Lilith

The last thing I heard was the screeching of tyres as he tried to manoeuvre the car.

Terrified, I fell on the floor, freezing for a moment before wincing in pain.

Thankfully, he swerved before I got knocked over.

My eyes flung open, and my breath hitched in shock the moment a pair of hands dropped against my chest to feel my heartbeat before pressing against my wrist to check my pulse.

“She's alive!” One of the men announced, heaving a sigh of relief.

The moment his fingers brushed against my skin for the second time, I felt the hair behind my neck stand erect as my breath seized.

Burst of tingles sprouted all over my body, making me shudder.

My brows furrowed in confusion as I pulled away from him at once after sensing strange sparks that ignited a fire in me.

What just happened?

Why did his touch ignite a strange feeling in me? All my life, several men had brushed their fingers against my skin, and we've had body contact, but this strange man was different.

“Do you have a death wish or something?!” Another man screamed as he shut the door of the car, walking towards me.

His presence jerked me off my long train of thought, making fear creep into me.

“I'm sorry,” I muttered as my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

That was a dumb idea.

What was I thinking putting them in trouble?

“You should be. I saw you. What was all that crazy stunt you played? Do you want to get killed?”

I recoiled to myself, pulling away from the first man as I felt bad.

“Yes!” I screamed. Their breaths hitched as my words caught them off balance. “Maybe I wanted to kill myself, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight.”

Picking myself from the floor, I dusted the sand off my body, but I jerked the moment my skin made contact with the first man's skin.

I could sense he felt the sensation, the stern look he gave me, and the way he backed away, rubbing his finger over the area.

“Raphael, enough, don't scare the girl more than she is,” the first man said, observing me. “Did the car hit you? Tell us so we can get you to the hospital. It's partly my fault for keeping my eyes off the road while driving.”

My heart melted at his soft words and affectionate hazel eyes that eased my pain.

I couldn't help noticing the sweet scent of chocolate and honey that clung to him, making me feel a strange bond and urging me to yearn for him.

Get a hold of yourself, Lilith!

“I'm fine; you swerved before you hit me; the shock made me fall, nothing more,” I replied, forcing a nervous smile before proceeding to go home.

I had caused enough trouble.

“Sorry for yelling at you, I was just furious. He will give you his card in case you develop any internal bleeding as a result of the fall,” the second man insisted before exchanging a look with the first man.

He disappeared into his car, appearing with a small card that bore information.

“Here, have it. If you feel anything strange, give me a call and get yourself to the nearest hospital. I will pay the bills and every other thing needed,” he stated, placing the card in my hands.

I muffled a curse as the weird feeling washed over me again.

They turned their backs, about to leave when a thought dropped into my head.

“Wait!” I called, making them halt in their tracks before turning to me.

“If you want to help me, you could give me a job. That is the only thing my life depends on right now. I don't mind anything you offer me, I am up to the task, and I am a fast learner. Just give me a chance, I'm begging you,” I pleaded desperately, clasping my hands together.

Silence hung in the air as they were lost in thoughts before exchanging looks.

“Fine. But don't keep your hopes high. It's 50-50,” he warned while I mouthed a thank you.

They disappeared into the car, reviving the engine before driving past me while I pondered on his words, dragging my weak feet home.

50-50?

*****

I jerked up as raindrops pattered against my forehead.

My roof was leaking again.

I yawned tiredly, rolling to the other side of the bed. As I turned, my gaze met the two empty beds beside mine. Tears welled up in my eyes as I pictured my mum and my sisters sleeping peacefully on their beds.

I wish someone would wake me up from this nightmare of a life.

I missed my old life where I was the daughter of a wealthy millionaire.

I was about to get lost in my thoughts when the loud ringing of my phone pierced my ears.

My heart sank into a bottomless abyss when I read the text message.

'You are fired!'

It was now official.

My manager finally got into my boss's head, poisoning his mind towards me.

As if it wasn't enough, he withheld my salary and incentives.

The job I pleaded for was not even certain.

How would I pay for chemotherapy this week?!

I had barely dropped my phone when it rang again.

My face dropped in sadness as I let out a worried sigh.

My heart skipped 2 beats as the doctor's name flashed across the screen.

