I dreamed too big

Chapter One

“Please, there has to be something you can do,” Emily pleaded, gripping the edge of the banker’s desk, whose attention remained focused on his computer.

“No, ma’am. Nothing can be done,” he replied, eyes still glued to the screen.

Frustration boiled inside her. She wanted to scream. Grab his neatly ironed banker’s shirt and shake him until he acknowledged her, but even if she had the courage, it wouldn’t change anything.

“I don’t get it! The scammers took everything: my life savings. Why won’t the bank help me?” she shouted, her voice raw with desperation, finally making him look up at her.

The banker sighed, finally meeting her gaze. “Ma’am, I’ve explained this to you,” he said, irritation in his tone. “Their account is frozen and under police investigation. Your money is tied up in the case.”

“So that’s it?” Emily choked out, her chest tightening.

“My money is gone. I can’t even access the building I paid for. No money, no building…” Tears welled up in her eyes.

“I’m truly sorry, ma’am. All buildings under that real estate company have been closed due to the investigation,” he said with a heavy sigh, as though he could feel a fraction of her pain.

“The police have refused to lease out any of the buildings, even to those who paid. The fraud charges against the company are severe.”

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. He looked sympathetic, but he couldn’t possibly understand the pain she felt.

Everything: her savings and dream of owning a bakery were gone because of a bad investment. She had even quit her corporate job, only to be left with nothing.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s nothing the bank can do.” His voice faded as she stood shakily, making her way out of the bank.

Standing outside, she stepped onto the sidewalk and walked through the city, feeling utterly hopelessly.

Aware of people staring but too numb to care. Who wouldn’t stare? She looked a mess; her hair tied in a rough, messy bun, her face likely swollen from crying, and she was still in her pajamas, which clung to her damp skin.

She hadn’t even changed before rushing out this morning after seeing the email that shattered her world.

She confirmed it at the police station. The real estate company she invested in was a scam.

Desperate, she had come to the bank, hoping for help, but now, standing here, she felt utterly hopeless.

As she entered the taxi, she had flagged down; she caught the driver stealing glances at her in the rearview mirror. Let him stare. Even she would stare at someone still in pajamas this late in the day.

Her phone vibrated, pulling her out of her thoughts. She reached into her trench coat, the only thing she had thrown on before leaving, and checked the caller ID.

Taking a deep breath, she answered, bracing herself to deliver the bad news.

“What did they say? Were they able to recover your money? Where are you?” Becca, her best friend and former colleague, bombarded her with questions.

Emily inhaled sharply before answering, “The bank couldn’t help me, Becca,”

“They can’t do anything about the money or the building. It’s all under police control.” She sobbed

Silence

She felt the driver’s eyes boring into her again, but she didn’t care. Her heart pounded, her throat tightened, and she struggled to breathe between sobs.

“I’m doomed, Becca. I’ve lost everything: my dream, money, and job.” Her voice trembled.

“Hey, calm down. Breathe, okay?” Becca’s soothing voice tried to ground her. “I’m at your house waiting for you. We’ll figure this out.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m in a cab, heading home,” Emily said weakly, struggling to steady her breathing.

“Okay, good. You’ll be okay, sweetie. We’ll fix this.” Becca sounded optimistic. Something Emily had always admired about her.

“I’m on my way,” Emily muttered, though she didn’t share Becca’s optimism.

Minutes later, she stood in front of her building as Becca opened the door for her.

“Oh my God!” Becca gasped, staring at her in shock. “You look like a mess.”

Pulling her into a comforting hug

“I feel like a mess,” Emily whispered as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She stood stiffly, unable to return Becca’s hug.

Pulling back, Becca wrinkled her nose. “And you smell too. Have you even showered today?”

Emily’s lips curled into a forced smile. Leave it to Becca to crack a joke, even in the worst situations.

“Nope,” Emily admitted. “How could I when my life is literally falling apart?” She waved her hands dramatically.

“Nope! That’s not a good enough excuse to smell like this,” Becca scolded, yanking off Emily’s trench coat and pushing her toward the bathroom.

“Go wash up, sweetie. Even beggars don’t smell this bad.”

“Oh, it’s not that bad,” Emily chuckled, sniffing her arm.

“Yup, it is. You’re filthy.” Becca faked a gag, covering her nose as she shoved Emily inside.

“When you’re done, we’ll talk about your life. But first, personal hygiene, sweetie!” she called from outside the bathroom.

After a long, hot shower, Emily felt better, at least physically. The dread was still there, but at least she didn’t feel disgusting.

When she entered the living room, now dressed in fresh pajamas, she found Becca sprawled on the couch with snacks laid out in front of her, like they used to do during sleepovers.

“You were right,” Emily admitted, throwing up her hands. “I feel so much better. My life might be falling apart, but at least I don’t feel like crap anymore. The water felt so…..” She stopped mid-sentence, noticing Becca’s tense expression.

“What’s wrong?” Emily frowned. “Is it your mom? Why do you look so….” Her eyes landed on her phone in Becca’s hand, the bright screen illuminating her friend’s somber face.

“The bank sent you an email,” Becca finally spoke, shoulders dropping as she passed the phone to Emily. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.”

Emily’s stomach dropped as she read the email. Her mortgage payment had expired.

She could feel Becca’s eyes on her, waiting for her reaction.

“Just say it, Becca,” Emily snapped, then immediately regretted her tone.

“Say what? Now’s not the time for ‘I told you so’s.’ We need to figure out a way to fix this.”

“This mess I got myself into,” Emily whispered as tears streamed down her face.

“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”

“But it is! I did this! I dreamed too big, and now I’m paying for it.”

Becca moved closer. “I can help. I spoke to my mom while you were showering, and she agreed to let me lend you money from my trust fund.”

Emily shook her head. “I won’t take it. That money is for your mom’s treatment.”

“The doctor said she won’t need surgery for another two months. I can help you fix this now.”

“I can’t, Becca.” Emily forced a smile, cupping Becca’s face. “You’ve been an amazing friend, and the last thing I want is to drag you and your mom into my mess.”

“Are you sure?” Becca asked cautiously.

“Yes.” Emily swallowed hard. The thought of losing her house made her chest tighten, but she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying again.

Pulling out the wine Becca had prepared, Emily popped the cap. This was their ritual-drinking, snacking, and badmouthing people to lighten the mood.

As they sipped in silence, the TV played in the background. Then, a familiar name caught Emily’s attention.

She grabbed the remote, turning up the volume.

“The Williams Enterprise has just signed one of the world’s most expensive contracts, skyrocketing their stock and solidifying their position as the number one company…”

Emily’s eyes widened. An idea struck her like lightning.

“I know who can help me,” she announced, her voice brimming with sudden hope, her gaze fixed on the TV screen.