A nervous Mrs Jessica Bale stood at the kitchen table. Looking at Dick Weedle in front of her, an idea now formed in her overworked brain. She played with the dish rag between her fingers as she looked at him.

" Is something wrong, Mrs Bale?", Dick asked in a rather concerned voice. He was always a good actor, feigning worry and care when all he wanted was a good story and an opportunity to make it work for him. Coming from a broken home, he was the ultimate opportunist. His mother was the village bicycle, so to say, and divorced his father for a leech of a man. Dick was always ill treated and when he came forth with his pity play of how horrible the situation was, Claire fell prey to him. Although for some time he made her feel loved, he was simply injecting his fake affection on her to gain sympathy and love in return.

Mrs Bale smiled at him, " nothing of your concern son".

"Oh, please do tell me, maybe I can help you with whatever it is that is troubling you", Dick said sweetly, struggling not to sound as if he wasn't desperate for the opportunity. He knew something was up, he also knew he could milk the situation of given the chance.

Jessica explained her situation hurriedly to Dick, she did not want Claire hearing about the mess she had made. She did not divulge much detail, she didn't need him to blackmail her. It would be disasterous if she was pestered by the gambling goons and a mere boy. Dick stared at her for a while,licking his lips.

" If you have sexual relations with me for a whole year, I will kindly pay of your debt", he said with a straight face as his crotch tingled in his pants. He slowly slid his left leg onto his right leg hiding the obvious arousal he suddenly felt.

Jessica stood in shock, her mouth went dry and almost all the color drained from her face.What sort of twenty one year old was this. Had he no shame. No morals and values. Before she could open her mouth to speak, Dick sensed the tension and burst into laughter. " I am just kidding Mrs Bale".

Although he knew he wasn't. He was a dirty little pervert. Addicted to pornography. Always jerking off when he was alone and always pestering Claire for sexual favors every chance they had alone with her. Their dating life became purely of a sexual nature. He was addicted. In fact if he couldn't get it from Claire, anyone would do, just to satisfy his urges.

Jessica sighed in relief. She did not expect such a joke. She smiled faintly and asked him what did he really want in return.

Dick was silent. His thoughts going back to the day Claire's father asked for her identity document. He had split his provident fund, properties and assets equally between his queen Jessica and his princess Claire.

His eyes now glistened as he thought about the opportunity that presented itself to him. He knew he would be well taken care off if he married Claire. She was a hard worker. Let alone the fact that in the years to come,he will be rich, and he wouldn't even have to work hard for it.

Jessica was nervous. He had just made a ridiculously inappropriate joke and now his smile was from ear to ear as if he had won the lotto. She knew there will be consequences to her bad decisions and judgements.

" Well, Mrs Bale. I want to marry your daughter Claire and in return I will give you the thirty thousand Rands you need so desperately. It must take place this saterday so that we both keep to our word. I will bring the cash to you, and you get her to sign the paper ", Dick said with authority as of how demands had no choice but to be met.

" I don't know Dick, really", Jessica replied. She really felt helpless. Was this the only way out," can I at least think about it".

"Tik Tok, Mrs Bale", Dick said pretending to tap his imaginary watch on his wrist," let's not make this hard. Claire loves me and I love her. What could be so hard. I'm not asking you to throw her off a cliff. I'm. Asking for her hand in marriage".

Mrs Bale felt uneasy. She knew she would have to convince Mr Bale that this is what Claire and Dick wanted. She had only 2 days to persuade Claire and make her father believe that it is their only daughters decision. She looked at Dick, rolling them at him she finally spoke, " I will try my best to get her to agree,but I can't guarantee you that you will get what you want".

"I can't guarantee thirty thousand Rands on saterday afternoon if you don't keep your end of the bargain", Dick replied with a smirk.

Jessica looked at him. She was desperate to settle her debt. She could force Claire, or persuade her. Which ever would work, at this point Jessica did not care. Dick was her only hope. She had no other choice. No plan B or C or D. Just this plan A. "What harm could this fellow be to Claire", she thought as she looked at Dick, trying to search his soul.

She found nothing, it was as if his eyes mirrored her emotions.

"Very well then Dick Weedle, I will get Claire to marry you on Saturday. Which ever way I do, I will hold up my end of the bargain. I will wait for you to do the same. Saterday it is, then",Jessica said as she picked up dinner and layed the table. Mr Bale should be here any minute.

Jessica popped her head into the kitchen,"Did I miss anything you two?".

Dick smiled at her, " No babe".

Jessica felt nervous and wished she could just vanish. The guilt was eating her inside already but she knew she didn't want to be found dead in an alley anytime soon.