He rarely called except to pass on important information.

Something bad was about to happen. I could feel it in my gut.

"Hello..." My voice shook in fear as I gulped down the lump in my throat.

"Miss Parker, why are you not here yet?"

"I..." I stammered, unable to think of an excuse and anxiety ate me up.

"Is everything..." I tried to ask, but he interrupted.

"Get to the hospital now. Your mother is having some complications right now, and we noticed one of her kidneys is failing. Also, you haven't sent a deposit for the chemotherapy of your mother and sister. You are wasting time," he complained. I could feel his frustrations.

"I am trying, doctor, I..." I broke down in tears.

"You need to be in the hospital within 30 minutes, or I'm afraid your mother won't make it," he dropped the bombshell.

Lilith.

His last words hit me like a bombshell.

I felt my heart skip two beats as beads of sweat gathered around my forehead.

My mother wouldn't make it?

My chest clenched painfully, and it was like an invisible hand squeezed it hard.

I knew my mother had a 50/50 chance, but I hadn't come to terms when she was dying.

Goddess, please, take my job, my happiness, even my life, but spare my mother.

I quickly wiped the tears that stung my vision as I dashed across the hallway, ignoring stares from my neighbors.

I wailed and soliloquized like a mad woman. The onlookers didn't bother me.

When I got to the bus station, I comported myself, wiped my tears, and let out a deep breath.

I entered the bus and sat quietly beside the window, feeding my eyes with the view of the city.

We hadn't gone far when the seat next to mine was taken by a father and a daughter. She was around two years of age.

Throughout the ride, they kept giggling, and from the corner of my eyes, I saw her holding a wrapped gift given to her by her father.

“Thank you, Daddy, I love you,”

My heart broke as I watched her tighten her small arms around his neck.

Her words echoed in my head repeatedly, spiking my emotions and resurfacing memories that I wanted to forget.

I was a daddy's girl until I was not.

Everything happened so fast that I didn't know when I slipped from riches to rags.

I was born with a silver spoon, and my life was envied by my classmates. If it wasn't the best, my father wouldn't purchase it for me.

My life started to fall apart when my mother caught my father cheating. But instead of an apology, he got worse.

His habits soon graduated into drinking and staying out late. Despite being too young to understand, I knew something was off. I tried to ask my mother, but she acted like all was well.

Things grew worse when I noticed my mother was in pain and her hair started to fall out in chunks. She would apply makeup to brighten her pale skin and wear a wig to maintain her radiance.

My fairytale life ended the day my parents got into a big fight. I heard my mother cry throughout the night from my room. The next morning, the voice of a beautiful lady woke me up.

His mistress!

One word from her and my father sent us packing. We were tossed on the street penniless. The clothes we wore were the only thing in our possession.

Mum did odd jobs to take care of me and my sister, but after college, her sickness worsened.

My stream of thoughts ended when the bus stopped, indicating that I had gotten to the hospital.

I gave the girl a small smile before dashing out of the bus into the hospital.

I took a deep breath when I got to the ward where my mother was, carefully opening the door to avoid startling her.

I froze on a spot as my heart shattered the moment I saw my mother.

She was like a bag of bones.

Her dark, sunken eyes that were once full of life were shut.

Her pale face was blank, void of any feelings. Her chubby cheeks were flat and dry. Her luscious hair was no more as she was now bald.

Tears resumed streaming down my eyes as her sorry state.

She looked like a ghost.

“Mum,” I called. My voice cracked from tears.

I resisted the urge to touch her and inform her of my presence.

“I love you, Mum,” I whispered before blowing a kiss.

A weak cough caught my attention, and I looked down to see my mum flash a forced smile at me.

Behind the smile, there was great pain.

“I love you…my Lily,” she started softly. “But I'm sorry that I'm making you go through this.”

Her voice broke, and I knew she was close to tears.

“No mum…”

“I failed as a mother, I couldn't take care of you, and I'm sorry.”

“Please, don't say that. I am not complaining, and it's not your fault.” I tried to convince her.

“Forgive me, Lily. Sometimes, life can be tough. You just have to keep going. But I assure you that when I beat this disease, I will take care of you and your sister. You don't have to do odd jobs. Everything will be fine,” she assured me, but I didn't know whether to believe it or not.

