Shattered Available On Libri

Emma Pov

My hands trembled as I held the pile of bills in front of me. The stack of overdue notices and invoices seemed to grow taller with each passing day. I had been struggling to make ends meet for months, working part-time jobs while trying to keep up with my studies. But it felt like every time I paid off one bill, another one arrived in the mail.

My heart sank as I realized that my financial situation was spiraling out of control. I had tried to manage it on my own, cutting back on unnecessary expenses and canceling my subscription services. But no matter how hard I worked or how many corners I cut, it felt like the hole I was in only grew larger.

I knew I had to do something drastic, something I never thought I would consider. My friend Maria, who worked at a hotel clubhouse, had once told me about the lavish parties where influential people gathered. She suggested that if I could enter their good books, they might be willing to help me out financially.

Overwhelmed by the circumstances I found myself in, desperation clouded my judgment. I dug through my purse and found my phone. I reluctantly dialed Maria's number, hoping she could assist me.

Maria was thrilled when I told her I was ready to take the offer she had presented. She blabbered a lot of things, but my mind was preoccupied with the guilt of what I was about to do and the present situation I found myself in.

She informed me that she would book a room for me so I could get dressed and mingle with the people at the club. Although hesitant, I agreed to her plan, understanding that this might be my chance to seek financial assistance from someone with connections. It wasn't the path I wanted to take, but desperation left me with limited options.

When I arrived at the hotel, Maria was waiting for me at the front desk. She handed me a key to my room and assured me that everything would be alright. I managed to give her a small smile, appreciating her support.

She instructed me to change into the clothes she had laid out on the bed after freshening up. According to her, she had provided everything I needed to get ready for the event. I nodded, taking note of her instructions, and made my way to the room, following the directions on my room card.

The room offered a comforting and cozy atmosphere, providing a momentary escape from the worries that had consumed me for weeks. I decided to take a shower and then examined the clothes Maria had prepared. They were indeed revealing, as I had expected.

I cautiously put on the clothes and headed towards the venue, bracing myself for the unknown. As soon as I entered, I was immediately engulfed by a sea of noise, the scent of alcohol lingering in the air. The atmosphere was filled with pulsating beats and a mass of dancing bodies, their laughter and chatter echoing around me. For someone like me, who preferred the comfort of solitude, the overwhelming energy felt suffocating.

Anxious, I searched the crowd for Maria, hoping to find solace and guidance in her familiar face. However, as time passed, doubts began to creep into my mind. I questioned whether she would even show up, and with each passing moment, my insecurities and feelings of helplessness grew.

Amidst the chaos, I attempted to make myself invisible. But it proved impossible, as men approached me, trying to engage me in drinking or hanging out with them. I politely refused their advances, trying to maintain my composure in this unfamiliar and overwhelming environment.

I dialed Maria's number, but it didn't go through. Anger started to well up within me as I wondered why she was absent. My frustration grew as I spotted her in the arms of a man, their bodies intertwined as he showered her with random kisses on her neck and shoulders. They walked towards me, Maria laughing wildly.

She sat down next to me, attempting to engage in conversation, but my anger prevented any words from escaping my lips. I felt even more aggravated by the presence of the man she had brought along. Well, I should have expected such behavior at this kind of party. Maria apologized for arriving late, and I accepted her apology with a forced smile.

Although we both knew why she had brought me there, I didn't understand her plan at that moment. I couldn't find support or a way out of my predicament in such a wild place. I doubted whether I could even pretend to fit in. Maria, however, managed to calm me down and explained that the party was just a party, and we were actually expecting someone later that night. She didn't provide me with any details or even a vague description of this person. I placed my trust in her, desperate to escape my current situation.

In an attempt to further liven up the night, Maria discreetly ordered a round of shots from the bar. Caught up in the excitement, I gladly accepted the drink without questioning its contents. Unbeknownst to me, Maria had asked the bartender to make mine slightly stronger than usual. As the shots were consumed one by one, I could feel warmth spreading through my body. At the time, I dismissed it as the adrenaline of the night, reveling in the music and laughter.

However, as the hours passed, my surroundings began to blur. The lights became hazy, the sounds distorted, and my movements sluggish. I realized something was wrong; the strong drink was taking hold of me. Maria, recognizing the situation, quickly guided me to a quieter corner of the club. Her face displayed concern, but it quickly transformed into mocking laughter.

Feeling bewildered and confused, I struggled to grasp the situation. I had never experienced being drunk before. My anger was apparent to Maria, who swiftly apologized, acknowledging how intoxicated I appeared. We both laughed, though I couldn't shake the thought that we hadn't yet met the person we had come all this way for. In my current state, I knew I wouldn't make a presentable impression. I voiced my concerns to Maria, and as if she had read my mind, she assured me it was alright. She would meet him on my behalf and ensure he did something about my situation.

"But that wasn't part of the plan. How would he agree to anything when we haven't even met?" I asked, uncertain about this new development.