CHANGING THE GAME WITH THE CASHFLOW SYSTEM

System activated.

Blake's face was a storm of emotions–Sadness, desperation, frustrations. Emotions that bite him deep in the heart and the pains masked his face.

He just stepped out of the doctor's office and what he was told made his heart drop.

$20,000?

Where was he going to get that?

Through the reflecting wall of a ward in the hospital, he watched with a saddened face. Lana, his grandmother laid on the bed. Eyes shut, lips white and face pale. She was on life support.

The room where she was looks nothing but a conducive ward. The bed sheet on the bed is rough just like his grandma's wrinkled face, the room was neat but far from what Blake pictured for his lovely grandmother.

The woman was everything to him after he lost his parents in a Gastly accident that took their life. He didn't even know how they looked except from one of the old portraits that hung on his grandma's wall.

Lana had always told him he's a replica of his father.

Blake heard footsteps and then a presence close to him.

He turned from the glass and doctor Frank's stiff face greeted him but it wasn't warm.

“You have just 2hrs Blake. Your grandmother's life is hanging on the thread and you know what happens when that thread snaps?”

Blake blinked, his heart tightened. The reality shook his nerves but he had to be strong. Especially now.

To save his grandmother or dig a grave later.

Lana had been battling with a life threatening disease– Stage III Cancer of the lung.

She's fighting for her life. But Blake wants to see her grandmother walk again. He was desperate to make that happen and he's going to do everything it takes.

Stepping outside of the hospital, the cool evening breeze brushed against his face, a chilling reminder of the task and deadline that hung on his shoulder.

He made his way home, his legs dragging on the floor as if he was being pushed to walk. He had just 2hrs to sort out $20,000 otherwise–

Blake is the live-in son-in-law of the Walter family. The Walter family are known for their wealth and prominence in the city. They ranked 6th in the city business board but lately, things have not been adding up.

The atmosphere looks different tonight– the noises coming from the house which sounded like a hum in his ear due to the gap, the fleets of cars, not much. Just a few but their presence filled the parking lot and screamed wealth!

What is happening?

Imbibed in curiosity, he pressed forward to the threshold of the mansion and the sight that caught his eyes made him froze in place.

The hums were louder now. The cracking of laughters and the soft clinking of glassware as the familiar faces and some unfamiliar ones exchanged toast under the light in the hall. Everywhere was lively.

Blake looked around, searching for a particular familiar face which he didn't see.

“What was happening tonight? No one told him anything.”

But who would? After all, he's just a worthless son-in-law.

A man in a crisp white suit, brighter than some people's future, stood up with a smile, his shoulder raised with pride.

Everywhere seemed to dim quietly as this man stood up. He bowed before Patriarch Walton who sat on a gilded chair like a king. He was beaming with smiles as if the event happening was all about him.

“Happy Birthday Mr. Walton. Long life and prosperity–”

Then it hit Blake like a tidal wave. Today is Patriarch Walter's birthday. How could he not remember?

It makes sense now– The cake laying meticulously on a table at the side, the beaming faces and the sparkling outfits.

Blake heard the man continue. “I have prepared just something small as a gift for you sir.” He said and clapped– not applause but a signal.

Then two sturdy men dressed in black suits, looking too formal for the event carried a golden box which caught the light and dropped it with the several gifts already sitting at Patriarch Walter's feet.

“That box contains rare herbs Mr. Walter. I peregrinated the 7 continents just to find them.” The man, Clinton Kenneth began, his shoulder raised higher as murmurs of admiration surrounded him and boosted his confidence the more.

“Inside of the box is panax ginseng, a portion of herb that costs just $10,000. It is anti–ageing. Another one contains the Reishi mushroom. It boosts immunity and you'll look like a juvenile–”

Clinton Kenneth didn't stop. He kept spilling the content of the golden box and the prices were astonishing, making gasps rippled and comments floating in the air.

Then Blade dragged himself in. All eyes fell on him. The room fell into silence on a whim as if a man of reverence just showed up but the expression of disgust on their faces, it shows the king of failure and setbacks just showed up at a successful event. The laughter died down, the beaming faces dropped.

Then whispers.

“Isn't that the worthless son-in-law?!!"

“He looks really miserable. Yikes! How disgusting!"

