The Mafia's Bride

The debt

Chapter One - The Debt
Mr. Samuel and Family POV
Samuel: Anna.
Anna: Yes, Dad?
Samuel: My lovely daughter, how are you doing?
Anna: I'm fine. And you?
Samuel: I'm alright, my daughter. Where is your mother?
Anna: She went to the grocery store. Dad, what about the money I told you about? The money for my school fees? Daddy, this is my last year, and if I don't pay my fees, all your efforts will be in vain.
Samuel: My daughter, I know. I'm working towards it. Don't worry. I will give you the money on Saturday evening.
Anna: Ohhhhh, Daddy! Thank you so much. You're the best. Let me go and finish what I was doing before you called me.
Samuel: Alright, my daughter.
Anna walked away, leaving her father alone.
Samuel sighed and rubbed his forehead.
Samuel: How am I supposed to get this money now?
He looked up.
Samuel: Oh, God, please help me.
HARDIN
Hardin was not an ordinary man.
He was young, wealthy, powerful, and feared by almost everyone who knew him.
He had built his reputation through years of being ruthless and calculating. Hardin didn't trust people easily, and once someone crossed him, he never forgot.
He wasn't the type of man who needed to shout before people listened to him. His presence alone was enough to make a room go silent.
To his men, he was their boss.
To his enemies, he was a man they stayed far away from.
Hardin was also known for one thing:
He always collected his debts.
No matter how small or how big the debt was, Hardin expected his money back.
And anyone who failed to keep their promise to him would soon regret it.
THE MAFIA'S CLAN
Hardin sat in his office while Hyce stood in front of him.
Hardin: Hyce.
Hyce: Boss.
Hardin: How was the mission?
Hyce: It went well, Boss.
Hardin: Alright, that's good. Did you go to the site today?
Hyce: Yes, sir. A man came here. He said he wanted a loan, but I told him you weren't around.
Hardin: And?
Hyce: I took his number.
Hardin leaned back in his chair.
Hardin: Call him. I want to see him.
Hyce: Alright, sir.
MR. SAMUEL'S POV
Samuel sat quietly, hoping for a miracle.
Samuel: I just pray those people will call me. My daughter has to graduate with her mates.
Suddenly, his phone began to ring.
Samuel quickly picked it up.
Samuel: Hello?
Hyce: You were the one who came here earlier, right?
Samuel: Yes, sir.
Hyce: Alright. Come back. My boss wants to talk to you.
Samuel: Okay, sir. I'm coming right away.
Samuel ended the call and immediately stood up.
THE MAFIA'S CLAN
Hyce walked into Hardin's office.
Hyce: Boss.
Hardin: What is it?
Hyce: The man is here.
Hardin: Alright. I'm coming.
A few minutes later, Samuel stood nervously in front of Hardin.
Samuel: Good afternoon, sir.
Hardin looked at him.
Hardin: Mr. Man, I heard you came here seeking a loan.
Samuel: Yes, sir.
Hardin: How much do you need?
Samuel: Ten million naira, sir.
Hardin raised an eyebrow.
Hardin: That's a lot of money.
He paused.
Hardin: I'll give you the money, but you're going to pay me back within four years.
Hardin's expression became serious.
Hardin: Let my money be complete before then, or else you won't like me.
Samuel swallowed nervously.
Samuel: Alright, sir. Thank you. I will get your money ready before then.
Hardin: Hyce.
Hyce: Yes, Boss.
Hardin: Give him the money.
Hyce: Alright, Boss. Sir, follow me.
Samuel followed Hyce out.
MR. SAMUEL'S RESIDENCE
Rosie was sitting in the sitting room when Samuel returned.
Samuel: My daughter.
Anna: Dad, good evening.
Samuel: How are you doing?
Anna: I'm fine, Dad.
Just then, Margret entered the sitting room.
Margret: Honey, welcome.
Samuel: My wife, how are you?
