CHAPTER 3

The market was bustling when I got there. I was right on time for the discount sales for fruits, and I saw other people just like me who had come to buy too. As I waited for the sales to begin, I saw a black car. And immediately, I remembered my parents. They always drove black cars.

Firstly, I haven’t always lived with my grandfather or was early to the market for discount sales. It wasn’t like this. In fact, my father was a rich man, so we had everything we needed. I was happy and comfortable until I turned sixteen.

Shortly after I turned sixteen, my parents were on their way home when they met with an accident. They both died on the spot. Their deaths wrecked me. I thought that my life had been halted, but Grandpa encouraged me to not lose hope.

After their funeral, my father’s company began to have troubles. It was from their partner. He suddenly decided that the business was now his. Only his. I didn’t for one day think that Uncle Leon would try to take over the company. I called him uncle because he was like my father’s younger brother. He would come over to the house, and we joked often. I didn’t want to believe that Uncle Leon would be doing this.

This was a company that he and my father built from scratch. Now that I think of it, he made me truly understand the meaning of betrayal through his act. He made me know how it felt when people who are family or act like family betray you. It hurts the most.

We began to embark on a countless series of court cases. Then, as a result of negligent error on the part of my father, Uncle Leon won the case. It hurt so bad. Now I have lost my parents and their company.

So as if that wasn’t okay, I got a call from the bank. It turned out that the house and car were on the mortgage. Where in the world did I get the money to pay the bank? The company was already gone. I tried to talk to the bank, but it felt like I was against a wall. Finally, when the due date for the payment came, the bank escorted me out of the house. Tears could not just leave my eyes.

I wondered why I didn’t go along with my father in that car crash so that all this would just end. After crying, I wiped my tears. I took my clothes and the last money I had, which was a hundred-dollar bill, and got on the bus. I was going to the only place I knew that could be my home. I was going to visit my grandfather.

To be honest, life in the village with Grandpa was hard. You had to sweat to get anything done, but I was content. With the love my grandpa showered on me, I knew I could do anything I set my mind to. Soon, I began to adjust to life in the village. My grandpa owned a fruit shop. I managed to save up, and I bought a blender, a fridge, and an ice maker. With that, I added to his fruit sales and began to make smoothies for customers.

They loved it. With the money we were earning, we could solve our daily expenses and pay my school fees. I finished high school at the village high school. I applied for scholarships, and I finally got a fully funded one. I decided to study law. This is my sophomore year at the university. Slowly, my life was getting better. I felt like life was about to wipe away my tears when I met Jared. Jared Carter was that boy in school that every girl wanted for a boyfriend.

He was good-looking and cool-headed. Surprisingly, he began to hang out with me, much to the disappointment of many girls. Instantly, they developed hatred for me, but I didn’t take to heart their words. Eventually, Jared asked me to be his girlfriend. And I said yes. That was how our relationship began. Jared stopped at nothing to make sure that I lacked anything in school. We were always joking, and people will often comment that we are the best match for each other. They nicknamed us the sweetest couple in school.

Well, speaking of Jared, I haven't spoken to him since the weekend. So while packing up the fruits I had bought from the discount sales, I made a mental note to call him up. I was happy as I checked the fruit I bought. I had managed to get those rare, sweet fruits that the villagers loved. I could literally see the smile on my grandpa’s face as he checked the bag, which is something he always does when I come back.

The moment I stepped foot into the house, I knew that something was wrong. My grandpa was nowhere to be seen, despite searching the entire place. I could see a big black car parked by the side. It was this type of car that rich people drove; it was called a Rolls-Royce. When I couldn’t find Grandpa in the house, I rushed to the shop. I saw some of the fruits scattered on the floor, and my heart flew out of my mouth.

“Grandpa!!!” I screamed as I found him on his knees, begging. There were men in black standing around him.

“What is this?!” I yelled. “Why don’t you guys pick on someone your age? I’ll report you to the police,” I barked as I ran to his side.

“Calm down, girl, you owe us,” the leader said, smirking. He brought out a piece of paper that had the sum of a hundred million dollars written on it. It took all the strength in me not to have fainted right there.