1. Precious pet

"Just give her a few minutes, will you?" Her father's voice reached her ears. "How can you be so insensitive? My daughter is leaving suddenly, completely unaware of what's happening. This sudden departure might cause her severe distress. Show some compassion, please!"

Precious bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back her tears. She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face, took a deep breath, and wiped them away. She could do this. She had to.

'I can do this. I know I can.'

With newfound determination, she abandoned her initial plans and picked up her bag, making her way to the living room. "Papa, I'm here!" she announced, standing on the stairs.

Vincent and the chauffeur's attention shifted, their gazes drawn to the young lady bravely facing the challenges thrust upon her. Though she forced a smile, her father was the only one who could see the pain in her eyes.

Vincent's heart shattered as he witnessed the agony reflected in his daughter's gaze. It was all his fault—his mistakes had caused this suffering.

"Let's go, sir," Precious approached the chauffeur, who collected her bag and gently held her hand, guiding her towards the waiting car that would take her away.

Precious mustered a bittersweet smile at her father. "Goodbye, Papa," she waved, mustering all her strength to focus on her next steps.

Her heart sank as the chauffeur opened the car door for her and placed her bag in the trunk. It felt like a finality she wasn't ready to face.

"Sweetheart!" Her father's voice reached her ears, and she immediately turned, tears streaming down her face.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she cried out, "Papa!" and rushed back into his open arms, seeking solace and comfort. He held her tightly, enveloping her in warmth.

"Papa, I'm not happy," she confessed, her voice choked with sadness. "I don't want to go."

Vincent's eyes widened, and he glanced around, attempting to hide his tears. Despite his efforts, the tears continued to flow down his cheeks, and he grimaced in anguish.

The chauffeur, witnessing the scene, thought to himself how pathetic it all was. He knew he would face repercussions if the girl didn't reach his Master's house by 9 pm. Glancing at his wristwatch, he realized it was nearly eight, making him grow anxious.

"I understand, I truly do, and I'm sorry," Vincent managed to utter, his voice filled with remorse.

"Papa!" Precious could only sob, her emotions overwhelming her.

"My baby," he whispered, holding her even tighter.

"Come on, it's time to leave!" the chauffeur interjected, forcefully pulling Precious away from her father's embrace.

Vincent was about to unleash his frustration on the chauffeur, but his daughter stopped him and took the lunch bag from his hands, signaling that she was ready to go, albeit reluctantly.

"Please make sure you eat well, Papa! I love you!" she cried out as the man tugged her towards the car.

"I love you too, my dear. Stay safe! Papa will come for you soon!" he declared, trying to reassure her.

She had already entered the car by the time he finished his statement. Vincent had to approach the car closely before the chauffeur started the engine.

With the window glass closed, he couldn't hear her words or see her clearly. Precious could only see her father's figure, but the words were lost in the distance.

Nevertheless, she felt the depth of her father's love. As the car began to move, he ran after it, while Precious wailed and pressed herself against the back window.

"Papa, go back inside!" she pleaded, her voice tinged with pain.

Almost as if he had heard her plea, he halted his pursuit and stood there, watching the car drive away. Concern for her future weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn't shake off the feeling that hardships awaited her. He blamed himself for the difficulties she faced, especially now as she embarked on her scholarly journey.

"Why now, of all times?" Vincent questioned his fate. "Why couldn't I be wealthy enough to provide for my own and spoil them?"

He had lost his wife solely due to the constraints of his social status, and even the small business he had desperately tried to revive couldn't improve their lives or that of his daughter. The sacrifices he had made were in vain, as he couldn't even save his wife. And now, the beast desired his precious child—the only remaining family he had. She was everything to him.

Why did life have to be this way?

"Why!" The more he dwelled on it, the more frustration, anger, and hopelessness engulfed him. He couldn't even contemplate ending his own life because the malevolent entity didn't want him; it craved his innocent daughter.

Vincent had witnessed the transformation firsthand in the dark room where he was subjected to punishment for his attempted escape. Bound to a chair and exposed under a harsh light bulb, he tried to maintain a facade of fearlessness. However, when Master Edgar, impeccably dressed in a designer suit, metamorphosed into a serpent, Vincent's sanity shattered, and he screamed in terror, especially as the snake slithered around his body.

"Oh, dear Lord!" Vincent quivered, shutting his eyes tightly. "I'm sorry, Master Edgar. I deeply apologize. I should never have tried to escape. I was simply overwhelmed by the fear of something like this happening!" With his eyes closed, Vincent wept, consumed by guilt and remorse.

His weathered countenance only accentuated his pitiful appearance, but what more could one expect from a demon? They lacked remorse and showed no mercy. Their very nature was rooted in evil intentions.

Edgar, still in his serpentine form, hissed menacingly before slithering away, only to transform into his handsome human guise. As Vincent slowly opened his eyes, he could see the flames flickering within Master Edgar's gaze, causing a painful shiver to run down his spine. His life had been utterly ruined.

It had all started two years ago when Vincent, desperate for money to afford his wife's medical treatment, had been introduced to Master Edgar—a man who claimed to possess mercy. Little did he know that the contract they had signed would lead to the perilous situation he now found himself in, trapped within the dark room.

The light bulb abruptly ceased its illumination, and Vincent knew it was Edgar's doing. After losing his wife, Vincent had lost hope in everything, even his own daughter, leading to the downfall of his business and leaving him unable to repay his debts, a substantial amount of money he had borrowed.

