The debt

It was another busy night at the restaurant where Leonardo worked as a valet. After another luxury vehicle stopped, he approached, opened the driver's door and waited for another couple to exit the car. As soon as they did, Leonardo entered the vehicle and drove it to the parking lot. At just twenty years old, Leonardo was of average height, with beautiful grayish blue eyes that sparkled like a clear pool. He didn't have high expectations in life as he had to work two jobs to support the household he shared with his father in a suburban neighborhood.

Leonardo's father,Tade,had become an alcoholic after the death of his mother, who had succumbed to a degenerative disease two years ago, leaving them devastated. Now Leonardo had to work two jobs to pay the bills and the debts his father accumulated in nightclubs, with prostitutes, and at casinos where he gambled recklessly.

Returning from the parking lot, ready to park another car, Leonardo saw his friend Tobias approaching him in a hurry. Tobias stopped in front of him, out of breath, and leaned on his knees to recover his breath before speaking.

"Leonardo, you need to come quickly, it's your father."

"Sigh, what happened this time?" Leonardo asked, looking concerned and tired of this routine.

"He got beaten up and is lying in front of the nightclub," Tobias informed, standing still in front of him.

Upon hearing his friend's words, Leonardo covered his face with his hands. He was tired of living a life revolving around getting his father out of trouble. Every hour brought a different problem, and it had already cost him four jobs. With limited options, he turned to the other valet, informing him of a family emergency and the need to leave. Then he ran off with Tobias towards Luxurious, the most exclusive nightclub in the city.

Upon arrival, they looked around but couldn't find Tade where Tobias had seen him being dragged across the street onto the sidewalk.

"He was right here," Tobias said, scanning the area, searching for Tade. "I saw those guys dragging him, all beaten up, towards this place."

Leonardo and his friend walked from one end of the sidewalk to the other, but Tade was nowhere to be found. Leonardo took a deep breath, still very worried, and walked back to Tobias.

"I think he might have made it home," Leonardo said to Tobias, trying to appear unconcerned but unable to hide the worry in his voice.

"Then let's go there."

"No, Tobias. It's alright, I'll handle it," he didn't want to further ruin his friend's evening with his family problems. "I'll call you if anything. Thanks again."

"Alright. I'll head back to the nightclub, then."

After bidding farewell, Tobias returned to the nightclub while Leonardo, despite his tiredness, walked home. He wished he still had his motorcycle, but he had sold it to pay off one of his father's gambling debts. It took forty minutes for Leonardo to reach his house, which now displayed a flowerless garden with tall, neglected grass.

In front of his house, there was a parked black car, seemingly luxurious, but he didn't pay it much attention. He simply hoped to find his father at home, or else he would have to search for him. He opened the rusty gate, which squealed softly, and walked towards the door. As soon as he opened it, he was startled to see his father, badly injured, along with three men standing in the living room. One of them had a gun pointed at Tade's head. The scene filled Leonardo with a mix of fear, anger, and a tightness in his chest.

"Father, what is this?" He took a few steps towards the man with his back turned, ready to pull the trigger. "Get that gun away from my father's head."

The man turned, looking at him coldly, causing Leonardo to feel a terrible chill running down his spine. The man looked him up and down. He was a tall man dressed in a completely black suit, including his tie. His eyes were dark brown, almost black, just like his clothes.

"Your dear father owes me some money," he said, his voice cold, and he lowered his gaze, looking Leonardo up and down. "I gave him a deadline, which he didn't meet, so I came to collect my money."

Leonardo tried to approach again, but the men raised their guns towards him, making him freeze where he stood.

"How much is the debt?" Leonardo asked, glancing sideways and seeing the two men still pointing their weapons at him.

The mastermind continued to stare at him, observing the panic in the young man's eyes. He gestured for the men to lower their guns, and immediately, Leonardo felt a bit of relief.

"Twenty-eight thousand dollars," he replied calmly, still holding the gun in his right hand.

"What?" Leonardo looked from the man to his father, who was crying like a child. "I don't have that kind of money. Please, give me a few more days. I'll try to get the money," he pleaded, almost begging the man, whose hair seemed like that of a Mr. Charming in the soap operas, but without the need for gel.

The man chuckled nasally, still looking at Leonardo, and he also lowered his weapon, further alleviating the situation.

"Midnight tomorrow," he stared intently into Leonardo's clear eyes. "Bring the money to the Luxurious ; I'll be waiting for you in the VIP area."

"Tomorrow?" Leonardo exclaimed indignantly at the given deadline. "Give me a few more days; I can't do it by tomorrow."

"That's my deadline. If I don't have my money by midnight, you can bid farewell to your dear father," the man said slowly, and harshly.

He passed by Leonardo, leaving the room and leaving him completely stunned by it all. Just when he thought he was alone with his father, one of the men handed him a card. Leonardo took the card, which had only one name written in golden letters: Frank Gold.

He turned the card in his fingers, but there was nothing on the other side, not even a phone number.

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