I Risked My Life to Save Him, They Made Me Pay

Last year, the developers son insisted on taking his yacht out during storm season. Half an hour later, he was gone. The yacht was caught right in the eye of the storm. Professional rescue teams couldnt even get close. Only I knew how to navigate that old fishing boat. I didnt hesitate. I steered the boat straight into the tempest and pulled him back to shore. But the moment he stepped off, he pointed a finger and cursed me, claiming I, a woman, had steered the boat so erratically that his limited-edition jacket got torn. He demanded I pay him thirty thousand. I confronted the developer, but he merely sized me up, cold and dismissive, telling me I had to take responsibility for my mistakes. This year, his son got into trouble again, in the very same stretch of sea. This time, the developer was literally begging, practically knocking his head on the ground, just for me to save his sons life.

1 On South Bay Pier, I was patching the last tear in my fishing net. A commotion erupted behind me. Old Man Gunther, the village elder, rushed over, his face etched with worry: Quick, everyone! Mr. Davies yacht is trapped in the storm! The pier was packed with people. Mr. Davies stood at the front, his face a thundercloud. What good are these rescue teams? Why arent they out there saving my son? Old Man Gunther hastily waved his hands. The rescue team says the water in that reef area is too shallow, big ships cant get in! A hush fell over the crowd. Then, Old Man Gunther suddenly looked at me, as if hed found salvation. Penny, youre the only one in our village who can handle those old fishing boats. Youre the only one who can save Mr. Davies son. Dark clouds churned ominously across the sky. But a life was on the line. Alright, Im going. I jumped onto the old fishing boat my dad left me and fired up the engine. The storm was fiercer than Id imagined. Several rogue waves crashed over me, drenching me to the bone, and leaving my arms with several stinging cuts. Half an hour later, I finally spotted the stranded yacht. Lucas Davies lay slumped on the deck, trembling uncontrollably. Jump over! I yelled at him. But he hesitated, and another wave slapped against the yacht, sending him cowering back onto the deck. Jump, now! The waves are getting bigger! The waves grew more violent, tossing the old fishing boat wildly on their crests. If I wasted any more time, not only would I fail to save him, I wouldnt make it back myself. Finally, he moved. Lucas scrambled over the yacht railing, closing his eyes as he jumped. The moment his feet touched the boats edge, a wave struck, throwing him backward. Just as he was about to tumble into the sea, I grabbed his collar and yanked him up with all my might. I dragged and threw him onto my deck. He lay there, lips ashen, scared out of his wits. As I turned the boat around, I tried to reassure him. Dont worry, Ive sailed this route for over twenty years. Ill get you back safe. The return journey was even more perilous than the trip out. The storm raged, and the waves swelled higher and higher. The cuts on my arm burned like hell from the saltwater, making me feel like my whole arm was about to snap off. But I couldnt stop. After what felt like an eternity, just before the full force of the storm hit, we finally reached the shallows. I collapsed onto the boat, my entire body aching, bones feeling dislocated, blood dripping from my arm. The shore was in chaos. A few villagers helped Lucas off the boat. Old Man Gunther wrapped him in a towel and handed him a mug of hot water. Mr. Davies also embraced his son, his face filled with relief and concern. No one looked at me. Not even a "thank you." I leaned against the helm, catching my breath for a couple of minutes, before getting ready to head home. A voice from behind stopped me. Wait a minute! Lucas, wrapped in a clean towel, strode over. He tossed his dripping wet jacket at me. This jacket? Limited edition. Three thousand bucks! I stared at the torn jacket on the deck, my mind blank. What do you mean? Dont play dumb, you witch! Youre the one who ripped my jacket. Arent you going to pay for it? And you drive like a maniac! Couldnt you keep the boat steady? Waves splashed all over me! I froze. It took a few seconds for it to click. When he jumped, he nearly fell into the sea. Id grabbed his collar to pull him up, and thats probably how his jacket got torn. I looked at him, then at my arm, still bleeding. I just saved your life, and you want me to pay for your jacket? He puffed out his chest. A life is a life, a jacket is a jacket! You damaged my property, you have to pay! My dad says no one gets a free pass! I turned to Mr. Davies. I thought hed say something. After all, I had just risked my life, diving into the storm to pull his son from the sea. Any father would value his sons life more than a tattered jacket, right? But his reaction completely blindsided me. He glanced at Lucas, a flicker of approval in his eyes. As if to say: Good boy, standing up for your rights. Then he turned to me, his voice flat. You made a mistake, you have to take responsibility. You damaged the jacket, so you must pay! I suppressed my anger, staring at Mr. Davies. Why should I pay? I saved your sons life! Mr. Davies sneered. Who asked you to save him? The rescue team was almost there. People like you, always sticking your nose where it doesnt belong, just looking for an excuse to cozy up to us, right? Lucas jumped up, glaring at me. Exactly! Youre just a boat driver, trying to show off in front of me, hoping to climb the social ladder? Dream on! I was stunned by his sheer arrogance and shamelessness. I looked at my fellow villagers, hoping theyd speak up for me. But they stood with Mr. Davies and his idiotic son. This girl