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!

Lilith.

A feeling of dread washed over me as I stood face to face with the house I grew up in.

I swallowed the fear that stung my throat as I made my way to the huge gate.

My heart raced in my chest when I lifted my trembling fingers to press the bell.

It didn't take long before the chief security raced towards me, but as soon as our eyes connected, his face fell.

I recognized the feeling.

The feeling of pity.

I didn't need him to be sorry for me.

“Miss Lilith,” he whispered as he froze on a spot before lowering his head in respect.

My heart bled as memories of my childhood hit me like a thousand bulldozers.

Before he was promoted to the position of chief security, he was my personal butler.

How tables turned quickly.

“Mr…”

“It's been ages,” he gasped as his face flared in surprise.

He struggled to hide his shock, but his countenance gave him away.

“You…really…changed.” His voice trailed as he managed to find the right choice of words.

“I want to see my father. It's urgent, and it's a matter of life and death,” I let out, grabbing the bar of iron that separated him from me.

“Let me in, please,”

A dreadful expression spread across his face as he hesitated for a while.

“Ma'am. I'm sorry, but I will lose my job if I do that.” His voice shook.

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as his words stabbed my heart countless times.

It wasn't his fault.

His master gave an order, and he would be doomed to flaunt it.

But would the order stand after all these years?

Shouldn't my dad have an atom of pity to reverse it?

“You don't understand. My mother and sister, his ex-wife, and his child are in the hospital, dying. They are sick with cancer.”

I watched him let out a sigh before staring at me with a pitiful face.

He nodded his head gently.

“I can't let you in. I'm sorry. If it was within my power, I would have done so without thinking twice. You and your mum were good to me, but please understand that your father and his mistress warned me not to let you in whether in this life or in the next life.”

I didn't know when tears spilled on my cheeks until he handed me a face towel.

“I'm sorry,” he muttered.

“It's fine. I understand. Are they home?”

“No. They went out, but they will be back today.”

“I would wait then,” I insisted stubbornly.

“I won't discourage you, but it's about to rain, plus they will be back late.” He tried to persuade me, but I didn't oblige.

Seeing that I was determined, he gave me one last pitiful look before disappearing out of my face.

Thirty minutes passed, and there was no sign of my father or his mistress. My keys started to hurt, and I sat on the pavement, patiently waiting for him.

I wanted to know if he still resented us after those years or if the spell cast by his mistress had worn out.

An hour slipped, and the sky became heavy with dark clouds. Thunder roared in the heavens, and the clouds gave way for the rain.

It started as a drizzle but gradually poured like it was raining its anger on me.

My dress was drenched and cold started to bite into my skin.

Shivering, I hugged my small frame against the wall as my teeth chattered.

Still, I would wait. I didn't mind freezing to death.

“Take this.”

I heard a voice amid the thunder. It was the security guard.

He handed me an umbrella, a pair of long boots, and a long, thick jacket to make me feel warm.

“Thank you. When he is back, I promise I will return it,” I said with a smile of gratitude plastered on my face.

“You can have it,” he said, forcing a smile on his face.

After it rained heavily for three hours, I sighted a car from a distance.

Squinting my eyes, my joy knew no bounds when I found out that it was my father's car.

It was the car he took me on a ride in when I celebrated my 5th birthday.

I still memorized his plate number after all these years.

I straightened myself as the car got closer before standing beside the gate.

“Hi,” I mouthed, waving at the tinted glass and waiting for his response.

The window was wound down, and for the first time in many years, I saw my father.

I was taken aback, and I froze on the spot, unable to speak.

“Dad,” I said in a whisper, moving closer to the door.

His sharp eyes pierced for some seconds, and his face hardened in hatred and disgust.

“It's me, Lilith, your precious Lily.” I found myself blurring before a tear slipped from the corner of my eye.

But I was taken aback when the window was blown up by him, and he zoomed into his house, using the remote to close his gate before I could have the chance to rush in.

“Dad, wait! Mum and your daughter are dying. They have cancer, and there is no money to take care of them.” I screamed, hoping my words would have an effect on him, but it didn't.

That was it!

He meant it when he said I was dead to him.

“I hope you are convinced that your father doesn't want to have anything to do with you. I'm sorry,” the security guard said before handing me a slice of pizza.

“I heard your stomach rumbling.”

I was too stunned to appreciate him as my father's reaction kept replaying in my head.

“I'll just keep it here,” he gestured to me, placing the pizza in a small box on the pavement.

I watched him leave my presence to attend to my father, who walked inside the house without sparing me another look.

I was about to take the pizza when a feminine voice startled me, making me drop it to the floor.

Anger flooded me when I turned to meet my father's mistress.

Great. She made me miss my first meal.

I was about to transfer my aggression to her when I remembered she was the ticket to get to my dad.

“Ma'am, please, could you help me talk to Dad? My mum and my sister really need to start chemotherapy, or they'll be dead. Please, I need some money.” I burst into tears, falling to my knees immediately.

“I can't help you. I'm just here to entertain myself with your misery. I'm having a lot of fun,” she laughed, mockery evident in her voice.

I muttered curses when I saw my mum's diamond necklace sitting on her neck.

Shameless bitch!

All my mother's jewelry, clothes, shoes, and bags were in her possession.

I wish I could snatch it from her neck and sell it off to pay for Mum's chemo. But I was raised better than that.

“Please, I'd do anything for the money. I just want Mum to get better.”

Her face brightened in the blink of an eye. I could tell she was cooking something mischievous.

“Will you do anything?”

“Yes. I need a lot of money to pay for her chemo until it ends.”

“Since you would do anything, then scrub my toilet and the toilet in my daughter's room that was formerly your room. You will get the money when you are done. $1k should be enough.”

“Bravo, mummy. You are so full of surprises. That is why I love you,” Her daughter sneered before hugging her mother tightly.

“And what is this loser doing here?” She batted her lashes at me, before hissing loudly. “No wonder there is a strong stench everywhere.”

I wiped the tears from my face, pretending as if her words didn't mean anything to me, while they penetrated deep into my soul.

Despite maintaining my composure, I wailed like an infant on the inside.

“Scrub your toilets?” I gasped in disbelief.

“Hey! We are only doing you a favor. Take it or leave it,” she said.

“You want money, right? Scrub the toilets to my satisfaction and I'll give you the money. If you are not interested, you can get the hell out of my face before I call the cops on you. I would love to see you rot in jail.” She fired before turning her back to leave me while her daughter continued to laugh.

“Wait! I'll do it. I'll scrub the toilet.”

I cringed at my words, but nothing mattered. As long as my mother and sister received their treatment.

*****

I curled up on my bed, clasping my hand over my mouth as I wept hard.

Never had I been humiliated the way I was today.

My father's mistress didn't only make me scrub the toilets, I also trimmed the overgrown flowers in her garden.

The witch made me scrub her toilet over 3 times until she was satisfied.

Despite my hands shaking from exhaustion, she made me water her plants manually.

As if it wasn't enough she threw $600 at me like I was a dog after her daughter made me climb up to a high table to get it.

When I questioned her about the $400 balance, she insisted that it was deducted because I was caught resting for two minutes on duty.

I tried to protest but her daughter struck me hard on my face before ordering me to leave or she will release her dogs on me.

After crying to my satisfaction, I lay on the bed as sleep clouded my eyes, but a notification sound from my phone jolted me awake.

I picked up my phone and unlocked it to find a text message from a strange number.

My brows furrowed as I clicked on the message before reading it.

‘Resume by 7 am prompt tomorrow! The description will be sent soon.”

It was a message from the hot stranger!