The Ingenious Liam Price

2: Sad Reality

"Her medications are futile as I speak because her heart condition has grown worse from drug abuse," Doctor Beistein informed Liam.

Liam didn't know how to handle this, it was like a stab in his gut because he worked so hard to get the drugs for Emily every month and now her body was failing along with her heart.

"She didn't just have a cardiac arrest last night, she also had a stroke. A heart transplant needs to be carried out so hers can be replaced with a healthy one from an organ donor," the doctor provided whilst observing Liam whose eyes nearly pulled out of their sockets in absolute shock.

"Are you.." Liam paused to gulp because the words felt heavy in his throat that was thick and clogged with a lump, "trying to imply that there's no way out of this except a heart transplant?"

"You're not wrong, Liam. Emily needs a healthy heart as quickly as possible," Doctor Beistein just sighed and shook his head at the man in front of him, "I can't even guarantee the number of days she'd stay alive because her condition was neglected for months. Her heart is way too weak to carry on, she needs the heart transplant as quickly as possible."

It felt like a blow in the face to Liam. His heart sank in his stomach and he fought hard to control his breathing but it seemed as though he was having difficulties with air flowing deeply into his lungs.

"What's the cost of the heart transplant?" Liam asked after a minute of trying to recollect himself.

"One million six hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars."

Liam just facepalmed and heaved deeply, because he didn't know where to get that kind of money from. Even if he worked in the next fifty years he wouldn't be able to raise such a huge amount of money for Emily's heart transplant.

He needed one million six hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars for Emily's heart transplant as fast as he could, or she'd die. He'd lose his only surviving family.

He could still recall the day his mom had taken both him and Emily to the orphanage, assuring them she would return. And she didn't come back. They waited and waited and saw no sign of her. It was until they sneaked out and walked all the way home, that they found her dead. She overdosed drugs to take her own life.

Going down this memory lane was painful to Liam. He and Emily were just six at that time, and he could still remember the way Emily had wept until she had a booger dripping from her nose.

Liam let out a low puff of breath and rubbed his sweaty palms together, knowing he would never relent in finding the money for his twin.

Liam rushed to Brewers' house.

"Why are you still wearing the same suit from yesterday? You look and smell like shit," someone told Liam but he just ignored them and made his way over to the dining room that sat the whole Brewer family of five, eating lunch.

"Reek!" Mr. Brewer called out when he saw Liam standing a few feet away from the table.

"Sir," Liam responded. It was the name his boss had for him because Brewer family thought he had reeked.

"I thought you resigned by yourself, why are you in my house?" Mr. Brewer inquired and the rest of us family looked at Liam.

Liam mustered all his courage and approached Mr. Brewer, his voice trembling with fear and desperation. "Sir, I need to talk to you about my salary. My sister needs a heart transplant, and the surgery costs one million, six hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars. I need the money to save her life."

Mr. Brewer looked at Liam with disdain, his eyes cold and heartless. "Do you think I care about your sister's life? Do you think I care about you? You're just a useless employee who can't even do his job properly. And now you're asking for a handout?"

Liam tried to remain calm, despite feeling a wave of fury rising inside him. "No sir, I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for the money that I'm owed. I worked hard for you for the past few years, and I have received only a little. Please, sir, help me save my sister's life."

Mr. Brewer leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with malice. "Fairness? Who said anything about fairness? Life isn't fair, boy. And neither is business. You want your salary? Earn it."

Liam couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Earn it? I already earned it. I worked for you, day and night, without any complaints. I deserve to be paid."

Mr. Brewer laughed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You deserve to be paid? Who are you to demand anything from me? You're lucky I even let you work for me in the first place. You should be grateful for whatever scraps I threw your way."

Liam felt his blood boil with rage. "I won't stand for this, sir. I demand to be paid what I'm owed, or else I'll take legal action against you."

"Legal action?" Mr. Brewer sneered. "Go ahead and try. I have more lawyers than you have pennies to your name. You're nothing but a lowly employee, and you'll always be at the mercy of your betters."

Liam gritted his teeth, feeling powerless and humiliated. "Please, sir. I just need what you owe me to survive. I have bills to pay and rent to cover. I can't live like this anymore."

"You can't live like this?" Mr. Brewer laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, then. Maybe you should find another job. One that suits your pathetic skills better."

Liam felt a lump form in his throat, tears stinging his eyes. "Please, sir. Have some mercy. I'll do anything."

"Anything?" Mr. Brewer smirked, his lips twisting into a cruel grin. "Well, then. How about you beg for it? Get down on your knees and grovel like the worthless dog you are."

Liam felt his heart sink with despair. He couldn't believe this was happening. But he knew he had no other choice. So, he sank down to his knees, his head hanging low in shame.

Mr. Brewer leaned forward, his eyes glittering with sadistic pleasure. "That's it. Grovel for me, you pathetic worm."

"Can I get the money now?" Liam asked after about an hour passed. The whole Brewer family was about to finish their dinner.  Liam almost couldn't feel his knees.

"You must take me for a fool, Reek. You expect me to give you such a huge amount of money,” Mr. Brewer forked some steak into his mouth.

"But you agreed,” Liam literally gritted out.

"No," Mr. Brewer held a finger up, "you told me you'd do anything. I promised you nothing."

Liam was utterly shocked. He was so foolish to think his boss would be merciful enough to give him his salary.

"Asking me to give you such an amount of money is like asking me to throw it away into the drainage."

"It was my salary."

"Nothing is yours, Reek. Don't you understand? It was your honor to work for us."

Liam closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face as he begged for the money he was owed. He felt like he had hit rock bottom. And he knew that Mr. Brewer was enjoying every minute of his suffering.

"Guards! Take this filth out of my sight," Mr. Brewer ordered.

And the guards bundled and kicked Liam out.