Sarah adjusted her white apron with cold and shaking fingers in the empty quiet hallway.
She had worked in this grand luxury mansion for over two whole years as a maid.
The sunbeams beamed down through the massive arching glass windows along the long corridor.
An American flag hung proudly on the polished wooden wall near the tall front entrance.
Her phone vibrated against her hip, making her jump in extreme sudden terror.
She quickly pulled the small device out of her dark pocket and swiped open the screen.
Caller: We know where your young brother goes to school every morning, Sarah.
Sarah: Please... stay away from my brother!
Tears spilled over her cheeks as she leaned heavily against the cold wall for support.
Her younger brother Jimmy was only ten years old and completely innocent of any wrongdoing.
Her cousin had borrowed money from dangerous people, and now they wanted Sarah to pay it.
Caller: You have one hour, Sarah.
Sarah: I don't have that kind of money right now!
Caller: Then you better find a way to get it quickly.
The line went dead with a harsh clicking sound that echoed in her ears.
Sarah slid down the wall until her knees touched the smooth marble floor underneath her.
She buried her pale face in her hands and sobbed quietly into her white uniform.
Heavy footsteps began echoing down the marble floor from the far side of the grand hall.
Mark stood at the end of the long hallway with a sharp and stern look.
He was a tall muscular man who owned a huge real estate empire in the city.
His dark tattoos showed clearly beneath the short sleeves of his fitted black cotton shirt.
He walked directly toward her with quick and heavy confident steps along the bright hallway.
Mark: Who is threatening you?
Sarah: Nobody... it's just a private family matter.
Mark: Do not lie to me while you are standing in my house.
Sarah held out her small cell phone with a hand that would not stop trembling.
Mark took the phone from her cold fingers and looked at the recent call history log.
He pressed the dial button and immediately placed the speaker directly against his right ear.