5 Emergency...

The remaining part of the day was uneventful. Scarlet worked and delivered her best making up for the late morning.

At the close of work, she stretched her tensed back as she slowly gathered her things into her handbag. Mario stepped into the office "Scar, aren't you leaving?" She asked.

It is well known in the company that Scarlet is a workaholic and might work for 24hours when in a good mood without socializing. "Mario, you go ahead. I will soon be on my way home" she answered. Mario nodded and left with other people after saying goodbye.

As soon as Scarlet stepped into the elevator, her phone dinged with a new notification. She barely glanced at it at first, as she closed her eyes briefly to gather herself after a long day.

The doors of the elevator slide open, Scarlet sighed as the fresh air washed over her. Slowly she opened her phone and her jaw dropped.

A familiar message from Ruby sent a chill down her spine. "Emergency!!! Come home quickly. The loan sharks are here. Dad and mom might lose their life this time."

Her hands trembled as she read the message again, her mind trying to make sense of it. She has always known how terrible it is to fall into the scheme of the loan sharks but never in her wildest dreams did she expect a loan that will cost their life.

Her adoptive parents had always been in debt, but it had grown worse recently due to her adoptive father's gambling problem. It seemed like every day there was a new threat, a new notice of overdue payments.

She has always catered to this debt, her earning has always fallen into the large mouth of the loan sharks and whenever she thinks she has finally cleared of the debt, she will be sent a new notice.

But now, the situation had escalated to something much darker.

Her legs felt heavy, but she pushed herself to move. Each step felt like it took forever as she made her way to the exit. The city outside now felt distant, cold, and indifferent to the storm raging in her heart. They may not have been good to her yet there are still her parents, with trepidation she hailed the next cab home.

When she finally reached the small apartment, the atmosphere was tense, Ruby was pacing restlessly at the door and the low squirm of her parents echoed through the apartment in the still night as though it is a hunted house.

As soon as she alighted from the car, Ruby ran over holding her hands tightly as though to draw strength from her.

"They're here, Scarlet. They've come for everything... they say if we don't pay, they'll..." Ruby's voice cracked, unable to finish the sentence.

Scarlet's mind raced. Her adoptive father had promised they would pay back their debts, but they'd always been one step behind, never able to escape the cycle of gambling and borrowing.

She had always catered for the debts while they go on borrowing more and more. It seems it's time for them to face the consequences.

"Where are they now?" Scarlet's voice was steady, even though her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Upstairs. They're waiting for you," Ruby said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Scarlet's breath hitched as she moved past Ruby, her body moving on autopilot. She had to confront them. "Just like Pauline had said in the morning she is the only one working",. Which clearly implies she is the one to bear the pain.

There was no running away anymore. This was her life, and for the first time, she felt the weight of the responsibility she had been carrying all these years. A bitter smile crept up her lips. Scarlet didn't know if she should be appreciative of having them shelter her or angry for creating troubles for her.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she could hear the muffled voices—harsh and demanding. They were right inside her parents' room.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked firmly on the door, pushing it open without waiting for an answer.

Four figures sat around her parents' bed, all of them looking cold and menacing, their eyes narrowing as they locked onto her. Her heart skipped a beat, somersaulting severally that she wondered if it will still remain in her rib cage by the end of the day.

The leader, a tall man with slicked-back hair and a sharp suit, stood first. His eyes gleamed with a predatory sharpness. He took a slow measured step towards her.

"Well, well... You are right in time. I was thinking my trip might have been in vain with me going with their lives rather than my money," he said, his voice smooth but laced with danger.

"Their lives?" She asked staring at the man incredulously. She didn't believe that in a society ruled by law that he will be talking about taking one's life without batting an eyelid.

"Yes dear, their lives in place of money." He repeated while walking back to the bed. Pauline was shivering nonstop. Her heart drumming wildly.

"Scarlet, you have to give them money. We can't die like this. You have been paying them you know", she squirmed in fear.

"I should give them money? Where is the money you took from me this morning? I told you I have no money. I haven't been paid." Scarlet replied, her voice laced with frustration.

"You can borrow Scarlet, call your boss or your friends?" Pauline shouted at the top of her voice.

"You borrowed and couldn't repay but you want me to borrow and save your ass? Are you really serious?" She asked.

"I am not here to listen to your petty family drama, either you give me money or I take whatever I want that will be commensurate with my money" The leader bellowed.

"And what will you take?" Scarlet asked, her voice carrying an edge of defiance.

The man stepped forward, a smirk curling on his lips. "What do you think will be more profitable and beneficial to me?" You can make a guess"

Scarlet felt her stomach twist. Her heart beating wildly. She did a quick scan across the shabby house, there is nothing worth taking that will worth their money and ensure they never come back.

She glanced at the man and her heart fell when she noticed his gaze and smirk. She dread the outcome. She didn't want to believe what her heart tells her.

The man chuckled darkly. "Seems you are already thinking about what it is? Do you care to hear from me what I will be taking?"

Scarlet's heart skipped a beat. She could feel the pressure building, the walls closing in. She had nothing left to offer, no money, no assets. She had only herself. And she was afraid it might come to that. She knew exactly what they were implying.

Just like that she was exchanged, forfeited and given out in exchange for debt. Her chest tightened but she dare not dwell on the past, she must look forward.