Going Home

"Why didn't you answer my calls yesterday? You have no idea what state Lyra is in, right now, I can't contact her, her phone switched off, she was taken away by some thugs", Sophia said with curiosity and anger mixing in her voice.

"I know", Stephen turning to look at Lyra, said with a faint smile as Lyra got involved with his men, he would have not been able to take it easy if it were other loansharks.

"You know? How?", Sophia was more than surprised that Stephen sounded so relaxed, has she trusted the wrong person, she was furious.

Sophia's voice is laced with concern and anger, her words piercing through the air. Stephen's response, however, is calm and collected, his faint smile hinting at a secret. Lyra, still in the room, feels a sense of unease as Sophia's accusations hang in the air.

"How?" Sophia repeats, her tone incredulous. "You're telling me you know Lyra's situation, and you're not even worried? What kind of game are you playing, Stephen?"

Stephen chuckles, a low, smooth sound. "No game, Sophia. Just business. Lyra is...under my protection now. She's going to work for me to pay off her debt."

Sophia's silence is palpable, her mind racing with questions and doubts. She trusted Stephen, but now she's not so sure. Lyra, sensing the tension, speaks up, her voice firm.

"Sophia, it's true. I'm going to work for Stephen to pay off my father's debt. And I'm grateful for his help."

The room falls silent, the only sound Sophia's heavy breathing. The dynamics have shifted, and Sophia's no longer sure who to trust. The scene ends with a cliffhanger! What's Sophia's next move? Will she confront Stephen further or try to reach Lyra separately?

Stephen hung up the call, for he wanted to talk to Sophia face to face, turning again to Lyra, he thought maybe she haven't eaten yet, "are you hungry? How about we have lunch? You look tired, if you want, I can order some food ", Stephen asked approaching Lyra.

"No, I want to go home, please can you lend me money for cab? I will also pay you back later".

Stephen took his car keys, wondering why Lyra would ask for cab fare instead of asking him to drop her off, he felt annoyed and it showed in his voice, "instead, let's go see Sophia, I can drop you off there", not even waiting for Lyra's reply, he walked to the doorLyra's eyes widened slightly at Stephen's sudden change in tone and behavior. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he approached her, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of annoyance and something else she couldn't quite decipher.

"No, I...I just want to go home," she repeated, her voice firm but laced with a hint of fear.

Stephen's expression turned cold, his jaw clenched as he handed her the car keys. "Fine, let's go see Sophia then," he said brusquely, not waiting for her response as he strode towards the door.

Lyra felt a surge of unease as she followed him, her mind racing with questions. Why was Stephen suddenly acting this way? What did he want from her? And what would happen when they arrived at Sophia's place?

As they walked out of the office, Lyra couldn't help but wonder if she had made a grave mistake by accepting Stephen's offer...As they walked out of the office, Lyra felt a sense of trepidation. She didn't like the way Stephen was acting, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in over her head. She followed him to the car, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and evasion.

As they drove to Sophia's place, the tension between them was palpable. Lyra tried to break the silence, but Stephen's responses were curt and dismissive. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a situation she couldn't control.

When they arrived at Sophia's, Lyra's heart sank. Sophia's expression was stern, her eyes flashing with anger. "What's going on, Stephen?" she demanded, her voice firm.

Stephen shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Lyra's going to work for me to pay off her debt. And she's going to start by helping us with a little problem we're having."

Lyra's eyes widened as Sophia's gaze turned to her, a mixture of disappointment and accusation in her eyes. "You shouldn't have gotten involved with him, Lyra. Now you're in danger."

The scene ends with Lyra feeling trapped and fearful, unsure of what Stephen and Sophia have planned for her. Will she find a way to escape, or will she be pulled deeper into their world of deceit and danger?

After the conversation, they ate and Stephen drove away, Sophia walked Lyra home and returned back to her shop.

Unknown to Stephen and Sophia, Lyra's father had borrowed money from another loan shark and that evening, Lyra turned her phone on after charging it and unknown numbers started calling her, she had heard that her father borrowed from different places, when she thought it was over, she had landed in another problem, answering the call and hearing from the boss that they would be coming for their money soon, Lyra felt so much fear, wanted to run away, she must have become a coward all of a sudden.

Lyra's relief at escaping Stephen and Sophia's clutches was short-lived. The constant calls from unknown numbers sent her heart racing, and the menacing voice on the other end of the line made her blood run cold. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of debt, with no lifeline in sight.

Her father's recklessness had landed her in a vicious cycle of loan sharks and debt collectors, and Lyra couldn't see a way out. She felt like a coward, wanting to run away from her problems, but she knew she had to face them head-on.

As she paced back and forth in her small apartment, Lyra's mind raced with thoughts of desperation and despair. She couldn't turn to Stephen or Sophia for help, not after the way they had treated her. And her father...well, he was the last person she wanted to remember right no, for he had made her world miserable.

Just as she was starting to lose hope, Lyra remembered the business card the mysterious stranger had given her earlier. She had dismissed it at the time, but now it seemed like her only hope. With trembling hands, she dialed the number, praying that someone would answer...