The Devil’s Sweetheart – Episode 1

Chapter ONE

 

[ The Beginnings ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal’s POV:

 

 

 

Finally! It’s 6:00pm and that means my shift at this dumb excuse for a restaurant is over. I served the last batch of hamburgers to the cute couple by the counter and officially, I’m done for the day. Loosening the knot of my apron, I went to the break-room to change and get out of this stink-hole.

 

Going early today?” Kylie, my annoying co-worker asked as she wore her boots.

 

I always go early.” I muttered sarcastically to serve as an insult to her dumb brain.

 

 

You know? It’s high time you start being nice to me. We’re co-workers and we’re meant to be friends.” Kylie stated peevishly and I scoffed.

 

Friends? Me and You? Kylie not even in your wildest dreams.” I said chortling while Kylie rolled her eyes.

 

Just stay away from me and my stuff and then we can make this job bearable for the both of us.” I warned sternly then picked up my clothes and went to the back to change.

 

I’m all in a bag of chips if you get to know me and be on my good side. I’m usually not harsh, but Kylie is a pain in the a** and being around her changes my personality completely. Thank Neptune my shift is over and I can get away from Kylie and this stupid restaurant.

 

Ugh! My life sucks

 

I changed into my clothes and put my uniform into my bag then hung my apron on the holder. I picked up my bag and went out of the break room and behold, I saw Jezebel clothed in a black coloured long-sleeve top that was transparent showing her two bosoms but her n*pples were covered with two diamond black studs. Accompanied with a black leather mini skirt and black boots, you could term her a live p*rn movie!

 

Kylie! what are you wearing.” I asked flabbergasted by her seducing outfit. She paused combing her hair and looked at me.

 

And since when did I have to answer to you for my dressings.” She replied sassily and I rolled my eyes then sighed.

 

May God forgive Jezebels like you.” I said just before picking up my coat that lied beside her and I left.

 

 

What has this world turned into

 

 

Away from that eyesore Kylie wore and that hell of a restaurant, I walked to the junction at the end of the street to get a cab. It was pretty chilly outside, so I wore my coat and placed the hoodie on my head.

 

Taxi! Taxi! Taxi!” I called out in a bid to flag down one of the numerous taxis that blew past me blaring their ear deafening horns. But not even one stopped to know where I was going and time was not on my side.

 

Finally, one of the Taxis slowed down and stopped right in front of me.

 

City Crown Hospital.” I stated my intended destination and the taxi driver nodded depicting he knew the place.

 

How much is the fare?”

 

Ten dollars.” He replied and I arched my brows in surprise.

 

I’ll pay seven dollars, it’s not that far.” I negotiated with the driver.

 

If it’s not that far, then why don’t you walk the distance?” The driver said rudely, started his ignition and drove off.

 

I watched him drive away until he pulled over a small distance away from the junction and stuck his hand outside the window beckoning on someone to come over. I assumed it was me he was referring to. So as quickly as I could, I ran to where the taxi was parked.

 

I’ll take eight dollars.” He said and I nodded.

 

Eight dollars is fair.” I replied and entered into the taxi and off we went to the hospital.

 

The taxi pulled over in front of the hospital and I alighted, paid him his fare then went into the hospital.

 

Hello sweetheart.” I heard a familiar husky voice say and I turned back only to see Miguel smirking at me looking all handsome.

 

 

How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your sweetheart!” I said as I walked to Miguel menacingly.

 

You look so cute when you’re angry.” He said grinning as he touched my cheeks.

 

Don’t you ever touch me!” I half-yelled pointing at him.

 

Touch you? You mean like this?” He said and grabbed my waist. Everyone in the waiting room just watched us like we were some telenovela.

 

Get your hands of me!” I yelled at him and stepped on his foot hard and went my way.

 

Agh!” He screamed in pain.

 

I must have you Crystal.” I heard him mutter clutching to his foot just before I left the waiting room.

 

Curse you Miguel!” I said beneath my breath as I went towards Angelica’s ward.

 

Oh? Crystal? You’re here already.” Nurse Paula said to me as I entered the ward.

 

Yes, evening Paula.” I greeted her with a smile.

 

Evening Crystal, the doctor said you should come see him concerning Angelica.” Nurse Paula announced and I was a bit worried. What has happened now?

 

Okay Paula. I’ll see you later.” I said and waved ‘bye’ to her then walked to Doctor Gareth the Paediatrician’s office.

 

I walked briskly to Doctor Gareth’s office at the end of corridor. Walking there, my head spinned around with thoughts flying here and there on why the doctor wants to see me about Angelica. With fears and worries abounding in my heart, I nervously opened the door and went in.

 

 

Crystal! Glad you’re here. Please take a seat.” The doctor said as I came in and pointed to one of the visitors chairs in front of his table. With a faint smile, I sat on the chair removing my purse from my arm and placing it on my laps.

