Her Father's Debt

The next day as usual came so quick and Lyra was already at her shop, she made huge sales and was happy. Who was her to be with so much happiness and less worry?

Lyra was from a poor home, leaving home at a young age to struggle and hussle to make money for her family, she had been played by many men and she was determined not to be a fool again.

Her dad had been a drunk and had borrowed to gamble, being a drunkard after his business failed, he had daydreamed that by gambling, he would win money and start up new business but his hopes never birthed reality, he found himself selling all had and borrowing huge money, thereby creating a huge debt for his family, and eventually he died after drinking one night and falling into the gutters. It was so difficult for Lyra's mother and brother to bear, leaving her family, Lyra came to the city to make money and pay back the debt and cater for her family.

Happy about the huge sales she made, she heard people shouting and raising her eyes, she saw group of thugs breaking everything in her shop, the loan sharks has finally traced and found her. Is it a nightmare?

Tears dropped from her eyes as she felt her world crumbling, she had used her life savings to start that business and losing it all in a day was a nightmare she never wanted at all.

Lyra's eyes widened in horror as the thugs destroyed her shop, her livelihood, and her dreams. She felt like she was living a nightmare, and the pain and fear were all too real. The loan sharks had finally caught up with her, and she knew she couldn't escape the debt her father had left behind.

As she watched, helpless and tears streaming down her face, the thugs smashed every last thing in her shop. They took the money from the register, the equipment, and even the ingredients. They left nothing but destruction and despair in their wake.

Lyra felt like she was drowning, suffocating under the weight of her father's mistakes. She had worked so hard to build a new life, to escape the poverty and the pain of her past. But now, it was all being taken away from her.

Just as she thought things couldn't get any worse, the leader of the thugs approached her, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "You're coming with us, Lyra. The boss wants to have a word with you."

Lyra's heart raced as she realized she was in grave danger. She thought of Stephen, the mysterious stranger who had walked her home the night before. She wished she had accepted his offer to dinner, maybe he could have helped her. But now, she was alone, and she had no one to turn to.

Sophia who heard the noise ran to Lyra's shop, startled and shocked, stood at the door not knowing how to help her friend or who to turn to for help.

Yielding to their request, Lyra followed them, she had been humiliated and lost everything in a short time and she had no other choice, determined to pay the debt even if it means to give her body, she stared sadly at her friend as she walked through the door with the thugs, her world had finally crumbled.

Sophia's eyes widened in horror as she watched her friend being taken away by the thugs. She felt helpless and frozen in place, unsure of what to do or who to turn to for help. She knew she had to act fast, but her mind was racing with fear and uncertainty.

Just as the thugs were about to drag Lyra away, Sophia found her voice. "Wait! Please, don't take her! I'll find a way to pay the debt, just don't hurt her!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

The leader of the thugs sneered at Sophia. "You think you can pay the debt? You're just a small-time boutique owner. You don't have the kind of money we're talking about."

Sophia knew she had to think fast. She remembered Stephen, the mysterious stranger who had been eyeing Lyra. She had seen the way he looked at her, with a gaze that seemed to hold a deep longing. Maybe, just maybe, he could help.

"Wait! I know someone who can help! Please, just give me a chance to call him!" Sophia begged, her eyes locked on Lyra's despairing face.

The thugs exchanged a glance, seemingly considering Sophia's plea. After a moment, the leader nodded. "Fine. You have five minutes. If your friend can't come up with the money, Lyra will be ours to deal with."

Sophia nodded, her heart racing with hope. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Stephen's number, praying he would answer.

It rang 5 times, Stephen had left his phone at the bar where he had few drinks with his friend, Alvin.

So helpless, Sophia who couldn't do anything asked for one more chance, but the thugs were impatient, to them, time was everything, "we don't have time for your little games, lady, we will have to go", their leader said.

"Wait.... Wait...", Sophia tried to say something while sobbing but they had already entered their car and drove away. In her heart, she cursed Stephen, if only he had answered, why did he approach her for help to convince Lyra if he wasn't going to show up in a crucial time? She hated him, standing up from the dirty ground she was sitting on, she walked in to her shop sobbing.

Stephen came back by 10pm at night, he didn't visit Lyra's shop, he wanted to know if she would miss her. Entering the bathtub, he had a long warm bath and without having dinner, he went straight to sleep unaware of what happened or the calls he missed.

Stephen's absence has led to Lyra's predicament, and Sophia's anger towards him is palpable. Little does Stephen know, his actions have caused a chain reaction of events that will change everything.

As Stephen sleeps peacefully, Lyra is trapped in a living nightmare. The loan sharks have taken her to a secluded location, where she's being held captive. Her fate hangs in the balance, and time is running out.

