'S

ght my father's gambling would get him into trouble, but I was wrong. His g

ifty thousand from? I have never even

hreatening to pop out of the socket. "Where ar

worry about the money, I have a line up of men that will pay good money to get a piece o

ind me. "We will pay you your money,

e even come from? I d

kled dryly.

time to put the money

g the gun behind his trousers. "Hell,

ile letting out the air I d

r my money. You better have the

in shock. "Tomorr

to my brothel right now. Your

y tomorrow," Vera finall

I can't quite describe, but I susp

wing closely behind him. As soon as the d

? How am I supposed to raise twenty-five

bedroom I shared with Vera, stuck my finger into the hidden space o

nough money to get out of this wretched town, where only bad things seemed

e box felt lighter than us

rembling fingers dropped th

now. I picked up the box again, peering into it to

er

were Vera was chugging more wine down

re is

e feigning ignoranc

I had three grand in there. I am

. "Fine. I b

to be kidding

wear I was going to

you use the

t to get the gig I had to look like a serious model. So I borrowed the money to get the clothes,"

e entire money

e, a simple gesture that made my b

rated breathe. "Di

ps and looked away, I knew

re scr

*

anager. I would start with an apology, and then beg for my job back, grovel if need be. I would even beg tha

I still h

ucked in a deep breathe then marched straight int

oor. When I heard an irritated grunt

ike a stab in my gut. It felt lik

I said in the lowliest

aughed even more. "Let me guess," he took off his glasse

y need this job. Or a loan. I swear

ell me to eat shit and you still show your face here. You

into palm to keep my anger buried dee

g me," he said, leaning ca

wenty-five grand which was what I needed before the end of today i

," the words left a sour taste in my mouth. I fough

a very forgiving man

m, so I just forced myself up and w

toilets and bathrooms, my entire body ache

I supposed to get twe

ure as he'll would not be giving me a loan. I had to

nly one thin

the cool evening. It was a beautiful evening. If I w

o the one place I swore never to step

oan of

the cashier's, an elderly lady with cold br

canned the contents. She glanced up at me and back

ible for that amou

lly need this money. I have a job I can pay ba

or this amount," she rep

n as I saw it was Vera, "did you get it?" I blurted into my phone, even t

take me please he

eart

oney. Be quick!" The

red at my phone screen. I

uch can