The interrogation Room

In the interrogation room, Jem sat face to face with her father both staring at each other with multiple emotions blazing in their eyes. She was surprised when they told her it was the only place she can meet her father. Jem hated Matteo the more seeing her father has been suffering in jail because he confronted them. They threatened to take away the only thing keeping the family together, he had to fight.

Jake suddenly burst into tears from staring at his miserable daughter.

"I shouldn't have..." He sagged his head as he stuttered in tears.

Jem hates to see her father like this but she couldn't walk around the table to soothe him. She leaned forward and said, "Dad,"

He looked at her upon hearing his name. He frowned, "If I knew your mom got involved with Silver... You shouldn't be dragged into this."

"Dad, this concerns me, I should be involved."

She slumped on her seat and heaved a long sigh.

"I just want to get you out of here."

"I slapped Silver's bank manager and insulted Silver himself. I'm never getting out of here."

"Be optimistic, dad. We can't lose hope just yet."

Jake shook his head. It's like his daughter doesn't remember how much they owe and the fact that they are way past their due date. What his daughter said next stunned him but gave him a tinge of hope.

"Matt offered me a job at Silver." Jem frowned as she said this.

"That's great news." Jake was fascinated. Silver is the biggest company in the city and his daughter gets to work there.

"It is. But it comes with a price."

"A price?" Jake was surprised to hear this.

"Yeah. He said I have to marry him and I have till tomorrow to decide."

"What?"

"It's either that or I lose you and mom's bakery."

Jake was at loss for words, he just gazed at his daughter trying to grasp everything his daughter is telling him. Matteo is not only cruel, but he is also ruthless and insensitive. He knows this is a good opportunity for his girl but he can't let her marry a man like Matteo Valdez.

His smile turned into a scowl.

"He is a fool to think I would sell my daughter to him. I don't care if he is the king of this world, I will fight him to my last breath."

Jem chuckled at her gutsy father, she knows he meant every word of it.

"I can't lose you, dad I can't lose mom's bakery."

"This has been his plan all along, that bakery isn't even worth that much money. This was all a part of his evil schemes and you were his price."

"Dad I know."

"He must be a joker."

"Dad..."

"There's no way I'd let you marry that man even if he is the only man on earth."

"And there's no way I'd leave you in here dad."

It is a tough decision for both of them even when it's obvious that they don't have much choice on their plate. Jake was mostly sore to know his daughter might be forced to marry the monster and there was nothing he can do to stop it. That's if two million miraculous shows up on his doorstep.

"That's five minutes." they were both startled to hear a police officer suddenly speak. They both had the same thought at that moment. 'Five minutes already?'

"Please..." Jem wanted to say but the cop spoke before her.

"You're lucky you get five minutes, others that messed with Silver are locked away and forgotten."

Two cops appeared behind Jake and dragged him off his chair.

"Bye Jem." Jake quickly yelled before the cops took him away. Jem couldn't reply or say goodbye. What the cop told her gave her a clearer picture of the man she was dealing with. He wasn't kidding when he said she'd never get to see him again. She gulped dryly still stricken by everything,

"How did my life come to this?"She whispered to herself before leaving the police department.

She took a cab from there to work cause it was almost time for her shift. She entered the bar and went straight to stand behind the counter. Immediately she showed up the girl whose shift just ended left. She knew the girl said something but didn't mind her at all. She was focused on receiving her first customer, a redneck man.

Tonight was quite busier than usual. Jem was already getting tired of mixing and serving drinks. She wished her favorite customer Adam would show up right now and help her like he always does.

Just when she was thinking about him, she spotted him in the swarm of people flooding the place. He was approaching her.

"Hey, beautiful," he said resting his elbow on the counter.

She smiled. "Hey, Adam. I need to thank you for yesterday. I appreciate it."

"That was nothing, I love helping you."

"Stacey." She saw her boss standing behind Adam looking very upset.

"Mr. Crowley." She stuttered.

He approached the counter which made her feel more intimidated.

"Miss Stacey you're either late or unavailable. Have had it with you. You're fired."

"What?"

"Cindy will take over from now on." she was so distracted she didn't notice the girl that came with him. A scrawny brunette with green eyesa she waved at her. The girl nodded and smiled at her.

"Mr. Crowley."

"Go home, Stacey."

After saying this Mr. Crowley left for his office. Jem followed him immediately.

Adam then turned to the new bartender and said,"Hi."

"Mr. Crowley you can't fire me, I don't even know what I'm getting fired for," Jem yelled at him as she tried to keep up with his long strides.

Mr. Crowley stopped in front of the door leading to his office. He turned to fixate his eyes on hers, that intimidating gaze made her gulp dryly.

"Jem you're always late and worse you asked my reckless brother to cover a shift for you. Couldn't you have told me your dad was arrested, I would have given you leave."

"Mr. Crowley..."

"..save it Jem. Go sort yourself out, this job isn't going to help you pay your debts, it's best if you go find a decent job." Mr Crowley entered his office and shut the door behind him."

Jem was stunned, she didn't mention anything like that to anyone at work. How did her boss know her family owes Silver a lot of money?