No shame

"Yeah, thanks very much, I'll be expecting the pay," I replied with gratitude and a hint of excitement before I gently dropped the call. After a tiring day at the mall, I had come home to a pleasant surprise – a message from someone claiming to have a job for me. Knowing that I needed the money for pressing matters, my spirits soared. Looking back to the previous night, the memory of the unexpected phone conversation resurfaced.

PREVIOUS NIGHT

 "Hello, am I speaking with Ms. Ashley?" the caller had inquired, their voice unfamiliar.

 "Yes, you've got Ms. Ashley," I responded cautiously, intrigued by the mysterious nature of the call.

 "I have a job for you," came the response, instantly capturing my attention and fueling my curiosity.

 "What sort of job are we talking about?" I questioned, eager to learn more about this enticing opportunity. 

"I'd like to discuss it in person. Could you kindly provide me with your house address?" the caller requested, their intention still hidden from me.

 "Of course," I replied without hesitation, swiftly sending over my home address.

Back to the present.

I found myself contemplating the repercussions of accepting the offer. Though it seemed tempting, I couldn't help but question whether it was wise to involve myself with such an enigmatic character. The CEO on the other hand is an arrogance that grated on my nerves, yet there was a part of me that saw it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. Theirs mo harm in accepting this new offer, I can't risk my life to get married to someone as arrogant as Ethan.

"Marry me!" The word pop into my head and I burst into laughter.

I decided to go with the idea of going with a rag to discourage him from marrying me After all, he had promised to clear my debt.

Lost in my thoughts, a sudden interruption jolted me back to reality. Jessica, had caught me seemingly talking to myself, evident by the startled expression on her face as she backed away. 

"Oh, you scared me," I responded, my attempt to brush off the awkwardness apparent in my voice. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. 

"Why are you scared? Have you done something wrong again? What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?" Alarmed by her accusatory tone, I hurriedly placed a hand over her mouth to silence her, pleading with my eyes for her to keep quiet.

Feeling a sense of urgency, I continued speaking in a silent tone, hoping to diffuse the tension and avoid any speculation. 

"I'm not scared, Jessica. I just... got caught up in my thoughts. It's nothing to worry about," I assured her, my voice steady as I gently removed my hand from her mouth. Jessica's expression softened slightly, but the suspicion lingered. 

"Are you lying to me? Is there something you don't want Ryan to find out? Are you trying to maintain a facade?" I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. 

"No, Jessica, not at sll. it's not about Ryan. It's a personal matter, something I need to sort out on my own. Please trust me on this. I promise, I'm not hiding anything that would harm anyone." Her eyes studied me, wavering between concern and skepticism. After a moment, she let out a sigh and nodded.

 "Alright, I'll trust you for now. But remember, honesty is key. If there's ever anything going on that you need help with, I'm here for you." A wave of gratitude washed over me, and I offered a sincere smile. 

"Thank you, Jessica. I really appreciate your understanding. I promise, I'll be honest with you if something comes up." With that, we both resumed our activities, the air tinged with a shared understanding that there were things left unsaid.

****

A week had passed since the mysterious man had sent me the money, and now I found myself reflecting on how quickly it had all been spent. I couldn't help but question my actions and the choices I had made. Who was this stranger, and why had I allowed myself to become caught up in his Mouth watering offer? As my eyes scan through my wardrobe. my wardrobe is filled with the designer cloth. I had purchased, a sense of regret began to wash over me. I bought these limited edition items in an attempt to prove a point to my influencer friend who had belittled my financial situation. Yet now, I couldn't help but wonder what I was going to do with these high-end clothes. Would I wear them for sustenance? Will they turn to food for me. Fûck I really messed up. I wonder what you don't think straight Ashley. It seemed absurd to think about. The realization hit me that I couldn't even return any of the clothes I had bought. The tags had long been removed and the purchases spoke of impulsive decisions made in the heat of the moment. How can I do something like this? Now I sm left with nothing. My bank account is screaming

 As I realized the amount of money I spent on one cloth, a sense of regret and panic washed over me. How could I have been so foolish to spend $3000 on a single garment just for the sake of showing off? The reality of my situation suddenly hit me harder than ever. I had depleted all the money I had received from the mysterious man, leaving me with nothing to sustain myself. The words of someone who had once assured me that money would come if I spent it rang hollow in my ears. It had been six long days since I had spent my money on those designer clothes, yet I hadn't seen any additional money come my way. The toll of my reckless choices had now imprisoned me, preventing me from even enjoying a simple outing with friends due to my empty wallet. With a sinking feeling in my heart and the pangs of hunger gnawing at me. But I guess this is what young people do, I don't have any choice than to go back to that Loan company to borrow another money.

The next day.

My alarm for woke me up from my sweet dream, I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance towards the sound. There's something about that alarm that just irks me. Maybe it's because it serves as a reminder that it's morning once again, and for some inexplicable reason, I have an intense dislike for mornings. Don't ask me why, because for some unknown reason, mornings just rub me the wrong way. With frustration building up, I angrily snatched the alarm and carelessly slammed it back onto the nightstand. I stepped into the shower, letting the cold water cascade over me, almost as if I was standing in the midst of a heavy rainstorm. In that moment, the coolness of the water provided a sense of solace, a brief respite from the chaos of the waking world. Just as I was starting to find a semblance of peace, there was a knock on my bedroom door, interrupting my quiet moment. Hastily turning off the shower, I hurriedly wrapped a towel around my chest before stepping out into the room. Glancing at my bed, I gave a sigh of relief as I noticed that my school uniform had been neatly arranged. Just as I was about to settle myself at my dresser, a series of knocks at the door once again shattered the peace. Irritated, I muttered to myself.

I stood up wearily from the chair and opened the door, revealing my landlord standing before me with a stern expression on his face. I know he is here to remind me of the rent I owed, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief. 

I stood up from the chair and opened the door, only to find my landlord standing there, glaring at me. His voice carried a mix of frustration and annoyance. I'm sure he is to remind me about the rent I owed. 

"I just want to remind you of your rent. I don't know why you decided to rent such a big and beautiful house when you clearly don't have the money for it. It seems like young people these days love to show off what they don't actually possess. I'll be back for my money," he said sternly before walking away. As I watched him leave, I knew deep down that he wasn't at fault. The responsibility for my financial situation lay solely on my own shoulders. I couldn't understand why I had chosen to rent such an extravagant house without considering the practicality of paying for it. I chastised myself for not using that money for my rent instead. 

I quickly dress up to go borrow another money from Ethan company.

Walking inside the office, a wave of anxiety swept over me. The uncertainty of whether they would grant me the loan weighed heavily on my mind. 

I approached the secretary's desk, trying to hide my nervousness. 

"Good day, ma'am. What can we do for you?" the secretary asked, her voice polite and professional. 

"I am here for a loan," I replied, my voice slightly shaky. 

"Alright, please provide me with your details," she responded, her tone remaining neutral. I couldn't help but worry that she might discover my history as a chronic debtor and that it could impact their decision.