4 -Promise You Won't Go.

Eliza's POV;

I stare curiously at my computer's screen as the cool night's breeze blows into my partly lit room through my window. I inhale in pleasure as it cools off my skin. I do want to be beautiful. I want to make an impact. I want to prove everybody wrong, and storm the world.

I want to make fame at a rate that will shock my family. However, is this pop-up legit? Will it answer all my questions and grant my wishes?

What's the harm in trying though? It's not like I have anything to lose. I put on my glasses, and take my seat.

I click on the link, and all I find is a phone number displayed on a red background. I raise a brow and keep scrolling till I get to the bottom of the page. But that's it. Just... A phone number.

I scroll through again, just to be sure I didn't miss anything. But I find nothing but this number. Is this some sort of prank?

I walk back to my bed and grab my phone, and after not more than a few seconds of hesitation, I find myself dialing the number.

I sit before my system and anxiously wait for a voice, but I get nothing. For some reason, I get more curious with every second that passes.

I begin to lose hope as my calls keep going unanswered, but at the third call, a beep is heard, and a slow, elderly, rough, male voice slips into my ears.

"Hello? "

"H- Hello? Is... Is this... "I begin but stop as I have no idea what they are or who I am calling.

"Do you want your dreams to come true? Whatever they are, I have the answers to your prayers. "The man says as if noticing my plight, and I sit up.

"Yes... Yes. I... I called for that. I... Want my prayers to be answered. How will you do that? "I question, and silence follows.

"There are many ways I can help your prayers get answers. We just have to agree on one.

Besides, dear, what is your desire? "The man's slow voice replies, and I smile and shut my eyes.

"My desire... It's to be beautiful. Mindlessly flawless... To stun all those who've looked down on me. "I reply, and the man on the other end of the call draws a deep breath.

"That smells delightful... "He says, and my heart skips a beat.

"Pardon? "I question in confusion.

"I said, that sounds delightful. "He replies, and I fall silent. I'm pretty sure that's not what I heard, but maybe because the man is old. Maybe he can't keep track of the things he's saying.

My eyes catch a glimpse of my wall clock, and I find that it's 01: 16 am. So late at night, and someone so elderly was able to pick a strangers phone call.

"When you're ready, ma'am. You can come to the address, and we'd get down to business. " The man says, and I raise a brow. I almost forgot I was still on the phone.

"What address?..." I begin but freeze upon looking at my systems screen. The address is boldly written on the screen. And it's just a few streets away.

That's strange. I can swear it wasn't there earlier...

"Have a nice night, dear. Sure would love to do business with you. "The man says, and with that, he ends the call.

I place my phone down and stare strangely at the address that I somehow managed to miss earlier.

Did I miss it, or did it just pop up? Maybe I'm a bit tipsy from sleep. Nothing makes any sense right now. Not even the strange phone call I just shared with an absolute stranger. I'd think better in the morning.

I take a photo of the address with my phone, turn off my system's wifi connection, shut down my system, and head back to my bed for sleep.

Everything will make sense in the morning.

*****

"Eliza, wake up! "Athena's voice frightens me out of my sleep while violently shaking me, and my eyes fly open.

"I'm up! I'm up! "I call in surrender as I sluggishly sit up, and rub my eyes.

"Wow... What in God's name are you wearing? "She questions and I roll my eyes before looking at her.

" Slim suit. Aunty Gloria made it. "I reply, and she raises a brow.

"Hold up. Aunt Gloria made you a slim suit!? Like... A suit to make you slim!? Why? "She questions and I yawn in boredom.

"Well, I gained quite some fat from the pizzas I've been eating, and my folks think it's bad for business. "I reply honestly.

"You have got to be kidding me! It's just fat Eliza, and you didn't even add that much! "She replies, and I stare up at the wall clock.

It's 07:00 am already.

"Well, my family doesn't seem to think so... "I reply.

"But that doesn't matter though. I would soon have them eating their words back up. "I add as I stand off my bed and walk over to the mirror.

"That sounds shady. What are you up to, Eliza? "Athen says and questions as I assess myself in the mirror, but I remain silent.

"Tell me, Eliza, what's on your mind? "She questions more adamantly as she pulls me to face her.

"It's nothing, Athena. I found a site. A person actually. He claims to be able to grant my wishes. "I reply as I turn back to the mirror, and without looking at Athena, I know her cute face is scrunched in confusion.

"I... Don't understand. "She states, and I roll my eyes.

"Remember the pop-up from last week? "I question, and she arches a brow to tell me that she's clueless about what I'm saying.

"The one that came up while we were trying to d******d the movie. Well, it came up again, and I tapped it.

I got a number and spoke to a man. He said he could help me. "I narrate, and Athena stares at me like I've grown an extra ear.

"Eliza, are you... Is something wrong with you? Do you have a fever or something? "She questions, and I laugh.

" I'm fine, Athena... "I begin, but she cuts me off.

"No, you're not, Eliza. For God's sake, what are you even saying? Is this some sort of joke?

Eliza, you don't just meet people online who grant your wishes. Genie didn't come from a laptop, Eliza!

This could be anyone. A scam, a trafficker, a kidnapper, some crazy person... Don't you watch movies!? "She yells, and I roll my eyes although I get her point.

"Relax, Athena. It's not a big deal. I... "I begin, but she cuts me off.

"No, Eliza. You, nothing! This isn't you talking. It's desperation! You're not going to see some stranger you met online, all-cause your family is overbearing! "She scolds, and I shut my eyes.

"You're beautiful, Eliza. Very. And you don't need any punk scamming you before you learn that.

Promise me you won't go... "She begs, and I give her a look.

It's easy for her to say. She's not the ugly duckling of a perfect family. She's not the one whose family prefers her older brother to, she's not the one whose family constantly body shames and reminds of her flaws.

It may be stupid, and desperate... But I want to give this a try. After all, how bad can things go?

"Promise me, Eliza! "Athena scolds, and I come back to the room.

"Fine. I promise. "I lie as I take her hand and deep down I know this is the weakest promise I have ever made.

I don't intend to keep it.