THE ONLY SOLUTION

Evelyn’s Pov

“Hello Eve. I've found a solution!” Dorothy said on the other end of the phone.

The cold air slapped my face as I walked down the alley.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I wondered what Dorothy was up to again. I knew she was always the type to come up with a solution for every problem but raising the $350,000 or even $450,000 that it has amounted to, thanks to the reckless action of my mother, seems like an impossible feat to be achieved in such a short time.

“I need you to meet me at my apartment,” Dorothy answered.

“I'm already on my way dear.” I said, hailing a taxi. The driver stopped, parking as I tossed myself inside the vehicle, closing the door behind me. “I would be there in minutes.” I said.

“Okay.”

“Your hair is a mess. Were you into a fight or something?” Dorothy asked, her hand brushing into my hair as she stood closer to me.

“It's quite a long story. I'll explain all that to you.” I said, we both walked to her living room as we sat down together.

“Why don't you explain that to me now. You know I don't know how to handle my curiosity.” Dorothy said, shaking her brows in a funny way which made me almost forget my problems.

“Well…..”

“Well?”

“The thing is. Out of the blues, my mum took out a loan. Said she was trying to invest in some company so, she would have enough money to clear up my father's hospital bill. The investment was meant to double any amount she invests with. She had $75,000 saved up and took out a loan to make it $170,000. Didn't know they were scammers. Now everything is gone. I have to raise $450,000 for my father's medical bill and my mother's loan.” I said, I didn't know how she would react. I was sad, scared, angry.

“Wait what?!” Dorothy exclaimed. “You mean your mum had such an amount?” She asked.

I didn’t answer. I wanted to believe that it would be fine and whatever solution Dorothy had for my problems, it would be something I could handle.

“I hope my this can help. The thing is, I got a call from my boss this evening….”

“Am I getting a job?” I asked, I didn't even allow her to finish. I wanted to believe that's what she had to say.

“No. It's something better. Our company is a branch company of a major conglomerate and our headquarters is hosting a masquerade ball.” Dorothy said.

I didn't understand how a masquerade ball would be the solution to my problems. Would it?

“And….” I said.

“I know you're wondering how this is your solution, but do you know that there would be billionaires from all over the city at that ball?” Dorothy asked, almost in a whisper.

“Yes. I still don’t get it.” I raised a brow. I was genuinely confused. Am I going to the ball to start a Go Fund Me or am I going there as a beggar? Or do billionaires nowadays share money to girls whose family is crumbling—father’s medical bill piling up and mother's scam.

“Stand up Evelyn,” Dorothy said. I was hesitant at first. She held my hands and pulled me up. She dragged me to a mirror in the corner of the living room. “What do you see?” She asked.

Honestly, all I could see was a girl whose family was going down the drain faster than I imagined. My hair still looked messy from my “frustration pull” earlier. my eyes felt heavy like someone with sleep deprivation. A tangled strand of hair dangled on my face.

“A pathetic girl who looks.... HELPLESS,” I said, blowing air from my mouth to push the hair dangling off my face.

“No Eve.” Dorothy said like she was correcting me. She pushed the hair dangling on my face, shoving it behind my ear. “Take a look again. Because what I see is a beautiful girl, every man would be willing to pay thousands of dollars for.” Dorothy said, she looked in the mirror looking at our reflection.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, rolling my eyes. “Do you want me to seduce some billionaires and then convince them to throw $450,000 on my face?” I asked, walking away from the mirror back to the sofa I sat on earlier. Dorothy followed me.

“Well, typically yes. I want you to do that.” she said.

For a moment we were both silent. The silence was broken with the loud laugh coming from me.

“Are you serious? I was kidding, you really did not expect me….” With her serious look, I knew she meant it. “Huh?!”

“I'm not joking Eve. I know this isn't what you expect but what other choices do we have as its an emergency?” Dorothy asked, interrupting me my thoughts.

“Oh my God, Dorothy.” I said, I was a little bit disappointed. I immediately felt disgusted by the thought of it. “Are you asking me to be a prostitute for the night?” I shook my head.

“Eve, we are adults now. We both understand the situation that you're in and we know that getting a job now wouldn't even guarantee that you'll sort out your dad's medical bill and your mom's loan.” She said, standing up from the sofa so she could motion.

“Which loan company is going to give you a $450,000 loan? I can't even get such a loan. You also know that selling your mother's small restaurant wouldn't even amount up to $100,000. We need to compromise and substitute in times like this.” Dorothy continued with her suggestion. I didn’t know how to react. Her analysis left me dumbfounded and reality struck me harder.

“No!” I shouted. “I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't sell my body for money. It's against my moral code.”

“Your father dies in a month if you don't raise $350,000. Your mom would risk losing her…. the family restaurant and going to jail if she doesn't repay the loan she took in a month's time. Your carefully curated world is falling apart and it's at the verge of eating you up. Desperate times call for desperate actions and this is it. Are you going to sit there and let your moral code guide you to your doom or are you going to stand up, get dressed, wear some makeup and go to that damn masquerade ball and seduce a billionaire who would willingly pay your bills and debts elevating you from this sinking sand?” Dorothy asked, her hands crossed over her chest.

My head went blank. Dorothy has a point.

“Even all my money put together this minute won’t give to $2000.” Dorothy added. And it was true.