“Who shows up at an event like this if not the gutter man!"

Blake didn't look at their faces. He walked straight to Patriarch Walter whose earlier smiling face was now a mask of– Detests, anger...all displayed on his face.

Blake swallowed hard, his heart thumped with fear under the man's fierce gaze but nothing matters to him. He had less than 2hrs to save his grandmother. And Pa. Walter is in a good mood today.

“Happy birthday, papa. Please can you lend me $20,000 sir? Lana is seriously sick" He was desperate.

Gasps rippled from the hall.

Who does that?!

Was that his birthday gift?!! To leech off $20,000.

This poor son-in-law doesn't wish Pa. Walter well.

Patriarch Walter gritted his teeth and his finger morphed into a fist at his side, his angry gaze grated on Blake for interrupting his party but he doesn't want the piece of trash of a son-in-law to spoil his good mood.

Before he could speak, a voice, more harsh and spiteful, cut in.

That was Lady Walter, the Matriarch. She wore a flowing green gown that shimmers under the light. Her dark hair, a highlight of white steaks.

“Fine! Take this and sign it!! $20,000 will be yours!!" She slammed a paper on the table as if she was prepared for the moment before.

Clement Kenneth who sat beside her angled his neck slightly and the content of the paper made him grin, satisfactorily. He tugged on his suit, pride effusing all over him. He had always wanted this to happen.

Blake grabbed the paper desperately thinking it was a good way out of his mess but his jaw fell tightened, face twisted with disbelief.

“Divorce paper?" He looked at Mrs. Walter. Her expression was cold and distant.

“Sign it and the money is yours or don't you want to save your grandma?” She laughed, taunting. “Or does the old woman deserve to die like that? Her organs chopped down by some cancerous cells?" The smirk remained on her lips.

Blake knew her plan. To use his desperations against him but he loves his wife.

He dropped the paper on the table and took a step back as if it was a forbidden book “I'm not signing it!! I love my wife and I'm going to get the $20,000 for Lana's treatment.” With that, he walked out. Murmurs and laughter followed him behind, mocking him.

Stepping outside, he met Jemina, his wife at the threshold.

Blake was momentarily swept off his feet by her striking beauty. His breath caught in his throat for that moment and it seems time paused for nature to admire her. She sparkled in a velvet gown and she flaunted a black hermes purse.

“Blake?!” Jemina was surprised to see him going out by that time of the night. “Where are you off to?”

“To the hospital. Grandma is sick and–” He gulped hard, feeling his emotion rising. “The doctor asked for $20,000 for her surgery.”

Jemina observed her in the silence that fell over. “Have you talked to Grandma and Pa about it?”

Blake didn't answer at first. The only thought that crossed his mind was the Divorce paper. He shook his head gently. “That's not necessary dear, I'll..work something ou–”

“What if I give you and you'll pay me back later?!" Jemina cut him short with a gentle smile.

Blake was stunned, his eyes, a shade of shock. “Youre going to give me? But how I'm I going to pay it back? That's a huge amount.”

Jemina didn't answer him. She smiled and fiddled through her purse but she couldn't find her phone. Her face dropped slightly.

“I can't find my phone but..” She paused, flashing him a smile. “Lucky you dear, I have $20,000 in cash in my car.” She walked away before Blake could argue.

Jemina gave him the money which was printed in a briefcase; Raw and authentic. He thanked her and ran off to the hospital. Less than 1hrs left.

Blake took a taxi to Embler hospital but getting to a lonely road, the driver suddenly stopped the car.

“Get out!!" He barked and Blade wondered what was happening. He clutched the briefcase to his chest.

Then the man pointed a pistol at him. “I said fucking get out.”

Fear twisted his chest, his heart pounding like a drum. He knew he was in trouble.

“Please let me go. My grandma–”

That was all what Blake said before something cracked against his head from behind. Pain bursted through his nerves to his brain.

The Briefcase fell to the floor, blood spilling from the back of his head. He turned slowly, his feet dragging, vision blurry and eyes spinning but he saw the outline of three other men holding dangerous weapons. One of them had struck him with a rod.

He collapsed to the floor and his eyes were shutting.

DING!

[HOST FOUND]

[CASHFLOW SYSTEM ACTIVATED]