree to lend you the money," Rafael suggested, a satisfied smile crossing his face.
Alejandro was right, he didn't like Rafael's solution. The thought of turning to Lorenzo Salvador for help was repugnant to him. "Rafael, that's not an option. Your boss doesn't count."
"What do you mean he doesn't count?" Camila interjected, her irritation palpable. "We don't have any other choice here. Oscar is breathing down our necks. This is the best solution to our problem. So just appreciate the help we are being offered by our son-in-law." She concluded, tapping Rafael on the back with pride.
Rafael puffed out his chest, standing tall with an air of confidence, resembling a superhero in a movie.
Alejandro scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Are you forgetting that his boss is Lorenzo Salvador? He's more ruthless than Oscar. Going to him is like signing a deal with the devil. We won't borrow money from him, and that's final," he stressed, his voice firm.
The room fell silent as the weight of his words hung in the air. Alejandro could see the uncertainty in Camila's eyes as she realized the gravity of their situation.
Estelle, stepped forward. "Papá, please! We don't have time to waste. If Rafael can help, we should take the chance. We can figure out the details later, but right now, we need to protect our family."
Camila nodded in agreement, her eyes pleading with Alejandro. "Es verdad (It's true), Alejandro. We can't afford to be stubborn. We have to do what we can to keep our family safe."
"Enough! I'm going to the port. I will be back," he said, making his way through them.
"The port? Why aren't you going to the shop?" Camila called after him, her voice laced with panic.
"The wine I imported was confiscated. I need to see how this issue can be resolved," he replied tersely.
"Oh no! All this is happening because of that unlucky child," Camila lamented, her voice rising in agitation. "Just because she wants to come back, we are facing countless problems. When she is here, we're really going to end up in tragedy."
Alejandro clenched his fists, feeling a mix of anger and despair. He didn't respond to her statement as he stepped outside, leaving Camila in a state of turmoil. He couldn't afford to dwell on her words, not now.