Margret: I'm fine.
Samuel turned toward Anna.
Samuel: Anna, you're leaving for school on Monday, right?
Anna: Yes, Dad.
Samuel brought out a huge sum of money and handed it to Anna.
Margret stared at the money in shock.
Margret: Where did you get this huge amount of money from?
Samuel: God made a way for me.
Margret looked at him suspiciously.
Margret: Hmmmmm... What way is that? What did you sell?
Samuel: Don't worry yourself. As long as our daughter graduates from school, that's all that matters.
Anna: Thanks, Daddy. You're the best.
Anna hugged her father before leaving to prepare for school.
Anna left for school, paid her fees, wrote her exams, and eventually graduated.
After graduation, she returned home and stayed with her parents for some months before getting a job.
She worked hard and regularly sent money home to her parents.
Everything seemed to be going well.
Until the day Samuel's debt came back to haunt him.
TWO YEARS LATER
THE MAFIA'S CLAN
Hardin sat in his office, going through some documents.
Hardin: Hyce.
Hyce: Yes, Boss.
Hardin: Has that man called?
Hyce: No, Boss.
Hardin slowly looked up.
Hardin: Call him.
Hyce nodded.
Hardin: Or we'll pay him a visit.
MR. SAMUEL'S RESIDENCE
Samuel was in his room when his phone suddenly rang.
He thought it was Anna.
But when he picked up his phone, he saw an unknown number.
His heart sank.
Samuel: Hello?
Hyce: Mr. Samuel. It's been four years already. Don't you think it's high time you paid us a visit-with our money?
Samuel: I'm gathering the money, but it's not complete yet.
Hyce: How is that my business?
There was silence for a moment.
Hyce: I'm giving you until the weekend to pay up. Have a good day.
The call ended.
Samuel stared at his phone.
That night, he couldn't sleep.
He wanted to tell his wife, but he didn't want to involve her.
He knew the situation had become dangerous.
THE WEEKEND
Anna decided to surprise her parents with a visit.
She had no idea that her visit would change her life forever.
Samuel sat in his room, staring into space.
Samuel: It's the weekend already. How am I going to come up with this money?
Margret noticed that something was wrong.
Margret: My husband, I've noticed you've been talking to yourself lately. What is the problem?
Samuel quickly looked away.
Samuel: It's nothing.
Margret: Are you sure?
Samuel: Yes, my wife.
Suddenly-
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
They both looked toward the door.
Samuel: Are you expecting anyone?
Margret: No oo.
Samuel: Let me check who it is.
Samuel walked toward the door.
Samuel: Who is it?
No one answered.
He waited for a few seconds before slowly opening the door.
His heart stopped.
Standing outside were several men.
And among them were Hardin and Hyce.
Samuel's voice trembled.
Samuel: Good evening, sir.
Hardin stared at him coldly.
Hardin: Forget the greetings. It's been four years. I'm here to collect my money.
He stepped closer.
Hardin: Or everyone in this house will suffer the consequences.
Margret rushed toward the door.
Margret: What money? What are you talking about?
Hardin looked at her.
Hardin: Ask your husband.
Before Samuel could say anything, Anna suddenly walked into the house.
She froze.
Her parents were on the floor.
Anna: Dad! Mom! What's going on? Why are you on the floor?
Samuel looked at his daughter with tears in his eyes.
Samuel: My daughter... I'm sorry.
Anna: Sorry for what? I don't understand.
Hardin stepped forward.
Hardin: Enough of this family conversation.
He looked directly at Samuel.
Hardin: Where is my money?
Samuel: It's not complete yet.
Anna looked between them in confusion.
Anna: Dad, what money are they talking about?
Hardin turned to Hyce.
Hardin: Hyce.
Hyce: Yes, Boss.
Hardin pointed toward Anna.
Hardin: Take the girl.
Anna's eyes widened.
Anna: Wait-what?!