CHAPTER 102: COLLECT DEBTS

Ever since I’ve watched that live telecast and this idea popped inside my head, my mind kept on replaying that enormous sum of money I saw on the screen. I don’t know about Michael, but I am with utmost certainty that what I had in mind was a guaranteed success.


It was like hitting two birds in one stone. It wouldn’t merely make me filthy rich, but I could finally have my most craved for revenge on Penelope, in which I was dying to achieve for years now.


I could still visually remember when all of these had started, when my anger for her had begun. When I was a child, I used to have all the attention from my family, since I was the youngest. I didn’t feel the need to compete with anyone, not even to Peter, simply because everyone adores me. But that throne I solely owned suddenly became divided the moment a much prettier and more adorable girl with cute chubby cheeks arrived in the family. Although my parents still treated me as their most precious one, the vibrance I once felt diminished and I started to feel the grudge to the new member of our family.


I did everything to exceed her. Everything for me became a competition when it comes to her. From my family’s affection and attention down to the smallest thing I could ever think of. I always make it a point that I outstand her in every way possible. Every time she gets high grades at school and achieved rewards, I see to it that I exceeded her if not equal her.


This resentment I had with her grew as we aged. She grew up to be a stunning teenager with all the right curves into perfection, which made me even secretly envious of her extraordinary beauty and charm. She usually gains admiration from boys and men without exerting much effort to impress, which made me hate her even more. That was why I made it a point to always dress perfectly and presentably, so others will see me as above her all the time.


I thought I had finally overruled her and won over her by a mile the minute I came into relationship with the most good-looking and highly sought-after male our town ever has. I thought being Michael’s most beloved girlfriend was the end of every competition I have felt towards her, but it didn’t. I never imagined she was a snake just hiding in front of an angelic and kind facade.


What she did six years ago was the final matchstick that infuriated me to the fullest. It was the ultimatum that made me swear to myself to hate her all my life and avenge my wounded ego and trampled self-esteem whatever it takes. From that day on, I drilled in mind that she was my eternal foe, someone who I will despise for the rest of my life and will never receive any truce from me.


And now that I have this golden opportunity to fully destroy her, I will do everything just to accomplish it. I still hope Michael would agree to my ideas, especially now that he abruptly became jobless, because if he wouldn’t, then I will pursue it myself. Although he was and still is my world and I loved him so much, there are things in life that can’t be suffice by love alone.


But it would make me even happier if he would simply come to an agreement with me and we push through my ideas together, that way, I can have everything I wish for in life. I get to live the life I always dreamed of living, extravagant and with lavishness, have my longtime revenge on Penelope and be with the man my heart treasured since it learned how to love someone.


If these things come to pass, I would definitely be the most fulfilled and content woman the world ever has. This would give me the ethereal peace and immeasurable satisfaction, which my heart was yearning for since childhood. If only Michael would come to terms with me, which I dearly pray for now.


The bedroom door opens and it reveals Michael’s downcasted features. As much as I wanted to console him, to cradle him in my arms and ease his worries away just like what I always do to him every time he was down and disturb, I castigated myself to do such a thing and stayed on the bed without sparing him a glance. I want him to see how serious I was and how unbendable my thoughts were. I wish for him to see it my way, I ache for him to comply with me and I will continue to act this way towards him until he compromises and concedes.


“Alright, Pamela, you won. Let’s do it.”


The words that reached my ears instantly made my head turn towards him and unbelievably gazed upon him with protruding eyes. He stared at me with saddened determination that made my heart soften at the sight of him. I can fully see that he wasn’t all out with his decision, it was all evident in his face, but I also knew he had no other option either.


I don’t know if this recession was a blessing in disguise for me, but I am deeply thankful now inside my head, because it was the reason why Michael finally agreed with me. It if wasn’t for the sudden downfall of the economy, he would stick to his decision and not comply with what I wish to acquire. So there was no one to be thankful for but the fucking recession, which truly and completely brightened up my day.


“Are you sure about this, Michael? Because you can’t be half-hearted with it, especially if I call and ask my old friend’s help. You have to be all the way with it or not at all.”


He heavily sighed before walking towards me and sat right in front of me. He held my hand tightly, his eyes started to water and lips started to quiver as he spoke. “I didn’t wish for you to suffer in poverty with me, Pamela. I love you so much for me to let you experience how it was like living in hell in my care. So as much as I didn’t wish this idea of yours, I had no other choice but to give in. Just promise me one thing, Honey.”


“What is it?”


“That we will never let those hired kidnappers hurt even a strand of my daughter’s hair. That we will have Michelle whole and unscratched.”


I smiled understandingly and reassuringly at him. “I give you an assurance, Honey. We will see to it that Michelle will be unharmed and will return back to us whole and well.”


“Then let’s do this the soonest before my savings empty and leave us nothing but receipts and payables.”


“Alright, Honey. But before I call my friend, let me ease your stress first. It’s been a while since the last time we got truly intimate and now is the perfect time to unload all our worries and stress away.”


After saying that, I swiftly crushed my lips on him as I let my hand roam at his body. What better way to end an argument than to have a good old loving and a gratifying sexual time with the man who always never fails to make me happy.


‘I will have a good time with my man first, Penelope, but right after this, it’s time for me to collect debts on you. You have no idea how extremely excited I am now with the thoughts of finally regaining my throne, which you shamelessly snatched away from me since your arrival in my life. Just wait, Penelope.’