ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER.

Her heart sank; everything seemed blurry to her.

“I don't want to ever see you in my firm again, and the only time I want to see you is tomorrow so that you can come pack your belongings and get the hell out.” It felt as if something had been ripped from her chest. Of course, it had.

Emma knew another wave of tears was coming. What she had just heard would break her all over again.

Lena slowly dropped to the floor as she buried her face in her palms, and the tears she'd finally held back spilled over.

“Hey, Lena, don't do this to yourself; we are going to deal with this together.” Emma also fell to the floor as she tried to comfort her best friend.

Tears continued to fall from Lena's eyes as she climbed onto her bed, her face buried in her pillow. Soon, she fell asleep.

The next morning, Lena woke up with swollen red eyes. She slowly got out of bed. Her legs wobbled as she walked into the kitchen. “Fuck, my head hurts.” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ease the pounding in her head. Images of what had happened yesterday replayed in her mind.

The pain was still there.

She quickly snapped out of it as she poured herself a glass of water from the crystal decanter. Just as she was about to take a sip from the glass, three sharp knocks echoed at the door.

Lena gave a quiet sigh before she dragged her feet to the door. She hesitated for a second, then pulled the door open. A head peeked through the doorway.

It was Mr. Rogers, her landlord.

He wore blue jeans and a red shirt. He had slightly gray hair and glasses that hung on the collar of his shirt. Lena already knew what was at stake. Her rent was two months overdue, and she had no idea what to tell him as an excuse because every excuse she could think of had been exhausted.

“Two months, Lena. You haven't yet paid the rent you promised to pay, and this month is also coming to an end this week.” Lena stared down at the floor as though the answer to his question was written there.

"I..." The word managed to leave her mouth. "I know, and I promise you, I'm working towards a new project, and once I have the money, I'm going to pay both months, including this month's rent." Lena swallowed hard as she tried to fight back the tears she'd been holding. "Just give me some time." That was just another lie because she didn't have any new project at hand and had no idea how to pay the rent.

"Enough." His tone came out loud and sharp, leaving no room for argument. "I'm fucking tired of hearing so many excuses. I don't run a charity organization. If you have no money to pay the rent, then kindly leave."

Just this morning, Lena had vowed not to cry again until all her problems came to an end; not even a drop should fall from her eyes. But now, she was almost breaking that rule as tears slowly slipped down her cheeks. "You know what?" She rubbed her forehead, looking completely drained. "I'm also tired of lying and giving so many excuses. But I just lost my job last night. It was my only source of income.”

She didn't know why she said that, but she was hoping to soften Mr. Rogers' heart with what she had just said.

“Fuck,” he let out a bitter scoff. “Your life is really complicated, and that's more reason why I should evict you. Go squat with family, relatives, anyone.”

“Mr. Rogers, please, as soon as I have the money, I'll pay.”

“How the fuck are you gonna pay?” He paused, then looked at her with obvious desire. “Or are you ready to do anything I ask of you?”

Lena adjusted the collar of her shirt as her eyes filled with hope at the thought that he might help her.

Mr. Rogers paused, then glanced around to see if anyone was listening before continuing. His gaze fell to Lena's breasts as he spoke. “You know, you’re too pretty, and pretty ladies aren't supposed to go through this.”

Lena knew where he was going with this. Her expression hardened; she was just waiting for him to finish his statement before she could lash out at him.

“Sleep with me, and your rent would be sorted out.” He drew closer as a small smile escaped his lips. "In fact, all your bills would be sorted out."

Lena let out a bitter smile as she kept moving backward as Mr. Rogers came closer to her. “Fuck, Mr. Rogers, I might just be the same age as your daughter, and because you want to help me, as you claim, in exchange for my body, just because I'm helpless. I will never sleep with you, okay. Get out of here now.”

“It seems you’re not ready to take my help. I was just trying to help.”

“Get the hell out of here; you’re just a fucking rotten old fool.” Her lip trembled as she spoke. Her gaze landed on a knife that sat on the counter beside her; without thinking, she took the knife and pointed it toward him. “I don't need your help. If you can't help me the normal way, then just go, or I will call the cops. You know what that means.”

“Fine, I will leave, but I promise you, by next week, I will be here again, and if you can't pay, then start packing because when I come here, I will turn a deaf ear to your pleas and throw you and your fucking belongings onto the street. A mocking smile crossed his lips. "You're just a proud, broke bitch." He turned towards the door, slamming it shut behind him.

“Fuck you.” Lena stood still as the tears poured down her cheeks. “Fuck! What the hell am I going to do? I could just squat with Emma, but fuck, I hate being a burden. I just have to find a way out.”

Her gaze dropped to the clock that hung beside the television.

Shit! It was eleven a.m.

She was going to the firm, but sadly, not to work. She was going to the firm to pack her belongings.