 

Good evening doctor. Uh, Nurse Paula said you wanted to see me.” I said and he removed his glasses.

 

Well Crystal, as you must know, it’s about your sister’s health. What about the money for the surgery?” The doctor inquired and I was speechless.

 

Doctor, I don’t have any money. But you said that surgery can be delayed for up to six months.” I said hesitatingly with fears gripping my heart.

 

Yes, Indeed I did say that. I went to check up on Angelica this evening and there’s a new development.” The doctor said with disappointment in his tone of speech.

 

What happened doctor?” I asked solicitously as I rose up from my seat.

 

If the surgery is not done within now and the next week, we may loose her.” The doctor announced and it felt like my world had just crumbled on hearing what the doctor said. What will become of me without my dear little sister?

 

Doctor! You can’t let that happen. I can’t bear to loose Angelica!” I lamented as the tears expressing my sadness and fears rolled down my eyes.

 

It’s up to you Crystal, the sooner you pay the bills, the sooner we start the treatment.” The doctor said and wore his glasses back then picked up some files.

 

You’ll have to leave now. I have a patient to attend too.” He added as he stood up and went out of his office.

 

Enclosed in my own cloud of despair and grief, I walked out of the doctor’s office and sat down on a chair few feet away from his office. Angelica fell sick a few months ago and I thought it was just a minor fever and didn’t pay much attention to it. Her health started deteriorating right before my very eyes. Something had to be done! I took her to the hospital two weeks ago and she was

 

 

diagnosed of a killer child disease. Every morning before I go work, I’ll visit her in the hospital and when I close I’ll spend time with her before going home and life has been such ever since…until now.

 

Angelica, the only pillar that still holds my life together in one piece. The only priced possession I still have is about to die? I can’t let that happen, she can’t die! If she dies, I’ll die with her.

 

How in God’s name am I gonna get a whooping sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in less than seven days? Dear Lord, is this how I’ll end up? Loosing my whole family in a space of just two years?

 

Is this how my life is going to be?

 

How did I get myself into this mess!” I cried out amidst my tears and buried my face into my palms and sulked.

 

I can get you out of the mess.” I heard that same husky voice say and I stopped crying, raised my head up and saw Miguel with a smirk plastered on his face.

 

Miguel, I’m not in the mood for jokes now okay?” I rebuked him cleaning my tears.

 

Well, Miguel is no joker. I mean all my words.” He said and came over to sit beside me.

 

What’s making my sweetheart cry huh?” Miguel asked concerned and cleaned off a drop of my tear.

 

Take..Your…Hands…Off..Me.” I said harshly saying my words individually and he removed his hand from my face.

 

Should I tell him?

 

Of What help is he gonna be to me?

 

All he’s gonna do is laugh at me and try to lure me into his bed like he always does.

 

Typical Miguel

 

Boys disgust me

 

 

Common Sweetheart, tell me what’s happening.” He further inquired and something in me kept pushing me to tell him what happened.

 

Fine! If you insist, I’ll tell you. But after I do, I need you to get out of my hair and leave me alone.” I forewarned him and he smiled in reply.

 

Well, my little sister has been sick for a long time now and the doctor just told me that she has less than a week to live if she doesn’t undergo a surgery.” I explained to Miguel who keenly listened.

 

So why hasn’t she undergone the surgery?” Miguel asked and I turned and looked him in the eye.

 

I don’t have money to pay for the surgery.”

 

How much is it?”

 

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” I replied and Miguel shook his head and laughed.

 

I knew it!

 

I knew that he was gonna laugh at me and my condition.

 

Such a demon! I hate him

 

 

Here.” I heard Miguel say and I looked at him. In his hand was a check leaflet with my name on it and he stretched it to me.

 

Take, this is three hundred thousand dollars. Use it for her treatment and any other medical bills.” Miguel said and my eyes nearly bulged out of it’s sockets and my mouth widened in shock.

 

Seriously? You’ll help me?” I asked stammering and Miguel nodded in affirmation. With shaky hands, I collected the check from him and looked at it, to confirm what my ears heard.

 

Three Hundred Thousand U.S Dollars was boldly written on the body of the check.

 

With my full name also written.

 

I can’t believe I’m saying this but, Thanks Miguel.” I thanked him and he smiled then got up from his chair.

 

Don’t smile too soon sweetheart, I haven’t signed the check yet.” He said smirking and I checked the signature space and it was blank.

 

Then sign it!” I said to him and he shook his head.

 

Not until you meet your own part of the bargain.” He stated.

 

What bargain?” I asked a bit scared because I know Miguel, he may ask me for the most bizarre thing.

 

I want you on my bed for the night.”

 

WHAT!?”

 

 

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