Three

ERICA’S POV

The market was all bustling as I got there, right on time for the discount sales for fruits. I saw other people just like me who had come to buy too. But as I waited for the sales to begin, I saw a black car, and immediately I remembered my parents. They always drove black cars.

Firstly I haven’t always been living with my grandfather neither was early to the market for discount sales. It wasn’t like this. In fact my father was a rich man and so we had everything we needed. I was happy and comfortable until I turned sixteen. Shortly after I turned sixteen, my parents were on their way home, when they were met with an accident. They both died on the spot. Their death wrecked me. I thought that my life had been halted, but then grandpa encouraged me to not lose hope.

After their funeral and also not to make a gray cloud greyer, my father’s company began to give troubles. It was from their partner. He suddenly decided that the business was now his. Only his. I didn’t for one day think that uncle Jerry would try to take over the company. I called him uncle because he was like my father’s younger brother. He would always come over to the house and we joked often. I didn’t want to believe that Uncle Jerry would be doing this.

This was a company which he and my father built from scratch. Now that I think of it, he made me truly understand the meaning of betrayal by his act. He made me know how it felt when people who are family or act like family betrays you. It hurts the most.

So then we began to embark on countless series of court cases. Just due to a negligent error on the part of my father, Uncle Jerry won the case. It hurt so bad. Now I have lost my parents and now their company.

So as if that wasn’t okay, I got a call from the bank. It turned out that the house and car had been on mortgage. Where in the world would l get the money to pay the bank. The company was already gone. I tried to talk to the bank about it, but it felt like I was against a wall. Finally when the due date for the payment came, the bank came and escorted me out of the house. Tears could not just finish from my eyes. I wondered why I didn’t go along with my father in that car crash, so that all this would just end.

After crying, I wiped my tears. I took my clothes and the last money I had, which was a 100 dollar bill and got on the bus. I was going to the only place I knew that could be my home. I was going to my grandfather’s.

To be honest, life in the village with Grandpa was hard. You had to sweat to get anything done but I was content. With the love my Grandpa showered on me, I knew I could do anything I set my mind to. So I began to adjust to life in the village.

My grandpa owned a fruit shop. So I managed to save up and I bought a blender, a fridge and an ice maker. With that I combined his fruit selling to make smoothies for customers, and they loved it quite well.

With the money we were getting, we could solve our daily expenses and pay my school fees. I finished high school at the village high school. Then I applied for scholarships and I finally got a fully funded one. I decided to study law. This year is my sophomore year in university.

Slowly my life was getting better. I felt like life was about to clean my tears when I met Caleb. Caleb Edwards was that boy in school which every girl wanted for a boyfriend. He was good looking and cool headed. Surprisingly he began to hang out with me, that was to the disappointment of many girls. Instantly they developed hatred for me, but I didn’t care to heart their words.

Eventually Caleb asked me to be his girlfriend. And I said yes. That was how our relationship began. Caleb stopped at nothing to make sure that I didn’t lack anything in school. We were always joking and people would often comment that we are the best match for each other. They nicknamed us the sweetest couple in school.

Well speaking of Caleb, I was yet to speak to him since the weekend. So while packing up the fruits I had bought, from the discount sales, I made a mental note to call him up. I was happy as I checked the fruit l bought. I had managed to get those rare sweet fruits that the villagers loved. I could literally imagine the smile on my grandpa’s face, when he would check the bag, which was something he always does when I come back.

The moment I stepped my feet into the house, I knew that something was wrong. My grandpa was nowhere to be seen as l could see a big black car packed by the side. It was this type of car rich people drove..it was called a Rolls Royce.

When I couldn’t find Grandpa in the house, I rushed to the shop. I saw some of the fruits scattered on the floor and my heart flew out of my mouth.

“Grandpa!” I screamed as I found him on his knees begging.

There were men in Black around him.

“What is this?!” l yelled.

“Why don’t you guys pick on someone your age!. I’ll ensure to report you to the police” I barked as I ran to his side.

“Calm down girl, you owe us” the leader said smirking.

He brought out a paper that had the sum of 100 million dollars written on it. It took all the strength in me not to have fainted right at the spot.