Chapter 1 - Black Card

Belle hesitated to go to the counter to pay for the things inside her cart. She took a deep breath as sweat formed on her forehead. Knowing it would cost so much but she had no choice. She needed all of what was inside for her hospital internship.

She has spent all her savings on other school requirements and she still needed more. Her salary from her part-time work is still on the weekend and she doesn't want to touch the remaining money she has from her parents' insurance. 

With a remaining year to finish her medical school, she has to stretch every resource she has, to survive. 

Staring at her cart again, she took another deep breath to ease the tension constricting her chest since earlier.

Wanting to end her predicament, she mindlessly rushed towards the counter while constantly gulping the hard lump forming in her throat. 

The cashier started to key in and she was sweating profusely just by looking at the monitor where the amount of her purchases is reflected. Expectedly, the amount exceeded her one-month pay at the bar. 

After her tense waiting, the cashier turned the monitor towards her. Gulping nervously, she took her wallet out and stared at one particular card. With shaking hands, she nervously took the card out and gave it to the cashier. 

Upon seeing the card, the cashier becomes suspicious, narrowing her intent eyes. She took time scrutinizing the card before her earnest gaze returned to Belle.

"Is this your card?" the cashier intently asked. 

"Ahhm...ye...yes" Belle stuttered, wiping the sweat on her forehead despite the store being air-conditioned. She fidgets on her feet while the cashier continues to suspiciously stare at her and look at the card alternately. 

"Wait here," after a while of staring at her, the cashier seriously spoke. She stood up to approach the guards and said something, Belle was not able to grasp.

Belle's apprehension increased by the way the guard looked at her. If not for her unsupportive feet which seemed to be nailed on the floor, she could have left the place. But she doubts she will be allowed to leave with the two guards watching her. Adding to her panic was the other customers' peculiar look. 

While nervously waiting for the cashier to come back, she become lost with her thoughts. A lot of scenarios kept flashing her head, making her more scared.

Her long wait has ended when the cashier went out with a man who is now holding the card she gave.

"Good day ma'am, is this your card?" the man instantly asked with a serious tone. 

"Ahhm...it's not what you think...it was given to me" Belle abruptly explained, her voice quivering with pure panic. She can imagine what they were all thinking and that made her more anxious. 

"Who gave you the card?" the man asked again. This time, his tone becomes intimidating.

"He...he is a friend..." Belle answered softly, almost indistinctive. How dumb of her to believe the man when he said she can use it anytime without a fuss. 

"A friend?" the manager repeated, narrowing his eyes. His look remained suspicious. 

"Yes, yes a friend..." Belle mumbled softly while she bowed her head down, dejectedly. She never expected she would be in this situation. Believing someone she doesn't know well. A frustrated with escape as she realized how gullible she was.

Feeling so conflicted, Belle's eyes started to become blurry from tears. She was frightened and the accusing look from other customers is adding to her uneasiness. 

"You are lying" the man angrily exclaims, his tone accusing. What he said caught other customers' attention, earning Belle scornful looks.

"No...I'm not... Please if it cannot be processed I will just return all I got. I will just go" Belle tried to reason. She just wanted to escape all the accusing eyes towards her.

Thinking of getting the card from the man's grasp before leaving, she reached for it but the man forcibly nudged her hand away. Grimacing from the pain, she gaped at the man.

"Did you think it would just be that easy? You stole a card and attempted to use it, you are a fraud!" the manager openly accused. Fear, panic, and embarrassment filled her senses as tears brimmed her eyes.

Afraid to look at the scornful stares from around, she looked down. The scene they had caused had made her immensely uncomfortable. 

"Please...I am not what you think. I didn't steal anything. Please just let me go…'' Belle tried to beg as fear crept into her whole being. 

"Call the police now, tell them we have a thief and a fraud here" the manager turned to the cashier who readily picked up the phone to make a call. 

Belle's tears welled her cheeks upon hearing about the police being called. The fear she previously felt, intensified. All her life she lived in poverty but never did it cross her mind to commit a crime, even how hungry she was, never did it occur to her to steal even a single piece of bread. 

"Please sir, please I'm not what you think. I didn't steal anything" Belle continued to beg while ignoring the accusing look of other people in the shop. All she wanted is to get out of there. 

"Do you think you can just walk away from your crime? You will sleep in jail tonight" he snickered with disgust. 

Stunned by the man's words, she stiffened. She felt numb. Why has it come this far? She just needs to buy her internship requirements.

"Please…please don't, sir please I'm begging you, I didn't steal the card…please believe me" Belle begged hopelessly while tears welled her already messy cheeks. 

"You will have time to reflect on your actions in prison…" the man coldly retorted. Despite her miserable state, whimpering and trembling from fear, the man never showed compassion.

As the man ignored her pleas, she felt totally hopeless, she had hoped he would at least listen. Instead, the man gave her a mocking and disgusted glare. 

All of Belle's remaining strength seemed to abandon her. Her feet wobbled and she would surely fall to the floor if she has not grabbed the edge of the counter to steady herself. She felt so weak and everything around her seemed to dim. How can these people be so cruel? 

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