Can she beat stage 2 cancer?

Will everything ever be fine?

I was about to console her when the clearing of my throat caught my attention.

I turned to see the doctor watching me keenly with a displeased look on his face.

“Meet me in my office,” he said before disappearing out of the room.

“I have to go, mum, where is Rose?” I asked, looking around.

“She has been transferred to a more sanitized room since her immune system is weak.”

“Okay,” I said before kissing her forehead.

My heart hammered against my chest as I made my way to the doctor's office.

I didn't have what he wanted.

What excuse would I give again?

I'm sure he was already sick of me and my lame excuses.

“Miss Lilith,” his voice boomed, causing me to shake.

“Good afternoon, doctor.” My face met with the floor as I didn't know what to say.

“Your delay isn't helping matters.” He started.

“Your mother's cancer has progressed from stage 2, and she is not in good shape. Her health is deteriorating daily. One of her kidneys is bad, and the spare one is showing signs of failing. We need to start dialysis.” Urgency lingered in his deep voice.

“The fluid she is placed on won't help much, and if you continue this way, you'll lose her soon. Then there is your sister.”

My heart clenched in pain at his words again.

I hated hearing those words.

Speechless, I sat down, digesting his words with a sorrowful look plastered on my face.

This was too much for me to bear.

“We need at least $3000 to start anything on them,” he said before relaxing into his chair and adjusting his stethoscope.

Crushed by frustration, I broke down in tears.

“I'm trying, doctor. It's not easy. Sometimes, I just want to disappear from all these…” I took a deep breath and composed myself before sitting up.

I had to be strong for my family.

“I have $1000, I hope it will be enough to start some treatment on them,” I announced, digging my fingers into my small purse.

With a small smile, I dropped the money on his table.

“I know it's not enough, but please…” I stammered as I was close to tears.

He signed before shaking his head. “This can't go anywhere, but it will start something. We need more by tomorrow…”

“Not tomorrow, please, the end of this week,” I pleaded. A frown appeared on his face before he shrugged his shoulders.

“This is about life and death. Delay is dangerous,” he warned before standing to his feet to leave his office.

I strolled out and went into my sister's ward, but she was asleep.

I didn't want to wake her, so I wrote her a note and dropped a “get well soon card," kissing her on her cheeks before leaving the ward.

I couldn't think. The doctor's words kept echoing in my head.

How do I get $2k before the end of the week?

My eyes popped open at once as an idea dropped in my head.

The card!

I retrieved the card from my purse, and I couldn't help but be consumed by the urge to dial the number.

I was stuck between asking my best friend for help or asking the hot stranger instead?

Lilith.

Finally, I decided to go to my friend.

The sound of loud music blasted my ears as I made my way into the club to see my best friend, Daphne.

Daphne was my childhood friend and my confidant. We met on the street after my father tossed us out of his mansion. For several months, her parents sheltered us until my mum was able to get a job to rent an apartment.

Unfortunately, before my mother was able to repay the kindness, her parents passed away in an accident.

Our relationship blossomed over the years, and we were more than friends. She was family. Daphne was sometimes mistaken for my sister.

I sighed as I made my way up to the unending stairs to meet Daphne.

Gesturing to Daphne, a small smile played on my lips when her eyes met with mine. She lowered her hand, indicating that I should wait while she attended the tables.

I couldn't remember the last time I smiled.

I pulled a chair, sitting far away from the nuisance of the club and pretending to be engrossed with my phone to chase away dickheads, while waiting for her to serve the tables.

“What is a pretty girl doing on her own?”

My blood boiled in rage as a masculine voice pierced my ears.

Fucking flirt.

“I know guys can be a pain in the ass but I can make you forget about him…” His flirty voice trailed.

I ignored his words, concentrating on my phone, hoping my silence would chase him away.

But I was wrong.

Despite my shabby dresses, I was very attractive and my curves were pronounced. I get a lot of stares from men while walking on the road.

It made me so worried, I wish I wasn't attractive.

“Why don't we take a few drinks and you could come over to my place,” he suggested with a flirty grin, spiking my irritation.

