One night with the CEO

Zea walked up to her Manager with what little courage she had. She really needed money for her sick mother's surgery and needed to be treated immediately.

"Ms. Manager, I'd like to talk to you for a moment," Zea said quietly, her voice trembling.

The Manager turned to her with a cold stare. "Want to borrow money, huh? Don't expect it."

Zea took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Please, ma'am. I need twenty thousand dollars for my mother's surgery. It's very urgent," she said, pleading hopefully.

The Manager frowned, looking surprised at the amount requested. "Twenty thousand dollars? You've only been here five months, and you're asking for that much money? How are you going to pay for it? What guarantee is there that you won't run away?"

Zea looked down, feeling embarrassed and scared. "My salary can be deducted every month until my debt is paid off."

The Manager laughed coldly. "That small salary of yours? Are you kidding me? Do you want to work here forever? I can't imagine seeing your face every day."

Zea tried to explain, but her Manager didn't care and cut her off.

"Never mind, Zea. I won't lend you the company's money. Twenty thousand dollars, that's impossible," the Manager said coldly without a hint of compassion.

"Manager, please, my mother needs immediate treatment. Otherwise, she could die." Zea sobbed, holding back tears.

The Manager just snorted and looked at her coldly. "Whether your mother lives or dies is none of my business. Don't you have an older brother? Why not ask him for help?"

Zea nodded weakly, her voice almost inaudible. "My brother was seriously injured in a work accident."

"Oh, so he's paralyzed? What a pity for you." The Manager spoke in a mocking tone, making Zea's heart break even more.

"Please, Ms. Manager," Zea said in a desperate voice.

However, the Manager shook her head, seemingly unconcerned. "Go back to work and stop begging me, or I'll fire you!"

Zea was about to answer, but the Manager suddenly took the call enthusiastically. Seeing that, Zea realized his efforts were in vain and started to leave.

However, before he could leave, the Manager called out to him. "Wait, Zea."

Zea turned her head, hope in her eyes.

"You need money, right? I can get you some money," the Manager said in a softer tone, making Zea feel like she had some hope.

"Really, Manager? You want to help me?" Zea asked with growing hope.

"Of course, but you have to do something for me," the Manager replied, his eyes glaring.

"What is it, Manager?" Zea asked, her voice full of doubt.

"Are you sure you want to accept it?" The Manager seemed to be challenged.

Zea finally nodded, though fear began to rise within her. "Yes, for my mother's sake, I'll do anything."

"Good. Come to this address tonight, and wear your best clothes," the Manager said as he handed Zea a business card, his smile thin but frightening.

Zea accepted the card with trembling hands, her heart pounding with self-doubt, but she did it for her mother's sake even though she didn't know what big things she was about to face.

That night, Zea stood in front of a nightclub- a place she never imagined she would go to. The neon lights sparkled in front of her as if mocking. It made her feel more hesitant, but she steeled herself. It's for her mom, she thought.

When he entered, the Manager was waiting for him at the door. His face was cold, and he seemed used to this kind of situation.

"Manager, what should I do?" Zea asked in a trembling voice, holding back the tension.

"You just need to go into room number one, three, seven. There will be a man meeting you; serve him, and remember one thing: don't mention your name," the Manager said expressionlessly, as if talking about something ordinary.

Zea was stunned; the words seemed to hit her. "What?! You mean I have to? No, I don't want to!" replied Zea, having understood the purpose of being invited to this place. She panicked and intended to leave, but the Manager stopped her.

"Don't be stupid, Zea. This is no place to hesitate. Your mother's life is at stake."

"But, Manager-"

"Never mind, don't think too much. Remember, Zea, your mother must be operated on immediately. Otherwise, she'll die. Do you want to see mom die because she didn't get the right treatment when you are capable of doing it? Be a respectful child, Zea. Repaying your parents is a must; don't be a disobedient child."

The Manager's words pierced Zea deeply, trapping him in despair. He realized that there was no other way out. All this time, Zea had been trying hard, doing many part-time jobs, from working as a shop assistant to a restaurant waiter to a food delivery person. He still couldn't raise enough money for his mother's medical expenses. Meanwhile, her brother was now unreliable. The entire burden was now on her shoulders.

Although she came from a wealthy family, everything changed when her father cheated on her and then left them. Zea lived with their mother, while her older brother simply left and is now returning after being unable to walk.

Zea also had a boyfriend, but the relationship broke down after he left her for another woman who still had a high social status. And now, for her mother's sake, she had to do the most horrible thing she could imagine.

"Mother, I'm sorry," Zea murmured hoarsely, holding back a sense of suffocation and guilt.

She took a deep breath, then stepped into room number 137 with heavy steps.

The door closed behind her, making Zea feel as if the world outside had disappeared. The room looked luxurious, a soft scent filling the room. Not long after, the door opened again, and a man walked in with staggering steps. His face was flushed, his eyes wild- he was clearly under the influence of alcohol. Without saying anything, the man immediately pulled Zea roughly.

"No, I don't want to, let me go!"