OUR MARRIAGE DEAL

AMBER.

I knew something was wrong from the moment I heard heavy steps outside the door. It was nine o'clock at night, the rain was pouring down hard, and the sound was clearly audible, overpowering the roar of the water falling from the roof.

"There's a guest," Dad muttered softly, his voice trembling. But I knew this was no guest.

A loud knock on the door made us all jump. Three times, hard, like a hammer knocking on a coffin. Mom held my hand tightly, and I could feel her palm cold, almost trembling.

"I'll open the door," Dad said, trying to sound brave, but I could tell his voice was losing strength.

He steps towards the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. And there he stood-Vincent.

A tall man in a neat black suit, his face as sharp as a knife, and his eyes as dark as bottomless pits.

Behind him, two other men stood, bigger, more sinister, like shadows ready to strike at any moment.

"Mr. Patrick," Vincent's voice sounded soft, too soft for someone like him.

It was the kind of softness that made my hair stand up.

"I've come to collect your promise."

Father swallowed, taking a step back. "Vincent, I... I need some time. Business is not good-"

"Time?" Vincent interrupted, stepping in uninvited.

"I've already given you time, Mr. Patrick. Three months, more than enough for a man who says he's in charge."

"I'll pay! I just need a little more-"

"A little more?" Vincent chuckled, but there was no humor in it.

Just cold, sharp, and threatening.

"If everyone who owed me money said that, I wouldn't be where I am now," he said, implying a very clear threat.

I stood in the corner of the room, holding Mom who was beginning to tremble. I wanted to step forward, to defend Father, but my body felt heavy.

How could I fight someone like Vincent?

"Do you know what happens to people who don't pay their debts?" Vincent asked as he walked slowly, like a tiger surrounding its prey.

"I don't have time for fairy tales, but I can give you an idea if you want."

"No!" exclaimed Father, his voice desperate. "I'll pay. I just need-"

"Enough." Vincent's voice cut through like a whip. He turned to me and Mom, his eyes stopping on my face.

I felt my heart stop beating for a moment.

"Sweet family," he said with a small smile, but his smile was cold, more frightening than his anger.

"I don't want them involved. But it's up to you, Mr. Patrick."

"Please," Father whispered, his voice almost inaudible.

Vincent gave him a long look, then sighed softly, like someone who had just been upset.

"No, I won't give you any more time! I'm already waiting for you to take responsibility for your actions!"

He turned to me once more before stepping out, and I felt his gaze like a dagger that left a scar.

As the door closed, I slumped to the floor. My body felt weak, my breathing ragged. Mother was crying softly next to me, while Father just stood transfixed, staring at the door as if Vincent was still there.

"Father..." my voice trembled. "What exactly happened?"

But Father didn't answer. He just covered his face with his hands, as if trying to hide his embarrassment, or perhaps his fear.

I knew that tonight was just the beginning of a bigger storm. Vincent is not a man who gives mercy. And I feared that, no matter how hard we tried, there would be no way out of this.

"I told you, Vincent, I'll pay you back," Father's voice sounded desperate, almost trembling.

Vincent, in a low, calm voice that was more sinister than a direct threat, replied, "And I told you, Mr. Patrick, the deadline is up. I've waited too long."

I squeezed the edge of the curtain, holding my breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Father's slightly hunched back, a sign that he was feeling cornered.

Vincent sat relaxed on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, his hand playing with a glass filled with a drink. The smirk curving his face provoked goosebumps.

I could already guess that someone like Vincent would be unforgiving.

"But, please... give me more time," Father said again.

"I'm taking care of some assets. I can pay half in a few weeks," Father continued, still trying to be convincing.

Vincent chuckled, the sound like a knife trying to get inside my head.

"A few weeks? Mr. Patrick, you know my world doesn't work like that. I need certainty. Assurance."

"Assurance? I... I don't have anything else."

"Really?" Vincent bent his body slightly, his tone turning cold.

"I think you still have something very valuable."

Father looked confused for a moment. "What do you mean?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as Vincent turned his head, his eyes looking directly at me.

My goose bumps stood up.

As if he knew I was peeking, he smiled a small, horrible smile.

"Your daughter," he says softly, each word like a dagger slicing through the air.

My heart seemed to stop beating after hearing him say my name.

"Amber would be the perfect collateral. If your debt is not paid, she can work for me," Vincent says with confidence.

The world around me seemed to stop. I felt my blood rush, my breath catch.

