Chapter 3

Elara’s POV

I stared at their faces, hoping this was one big joke but as their cold gazes met mine, I realized they weren’t here to play.

“I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong person.” I tried as I backed away from them. It was obviously a wrong move because before I could even take two steps, one of the men was already at my back, blocking any form of escape.

“Money, now,” the leader repeated.

"Please, that’s impossible! I didn't authorize—"

"Your signature says otherwise," he growled, stepping into my personal space. "We don't care about your lover's spat. All we want is our money. You have twenty-four hours to provide the first installment, or we start taking it out of your skin."

“You can’t do that,” I whispered, fear filling me.

“Try us,” he replied.

"Please," I sobbed, not caring if I looked pitiful. "He took everything. I don't have such an amount!"

“Sweet story, but I really don’t care,” he snapped. His eyes went to my car keys that were clutched in my hands. Before I knew what was happening, he snapped them out of my hands. “I think we will take your pretty little car as collateral.”

“No!” I yelled as I tried to collect them, but I was held back by one of the guys. “Please, don’t do this, I beg you,” I cried, but they only laughed in my face.

"Twenty-four hours, Elara. Don't be late." He said before they pushed me to the side and walked away. I watched as they got into their car while one of them got into mine and they zoomed out without looking back.

After crying my eyes out, I entered my apartment and made sure to lock the door before hurrying to my laptop. I didn’t have enough to pay all the debts, but I still had some money in my savings account as well as my checking account. Giving them some amount of money would keep them off my back for a while.

I went to my laptop and logged in to my personal savings account, where I kept the money my father had left for my future. I clicked on balance and I whimpered in pain.

Balance, $0.00

“No, no, please don’t do this to me, Brian….” I whispered as I navigated to my checking account.

Balance, $0.00

“Oh God…” I said, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. My fingers trembled as I refreshed it over and over again, hoping for some kind of miracle.

Soon, I realized I was done for. I already knew Brian was behind this because he knew my different passwords and even helped me run some transactions. I was happy I found a soulmate, not knowing I got my own nemesis. He hadn't just taken the company. He had also emptied every cent I owned, leaving me with a mountain of debt that I wasn’t even responsible for. I cried for hours but nothing was changing the fact that I was in trouble.

Desperate, I grabbed my phone and dialed Brian’s number, hoping to speak with him one last time. I didn’t mind him lending me some money. That was how desperate I was. Just like I feared, his number didn’t go through. I tried Sophie’s number as well, but it was the same. Feeling helpless and shattered, I crumbled to the floor, crying bitterly.

The worst part of it all was the fact that I couldn’t borrow money from any friend because I didn’t have any. Brian never allowed me to socialize, even though it was for business. Frantic, I tried to reach out to some loan sharks, but I got to know I was blacklisted.

As I lay on my cold floor and cried for my unjust life, I felt like putting an end to it all. This was all planned out very well by them to make sure I get stranded and now, I was giving up. I cried until I slept off and by the time I woke, it was already nighttime, but my heart ached painfully when I remembered the mess I got myself into.

“I need a drink,” I whispered as I got off the floor. I checked my purse and saw a few bucks. My eyes lightened as I grabbed a coat before leaving the house.

I walked for what felt like hours before I faintly located a bar by the side of the road. I walked into the bar and crawled onto a rusted stool in front of the barman. I dropped my last fifty dollars on the table before whispering, “Give me your strongest mix and keep them coming.”

I wasn’t the drinking type but this situation left me with no other option. I wanted to drink until I forgot my pains. He gave me a full glass and I downed it in one go. My body shook as the harsh liquid rolled down my throat, but I didn’t care.

“Another one,” I instructed.

And so, glass after glass, I drank until I could barely sit straight. "Another one," I slurred, pointing at the empty glass.

"You're out of cash, lady," the bartender said as he wiped a rag over the counter and swiped my empty glass away. "Time to go."

"Just one more... please," I pleaded, my head spinning. "I have... I have a ring. It’s a diamond."

I held up my hand, showing the bartender my engagement ring but he only snorted.

"That’s a piece of junk. Now, get out before I call the cops."

He didn't wait for me to move. He grabbed my arm and hauled me toward the exit. He pushed me carelessly outside and I landed on the gravel, pain exploding in my knees and palms. But I didn’t cry or yell. I enjoyed the pain. I deserved it, after all. I remained there for a while, when a voice reached me.

"Well, well. Look what we found."

I sat up and saw two men loom over me with hunger in their eyes. These weren’t loan sharks, they were harassers. But I didn’t panic. I only watched them without emotion.

"You look a little lost, sweetheart," one of them said, reaching down to grab my coat. And even then, I didn’t move. Perhaps it was all going to end here. I was done fighting. One of them reached out and grabbed my throat but I only closed my eyes, letting them have their fun.

Suddenly, a sleek, black Rolls Royce came with speed and pulled to a stop in front of us. There was a moment of silence as the two men looked between themselves, contemplating if they should leave me alone, but when the car made a loud roaring sound, they didn’t wait. They ran away without daring to look back.

As I watched them run away, my gaze returned to the car door that opened. I saw a man step out but instead of gratitude, uncontrollable anger filled me as I balled my hands in fists.

“Why the fuck would you do that!” I yelled.