Lucas was confused. Who was banging on the door this early in the morning?
'Huh?'
'Hold on!... Why do you think it's someone who wants a massage? The parlor's been closed for months.'
Lucas wasn't sure whether to believe the voice about someone wanting a massage, but he decided to go along with it for now.
"Well, that sounds nice and all... But what if it's a guy?" Lucas said out loud in the empty room.
"I'm going insane," Lucas whispered to himself.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
'It better be a girl.'
"That's not funny... Haah... I just need to ignore it and act like I'm not crazy," Lucas said, trying not to lose his mind.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
'Fine!... Fine!... I'll answer the door!'
Lucas took a deep breath and calmed his nerves before heading upstairs to the main floor of the parlor. When he made it to the front door, he saw an older woman in her thirties. She was wearing a fancy red blouse with a black pencil skirt, her long black hair done up in a loose bun, and a nice piece of jewelry hanging from her neck.
Judging by the way she dressed and held herself, she looked like she came from a successful business background and was most likely here for an important meeting.
'Shit! This lady looks important.' He thought as he opened the door.
"Hello, can I help you?" Lucas asked with a bit of confusion.
"Yes... I came by to see my property..." The woman answered coldly.
Lucas was puzzled by the woman's statement because he didn't know who she was, and the woman picked up on his confusion.
"Oh, you must not know who I am. You see, Mr. Smith, you haven't paid your mortgage in the last five years. I am here to initiate the foreclosure process on the property. So, you will have to leave as soon as possible," she said matter-of-factly.
Lucas couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked at the woman who was staring at him like he was some delinquent, and he began to argue.
"But my grandfather left this place to me. I have the documents from his will."
"Hmm? So it was your Grandfather who was delinquent on paying the mortgage?... Sorry, but that doesn't matter. I own this place now, and you can't stay."
Lucas couldn't believe what he was hearing. His grandfather had told him many times before how rich he was and how he could retire whenever he wanted. But he told Lucas that he enjoyed massaging beautiful women way too much to quit. It made him wonder how his Grandfather lost all his money so fast, but that had to wait for now, and with no other options, he had to ask.
"What's the damage?"
"Two hundred thousand," she said with a stoic face.
"What! That much?! How?!" Lucas exclaimed.
"Because you've been late with the payments, and the interest on the loan has built up, the bank was going to foreclose on this property sooner or later. So, I stepped in before anyone else could and purchased the deed. I'm planning on tearing this place down and building a new condo." She looked down on him with a look that seemed to say, 'Get off my property.'
Lucas's anger turned to sadness. He wasn't about to cry, but he was disappointed that things had turned out this way. He wanted to make something of himself after he quit going to college, and trying to run the parlor was a challenge he was up for—that was until now. He needed to figure out a way to fix the situation.
"But..."
"Look, you can either pay up the two hundred thousand or leave. I don't have time to wait around, little boy," the woman said as she pulled out her cell to read her emails.
Then Lucius chimed in.
Lucas wasn't sure if the voice was a figment of his imagination or real, but he didn't want to lose his family's business.
"Can't we talk about it?" Lucas pleaded with the woman.
"There is nothing to talk about. I've already made my decision. So, pay up or leave," she said as she typed away on her phone. She didn't bother looking at him while she was talking.
Lucas knew the voice was right. He was a failure, and he didn't have any money.
Lucas cleared his throat, "Um, Miss?... Since this will be my last day working in the parlor, why don't I give you one of my family's famous massages? My grandfather was one of the best, and he taught me everything I know," he lied while keeping his cool as best as he could.
The woman arched her eyebrow and shifted her gaze from the screen of her phone to him.
"What are you talking about? I have never heard of this place having anyone famous for giving massages. I would know because I go to the best places. So, where is your evidence?" she looked at Lucas suspiciously.
"Well, before my grandfather became sick, he was known for his amazing massages that not only helped people with physical pain but also mental and emotional problems as well. I'm sure a successful businesswoman such as yourself knows that stress can be an enemy for the body, which is why I offer you a complimentary massage to help relieve that stress and help you feel better. And you must have built up quite a bit of stress over the years of hard work," Lucas explained.
Lucas hoped his lies and his smooth talk would work on the woman and save him from losing the parlor. The woman stared at him for a moment, contemplating the offer.
"I don't have time for games, boy. If your Grandfather was so famous, then you should have the money to pay me. Or are you spinning lies?"