Discovering that Master Edgar was not human, but something far more dangerous, felt like a double blow to Vincent. He couldn't even inquire about Edgar's true identity. All he could do was pray for his own survival so that his daughter wouldn't be left alone in this world.

Suddenly, his chair was moved by an unknown force, bringing him closer to Master Edgar. The man emitted a captivating scent.

"Mr. Vincent!" Edgar's voice rang, strangely alluring. "Of course, I am wealthy, and what significance does the meager sum you owe me hold in my life? Truly nothing. But indulging in evil is simply my preference."

How could a creature of such malevolence possess such an angelic voice? Vincent wondered.

"Mr. Vincent, everything evil possesses a certain allure," Edgar continued, his words chilling to the bone.

Vincent was taken aback. Could the beast read his thoughts?

However, the truth was that the demon, Edgar, couldn't read minds... yet.

"Master Edgar," Vincent called out with a voice trembling with fear. "I'm sorry!" His voice broke as he cried out desperately.

"I have no money, and I know you are well aware of that. But I promise you, Master Edgar. I promise that once I am able to revive my business, I will repay you. Please, I beg you, don't kill me. I have sinned, and I am ready to face the consequences, but please, Master, spare my life!" His pleas were filled with desperation.

In the darkness of the room, Vincent couldn't see anything, but he sensed Edgar moving away from him. "Mr. Vincent!" Edgar's voice echoed once again, still carrying that hauntingly angelic tone.

"What would I possibly gain from killing you?" Edgar asked, and silence enveloped the room for a few moments. Edgar deliberately left Vincent in suspense, his curiosity piqued. "I mean, you have a daughter whom you most certainly wouldn't want to lose," he finished.

As Master Edgar mentioned his daughter, images of her flashed through Vincent's mind. In that instant, he felt a part of him die. He couldn't bear to witness his daughter suffering while he was still alive.

"Please, Master Edgar! Oh, I beg you!" Vincent tried to lower himself to his knees, but the chair that bound him caused him to fall, exacerbating his already fragmented state of mind. He was overwhelmed by a sense of wretchedness.

"Please, Master Edgar! Spare my daughter!" his desperate plea echoed through the room.

Like a bat, Edgar could perceive his surroundings clearly in the darkness. He could see the anguish etched on the old man's face, the burden of his regrets, and the sheer terror he exuded. And that was something Edgar relished.

Hence, he chuckled. "She's young," Edgar remarked, savoring the moment. "Beautiful and pitiful, just like her parents. You know what I find fascinating about her?" Edgar asked, pausing for a response that came in the form of a plea.

"Her name is Precious. She will be my precious pet. A pure, innocent soul, like white fur. But she will become a creature like me."

Vincent's voice cracked as he rebuked, tears streaming down his face. "I will do anything! You can take my life, please! Just spare my daughter. She is precious to me."

"That's why you named her Precious," Edgar taunted. "It took you and your wife six years to conceive, and when Diana finally gave birth, you were blessed with a child possessing blue eyes and blonde hair, traits neither you nor your wife possessed. She is indeed precious, and I desire her."

"Please, Master Edgar," Vincent pleaded, his voice filled with immense desperation.

"If I cannot have her, she will die. Currently, she is in her room, preparing for college. How delightful it would be. I see her, and if you refuse my demands, she will be gone, Mr. Vincent," Edgar threatened.

"My chauffeur will come to collect her this evening, Mr. Vincent."

Vincent, after shedding countless tears, accepted his fate. He couldn't bear to let his daughter perish. He held onto the belief that she would be fine—it was only a matter of time. "If I pay you everything you ask, will I be able to get my daughter back?"

"Yes, Mr. Vincent! Immediately," Edgar confirmed.

"And will I be able to communicate with her?"

"Well, I will permit it... once a month," Edgar replied, his tone unyielding.

"Master Edgar!"

"I am not changing my mind."

Vincent swallowed, his anxiety palpable. "Will she be safe?"

"Well... that depends on how your daughter treats me. If she displays wickedness, she will be fine. However, if she chooses to be a saint, she will not fare as well," Edgar explained.

"Why my daughter?" Vincent asked, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and confusion.

"I crave her, Mr. Vincent. It's as simple as that!" Edgar's voice dripped with sinister desire.

Vincent's throat tightened as he swallowed, tears continuing to roll down his cheeks. How could his daughter survive with such a monstrous being? he wondered.

"How old are you, Master Edgar?" he managed to ask, his voice trembling.

Edgar's smile widened. "Curious, aren't you?"

"If my daughter is to be yours, I need to know who you are," Vincent pleaded, his desperation palpable.

Edgar chuckled. "I like your quick thinking, old man. Alright, I'll indulge you. Your Master standing before you is one hundred and twenty years old."

Vincent's face turned pale at the revelation. How could... no! How was Edgar still so young in appearance?

"That's enough questions! You may leave now," Edgar dismissed him abruptly.

Vincent wasn't given a chance to utter another word. In the blink of an eye, he found himself back on the couch he had sat on upon his arrival. It was in that moment that he knew, with a heavy heart, that his daughter's life had effectively come to an end. She was in imminent danger, and the life he had envisioned for her had been snuffed out before it even had a chance to begin.

But Vincent refused to accept defeat so easily. He made a solemn vow to himself that he would work tirelessly and raise the necessary funds. He set a deadline of six months, determined to free his daughter from the clutches of this beastly creature.