Loan granted

ASHLEY P.O.V

"I don't have anything with me apart from my ID," I replied, attempting to sound bold. But despite my best efforts, my voice betrayed me, coming out shaky instead. As I filled out the loan application, my hands trembled, making it difficult to write my name with confidence. Deep down, I knew my financial history was far from ideal, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of fear that the secretary would reject me outright. However, I couldn't afford to give up hope just yet. There had to be a chance, especially since I no longer owed them any money. Ethan had promised to clear my debt if I came to dinner with him, and I had faith that he, being a wealthy man, would uphold his word. It had been over a week since we last met, and I hadn't received a call from his darn company. That could only mean one thing: my name had been successfully cleared from their list of unreliable debtors. With a nervous yet determined expression, I stretched out the completed application towards the secretary, silently praying that my name didn't appear as a chronicle debtor.

The secretary glanced at my application, her expression remaining unreadable. Time seemed to slow down as I held my breath, dreading the moment when she would deliver the verdict on my eligibility for the loan. Breaking the silence, the secretary looked up from the application, meeting my gaze. Her demeanor seemed composed, devoid of any emotion.

 "I’ll need to check with my manager. Please have a seat, ma'am. I'll be right back," she stated calmly, her voice devoid of any tell tale signs of judgment or sympathy.

I exhaled, finding temporary solace in the act before settling down onto the chair. At that moment, my phone abruptly rang, its ringtone piercing the stillness of the room. Retrieving it from my bag, I checked the caller ID, only to discover that it was my mom. However, I couldn't afford to pick up her call at that critical moment. Just as I was about to dismiss the call, a message notification appeared on the screen. Tentatively, I opened it, revealing a message from my mother. As I read the words aloud, a rush of fear coursed through me. "Since you refused to pick up my calls, your brother is about to hack into your I*******m account. You’re going to tell your fans where you get those pictures you're posting from." The weight of those words sank deep into my core, leaving me trembling with anxiety.

I'll have to come back later. I hurriedly made my way towards the exit of the office, feeling a sense of urgency in my steps. The possibilities of my loan application being approved seemed grim, and I couldn't shake off the doubt that lingered in my mind. As I approached the elevator, I wasted no time in pressing the button for the desired floor. The door opened after what felt like an eternity, allowing me to dash outside and breathe in the fresh air. With no time to waste, I hailed a passing cab and swiftly gave my mother's address to the driver. Thoughts of my brother Marcus started to occupy my mind. He possessed an exceptional talent for hacking, able to breach even the toughest of digital fortresses. Though he had helped me grow my I*******m page, a sense of unease dwelled within me. He didn't know my password, yet the knowledge of his hacking skills instilled fear in me. Arriving at my mother's house, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I quickly entered and shut the door behind me, finding solace within its familiar walls.

"Ashley what's the meaning of this?" Mum asked showing me her phone Immediately she see me

Mum, I'm really sorry. Right now, I don't have time to explain," I replied in a hurried manner, my mind consumed with the urgent need of stopping Marcus. Without wasting another second, I stormed into his room, finding him engrossed in his phone with laughter filling the air. Without hesitation, I swiftly snatched the phone from his grasp, only to discover that he had been video chatting with a girl. 

"What the hell, Ashley?" Marcus demanded, his eyes staring at me with an intense glare.

"Mother said you're hacking into my I*******m account" I says.

 Marcus swiftly grabbed the phone from my hand, emitting a disapproving hiss.

 "Seriously, Ashley? Is this how you spend your time? That whole 'influencer' facade is nothing but a sad excuse for a life," he scoffed, the disdain evident in his voice. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his judgmental tone. 

"My life is none of your concern, Marcus. And let's not forget, I am your elder sister. Show some respect," I retorted, feeling the need to assert my authority. However, my response only seemed to amuse him, causing him to burst into laughter. 

"Elder sister? Are you serious? Since when did you start considering yourself the eldest child of the Benjamin family? You must be joking, Ashley," he taunted, attempting to undermine my position.

 "Keep that filthy mouth of yours shut," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. 

"If you want to be respected behave like an elder sister Ashley, I am tired of you" Marcus's words hung heavy in the air as he walked out of the room, leaving a void between us. The weight of his scathing remark lingered, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and sadness. 

As my mother turned her attention back to me, her expression filled with concern, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness. I scratched the back of my hand, trying to gather my thoughts and find the right words to explain myself. 

"Mother, it may seem like I've been living a double life, but this is just what many young people do nowadays. It's a way of expressing ourselves and finding a sense of belonging," I replied, hoping to justify my actions. Before I could continue, my mother's voice rose in both frustration and disappointment. 

"Living in lies and deceit is not what defines catching fun, Ashley. Look at your friend Jessica, she works hard and accomplishes great things. You quit your job months ago, claiming it was beneath you. Who do you think you are?" Her words struck a nerve, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. 

"Mother you know all these aren't my fault, we will talk later I have an interview today" I says 

"Lier that's what you're" mother replied.

"I am not a lier" I replied before blowing her a kiss.

Some minutes later, I found myself back at the loan company, nerves buzzing with anticipation. As I entered, the secretary greeted me with a polite tone, clearly relieved to have finally located me. 

"I apologize for my absence earlier, something unexpected came up," I responded, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. However, her next words sent a surge of anxiety coursing through me.

 "Your records aren't exactly pristine," she revealed, causing my heart to practically leap out of my chest. Dread crept into my voice as I asked, 

"So, does that mean I won't be able to get the loan?" But to my surprise, the secretary's tone shifted, and she delivered unexpected news. "Congratulations, you're very lucky. The higher-ups have decided to grant you the loan." Relief washed over me, and I almost let out a sigh of gratitude. It seemed luck was on my side after all. As I waited, the secretary's phone rang, and she excused herself briefly. My gaze lifted to see none other than Ethan entering the room. Confusion washed over me. Why was he here? Seemingly engaged in conversation with his secretary, he glanced my way. His question left me wondering if he didn't recognize me.

 "Oh, what's her name?" he queried. 

"It's Ms. Ashley," his secretary replied. Ethan turned towards me, a smile adorning his face. "Ms. Ashley, thank you for choosing our company. Just remember to repay your loan on time to avoid any inconvenience," he advised before exiting the room, leaving me pondering whether or not he truly recognized me.