Chapter 001

I knew that my rent was due, the message popped up three days ago, but here I was standing in front of the mirror. Thinking about my life choices as it really now felt like I was alone and lost. Even though I had a boyfriend, Ryan.

Ryan was recently all about himself and it was precisely he who saddled me with a heavy financial burden, sucking my blood, even when I never wanted to truly admit it.

After that came my girlfriend’s suggestion that he should refund the money. Yet I have always trusted and loved him.

A deep stare into the mirror to fully understand why I had nothing even though I had a good and stable work. I was about to be freaking evicted from my house and he still didn’t care, didn’t send back the money he owed me.

Emily’s words floated freely in my head as she told me to confront Ryan and ask for my money back.

I opened my phone and went through all the messages without reading the other ones in particular until his name came up clearly.

I don’t know why I was even checking, he hadn’t said a word or replied to my text in two weeks, three days and seven hours now.

Yes I was counting.. I was this close to losing it.

I pushed back every disturbing thought and dialed his number. I promised not to call him, told myself to understand that he was probably busy with his latest project.

He was probably sourcing since he needed a lot of money.. asides my money because he somehow couldn’t access his account and it also required his time. I consoled myself, refusing to think negative right now.

I was going to tell him that I needed my money and maybe we could pause with his project first. I should at least come first after our five year relationship "Ryan?" I said into the phone as he picked up the call. And silence followed after but I was more surprised that he even picked up.

“Oh fuck” he muttured silently like he made a mistake picking up or something.

“Did I call at the wrong time?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I should be angry and not in the least concerned if I was calling too early or not. But who was I kidding? Just his voice and I was always a fool in love.

"Why are you calling me at this time of the day?" He questioned, his voice unclear as he sounded very much sleepy.

Someone with a new project to pursue should be up by now right? It was already seven and he doesn’t even sound like he has plans of getting out of bed today.

I should call him out on it but somehow it never comes out. I treated him like a spoiled baby when he was a full grown man. “I didn’t mean to disturb you but you haven’t called and haven’t said a thing since my last message.”

Small silence follows after and he sighs .

"So?"

My throat suddenly felt tight, his words so clear but no I probably heard wrongly.

I cleared my throat. "You said something?” I didn’t want to believe I heard what I heard.

Ryan wouldn’t say something like that. We might have a bit of issues, him being a spoiled rich man and having no filter for words sometimes but we had some understanding.

We loved each other and he never treated me like trash. He was just going through a rough patch right now.

I could hear Emily’s voice screaming at me, her eyes bulging as she’ll call me stupid right now but no it was just a rough patch, he’ll be over it very soon.

“My sweet Olivia.” His voice changed up so fast, just the right conviction that I obviously heard wrongly seconds ago. “I’m so sorry for not replying to your messages, I’ve just been a bit caught up that I totally forgot.” He sounded fully awake now. His voice sounded so sincere that I totally forgot for a second why I called him.

“It’s okay but just a short reply would have been fine.” I nodded, understanding that it must really be a lot for him.

“So did you read the message?”

It was awkward asking this when I sent it about seventeen days ago but I needed it right now. Before crazy Mr Smith starts knocking and asking for his overdue rent.

I’m sure he’s only waiting patiently because I’ve never delayed like this before.

“About that?” His voice changed up again. His voice was heavy and a bit down. His sleepy voice is nowhere to be found right now. “I was hoping you could send me your next salary, it’s due in two weeks right?”

I furrowed my brows, my hearing dulled, my stomach dropped.

Which salary? The same one I’ve been sending him for the last five months since he couldn’t access his trust fund after his parents death?

I wanted to act like earlier. Say to myself that I heard wrong but his next words only confirmed it further.

“You shouldn’t be home baby, why don’t you hurry up to work so they don’t remove a cent from your money. The last one I got was less than before.” His words made my chest feel a lot heavier.

Did he really just say that? The money was only less because Emily forced me to remove something from it so I could have something to eat for the month as she didn’t believe he was going to send the money when I asked.

I remember convincing her that Ryan wasn’t like that and he would send me money knowing I’ll need it this current month.

But guess who is standing frozen, mouth opened as Ryan obviously had no idea that I had needs or cared if I was going to be evicted if I don’t pay my rent soon.

I nodded, unable to say anything.

“you think you can get an advance this time around?” His voice is soft and clear.