I wanted to scream, wanted to step in and slap the man across the face. But my body couldn't move.

Father was silent, looking surprised. "Vincent, you're not serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," Vincent replied in a light tone, like he was talking about something trivial.

"She'll be safe, of course. I don't want to hurt her. But you know my world, Mr. Herman. If you can't pay, she will be my asset."

"I can't do that," Father said, his voice breaking.

Vincent stood up, patting Father on the shoulder with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Just think about it, Mr. Patrick. I can't wait for your decision until tomorrow. But if there is no answer, I will consider this offer accepted."

He then said nothing, but his smile was enough to make me feel like I was under the shadow of death.

Meanwhile, my father's gaze moved straight to where I was. He motioned for me not to come into the living room, but I really couldn't help myself.

I strode straight into the living room. I was honestly scared, but I still gave Vincent a sharp look.

"Father..." my voice was barely audible.

He looked up, his eyes red, full of guilt.

"Amber, I don't know what to do."

I want to be angry, I want to yell at him, but I know it's not just Dad's fault. This is Vincent's grip, and I know he won't stop until he gets what he wants.

"I won't bail you out, Father," I say finally, my voice shaky.

"We'll find another way out. Whatever that is."

But deep in my heart, I knew. Any way out would be full of thorns, and Vincent would never make it easy.

My heart pounded like a war drum, and what I saw instantly made my legs tremble.

Vincent.

He stood in the center of the room with two large men behind him, their hands gripping Father's arms as he tried to break free.

Father's face turned red, but his body was too weak to fight them.

"Vincent, what are you doing?! Why did you come here unannounced?!" I shouted, stepping forward without thinking.

He turned his head, that cold smile still plastered on his face.

"Should I? I'm just picking up someone who owes me money. Your father is past the deadline."

"Wait!" Dad tried to speak, his voice full of panic.

"I need more time. I have plans-"

"There is no more time," Vincent cut in, his tone cold and final.

"I've already given you warning. This isn't about money anymore, Mr. Patrick. It's about principle."

I moved closer, my body trembling, but I refused to back down.

"If you want to collect a debt, collect me! Don't take Father away."

Vincent chuckles, his mocking tone making my blood boil.

"You're really brave, Amber. But this is not a negotiation. I've come to take it, and I'll leave with or without your consent."

Just then, Dad struggled, trying to break free, and one of the big men shoved him hard against the wall.

"Shut up, old man," he snapped.

"Don't touch him!" I jumped forward, pushing the man with all my might. But his body was like stone, and I was thrown backward.

"Rena!" shouted Father, his breathing ragged.

I stood up again, this time facing Vincent with my fists clenched.

"If you take my father away, I won't keep quiet. I'll report you to the police. I will-"

Vincent came closer, his face only inches from mine. His dark eyes stared at me intently, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"The police? You think they can touch me? The world doesn't work the way you think it does, Amber."

I felt a chill creep up my spine, but I didn't let him see my fear.

"You can't do whatever you want."

He smirked, and before I could react, one of the big men was already pulling Dad roughly toward the door.

"We're leaving now," the man said.

"NO!" I ran at them, trying to pull Dad back, but they were too strong.

Father screamed, trying to fight back, but that only made them push him harder.

When I saw Vincent holding the door, I knew this was my last chance. With all the strength I had, I grabbed the vase on the table and threw it at the men gripping Father.

The sound of shattering glass filled the room. The man swore, and Father managed to escape briefly, but Vincent immediately stepped forward, gripping Father's arm with one hand.

"No more drama," he said in a sharp tone.

Suddenly, another voice appeared.

"Let him go!"

It was Mother, standing on the stairs with a frying pan in her hand. Before anyone could react, she swung the skillet at the head of one of the men, knocking him down.

The situation became chaotic. I took advantage of the confusion to pull Father behind me, while Vincent stepped back, his gaze turning cold.

"Don't hurt my father," I said firmly, my voice beginning to tremble with fear.

"Please... rather than you hurting him, I will comply with your request, Mr. Vincent," I said then.

"Amber..."

"Dad, I don't want anything to happen to you. You're sick. I will solve your problem."

"Well, that's interesting," Vincent says, making me turn my eyes to him.

He looked at me for a split second, looking as if he was thinking about something seriously.

"I'll give you a marriage contract. Marry me so I can qualify for the company's inheritance. Only two years."

What?! Has he gone crazy?!