ELENA'S POV
"How the heck did I end up in this state?"
Goddamit!
"Grandma, I can't believe you fucking left me to suffer this alone." I lament as I stand before the oven where I had just kept the bread to get baked while I reminisce on how I was going to sort out the unpaid bills all scattered across the counter beside. I try to hold myself together while I stare into empty space.
I begin to brainstorm how to figure out a way but nothing seems to be summing up.
"The fuck!"
The smell of bread soon fills the air but right now the shop feels so empty without my grandmama.
Grandma died just three days ago after battling with her health for some weeks. I kept pushing trying to make sure she survived but she kept assuring me to relax and just allow her rest.
How could I agree to that? Doesn't she know she's all I've got left. I didn't listen to her and continued to work my ass out.
Until one morning she slept and never woke up. She didn't even wait to say goodbye.
"Grandma, that was a very wrong thing to do!" I kicked the wooden table out of anger. I did not feel the effect of it and I do not care either. Right now, I'm numb to pain. I just don't want to feel anything anymore. All I want is to walk out of this body of mine and stray like a vagabond. I guess that will ease all the ache in my heart.
I rest my back against the wall beside the oven and slowly drag myself to sit on the floor while I place my hands on my knees. I allow the tears to flow freely but muffle the screams threatening to tear at my throat.
After what seems like eternity, I stumble upon my feet and try to focus on completing the remaining dough left in the big flat wooden table.
My body is exhausted and I feel overwhelmed by the weight of everything pressing on my shoulders. I force my attention to the unfinished work in front of me.
Soon, I'm deeply engrossed.
The bell above the bakery door rings and at once, three dangerous looking men walk in. Their presence is domineering and they look like they are ready to pounce on anyone who stands in their way.
I don't think they're here to buy anything.
"Welcome Sirs. How may I help you?" I greeted them warmly.
"Keep your stupid greetings to yourself." The first and shortest among them snapped.
"I don't think you'll still have the audacity to smile by the time we are done with you my lady." The thin one that looks like a hen that's been starved for months smiled through his gritted teeth. He is next to the shortest.
One of them, who looks like the leader among them, casually throws a folder onto the counter in front of me. I startle.
"Take a look at this signorina." The creepy one amongst them gave a crooked smile again.
I pick up the folder and carefully bring out the documents inside. My hands tremble and my eyes widen as I read through it.
Then I laugh nervously. "Sirs, I think this must be a mistake. We can't be owing you this much."
" Well baby, you are not mistaken. Everything there is as real as can be." The creepy guy winked. Why is he the only one answering me?
I look at him still trying to fathom what he just said.
"You heard the man mi lady. Don't waste our time, if you have the damn money, quickly go inside and bring it out and we'll give you back your privacy"
Talk about invading privacy. You were the one who walked in here like you own the place.
"Young lady…" The shortest one speaks up. "Be quick about it. We don't have all day. Your grandmama really owes us this much and you should be grateful we're still easy on you."
So the debt is true. Grandmama left this huge chunk for me to settle.
"It's a lie, I don't believe you. My grandmama wasn't the kind of person to borrow."
"Well, you can go ask her in the grave but quickly pay us first." The leader started, already getting impatient.
"Signorina, if you don't pay us the debt you lot owe us…" He looks around the bakery. "...we will take everything you have. This place doesn't look bad after all. Don't know if it'll be worth the amount but anyways, we will see how it turns out."
"This is bullshit. I spat. You can't do that." I tried to put up a front so they won't think I'm a coward.
The short fat fool comes closer to me and holds my chin. I try to hit his hands away but his grip tightens on me even more. He leans close to my ear and whispers.
"If you can't pay, there are other ways to repay this debt before it swallows you, signorina." He licks his lips in a disgusting way. Then draws back with a smirk in his face.
Yuck
My eyes widen in realization. It was then it hit me. Nobody is actually coming to save me. I feel an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach.
The men look at each other then nod and turn to walk out of the bakery. "We give you seven days baby. Don't let us come looking for you. You know what that means, right?" The leader glances at me with the corner of his mouth raised in a half smile.
I jump as they slam the door behind them. At once I'm fidgeting and trying to steady myself. I stare at the documents in the table then pick it up and look at it closely.
"This figures are fucking huge I exclaimed in frustration. When will I ever be able to pay this? I will never be able to pay it in my lifetime." I exclaim in despair.
I drop the documents back on the table but then my eyes catchessomething in the paper. Moretti Edgardo?
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
This debt was only inherited by grandmama. She was never a debtor. I choked the words out.
It was all papa's. Papa who disappeared years ago. The one who owns these debts is father.