THE ULTIMATUM
Anna’s POV
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A thunderous knock pounded against the door, so powerful it felt like the walls shook.
I paused, my fingers hanging above the saucepan of boiling water.
Ferdinand coughed weakly on the mattress next me, his small chest rising and falling too rapidly. My heart thudded in my ears as I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt.
Another knock, this one is louder. Firm. Demanding.
“Who is it?” I called out, my voice trembling.
No response.
I creeped approaching the door, fear bearing down on every step. I glanced through the little breach, and my stomach fell.
It was him.
Alexander Oreos.
Dressed in a stylish navy-blue suit.
Cold, inscrutable eyes gazed right at me.
Behind him appeared another man, probably his assistant, holding a black bag.
I wanted to flee.
To conceal.
But I couldn’t move.
I carefully opened the door halfway. “What are you doing here?” I whispered.
His brow raised, amused. “Invite me in.”
“No,” I responded, shaking my head.
His lips slanted into something that wasn’t quite a grin. “Invite. Me. In.”
There was something in his voice calm yet weighty, like a demand I couldn’t ignore.
I moved back, saying nothing. He strolled inside like he owned everything. His gaze traveled around the room, calmly appraising the damaged ceiling, the soiled walls, the broken fan in the corner.
Shame seared in my chest.
Ferdinand opened his eyes and glanced up at the tall man. “Anna... who’s that?”
I sat next to him and touched his hair. “It’s okay, Ferdy. Just rest.”
Alexander studied us intently. His demeanor didn’t shift, but something flared behind his eyes.
He turned to his helper, who moved to the table and laid the briefcase down with a hefty click.
“Open it,” Alexander urged.
I stopped breathing as the man turned the locks and lifted the lid.
Stacks of neat, crisp hundred-dollar notes filled the container.
“Ten thousand dollars,” Alexander murmured gently. “For one night with me.”
The words hit me like a slap. I grasped the edge of the table to stop myself from falling. My throat stung, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“One night?” I croaked. “Is that what you think I’m worth?”
He gave a tiny shrug. “It’s more than you’d make in five years waiting tables and scrubbing floors. I assumed you needed the money.”
My fists tightened. “I do. But not this way.”
He cocked his head, his eyes hollow. “So you’d rather watch your brother die slowly… then save him in one night?”
The tears came loose. I couldn’t stop them.
“You’re disgusting,” I murmured.
His jaw tensed, but his voice kept steady. “Think about it. I don’t offer twice.”
I reached into the bag with shaking hands, grabbed a bundle of dollars, and tossed it at him.
Money flew everywhere, dropping on the dusty floor like snow.
“Get out,” I yelled, my voice breaking. “Get out of my house.”
For a second, the room became quiet. Even Ferdinand was chilled, gripping his blanket to his chest.
Alexander gently bent down, picked up the money one piece at a time, and placed it back in the case. Then he latched it and stood up straight.
He glanced at me, inscrutable.
“You have pride,” he added in a hushed, almost faint voice. “That’s rare. But pride won’t feed your brother.”
He grabbed a sleek black card from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“When you change your mind… call me.”
“I’ll never call you,” I whispered, tears still streaming.
He leaned in so close I could feel the coolness of his breath on my skin.
“You will,” he murmured. “Desperation changes people.”
Then he turned and went out. His helper followed, carrying the briefcase closely.
When the door shut behind them, I dropped on the floor.
I buried my forehead to the table, crying into my arms. Ferdinand crept toward me and placed his small arms over my shoulders.
“Don’t cry, Anna,” he said. “Please don’t cry.”
I held him close, swaying us back and forth, even as my tears poured into his shirt.
The fragrance of money still remained in the room, strong and nasty.
My gaze strayed to the black card on the table.
My thoughts screamed at me to rip it up… but instead, my fingers traced the gold letters: Alexander Oreos.
I sat there for hours, looking at it. I despised him. I loathed what he did. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his countenance altered for just a second when he noticed Ferdinand. The way his voice softened, even if only a little, as he talked to me.
It wasn’t kind. It wasn’t romantic.
It was scary.
But something in me twisted terribly every time I thought of him.
Then my phone buzzed.
I jumped and grabbed it, praying it wasn’t Sara again.
But it was him.
“Anna?” His voice was low and deep. It sent a chill down my arms.
“How did you get my number?” I questioned, my voice trembling.
“I have my ways,” he said. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No,” I answered firmly.
He gave out a low laugh. “Still stubborn. I like that. Tell me… what are you wearing right now?”
My mouth dropped open. “What? What sort of question is that?”
“I’m curious,” he said. “Is it that same faded dress from yesterday? Or something gentler tonight?”
My face became heated. “Why does that matter?”
“Because I want to picture it when I close my eyes.”
I kept mute.
He hesitated, then said, “Fine. Don’t tell me. But when I meet you again… I’ll find out for myself.”
“You won’t see me again,” I muttered.
“We’ll see,” he murmured, his voice like silk and ice. “Sweet dreams, Anna.”
He hung up.
I gazed at the dark screen, heart beating, then threw the phone on the table and buried my face in my hands.
Why was he doing this to me?
What did he want?
My whole body trembled from fear, anger… and something else I didn’t comprehend.
Then boom boom bang.
A knock pounded the door again. Loud. Sharp.
I turned slowly.
“Anna,” Sara’s voice called from the other side. It was unsteady. “Open up. It’s… it’s about Alexander. You need to hear this now.”
I froze.
What had she done?