Meanwhile, Sophia's anger and frustration simmer, waiting for the perfect moment to confront Stephen. She can't believe he abandoned Lyra in her hour of need, and she's determined to make him pay for his negligence.

As the night wears on, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. Will Stephen finally realize his mistakes and come to Lyra's rescue? Or will Sophia's wrath and Lyra's desperation lead to a catastrophic confrontation? The suspense is killing me!

Brownie, the gangs boss was sitting quietly drinking his favorite champagne when his boys came in with a beautiful girl, he looked at her and loved her, thinking how to make her pay, before he could say anything, Lyra was already kneeling pleading with him, "please sir, give me some time to pay you back, please don't hurt me, please".

Brownie has never been the one to take pity on people, in fact he was a business man who knows when to take and this time was a perfect opportunity to take, he laughed sarcastically, ordering his boys to leave, he came very close to Lyra, she was tied with rope hands and feet making her situation to be more helpless than it already seem.

Brownie's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as he gazed at Lyra, his voice dripping with malice. "Oh, you want to plead for mercy? How...amusing. You see, Lyra, I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation. You owe me a debt, and I always collect what's owed to me."

He paused, savoring the moment, as Lyra's eyes welled up with tears. "You're going to work for me, Lyra. You're going to do exactly as I say, or...well, let's just say you won't like the alternative."

Brownie's gaze roamed over Lyra's helpless form, his mind racing with the possibilities. He could sell her to the highest bidder, or use her as collateral to settle other debts. The options were endless, and he was determined to exploit them all.

Just as Brownie was about to deliver the final blow, his phone rang. He answered, his voice cold and calculating. "Yes?...Ah, Stephen. How...fortunate. I've been expecting your call."

The conversation was brief, but Lyra's heart skipped a beat as she heard Brownie mention Stephen's name. Could it be? Was Stephen coming to rescue her.

Stephen was a godfather, he was the creditor the whole time, employing his friend, Brownie to do the job of loan for him, he only cared about the interest, just like the company, he didn't care how the business works. He had called to inform Brownie that he would show up in the morning so Brownie could get everything ready, Stephen wasn't the type of guy to be patient with anything, if anyone has made him wait, that was Lyra.

Stephen, the mysterious stranger, is revealed to be the mastermind behind the loan shark operation. He's the one who has been pulling the strings, using Brownie to do his dirty work. And now, he's coming to collect his debt, with interest.

Lyra's heart sinks as she realizes she's been played from the very beginning. Stephen's charming smile and helpful demeanor were just a facade, hiding his true intentions. She feels like a pawn in a game she never agreed to play.

Brownie, sensing Lyra's despair, lets out a menacing chuckle. "Looks like your knight in shining armor is actually the devil in disguise, Lyra. You're in deeper trouble than you thought."

As the night wears on, Lyra's anxiety grows. She knows she must think fast, come up with a plan to escape, or face the consequences of Stephen's wrath. But how can she outsmart the very person who has been manipulating her from the start?

It was 7 am and Stephen just walked into the three story building where his loan business has been taking place.

Everyone bowed at the sight of him, indeed he was the man, in both physical appearance and financial stability, Stephen had it all except the heart which feels lonely.

Could it be that Stephen had forgotten about Lyra? That wasn't the case, Stephen had planned to visit her after few days to see if she would accept his dinner date offer. Walking into Brownie's office, he was greeted by three men in suits; Brownie, Tyler and Kelvin, Tyler and Kelvin were the first two people to join the business and they were the most seniors after Brownie.

Sitting down, Stephen asked for the profits and reports and just like him, everything was going perfectly until he asked about Mr McDonald, his debts has not been paid and he was furious at the fact that his family who would have been paying the debt were no where to be found.

McDonald was Lyra's father, and Lyra was kept in the little room which had only one window, she haven't eaten since the moment she was taken by these thugs but she wasn't hungry, not sure what her fate would be, she sobbed all night and weary, she still had teardrops falling from her already weak eyes.

The web of deceit and greed continues to entangle Lyra, as Stephen's true intentions are revealed. His focus on profits and reports, and his fury over Mr. McDonald's unpaid debt, show that he is a ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Meanwhile, Lyra's situation grows more desperate by the minute. Held captive in a small room with no food or comfort, she is at the mercy of these thugs. Her tears have dried up, but her eyes remain weak and weary from the constant crying. Her heart is heavy with fear and uncertainty, as she wonders what fate has in store for her.

As Stephen's meeting with Brownie, Tyler, and Kelvin continues, they discuss.