A pyramid of games

"I bet you cant wait for me to die, Lynn," Flora angrily glared at Amber Lynn with a look of hatred. Amber hated the smell of hospitals, but she hated spending time with her mother more. It was pure hell.

"If I wanted you dead mother, I wouldn't be paying your bills now, would I?" Amber replied her mind taken aback by the trending headlines on social media. The big bank heist, this was bad. "Paying the bills," Flora scoffed, "you haven't paid the damn bills for six months, Lynn!!". Amber sighed but remained silent. "Did your sugar daddy leave you," Flora continued.

"Something of the sort," Amber said honestly although it was more of a betrayal case for his boyfriend.

"He finally realized the devil you are," Flora sneered.

"Maybe," Amber said already used to this kind of language coming from mother dearest. Flora always mentioned that she and Amber never got along since conception. Her morning sickness was vexatious. She tried as soon as possible to abort when she found out she was pregnant but was caught three times with every trial. She was then taken to a care hospital, where she underwent therapy. At five moths her feet got swollen to a point where she couldnt even stand or walk. "Everybody called you the cursed baby," Flora would say and the bitter tone confirmed it. Her mood swings were more of mood storms and at seven months the cursed one kicked constantly until Flora couldnt bare it. So she demanded the thing removed from her stomach immediately. Everybody hated the unborn child but when she was born, she was an angel. Everyone adored her. Everyone but her mother.

And the father? He was hiding his true love from the dangers resulting from his powerful position. Nobody could know about them, especially not his barren wife. So he only provided the money but never his presence.

"Why havent you called your father?" Flora asked settling on her bed.

"I fought her wife after telling her the truth, so he disowned me," Amber said casually.

"You foolish girl!!" Flora shot up.

"Mother, he's living in a storey mansion and your here," Amber explained.

"And how is it Ronald's fault that I have a tumor in my stomach. For all i know you might have been the one who left it there,"

"His wife deserved to know the truth,"

"You just proved to me how stupid you can be, so how are you going to sustain yourself?"

"Dont worry about that mother,"

"I have six months to live and your telling me not to worry," Flora said with her teeth clenched.

"Would you just give me..." Before she could finish her sentence Flora blacked out. Amazing!!

It was not uncommon for this to happen so she placed the wet clothe on her forehead and exited the room. Amber's awn sickness was called stress. And it was killing her. She hadnt even taken more than ten steps away from her mother's room than the owner of the hospital appeared.

"Your overdue with the payments Amberlynn," The old man in a luxurious suit spoke. Amber hated his over-hairy face, his breath that smelt like corruption and manipulation. Nobody could even tell that he is a surgeon. He was rarely available for surgery but always present where hot nurses and patients were

"One. You either call me Amber or Lynn not both. Two. I have a plan, i just need time, Dr Fred" Amber uttered angrily.

"I gave you an easy option Amberlynn. VIP access to my suite on the top of the hospital. One night only," Fred smirked with was fortunately buried by his bushy beard.

"If i was you i would focus more on that health hazard on your face than make stupid offers besides I dont do outdated old men," she snapped.

"Fine, bring my money tomorrow or you can leave with that delayed death case in that room," Fred stated walking away.

"STOP COMBINING MY NAME!!" Amber shouted in frustration before her tears began descending on their own.

Amber was now fed up with everything. The plan of the bank heist failed terribly. Her boyfriend abandoned her during the escape and left with all of the money and have since not picked up his phone. Now the whole country was looking for her. Her rent was overdue too despite of her room mate paying for her for the last six months.

The worst thing was that she knew she would end up in his bed to save her mother. That thought alone made her guts churn.

Amber felt the world's weight on her head.The hall leading to the elevator was longer than expected. The hospital was suddenly spinning around or maybe she was. Her tears were blurring he vision and she was dizzy and nauseous.

She couldnt close her eyes because every time she did she saw her father's friend. She felt his wreched hands on her. The way his loving father knowingly left her with him. It was unforgivable. She couldnt go back to him again. She was loosing her balance.

She finally reached the elevator and constantly hit the button. When the door finally opened she threw herself in and fell on the floor. She screamed her guts out hoping that it was at least bring her some relief. She cried terribly.

The man inside the elevator stared at the woman on the elevator floor and sighed.

'Hospital drama' he thought observing the miserable looking woman on the floor. Her problems had covered her appearance. Her hair was messy and bushy, her skin tone had mysteriously darkened and she looked like a living ghost.

"Take it," he said taking out a bunch of cash and throwing it at her.

"Do i look needy to you!!" Amber yelled.

"No, you look like a crazy needy woman," He answered. Amber stood up and grabbed his collar and pinned him on the side.

