Her father's debts

The next day as usual came so quick and Lyra was already at her shop, she made huge sales and was happy. Who was her to be with so much happiness and less worry?

Lyra was from a poor home, leaving home at a young age to struggle and hussle to make money for her family, she had been played by many men and she was determined not to be a fool again.

Her dad had been a drunk and had borrowed to gamble, being a drunkard after his business failed, he had daydreamed that by gambling, he would win money and start up new business but his hopes never birthed reality, he found himself selling all had and borrowing huge money, thereby creating a huge debt for his family, and eventually he died after drinking one night and falling into the gutters. It was so difficult for Lyra's mother and brother to bear, leaving her family, Lyra came to the city to make money and pay back the debt and cater for her family.

Happy about the huge sales she made, she heard people shouting and raising her eyes, she saw group of thugs breaking everything in her shop, the loan sharks has finally traced and found her. Is it a nightmare?

Tears dropped from her eyes as she felt her world crumbling, she had used her life savings to start that business and losing it all in a day was a nightmare she never wanted at all.

Lyra's eyes widened in horror as the thugs destroyed her shop, her livelihood, and her dreams. She felt like she was living a nightmare, and the pain and fear were all too real. The loan sharks had finally caught up with her, and she knew she couldn't escape the debt her father had left behind.

As she watched, helpless and tears streaming down her face, the thugs smashed every last thing in her shop. They took the money from the register, the equipment, and even the ingredients. They left nothing but destruction and despair in their wake.

Lyra felt like she was drowning, suffocating under the weight of her father's mistakes. She had worked so hard to build a new life, to escape the poverty and the pain of her past. But now, it was all being taken away from her.

Just as she thought things couldn't get any worse, the leader of the thugs approached her, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "You're coming with us, Lyra. The boss wants to have a word with you."

Lyra's heart raced as she realized she was in grave danger. She thought of Stephen, the mysterious stranger who had walked her home the night before. She wished she had accepted his offer to dinner, maybe he could have helped her. But now, she was alone, and she had no one to turn to.

Sophia who heard the noise ran to Lyra's shop, startled and shocked, stood at the door not knowing how to help her friend or who to turn to for help.

Yielding to their request, Lyra followed them, she had been humiliated and lost everything in a short time and she had no other choice, determined to pay the debt even if it means to give her body, she stared sadly at her friend as she walked through the door with the thugs, her world had finally crumbled.

Sophia's eyes widened in horror as she watched her friend being taken away by the thugs. She felt helpless and frozen in place, unsure of what to do or who to turn to for help. She knew she had to act fast, but her mind was racing with fear and uncertainty.

Just as the thugs were about to drag Lyra away, Sophia found her voice. "Wait! Please, don't take her! I'll find a way to pay the debt, just don't hurt her!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

The leader of the thugs sneered at Sophia. "You think you can pay the debt? You're just a small-time boutique owner. You don't have the kind of money we're talking about."

Sophia knew she had to think fast. She remembered Stephen, the mysterious stranger who had been eyeing Lyra. She had seen the way he looked at her, with a gaze that seemed to hold a deep longing. Maybe, just maybe, he could help.

"Wait! I know someone who can help! Please, just give me a chance to call him!" Sophia begged, her eyes locked on Lyra's despairing face.

The thugs exchanged a glance, seemingly considering Sophia's plea. After a moment, the leader nodded. "Fine. You have five minutes. If your friend can't come up with the money, Lyra will be ours to deal with."

Sophia nodded, her heart racing with hope. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Stephen's number, praying he would answer.