Chapter 12 (1)

"Please Sir...."

Leonard stared at the man pleading with him right now, he was on his way home when he got a call that one of his clients had not yet paid him his money. He had been merciful to the client for over a year but the debt had built up to a point where he felt the man wasn't going to be able to pay off.

His men had done enough justice by beating the hell out of him, he wondered if they even broke one of his tooth as he kept on spitting blood out of his mouth.

His face was even currently unrecognizable as it was swollen and bleeding from his nose, eyes and even a cut on his forehead.

"He is claiming not to have the money and that we should give him more time," one of his men whispered into his ear for only him to hear as he took his seat opposite the man that was strapped to a chair.

Leonard nodded his head and stared at the man, he brought out a gun that was strapped at his side and placed it on his lap for the man to see as panic filled his face.

"I will pay you Sir....i...will...I promise...please I need....I need time...I beg." the man stuttered without control.

"When?" Leonard asked even thou he knew it wasn't going to be possible. He always had his clients daily activities reported to him and this man sitting before him was one of the most foolish of all of them.

He gambled the money he had, or spent it on women. Leonard didn't understand how someone could borrow money to do such useless things. He knew the man had a family, a wife and two daughters but Leonard never bothered with the details.

"Soon," the man struggled to speak as sweat formed on his forehead.

"Mr Riverstone, we both know that is not possible."

"I...I..." the man struggled to think straight, he was in so much pain from the way the men had rough handled him. He wasn't sure he would make it if they shoot him.

"You can have one of my daughters until I can pay you back." the man finally concluded.

"Why will I want to agree to something as stupid as...."

"My daughter is very beautiful, she is a very pretty girl. The two of them are, I will pay you..." the man began to cry like a new born baby, he didn't want to die, he knew he was wrong and what he was doing wasn't right but he couldn't control himself. Drinking, gambling and chasing after women had become an addiction for him.

It was like without this three things he would die, no matter how many times his daughters had spoken to him or even his wife. He always found himself back at the club laughing and giggling with his friends, spraying his last money on a stripper and waking up drunk by the road side.

He needed help but no one could help him not even rehab, he was cursed.

"Two days Mr Riverstone, I will have your daughter and you will still pay me my money or I will have your entire families head and yours." Leonard threatened rising to his feet slowly. He placed the gun on Mr Riverstone hand and shot into the middle as his screams echoed in the room.

* * * * * * * * * *

Emily and Bella slept half way through the ride to Bella's house, it wasn't because the house was far but the two had ended up talking so much like it was the last time they would see each other.

The driver kept staring at the rear mirror, it was lovely to see Miss Bella talking than smoking or drinking. He remembered driving her home with one of her friends and he had to watch them smoke all the way. It wasn't his place to caution her but he did secretly report it to Mr Leonard the day after.

Even now as he drove them home, he had called Mr Leonard to inform him about it. As he was about to turn into another street, he saw Mr Klar's car parked at the side opposite them. He pulled over slowly as he saw Bella opening her eyes slowly.

"Are we home already?" She yawned as the door opened, she stared at Leonard's driver with sleepy eyes not understanding what the hell was going on.

"Bell," Emily called out slowly opening her eyes and looking around.

"Miss Riverstone shall we?" Leonard's driver called out opening her door as he offered her a hand, Emily stared at him with sleepy eyes she didn't understand. Were they at Bella's place already? She took the hand in hers and came out of the car alongside Bella.

Bella stared around, they were in the street to her house so why did they stop here? She didn't get it.

"Mr Leonard is waiting for you," the driver said motioning her to Leonard's car when it dawned on Emily that Leonard had invited her out. She had decided to ignore his offer and follow Bella home instead and sleep over there to avoid Leonard.

How was he here right now?

"Leonard is here," Bella stuttered staring at Leonard's car a far, what was going on between Leonard and Emily? She could always ask Emily later on but right now she didn't want any issue with Leonard but she also wanted Emily to follow her home she wasn't sure she could face her family alone.

Emily cleaned the little sleep in her eyes.

"Emily," Bella panicked staring at her and holding on to her hand.

"Relax," Emily smiled reading her mind. "Go into the car, let me go and talk to Leonard I will be back."