is so clueless. Mr. Davies is investing fifty million in our village. Why argue with him? Yeah, you damage something, you pay for it. Mr. Davies is right. Mr. Davies is a big shot, he treats everyone equally. Listening to their familiar accents, seeing their familiar faces, I suddenly felt a wave of nausea. Fifty million? This Mr. Davies had promised to invest fifty million dollars in North Reef Village for tourism development. Yet, he hadnt invested a dime, instead staying here for three months, freeloading and sweet-talking. The villagers dared not offend him, fearing their cash cow would bolt. They practically licked his boots, eager to please. Old Man Gunther, seeing the stalemate, tried to smooth things over. Penny, just apologize, and this whole thing will blow over. Its not about the money for Mr. Davies; he just wants an explanation. An explanation. I saved his sons life, and he wanted an explanation for me tearing his sons jacket. I smiled. I looked at them and slowly spoke. Alright, Ill pay. Back home, I simply bandaged the wound on my arm. Then I sat in the yard, looking at the old fishing boat docked by the shore. I decided to sell it. Not because I was short on three thousand. On the contrary, my grandparents and parents had accumulated quite a bit of property, including a dozen shops in the adjacent bay. But I felt the boat was unlucky. My dad had gotten into trouble on that very boat. Now this. It felt like bad karma. I pulled out my phone and contacted a buyer in the next bay. He offered four thousand dollars, a thousand more than Lucass stupid jacket. The deal was done the same day, and the money was transferred to me in full. The next day, I went to Mr. Davies office. Lucas sat on the sofa, legs crossed. Seeing me enter, he grinned. Well, well, did you actually scrounge up the money? You didnt have to borrow it, did you? I ignored him, placing the money on the table. Receipt. Mr. Davies had his accountant issue a receipt, which read Jacket Damage Compensation. I took it, folded it, put it in my pocket, and turned to leave. Lucas called after me, smirking. Next time, dont be so eager to climb the ladder, and try to steer the boat a bit steadier. The next day, I packed my things, ready to leave North Reef Village. I had a house and shops in the next bay, a place to settle down and shake off the bad luck. As I stepped out of the gate, I ran into Old Man Gunther. He looked surprised. Penny, are you leaving? I nodded. He frowned. Isnt the Mr. Davies business over? Besides, whats a young woman like you going to do running off so far? Im not running. My family property is still here. Im just going to check out the next bay. Old Man Gunther waved his hand. Mr. Davies invested fifty million in our village. Falling out with him wont do anyone any good. I couldnt help but laugh. Old Man Gunther, has the fifty million arrived yet? He stammered. Soon, its going through the process I said nothing more, pulling my luggage and walking out. Just as I reached the village entrance, Mr. Davies car pulled up. The window rolled down, and Lucas poked his head out. Oh, leaving already? Just because you had to pay three thousand? Is that why youre running away scared? Mr. Davies also glanced at me, stating calmly. Young lady, dont be so impulsive. You grew up in the village, going out might not be as good as staying here. Lucas added. Exactly, a boat driver, what can you do out there? Waitress? I stopped, looking at them. Mr. Davies, take your time with that fifty million. Im not waiting. Lucass face changed. What do you mean? Nothing much. You keep scamming and freeloading in North Reef Village. Im going to live my life in the next bay. No one gets in anyones way. Mr. Davies face darkened. I settled into the next bay, taking over a storefront to sell dried seafood. My dads old clients, hearing Id opened a shop, were willing to give me a hand. Business wasnt booming, but it was comfortable enough. Id occasionally visit North Reef Village. The village was still the samerun-down, roads unpaved, school unrepaired, not a penny of investment visible. Old Man Gunther would always greet me with the same line. Soon, soon. Big projects take time, its always like this. I couldnt be bothered to expose him. One time, I overheard some villagers chatting. Heard Old Man Hughes girl opened a shop in the next bay, doing quite well. Pfft, just selling dried goods? How much can she really make? She ran off over three thousand dollars, so petty. Exactly, a big boss like Mr. Davies, would he really care about her three grand? She just insisted on making a fuss. I walked past them. They instantly fell silent when they saw me. No one thought Lucas was wrong. No one thought Mr. Davies was a problem. In their eyes, I was just a boat girl, supposed to quietly pay up and shut my mouth. I ignored them. Life went on like this for another year. It was the same storm season again. Lucas arrived in North Reef Village with a few friends. Last time was just bad luck. This time I bought a new yacht, Italian imported. What storm can it not handle? Mr. Davies stood nearby, probably feeling his son was now capable enough to venture out. At noon, Lucas set sail. Less than half an hour later, the storm arrived early. Lucass yacht was once again trapped in the same stretch of sea. After the distress signal was sent, the rescue team arrived quickly. But large ships couldn't enter, and the rubber dinghies they launched were capsized by a single wave. Mr. Davies was sweating with anxiety. He seemed to remember something, frantically dialing numbers on his phone. Meanwhile, I was at home, taking a nap. Waking up, the numbers on my phone screen made me pause. Seventy-one missed calls, over a hundred text messages. Before I could even open them, my phone rang again.