Tall and imposing with intimidating hazel eyes and rugged appearance. Scars running all over their faces . Both were wearing black suits . Near the top left, just above the breast pocket a " R " was stitched on it .
They were the debt collectors.
" It's nice to meet you again miss . You know why we are here today . Now , without wasting much of our time quickly hand over 25,000 USD ". The man with black hair demanded like a thug .
Winow's throat went dry . From where was she gonna bring such a huge amount? She barely has 750 USD as her savings.
" S..sir ..I d.. don't have s..such a h..huge amou.. amount. Ca..Can you please c...come next month" Winow was stuttering mess . Panick and fear seized her up . She was sweating profusely. Her body was falling cold . Her heart was racing.
There was an eerie silence before the man with brown hair harshly grabbed her jaw with a suffocating grip before roughly slamming her against the wall .
" YOU FUCKING BITCH YOU HAVE BEEN DODGING PAYING UP FOR DEBT FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS NOW. IF YOU DON'T PAY UP TODAY I WILL PULL DOWN ALL OF MY GUNS BULLET INTO YOUR SKULL "
Winow was trembling in fear . Pain erupted all over her body. Tears rolling down her cheeks.
" Si..sir please give...me some time...I promise...I will pay... payback as soon...as poss—" She froze up , her voice got stuck in her throat when the man holding her inserted his gun into her mouth using his other hand . Her eyes flew wide .
" You get two options bitch , either you pay up or eat my bullets . So what do you chose ? " The man remained unwavering of his demands.
Other man behind him snickered . He was excited to finally get a chance to torture someone. But his excitement was washed over when Bella came running with a stack of cash .
" Sir , please let her go and take this " Bella cried out trying to free Winow from the debt collector's grip .
" How much is this? " The man who was snickering snatched away the stack of money from Bella's hands.
" 10,000 USD. Sir , please let her go , I promise we will pay back the money soon ." The debt collector finally loosened his grip on Winow . She was about to fall and hit her head into the door's edge when Bella catched her .
" Next time, don't force me to use my twisted methods. Pay up like good girls , okay ?" The brown haired man placed his gun underneath Bella's jaw forcing her to look up. Bella gulped, slowly nodding.
Lowering his gun, he fixed his outfit and hide his gun before walking away with his partner. Both snickering on their way out.
Winow lost her strength in her legs and collapsed onto the floor . But thankfully Bella was there to support. Holding onto Bella she cried and cried , ranting out how fucked up her entire day was .Bella patiently comforted her .
**********
It was after dinner, Bella was doing the dishes and Winow was sitting on the couch dazed out .
" Bella, where did you get so much money from ? " Hearing her question, Bella froze up .
" It is the money, I earned from ' Mingle Bee ' in past 7 months . I was saving it to pay off my student loans." Bella replied truthfully, continuing to do the dishes.
" Why did you give them the money ? How are you gonna pay for your students loans ?" Winow asked filling guilty using Bella's savings for the debt her parents had taken . The debt was 1 million dollars out of which 35,000 dollars has been paid including today's payment. More 965,000 USD is yet remaining to be paid .
She grabbed her head in frustration and helplessness. She didn't know from where she was gonna bring such a huge amount of money . Silent tears left her eyes .
" About that , don't worry I can again make it through ' Mingle Bee ' " Bella came out of the kitchen wiping her wet hands in a towel.
" Bella , I have decided ! "
" Uh...What ?! "
" I will too open a ' Mingle Bee ' Account ." Winow was in desperate need of money. Even though, it's a risky step but she was gonna take it . Except it ahe couldn't find any other way to make such a huge amount of money so quickly.
" Are you sure ? " Bella asked .
" Yes ".
" Fine. Hand me your phone " Bella sat down beside Winow who handed over her phone to Bella . Bella quickly downloaded the app and filled the essential details , setting up Winow's profile page .
" It is safe ,right? I won't be scammed , right ? " Winow asked feeling slightly unsure.
" Believe me honeybun , it's safe . And no, they won't scam you . This is a verified app . The company which owns this app takes extra care for users security and privacy. Your personal details aren't shown unless you permit it . And any client wishes to hire a partner needs link his bank account and give his ID card . They have to pay first before hiring a partner. Now, don't take stress . Go to bed and have a good sleep , okay ? Night " Bella replied going to her own room .
" Good Night " Winow replied before she herself resigned to her bedroom.
**********
Waking up the first thing Winow did was to check her profile but there was no notification. She was slightly depressed.
" Oh! Today is my turn to make breakfast." Winow quickly got out off bed and did the morning routine before going to the kitchen .
" Good morning, I was just about to wake you up ." She was greeted up with Bella placing breakfast at the table.
" Morning , how come you are so early? "
" Early, bro it's already 9:30 am . Yesterday you were totally drained out so I let you sleep more ."
" 9:30 AM !!!!! WE ARE LATE !!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP SOONER ? AND WHY AREN'T YOU DRESSED DON'T YOU WANT TO GO UNIVERSITY TODAY ??? "
" Winow...Winow.. Winow...calm down . Today is Sunday. We don't have any classes"
" Oh! " Winow stopped thrashing around and quietly sat down in her seat to have breakfast. Bella giggled making Winow more embarrassed than she already was .
" Bella, I think there is some problem in my profile page . I am not getting client."
" Honeybun, don't be so impatient. Such things take time . I got my first client after two months of setting the page ".
" THAT LONG !!! "
" Indeed . But I think you will have it sooner since you are smart, beautiful, tall , talented but have little patience. Clients will come falling at your feet . Who wouldn't wantsuch beauty as his date ~"
" Stoppppp " Winow blushed.