I hit the handle of the chair to voice out my irritation before letting out a loud hiss. “Leave, I'm not interested.”

“Rude,” he remarked before leaning towards me, yanking me up, and pinning me against the wall.

Panic shot through me as his fingers grabbed my waist before pressing it against his hardened shaft.

“It was an order. Let's leave,” he whispered against my ears before dragging me out of the club.

Alarmed, I struggled to free myself from his grip.

Fuck!

I shouldn't have stayed in the dark and secluded part of the club, now a stranger was about to kidnap me.

I resorted to kicking and biting him, but my strength was no match for him.

“Whores like you like it rough. Guess you are my type of bitch.”

I cringed at his harsh words.

“I'm not a whore. I came to see my friend and she works here. Leave me alone!”

“$500 for a night. Do I speak your language now, little bitch?”

“I'm not here for that.”

Before I could launch my fist at him, he swiftly grabbed me by my hair and turned me against the wall so that my chest would press against it.

My blood ran cold when I felt his palm spank my ass before giving them a hard squeeze.

But the next moment, his cries filled my ears and I felt his weight pulled off from my body.

“She said leave her alone!” Daphne screamed, hitting him again with the tray in her hand.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly and I could feel her anger building up.

“Get out or I will kill you!” She threatened, gritting her teeth with a friend on her angry face.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw him scurrying downstairs.

“Lily, you should be careful. I've always warned you to avoid dark areas,” she scolded. Concern and worry were written on her face.

“Did he…”

“No, but he was about to take me to his house,” I interrupted before letting out a deep breath.

“Every guy would. You are so pretty,” she complimented before giving me a hug.

“Where have you been? I came to your place several times but you weren't around,” she queried, pulling away from the hug.

My mother's image on the sick bed flashed across my memory and I broke down in tears.

“Is everything alright?”

“Mum's cancer has passed stage 2…” I said amid tears.

“Stage, what is it?”

“Does it matter? I didn't even bother to ask. The thing is I'm running out of time and Mum is dying gradually. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to her.”

“The doctor said the least payment needed is $3k. I was only able to give him $1k. That was my last savings, the money I earned from the cleaning jobs and part of what you gave me. I have nothing with me left. My boss sacked me without pay because I didn't agree to sleep with him like the rest of the ladies do.”

“That bastard!” She growled slowly.

“I was given this week to get $2k for Mum and Rose’s chemotherapy, coupled with Mum's kidney dialysis because her only kidney is failing.” I broke down, weeping profusely as I held on to her.

“That's a lot going on. I'm so sorry, Lily.” She sympathized with me, embracing me in a warm hug.

“I'm ashamed to ask for your assistance because you've helped me on this case countless times. I need some money, Daphne. But I understand if you are tied up at the moment.”

“Don't say that. She is my mum too and I'm glad to help anytime.”

She pulled away from the hug, scanning the environment before dipping her hands inside her side pocket.

“Here is the amount of tip I received today plus a part of yesterday's pay. I know it's not enough, but…”

I didn't know when I jumped on her in excitement after counting $700.

“Thank you, thank you,” I wept bitterly.

“I'll pay you back, I promise,” I assured, breaking the hug.

“There is no need, your mum is my mum too…” Her words were interrupted by a thought.

“You still need $1700. I wish I could help.”

“You've done more than enough, Daphne. I will seek funds elsewhere.”

“Speaking of seeking funds, why don't you visit your dad? It's even years since you heard from him. If you tell him about the situation, I'm certain that he will turn up. Meanwhile, it's been years. He is not that heartless to abandon your sister and mother in times like this.”

I let out a dark chuckle at her words as my father's last words before we were thrown out of his house echoed in my head.

“You all are dead to me!”

Meeting my dad was the last option and I knew it was futile.

He never searched for them all through the years of staying on the street.

He never cared and he never will.

“That man won't be moved by the sight of my mother's corpse. It's just a waste of time.”

Daphne rolled her eyes irritatedly, “Don't be optimistic. You never can tell. I might be punishing myself for throwing you guys out. Just give this a shot.”

“Fine, but just once.” I gritted my teeth in anger, staring into space as I made up my mind to meet my father and his bitchy mistress for help.

Fuck!