The Debt

Eleni's Pov

The fear that seized me made me so weak I sank into a nearby chair. Christos and Alexios Makris were brothers who ran a huge criminal organization. The organization included every crime you could think off. My dad Andreas worked in their casino as a maintenance man. I hadn’t been happy about him working with them because they were known as ruthless gangsters, and he was a gambling addict, the temptation would be hard to resist. But there were the only people who would accept him. All the other places he had worked had fired him after a couple of weeks because of his gambling.

“Dad is this true? You stole money from those deadly gangsters? What for?” I asked hoarsely.

“To gamble of course! What else does the idiot do with his money!” Mom said furiously. “He gambled and lost, now those sadistic bastards are after him!”

“Dad please talk to me. What is going on?” I asked gently.

My dad who was hanging his head looked at me sadly. “I am so sorry. I made a mistake. I know I shouldn’t have stolen the money but I was hoping to pay it back once I won.” He said.

“How much is it?” I asked.

“Why the hell are you asking? How will knowing the amount solve anything?” My mother yelled contemptuously.

“Take it easy mom.” I soothed.

“Don’t tell me to take it easy. This fool has put a target on all our backs and you are a bigger fool if you can’t see that!”

I sighed. I understood her anger and fear but taking it out on me wasn’t fair.

“How much dad?” I asked again.

“$3000.” He said miserably.

“Satisfied?” Mom snapped. “Now you know how does it help?”

“If you give them the money will it make them leave you alone?” I asked dad.

“Yes, but how will I get it?” He asked.

“I will give it to you.” I said.

Mom and Dad stared at me as if I’d gone crazy.

“The baking jobs I have been doing, I’ve made quite some money and I’ve been saving it. I will give you the money to pay them off, and please no more gambling Dad. I am begging."

“I promise honey. No more. If you do this for me I will quit for good. I swear.”

Mom snorted in derision. I couldn’t blame her. Dad had made the promise for years but he hadn’t stopped. I only hoped this brush with danger would finally get him to stop.

I went to my room and got the money from under my mattrass. I knew it was a silly old fashioned way of keeping money, but I preferred it. I could see it grow and that motivated me to work harder.

I took out $3000 and went to give it to my dad.

“Thanks sweetheart. I love you and I won’t let you down.” He promised.

Mom rolled her eyes. I left them and went to Nick's room to see how he was doing. I found him by the window looking miserable, but he brightened when he saw me.

“Leni have you heard what happened? Dad is in big trouble with the Makris brothers. I’m scared.” He said sadly.

“Don’t be. I have given him the money to help him out of it. Don’t worry”

“I know you would have a solution. I love you.” He said hugging me.

“I love you too” I smiled. “How are you doing today?”

He had a heart condition that made him weak and ill most of the time. It, and Dad's gambling, had drained our finances. But all that would soon be over. In a couple of months I would have enough to open my own bakery, and make enough money to make my family comfortable, and pay for the surgery Nick needed. I was confident about it. I was already earning a reputation for making the tastiest cakes and pastries in town. Once I had a shop of my own I knew it would be a success.

But fate had other plans. A week later, I was in the kitchen experimenting on a recipe, when there was a knock on the door. I heard mom go to answer it, then she screamed.

I rushed into the living room where a cop was standing trying to console her as she wailed.

“What is going on?” I asked breathlessly.

“Your father is dead!” Mom wailed.