Fiona's POV
My whole world crumbled in just a day. I don't know why life is treating me like this. I looked at the small envelope in my hands again and I wanted to cry.
"You are no longer needed." My boss said that to me this morning and I begged him but all my efforts proved abortive.
I left there and went to my boyfriend's house, Fred to break the news to him and I caught him in bed with another woman. I got angry and I was waiting for him to apologize, only for him to tell me that he doesn't love me and he was only with me because of my body.
"Fiona, what's wrong ?" I heard my little brother's voice. Tears began to drop from my eyes. I don't even know how I'm supposed to tell him that I have no money to spend on his disease.
"Nothing Ray. Come here." I hugged him as he came towards me.
"Then, why are you crying ?" He asked me as he looked straight into my eyes like he demanded a genuine answer.
"Nothing. See, I'm okay. I'm just happy that you are doing well at school." I cleaned my eyes and faked a smile to make him believe me. I know he's too smart to believe what I just said.
"It's okay. Everything will be alright. I don't want you to cry anymore" he said, holding me very tight.
"Okay darling, I won't." I looked at him, he is only six and he looks so weak, my heart tightened because i don't know where am I supposed to get his hospital bills.
I have thought about ending my life so many times but I can't because I don't want to leave him alone in this world. I just wish I could take good care of him.
"You told me we are visiting the hospital today. Are we still going ?" He asked me, then I snapped back to reality and I nodded in response.
"Yes darling but let's have breakfast first." I smiled and said before going to the kitchen to bring whatever was left of the deli sandwich from yesterday. After breakfast, I went to the hospital with Ray. As I entered the hospital, I met doctor Erick. He has been giving a helping hand since Ray became sick.
"Good morning doctor Erick." Ray chuckled as he greeted him and ran towards him.
"Good morning, my boy. Hope you slept well ?" He replied with a smile on his face.
" Yes, I slept well." Ray replied while smiling back at him.
"Great, let's go inside." He signaled to me to stay outside for a while and wait for him, then he went into the ward with Ray. After some time, Doctor Erick came outside, he told me he wanted to discuss something important with me.
I knew he was going to tell me about Ray's condition, I was hoping a miracle would happen and it would be good news.
"Ray's health is getting worse and it might get very critical if we don't do the surgery as soon as possible." My heart felt like it had been stomped on and broken into a million fragments as I heard, I couldn't stop crying.
"I'm so sorry, Fiona. I know It's difficult for you to raise the money but please remain strong for your brother."
"Thank you doctor. I will look for the money." I said as I cleaned my eyes. I don't know how but all I know is that I must save my brother because he has been my only family left since our parents died and I can't afford to lose him.
I went into the ward where Ray was with Doctor Erick. He was laying down quietly on the bed until he sighted me.
"Fiona, Doctor Erick said I would be staying here now. Are you going to stay here with me ?" he asked as he stood up from the bed and came towards me.
"No darling, i have to go to work but I will be coming to check up on you everyday." I answered him immediately.
"Okay. Why do I have to stay in the hospital ?. Am I dying ?" He asked sadly.
"No, you're not. Don't say that again. You will soon get your treatment and be fine." I answered him as I hugged him.
After some time, I thanked Doctor Erick and left the hospital with tears stinging my eyes. My head was heavy, my chest was even heavier. I didn't know where to go or what to do next.
Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me.
"Fiona!"
My heart dropped. I knew that voice.
It was Leo whom i owed some money. Months ago, when I didn't have the money for Ray's medication I borrowed from him. I thought I could pay him back slowly, but then I couldn't raise the money.
From the look of things, I have to run, else I will be embarrassed in public.
"Don't you dare run from me!" he shouted from afar.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me through the street, past people and past cars. My bag hit my side, my lungs burned, but I didn't stop. I looked at the back, his footsteps were already close behind.
I turned a corner and saw a black car parked by the side of the road. The door on the passenger's side was unlocked. Without thinking about anything else, I yanked it open, slipped inside, and crouched down low.
I held my breath. Through the window, I saw Leo run past, looking left and right. He didn't see me. After a few seconds, he disappeared into the crowd.
I finally let out a shaky breath. My heart thudded so loudly. Luckily for me, no one was in the car.
As i was about to get down from the car, a man opened the drivers' door and the smell of alcohol filled the car as another man came and sat beside me in the passengers'seat. The man beside me looks like some rich guy from his appearance.
"Drive to the nearest hotel." He said to the other man at the front who seems to be his driver.
"Are you aware that you are to please me tonight ?" I heard his thick voice as I wanted to tell him I'm sorry for entering his car without permission but then I changed my mind.
"Maybe i could get some money from him if i could please him just this night ?, that means I'm selling my body ?, and so ?, I have been sleeping with Fred without getting anything because of love and all he did was to cheat on me so it is better if I give what I have for money than to be cheated on.
Besides, I can't spend the night in my house for now because of Leo and i need money to pay him." I thought.
"Are you deaf ?" He asked when he noticed I didn't reply to him.
"No, I'm just wondering why you won't allow me to ride you here." I said in a seductive manner as I leaned closer to him.
"No, let's get to the hotel." he said and I nodded in response
When we got to the hotel room, I started kissing him and I could tell he was enjoying it. The taste of alcohol burned my tongue but I continued.