“Uhm… Tyson, how about you bring out your card? Hopefully it should work.” Sandra suggested with her left eyes stealing glances at the receptionists who were beginning to look like they were suspecting them. “About that, I actually didn’t take my card along.” “How would a business man forget to bring his card along?” Sandra said, under her breath, expressing her disappointment and displeasure in him. “Mother, I think we should call father. He’ll help us out of this mess.” Carlos suggested, and Sandra snapped her fingers, feeling a bit relieved, and hopeful. Then she put a call through to Mr. Lincoln who was currently having his siesta after a long day of ensuring businesses were going well. “Hello baby.” Sandra spoke over the phone. “Hello honey. How did your trip go?” Mr. Lincoln asked as he leaned on his sofa. “Actually, not going so well. The resort which I, Tyson and Carlos visited, we are trying to make payments, but none of our cards are being accepted.” “That’s messed up. How can that happen? Anyways, let me try to make a transfer from here. Text me their details.” Mr. Lincoln said, and then hung up the call. Sandra’s head and shoulder raised high again, feeling so certain that she wasn’t going to be embarrassed since her husband was going to make the transfer. After asking for the resort’s account details and it was given to her, she sent it to Mr. Lincoln which he acknowledged when he saw it. After waiting for about a few minutes, Mr. Lincoln’s call came in. “It’s not going through over here, honey. What are you going to do about this? Don’t you have some cash with you?” “Cash? No, I don’t. And even if I do, they don’t accept cash here.” Then the network disrupted their call, making it difficult for both of them to hear each other until the line got disconnected. “What do we do? Your father can’t make a transfer either.” Sandra muttered to her sons in a low tone. Now, her pride had dropped down, and she was feeling insecure, and also feared that things would go south, roughly, soon.“Ma’am, you and your family used all facilities here, and almost damaged them. Now, you can’t make payment. We can’t accept this.” The receptionist uttered, looking at them in spite. “How dare you speak to me in that manner!” Sandra shot at her, feeling fired up. Then the manager walked in, trying to understand what was going on. They narrated all that happened, and the manager faced Sandra and her sons. “Ma’am, with all due respect, please you’ll have to make payment.” The manager requested, in a respectful tone. Sandra wished there was really something she could do. She would have ensured that the receptionist would be fired that same day. “Take a look at me. I obviously don’t look like someone who wouldn’t pay. I’ve been trying to pay with my card, and even my son has used his card as well, but it keeps declining. Does that mean we’re trying to ruin your business intentionally?” “Ma’am, we are not insinuating that, but to avoid embarrassing situations, you ought to ensure everything is in check.” The manager replied. “Now, are you teaching me what to do? What sort of system do you people implement here?” Sandra complained, feeling offended. “Hey! Watch how you speak to my mother. Do you know who we are? My father is Mr. Lincoln who is popularly known all over, and he’s currently on a business trip in China. If he hears of the way you’re speaking down on us, I don’t think your business will thrive anymore.” Tyson voiced out in a threatening tone. But the employees didn’t say a word as they noticed Charles walking towards them. They all turned to him, and greeted him with respect. “Good morning you all.” Charles responded, pretending not to see Sandra and her sons at his left side. Sandra huffed, and rolled her eyes. She wondered why it had to be in this situation that Charles had to walk in, adding to their shame, and embarrassment. “So, what’s going on?” Charles questioned the manager. “Do you have to ask? You came here to relax or do whatever. Why are you poking your nose into a situation that is clearly none of your business!” Sandra shot at him with a glare. Then Charles turned to them, looking at them like they were trash. “And what makes you think this is none of my business.”“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir. They have been so rude to the employees around. I have gotten a lot of complaints regarding them, but we couldn’t do a thing about it since they were customers.” “Can you imagine? You were so rude, and now you’re in a situation you can’t help yourself out of. Anyways, you still have to make payments whether you’re fine with it or not.” Charles finalized, with a poker face. Then Charles moved closer to them. “Seeing as you can’t make payments in this situation, you have to work in the resort for a week to settle your bills.” Sandra huffed, and placed her hand on her forehead like she was having a headache. “I’m so tired of seeing you around, especially when you’re the least person we want to see. What the hell is your business with telling me I can’t make payment?” “Isn’t it obvious that none of you can make payment?” “Hey, Charles, watch it! I have been quiet since you walked in. But you’re provoking me to speak. Shouldn’t you be respectful at least? After all, you’re speaking to someone much older than you.” “Oh, but you all clearly do not have respect for anyone, talk more of those older you.” Charles spat back. “Look. That’s not the concern here. What’s my concern now is who the hell do you think you are to butt into our business. Who the hell do you think you are to order us to work here to make up for our payments!” Sandra lashed out at him, with a glare. “Ma’am, actually, he is the owner of the resort, and he can do whatever he pleases.” The manager cut in. This sent a wave of shock down Sandra’s spine.