She's One in a Million

Three

Oh my god. Who are these guys? What are they going to do to me? Max was already thinking of what could happen in the worse case scenarios. She could feel the truck moving on for hours now.

A kidnapping? But I don't have any money. A debt collector? No, I definitely hasn't gone to a casino-for 5 years now. Oh no. Human Trafficking? Shit! It can't be! That's gotta be it, right? RIGHT?!

"HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE!" Max screamed at the top of her lungs. Max could feel the truck has finally stopped. She heard the door open and pulled by hands-this time there were no longer two but four. Oh god-this is it. I'll get sold to those traffickers and I will no longer see my family-mom, my stupid brothers, my friends! I can't let that happen. I can't give up now. She kicked her legs as strongly as she could and happened to kick at the kidnapper's balls.

"Take that sucker!" Max screamed and wriggled to loosen the rope. She wasn't able to do so.

"Hey, Max!" one voice called out.

"How'd you know my name!?" Yeah, how'd they know my name?

"It's us your brothers."The man took off Max's sack.

Max stopped and true enough, she saw his older brother, Sam and the other one-who she kicked at the balls, in pain with his hand on his knee and the other one on his crotch was her other older brother Jesse.

"Damn, Max! You hit them hard!"

"What the hell, man!" Max shouted, shocked to see that her two kidnappers were her two stupid brothers in black.

Sam helped Jesse stand up. "Just calm down, okay?"

"H-How could I calm down when there's a sack on my head?!"

"We thought this is way better." Jesse said, leaning on the truck, hands still on his balls.

"What way?"

"Dragging you here."

Max stared at his brothers, glaring at them before looking at what her brothers were talking about. As she saw the place, she couldn't believe her eyes. In front of her was the largest house she has ever seen. It was like one of those palatial houses in Beverly Hills. It was displayed beautifully and dramatically with the play of the lighting. It was painted in beige, stone coated roofs, large windows, a fountain by the center of the garden. The gates were large in wrought iron, gracefully welded in intricate design. 

She was out of breath at the sight. It was like her dream home. A dream when she was once an innocent girl. A dream she already long forgotten.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Sam said, watching the house, hands in his pocket.

"Yes." Max was awed for minute before she got back to her senses. "What the hell are we doing here?!"

Sam pointed with his hand, eyebrows arched and smiled. "You see, Max. This is your home."

"Stop kidding with me. What are we really doing here? You got a debt right? And you're trying to sell me-HELL NO!" Max began to walk out but her brothers caught her by the waist.

"Just hear us out, Maxine!"

Max began to calm down. "Okay. Okay. Fine. Go on."

"As I was saying, this is your home...for the next 2 months." Sam continued. Max nodded. "Uh, just think of this as a vacation."

"It doesn't explain why you brought me here." Max folded her arms together.

"Just tell him Sam." Jesse ordered Sam.

"I'm trying okay. I don't want to freak her out."

"What? What? Tell me what?" She could already feel that something is about to happen.

"Max, we signed you up on "She's One in a Million."

And there was complete silence.

"Max? You still there?" Jesse waved at Max who staring blankly at them. When she got back to her senses, she began to bombard them with questions.

"Why? Signed me up? What for? Is it going to be okay? Am I going to be fine? Will I still see mom?"

"Max-Max-you'll be safe here. We are in Beverly Hills. You will be. We promise."

"Why signed me up then?" Max folded her arms, demanding some answers.

"Well, we're in an uptight position, Max. Can't you see we're having a hard time paying all the bills?"

"You think I don't know that? You think I won't be working my ass off just so we could have food to eat and to pay for mother's bills?!" Her temper started to rise.

"Then this is the solution!" Jesse exclaimed. "Marry a millionaire!"

"No way! I am not that kind of woman. How dare you."

"Just take it this way, we'll be living the dream. You'll not be working your ass off everyday. Mother will be fine."

"But using other people is bad. I refuse to do it." Max shook her head, crossing her arms together.

"Please, Max! Please!" Her brothers pleaded.

"Wait. Wait. How were you able to do this in a short span of time anyway? I never auditioned or anything."

"Well, you remember the time when you were cleaning and got pretty busy at the house. We asked you to do a little "About Me" in front of a camera--yeah, that was what we sent. And It so happened, they chose you." Jesse said.

Max could only put her face in her palm. I fell for that? And worse, they got my name to join in this stupid show?

"Why this show? There are contests that I can join."

"Well, this is the only one that accepted you. Just think about it, Max."

Max thought for a moment. It doesn't seem like a bad idea but using other people just for money? 

"Fine. Fine. You don't even have to win." Jesse explained. Sam hit Jesse with his elbow but Jesse ignored his protest. "Sam, Max's right anyway. She isn't that kind of woman. Half a million is already big. We can start from there."

"That doesn't seem to be a bad plan." Max said. She thought of the pub she has been dreaming with her father before.

Both of her brothers went down to her knees and began to plead. "Please, Max!" Jesse shook Max's hands.

"Jesse's right. You don't even have to win. Just aim for the second place. We can start with half a million."

"Yeah! You can just leave right away." Jesse said, hoping she could convince her sister.

"And you can have a two month-off vacation. Relax and just play."

Max gave it a deep thought before giving out her answer. The money could completely help mom.

"Fine. I will play."