(Note: The setting of the story is in a country called Maharlika. This is a parallel world with some similarities to Earth.)
"Mr. Manzano, we already agreed that I will start working for you next week. Why are you suddenly moving it tomorrow?" Sofia muttered in a distressed tone. To treat her father who was bedridden, she was forced to sell herself to a gang leader called Leandro Manzano. This guy was a big shot in the underworld and he has connections in the police and the government. It was even said that he was protected by a high-ranking official in the country. However, these were merely rumors and it was never proven since Leandro Manzano was never captured.
"Sofia, I don't have time to negotiate with you. This is an order and you have to be here tomorrow morning! If I don't see you tomorrow, I'll cut off your father's medical bills!" An angry voice echoed over the phone.
Sofia's body trembled when she heard the man's words. "Alright! Alright! I'll be there tomorrow! Just don't cut off my father's medical bill!" She muttered helplessly.
"Good! Remember your words!" Leandro said before he hung up the call.
Sofia kept her phone and gazed at the night sky with a melancholic look. "It looks like this is the last time that I can have fun..." She muttered as she forced out a smile.
"Here. You can use this." A gentle voice suddenly drifted into her ears. She was a bit surprised when she saw Arlan standing behind her, holding out a handkerchief.
"You heard it?" She took the handkerchief from his hands and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.
"Mn... Do you need my help?" Arlan muttered calmly as he looked into her eyes.
Sofia felt hope when she heard this, but when she recalled Leandro's means, the light in her eyes dimmed once again. Leandro Manzano was the most wanted criminal in the country of Maharlika. That person was someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill someone! She didn't want to involve Arlan in her mess.
"Thank you, but I'm fine. I'll take care of myself." She shook her head as she rejected his kind intentions. The first time she saw Arlan, she was mesmerized by his charm. This was also why she took the initiative to have a date with him. She didn't want such a kind person to suffer because of her.
"Don't be afraid to tell me. I'm not as simple as you think. Sofia, let me help you." His calm voice made her feel that she could trust him unconditionally. She turned her gaze to him and saw his obsidian-like eyes. It was so beautiful that she almost had the urge to fall into his arms.
Seeing her hesitant expression, Arlan grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. "It's fine. You can talk to me. You can tell me anything." He whispered into her ears.
Unknowingly, Sofia started sobbing as she narrated her story.
She had a happy family. Her mother was a teacher in a public school, while her father works as a police officer. She also had a younger brother who works as a waiter in a famous clubhouse.
Everything has been going smoothly for her family, but things changed when her younger brother became involved with the local gangs.
One day, he came back home with serious injuries and he was taken to the hospital. Their father was angry when he saw the state of his son and he immediately launched an investigation to know what had happened. It turns out that his son was involved in a brawl between two gangs! He sent a team of police officers to capture the gang members, but they never thought that these people were actually connected to Leandro Manzano's drug cartel! A fierce exchange of bullets happened between the drug cartel and the police officers. It resulted in the death of two police officers and Sofia's father was critically wounded!
Sofia's family had some savings, but everything was soon used up for her father's medical bills. They were out of options and her younger brother suddenly came back with loads of cash. They later came to know that the money was actually from Leandro Manzano himself! It was at that moment that Sofia's nightmare began.
After hearing her story, Arlan cursed her younger brother in his heart. Everything happened because of his stupidity. "How much money do you owe Leandro Manzano?" He asked.
Sofia thought for a moment and replied in a low voice. "Everything added altogether should be 4 million pesos."
Arlan heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He has more than a million pesos in his bank account and he also has five million pesos in cash. He had more than enough to help Sofia's family pay the money they owed Leandro Manzano.
"Let's go back to the hotel. I can lend you the money to pay for everything, so you don't have to involve yourself with Leandro any further." Arlan muttered calmly.
Sofia's eyes widened when she heard this. "You're willing to lend us that much money?"
4 million pesos wasn't a small sum and her family had to work for almost ten years to fork out that much money! She became curious about Arlan's background. She wondered what his family do for him to have so much money.
"You just don't know, but you helped me earn more than that..." He smiled at her.
Sofia blinked her eyes and looked at him in confusion. She didn't know what he was talking about. The only thing she did for him gave him the invitation card for Mr. Sanchez's birthday celebration.
"Let's go." Arlan grabbed her hand and took her out of the restaurant after paying their bill. He then started his car and headed straight to the hotel.
His 5 million pesos cash was still in the hotel room. He didn't have the chance to deposit the money because he had a lot of things to take care of.
Soon, they arrived at the hotel.
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