" By the way , do you have any plans for today ? Or are you free today? "
" I have shift at cafe from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm ."
" Oh! Okay . Nothing I just wondering if you could meet the landlord and pay the rent . "
" I really don't have money with me."
" I have don't worry. It's just that I don't wish to interact with the landlord . He behaves strangely with me . "
" Really? He doesn't do the same with me ."
" Anyways, I will get going I have my shift at the mall ."
" Let's go together." Both of them quickly got ready and went to their work.
**********
Working in the cafe was surprisingly normal today. Nothing much happening except the same hooded man coming to the cafe regularly and staring at her . His face hidden behind the mask .
Winow was uncomfortable with his gaze hence she asked her coworker to attain the customer.
" Hello, sir may I assist you? " Jessy politely attained.
" No ! 500 USD , I want her ". The hooded man said pointing towards Winow . Jessy's smile cracking as she grabs the bill storming to the reception desk . Jessy never in her life felt so disrespected like this.
" He wants you b!tch " Scowling at Winow , Jessy storms off to the other side of the cafe which was a small restaurant.
Winow slightly saddens and looks down at the crumbled bill . She didn't mean to offend Jessy . Looking up , she accidentally makes eye contact with the same man sitting in the faraway corner of cafe signalling her to come over .
Taking a deep breath, Winow grabs a notepad and pen , nervously walks over to the man .
" How may I help you , Sir ? "
" Give me some recommendations of your cafe ." His eyes so beautiful and rare . Winow had first time seen such gorgeous pair of eyes. They were golden yellow iris with long black eyelashes.
" We have pastries, cookies, wafers , tiramisu, cupcakes , muffins , cheesecake and so one ".
" I want each of you have mentioned made by your hands ". The man replied in his deep voice .
" Pardon! But sir that will take a lot of time ."
" I have time, darling... plenty of time . So do not disappoint me , okay darling? "
Winow was caught off guard by the usage of pet name. Darling sounded so nice from his voice. I would loved to be ca—WHAT THE HELL , I am thinking? Winow get back to your senses .
" I will try my best to have your order ready as soon as possible ".
" No need , darling. Take your time . As I said , I have plenty of time " He chuckled behind his mask . Winow could feel her face heating up .
He sounded so hot .
Winow turned around and quickly went back to the desk and begun preparing his order. She could feel his hot gaze following each and every movement of hers . It made her heart flutter for some unknown reason.
By the time she was ready with his order , it was already evening. Packing his order, she was about to take it to him but he came to her first.
" Sir , here is your order." Winow said taking the receipt from the machine and placing it beside the order.
" Thanks for the hardwork , darling" He placed 5000 USD on the counter, more than the billed amount.
" Sir—
" Hush~ darling it's for your hardwork and tip for you . Bye , darling. Enjoy your night~". Winow froze up when he placed his long , thin fore finger on her lips , making her blush . It seemed so seductive that it made Winow feel butterflies in her tummy.
He winked at her before walking out off the cafe with his order .
" Oh ho ho ~ you got such a big tip from such a hottie. Is he your boyfriend? Secret admirer?" Her co workers teased her.
" Guys, there is no such thing" Winow softly replied feeling embarassed.
" Yeah , she probably sucked his d!ck " Jessy snickered , rolling her eyes at Winow .
" Jessy!!! "
" Jessy , What The Fuck ? "
" Did you wake up in the wrong side of bed or what ? "
" Jessy, as the manager of the cafe , I won't tolerate such insolent behaviour." Chris seriously warned Jessy. In a fit of rage , she grabbed her stuff and stormed out of the cafe .
" What is wrong with her ? "
" Well , she got rejected by the 'hottie' customer who paid special attention to our cute , beautiful 'Winow' ". Merry explained.
" She needs to understand, not everyone will find her attractive even if the majority does." Tyson commented , going back to his work. Everyone doing the same.
**********
Winow sat on the couch eagerly waiting for Bella's return. It was already way past 9:00 pm and Bella's shift would normally end at 7:00 pm .
What is taking her so long ?
Winow got worried. She tried dialing up Bella's phone number but everytime the same mechanical female voice will be heard .
[ The number you are trying to call is currently switched off. Please try after sometime. ]
Winow anxiously kept pacing around. As a overthinker, her brain started thinking of extremely negative thoughts.
What if something happens to Bella ?
What if someone kidnaps Bella ? From where will I get money to free her?
Did Damon Ivering targetted Bella in order to retaliate against me ?
Did Bella got into somekind of accident ?
Suddenly the bell rang, Winow quickly went to open the door . As soon as she opened the door she was greeted with Bella in not so bright state .
She was out of breath , as if she ran a marathon.
" What happened ? Are you okay? "
" Quickly get inside" Bella insisted quickly pushing Winow into the apartment and slamming the door shut behind her . And locking it.
She pulled the nearby heavy table blocking the door from opening as if stopping someone from entering. Kicking off her shoes , she collapsed onto the floor , catching her breath. Everything occured infront of the stunned eyes of Winow.
" Bella , what happened tell me ? You are making me worried? " Winow insisted grabbing onto Bella's shoulders.
" Winow, I have no energy to explain anything. Please spare me today." Her normally bright aura was stained with dark and depressing aura .
Bella stood up , shrugging off Winow's hold on her before dragging herself to her bedroom.
" Don't you want to have dinner ? " Winow asked .
" I will skip . I just want to rest ." Without much explanation , Bella slammed her bedroom door shut.
Winow was worried for her but she didn't wish to disturb her. She allowed her some alone moment to gather herself.
**********
The ringing of alarm clock, snatched Winow out of her dreamland. Waking up the first thing she did was to check her phone .
Her eyes widened at the sight.