"That's another no, isn't it?" Sophie asked her sister as she walked closer, sullenly.
Ava lowered her phone and let out a long breath.
"Yeah. Fifth bank this week." She muttered in response.
"What did they say?" Sophie inquired.
"Same old story. Three jobs aren't enough. My credit score isn't high enough." Ava listed on and chuckled dryly as she walked to the window, tears of frustration threatening to fall.
Sophie looked at their mother, Linda, sleeping in the hospital bed. The hard expression Linda had on communicated the terrible pain she was feeling.
"I think I should just quit school and..." Sophie was saying but Ava interrupted her before she could finish.
"Don't even think about that." Ava maintained firmly as she turned around to face her sister.
"But what do we do? We have exhausted the family savings, sold the car, even moved to a cheaper apartment yet it is not enough!" Sophie cried out, her lips quivering.
"Mom needs you to finish college. That is what she always wanted." Ava pointed out.
"Well, she needs to be alive for..." Sophie was saying but Dr. Peters walked in at that moment, and she stopped abruptly.
Ava swallowed hard as she saw the doctor's expression. It didn't look good.
"Doctor, what is my mom's condition now, please?" Ava inquired.
"The current treatment isn't working as well as we hoped. But there's a new option we should discuss." Dr. Peters informed her. Ava heaved a sigh and nodded in understanding.
"How much will that cost?" She asked.
"Eighteen thousand dollars per biweekly." The doctor announced and Sophie gasped while Ava's legs felt weak.
"That's... that's just for the medicine?" Ava asked, looking scared.
"Yes, not including hospital stays and other medications. I know it's a lot, but we need an answer by Monday." The doctor replied.
"Monday? That's just four days away!" Sophie pointed out, her eyes widening in shock.
"We need to stay the treatment by then. After that, the window for effective treatment starts closing. I'm sorry." The doctor stated, looking at Ava.
"T...thank you, Doctor." Ava said, trying to keep her voice steady even though she felt like bursting into tears.
The doctor nodded and left. Afterwards, Sophie grabbed Ava's arm.
"What are we going to do?"
Ava stood and think for a moment. Then she exhaled sharply and pulled out a business card from her pocket. At that the memory of last Tuesday hit her.
*FLASHBACK*
"What do you mean her insurance can't cover it?" Ava yelled and gripped her phone tightly.
"Fine!" She hung up angrily and dropped her phone on the café table. She wanted to scream or even cry but she was in public, so she gritted her teeth as she kept her eyes on the floor.
"Rough day?" A voice said.
Ava looked up. A man in an expensive suit stood by her table, holding two coffee cups.
"Mind if I join you? You look like you could use this." He set one cup in front of her.
"Thanks, but I'm not interested..." She was saying but the man butt in.
"In coffee? It's just coffee." He smiled and sat down.
"I am James Lawson. I couldn't help overhearing your call." He said.
"Just insurance problems!" Ava sighed and wrapped her hands around the warm cup.
"Medical bills?" The man asked with a knowing look. Ava nodded curtly.
"For who?" He questioned further.
"My mother. It is Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The insurance won't..." Ava was divulging but quickly caught herself and stopped.
"Sorry. You don't need to hear this." She said. James shook his head.
"No, it's fine. Actually, I might be able to help." He told her and Ava's eyes widened with hope.
"You will help me?" Ava asked, surprised.
James nodded then leaned forward.
"I'm always looking for talented people to join my company. The pay is excellent, and our medical benefits are... comprehensive." He told her.
"What kind of job?" She asked, sitting up straighter.
"It is actually confidential but if you will take it up, I am going to cover your mother's hospital bills from A to Z, and you will never have to worry about money again." He told her with an unwavering smile.
"What's the catch?" Ava blurted out.
"Of course there has to be a catch for such huge benefits." She thought.
James' smile grew bigger.
"You are smart and I love that. There is one small condition. I need someone to work closely with one of my business rivals. Ethan Gray. Ever heard of him?" He asked.
"The CEO of Gray Enterprises?" Ava exclaimed.
"Yeah. He is looking for a new assistant. With my recommendation, you'd get the job easily." He replied.
"And?" Ava asked.
"And while working there, you'd keep me informed about certain... aspects of his business." He said.
Ava's heart sank.
"You want me to spy for you?" She inquired and James' smile turned cold.
"Sort of. Think of it as... an exchange. Your loyalty for your mother's life." He told her.
"That's illegal." Ava protested.
"So is watching your mother die when you could have saved her." He leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers. His expression had hardened then.
"I can't sell my soul for money!" She protested.
"Tell me, young lady, what's the price for a soul these days? Because I'm offering you a rather generous price for yours." He said flatly.
"Eighteen thousand biweekly for the new treatment, isn't it? Plus hospital stays, additional medications... Shall I tell you how much your mother's life will cost over the next year? I have the exact figures." He added firmly. Then before Ava could reply, he stood up and said;
"You have until Monday to decide. After that, your mother's treatment window starts closing, doesn't it?"
"How did you..." Ava was taken aback.
"I make it my business to know everything, Ms. Collins." He placed his card on the table.
"One call. That is all it takes. Just remember, once you make this deal, there is no going back. Your soul will belong to me."
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"Should I call him?" Ava wondered inwardly as she stared at the card.
Somehow, she found herself dialling the number.
"Ms. Collins, I have been waiting for your call." James' voice came on. Before Ava could ask how he knew her number, he spoke up again.
"Are you ready to sell your soul to the devil?"