Chapter Two

Working over the years with pent-up frustration at just working with hardly any saving for herself had changed her from the sweet little girl she once was to the depressed lady who channeled her emotion into anger and rage."You watch your mouth there," he warned.

 "Do we look like thrift collectors? You owe over two million dollars, yet you are here with that." He snickered.She scoffed. Was he kidding her?"I've paid over two million dollars, and you are telling me sh*t about still owing the same two million dollars. 

 You are crazy. Senile!" She spat."Shut the fuck up!" he growled, plastering a gun to her forehead. "I'll blow your pretty damned head off right now, if I could."Lara smiled. "Shoot me," she challenged.

 "Shoot me, bastard!" She kicked him on the knee.Death was most welcome to her at the moment. At least she would be free from having to continue with her miserable life. 

 She had no life, precisely.Groaning with a curse under his breath, he pushed her roughly to the ground and fired into the air, his gaze fixed on her with a murderous glare and a furious scowl on his face.

 A black SUV screeched to a halt on the premises, its door pulled open by one of his goons, who had immediately gotten down from the car and moved swiftly to open the door for his boss.George stepped out of the car and ordered, "Stop!"The shooting ceased.

 Lara scrambled to her feet."Geor.." She was hushed by a death glare from George."Don't you dare!" He hissed through his teeth, and his hands balled tightly into fists."Let me explain," she pleaded, desperation taking over reasoning.

 "You have a week to pay up your loan or else..." He gave a warning look if otherwise, turned abruptly, and headed back to his car."What did I do to deserve this?" She cried. "I never took up the loan.

 Why am I being threatened over it while the bastard who is responsible for all this is somewhere enjoying himself?"She was fed up. She was tired of being extorted. 

 She had spent her life working to pay up a loan that wasn't hers, but despite all that, she had never come close to paying the real money thanks to the interest that accumulated over the years. All the money she had paid was still interest to them; if she had invested it in a business, she would have a greater chance of being financially stable at present.

 George turned back to face her with a smirk on his face. "You are the collateral, and you should be appreciative of the fact that I'm giving you another chance to help yourself out despite your betrayal.""It.."George raised a hand to hush her.

 "I want no more of your tantrums. The next time I see your face, either be with my money or say goodbye to your misery-filled life here. Look forward to your new life in Japan. 

 You will enjoy it, I bet." He covered the distance to his car, followed by his henchman, got in, and was driven off.Lara watched as the car zoomed off, tears spilling down her cheeks as she knew deep down that there was no hope for her.

 The more he dug into her records, the greater his need to be her knight increased. He couldn't fathom what destiny was thinking by allowing her to be born to an irresponsible man as a father.

 Her father was a gambling idiot and drunkard, whose sight was practically lost not to have been able to see what a precious gem he had for a daughter, and was even shameless enough to run off with a loan while placing the burden of paying it back on his daughter.

 What a complete fool he was!She deserved a better life, and he was more than willing to see to it that she wouldn't be subjected to a life of dejection from getting married to the ugly beast she called her fiance.

 Shane smiled to himself as he would finally be meeting with his...His? Why was he calling her his?Pushing aside the silly thoughts in his head, he made his way toward the perfect beauty, who had made his mind fuzzy with thoughts about her over the weeks.

 Insane.She sat calmly in a plain black gown, her hair packed in a ponytail, giving a full highlight to her face. She looked dazzling. On seeing him, her calm expression had changed into a cute, angry face. 

 He almost swore he had fallen in love with her all over again. His heart leaped in admiration at the sight of her. She grabbed her bag and stood abruptly.He stood in her path, obstructing any further movement. 

 She narrowly walked into him."Move aside." She glared at him."We need to talk, Lara." "I wouldn't talk with you if you were to be the last person on earth." She hissed."You are furious. 

 I get it. But you might be interested in the offer I have for you." She rolled her eyes. "Spare me the fib, will you?" "Just calm down and listen. It will be of great advantage to you." She crossed her arms over her chest, looking at him suspiciously.