"Yes, Im crazy, psycho! So dont you dare mess with me," Amber hissed.

"Do you think your ego will solve your problems?" The man asked calmly.

"Like. It. Always. Has," she replied.

"I suggest you control your emotions, take the damn money. Bcoz im sure you have bill..."

"Shut up! Just shut up! Mind your own damn business," Amber yelled realizing that he was probably right. She leaned on his shoulder and cried wetting the man's extremely expensive suit. The man froze.

"Give it," she whispered and the man silently gave it to her.

"You are a good man," She sniffed. The elevator opened and she walked out. The man also got out and watched her as she walked away. He tugged his hair before a red-headed man approached him.

"Sir. The meeting, your late," Zed said.

"Dont you think i know that," He replied glaring daggers at him.

"Oh sorry," Zed smacked his forehead and spotted the boss' wet shoulder.

"Boss. Y...y...your shoulder," He stammered.

"Im glad youve seen it, now do something about it," He sighed. Zed sprang off immediately.

Amber looked at the but-load of money she received from the man she abused and complimented in five minutes. Not enough to settle the hospitals bills but enough to convince her landlord if she hadnt thrown out her things already. No! Her room mate Miranda couldnt allow that. Though a pain in the ass, she was still a good friend.

She took a cab yo her apartment.

"Bailey apartments," she told the cab driver.

"Sure thing," The cab driver said.

Unable to close her eyes due to the horrific memories, she stayed awake. But the silence only enhanced the weight of ber problems. As if the cab driver sensed it.

"Have you heard about the great bank heist," He asked excitedly. Amber's face darkened. "What!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah they stole two million," he added with more zeal.

"Oh really, what else,"

"Im surprised you havent heard about this,"

"WHAT! ELSE!" She yelled.

"Uhm..They said they have a lead on one person, a woman, actually. She was wearing quite a tight uniform. But her hair was uncovered similar color with yours.

"Are you trying to call me a thief," She snapped.

"What. No! I was only..."

"Shut up and drive."

The cab driver now felt like he was playing with fire so he turned the radio on. It was better for the both of them.

On arrival to the apartment, there was a police car parked infront of the door. Her heart momentarily stopped. This was bad.

"Is there a problem here," The cab driver asked.

Amber got out immediately to avoid suspicion. She opened the door and found Miranda and two police officers on the couch.

"Miss Jover your being arrested for assaulting your father's friend," The male cop also her bestfriend

"Greg?? He assaulted me!" Amber shouted

You have the right to remain silent..." The rest faded in the back of her mind. That snake.

"Sorry chica i'll come help as soon as my phone is done upgrading," Mira waved to her.

"Let me go!" She shouted, "I didnt do anything that bastard,"

"Amber, calm down," James tried to calm her down.

"James, Ronald and his friend are lying,"

"Ronald has nothing to do with this, its Greg and Jasmine,"

Jasmine was my father's legal wife. Why didnt i learn of this sooner. The truth had hit her hard.

"That witch..."Amber sneered

"You told her," James asked helping her into the car.

"I had to,"

"She's powerful Amber, and i can tell how much she's trying to get rid of you,"

"She knows im the only heir to the Jovers,"

"I cant protect you when you keep playing with dangerous people,"

"I dont need your protections James,"

"Flora told me you havent paid the bills for six months,"

"Im taking care of it,"

"Like you are right now,"

"I have a plan,"

"Or a heist..."

"James!!!"

"Amber im on a very thin thread here and your pushing me off it," James sighed.

Amber remained silent. For a moment she closed her eyes to find the traces of peace left in the corner of her mind and there it was. More like there he was.

That ever calm man despite of a chaotic scene. His features finally registered in her mind. He was a lighter shade of dark skin with sky blue eyes and naturally curled hair. A tall figure with an intimidating aura she failed to notice. Peace.

Before she could even notice the car had already stopped. She was taken to the checking area.

"I want all the pins. ALL OF THEM," The lady said. She took them all out the ones in the hair in her hoodie the ones in her shoes and the one in her mouth. Then she was locked in the cell.

"Yes, Its Amberlynn right?" I raised my head to that voice and there it was. Jasmine. The spoilt wife of Ronald Jover said smiled with that over done lipstick.

"Amber or Lynn get it right," Amber stared at her.

"Im pregnant," Jasmine declared proudly.

"Even if you inform me i cant help you deliver your fake pregnancy,"

"Careful girl, I'll make sure you die slowly and for that whore you call a mother the disease is doing the work for me," she laughed making Amber reach the bars to grab her.

Jasmine pulled out a gun and pointed it towards her. She backed up.

"Or i can finish you off myself..."