Shattered Reflections

ma

row taller with each passing day. I had been struggling to make ends meet for months, working part-time jobs while

anage it on my own, cutting back on unnecessary expenses and canceling my subscription services. But n

orked at a hotel clubhouse, had once told me about the lavish parties where influential people gathered.

clouded my judgment. I dug through my purse and found my phone.

sented. She blabbered a lot of things, but my mind was preoccupied with the

Although hesitant, I agreed to her plan, understanding that this might be my chance to seek financial assistance

. She handed me a key to my room and assured me that everything would b

cording to her, she had provided everything I needed to get ready for the event. I nodded, takin

the worries that had consumed me for weeks. I decided to take a shower and then exa

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, thei

ce. However, as time passed, doubts began to creep into my mind. I questioned whether she woul

roached me, trying to engage me in drinking or hanging out with them. I politely refused the

he was absent. My frustration grew as I spotted her in the arms of a man, their bodies intertwined as he

ps. I felt even more aggravated by the presence of the man she had brought along. Well, I should have expected such

. 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 so

nk without questioning its contents. Unbeknownst to me, Maria had asked the bartender to make mine slightly stronger than usual. As the shots were consumed

s sluggish. I realized something was wrong; the strong drink was taking hold of me. Maria, recognizing the situation, quic

oxicated 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 presen

e agree to anything when we haven't even met?"

moment before resp

ughts flooded my mind, suspicion growing towards Maria. I wondered why she seemed so composed while I was left feeling disoriented. She sat on the edge of the bed, smiling at me as she mentio

er some time contemplating, I decided to surrender to sleep. However, as I closed my

Fear and confusion rushed through me as I attempted to resist, but my weakened state ren

had ended up in such a situation. It all happened so quickly, tears welling up in my eyes as the mystery of the unfolding events consumed me. I had b

n the door—it was her. She apologized for not checking on me later that night, but I remained silent. Concern

ou brought me

to clear your debts..." she

o be used like th

first time you've

the man I slept w

king to me like that,

the face of the man

family in the city. It was supposed to console me, but it did nothing to ease the betrayal and violation I felt. As she uttered those words,

noring Maria's pleas for me to come back. I vowed never to continue the friendship with h

by Ethan wasn't enough to resolve my debts. The weight of my financial obligations suffocated me, and anxiety infiltrated

I desperately tried to devise a plan to cope with my financial struggles. The past few months had been an ongoing battle, with reduced wo

alarmed me greatly. My thoughts raced, considering the possibilities. The recent incident at the club with Ethan came to mind, and I cou

minutes that followed felt like an eternity as I anxiously waited for the results. Finally, the sm