Two Weeks to Fall

It’s been two days since my father was taken into intensive care. The doctors said he would live, and the operation was successful. But now, we also had to worry about paying the hospital expenses. They said he needed to stay under observation for at least a week.

I got to see him once after he woke up. It broke me to ask, but I had to know who did this to him. Before fading into sleep again, he managed to whisper one name: "Don Virelli."

Yesterday, I called Mr. Anton to inform him about my father’s condition. All he said was, "Hmm." I told him I wouldn’t be able to come to the office for a few days. Again, all I got was another flat, "Hmm."

Today, after visiting Dad, I was just getting ready to leave the hospital and track down Don Virelli when a familiar yellow sports car pulled up outside. I didn’t need to guess. It was Matt.

He stepped out of the car and tossed his keys to the hospital security guard like he was valet.

While the guard blinked in disbelief, Matt approached me.

"Alice, darling. Are you alright?"

"Matt, how did you know I was here?"

"I went to your desk to see you today, but you weren’t there. Olivia said you were on leave because your father’s in the hospital. I assume Anton told her. Did he stop by, by the way?" He glanced around like expecting to see him.

"No. He didn’t."

"I’m really sorry to hear about your dad. Is there anything I can do?"

"No, thank you. It was already kind of you to come." I felt uneasy about this visit. The last thing I needed was Anton thinking I was breaking our agreement. Being followed didn’t feel out of the question with him.

Now I was the one looking around anxiously, half-expecting Anton to leap out from a bush and catch me.

"Please go, Matt. I also have things to take care of."

"Why are you sending me away again, love?"

"Matt, I have too much going on. I really can’t deal with anything else right now. Besides, you're my boss. Let’s keep it that way. Unless you visit every hospitalized employee in the IT department, don’t make an exception for me."

He stared at me, hurt flashing in his eyes.

"So… that’s what I am to you now? Nothing more than your boss?"

I swallowed. My throat tightened.

*"Did I really just break his heart? Again? But what choice did I have? If Anton finds out, I’m done. And if I lose this job… we all fall with me."*

"I’m sorry, Matt. I can’t give you more than this. Please… just go."

He hesitated for five more seconds. Then, without another word, he turned and stormed back to his car, snatching the keys from the bewildered guard. A roar of the engine later, he was gone.

I didn’t feel good about it. But it had to be done.

I took a cab and headed to the address I had for Don Virelli.

The taxi stopped in front of a massive gated estate. To my surprise, they were expecting me. I gave my name to the guard. He radioed it in, then nodded and waved me through.

I was escorted into a golf cart and driven through the vast grounds. After fifteen minutes of winding paths and ornamental hedges, we arrived at an artificial lake. A short, tanned man was teeing off into the water, flanked by five armed guards.

"Ms. Wonderland, sir. The daughter of Frank," one of the guards announced.

The man turned, adjusting his sunglasses. His beady eyes locked onto me.

"Welcome, Ms. Wonderland. At last, we meet."

"I didn’t even know you existed until three days ago," I said, voice sharp.

"Come now, no need for hostility. You’re here to solve problems, not make them. Right?"

He had a point. I bit my tongue.

"Mr. Virelli—"

"Don," he interrupted.

"Excuse me?"

"It’s Don Virelli. That’s what you’ll call me."

I exhaled tightly. "Fine. Don Virelli. My mother said you demanded \\$500,000. But my father borrowed \\$300,000, and he was paying it back in monthly installments."

"That was his deal with the loan shark. Not with me. I took over the debt, and I don’t wait four years for crumbs. You have two weeks. The total is now \\$500,000."

"That’s not how this works. You can’t just change the terms."

"I can. Because I said so."

I clenched my fists. "Do you have proof the debt changed? Any paperwork?"

He grinned. "Sweetheart, you think I collect debts based on paperwork? The beating should’ve been proof enough."

My anger flared, but I was surrounded. I swallowed it.

"Can you at least extend the deadline? There’s no way I can find that much money in two weeks."

He stepped closer and brushed his hand against my cheek. I jerked back.

"You’re a beautiful girl. I’m sure you’ll find a way. And if you don’t... come back to me. I might have a position for you. Under me."

The guards laughed on cue.

"Escort Ms. Wonderland back to the gate," he said.

I paused. "One last question. Why are you doing this?"

He turned back after hitting a golf ball.

"That, Ms. Wonderland, is the real question you need to ask."

Then he walked away.

And I was left standing there, with more questions than answers.