By the time I stepped out of the building that evening, my body felt heavier than it should have.
Work had been… a lot.
Not because I couldn't handle it—but because everything there felt like a test I didn't sign up for.
I adjusted my bag and started down the street, trying to shake it off. One day at a time. That was all I needed to focus on.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I hesitated for a second before picking up.
"Hello?"
A short silence followed.
Then—
"Freeda."
My steps slowed.
That voice.
I knew it.
"Blake?"
A low chuckle came through the line. "Good. I was starting to think you forgot about me."
My grip tightened around the phone.
"I didn't forget," I said quietly. "I just need more time."
"Time?" he repeated, almost amused. "You've had enough of that."
"I just started working—"
"And that's exactly why I'm calling," he cut in smoothly. "You have a job now. That means you can pay."
I exhaled slowly, trying to stay calm. "I will. Just not yet."
A pause.
Then—
"I'm close by."
My heart skipped.
Before I could ask anything else, the call ended.
I stopped walking.
Slowly, I turned.
And there he was.
Leaning casually against a car across the street, like he had all the time in the world.
Blake.
My chest tightened as I crossed over to him, keeping my voice low. "What are you doing here?"
He pushed himself off the car, straightening.
"Checking on my investment," he said simply.
"I told you I'll pay."
"And I told you," he stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly, "I don't like waiting."
I glanced around quickly. People passed by, but no one paid us any real attention.
Still, it felt too open.
Too exposed.
"You can't just show up like this," I said.
"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head. "This is your workplace, right?"
My stomach dropped.
"Blake…"
He smiled faintly, but there was nothing friendly about it.
"It would be a shame if I walked in there," he continued, nodding toward the building behind me, "and started asking for you. Loudly."
My heart started pounding.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
I swallowed hard. "Please. Just give me some time."
His expression didn't change.
"Tomorrow," he said.
"What?"
"You bring something tomorrow," he continued. "Anything that shows you're serious."
"And if I don't?"
He held my gaze for a second.
Then smiled again.
"I'll come inside next time."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Freeda," he added before turning and walking away.
I stood there, frozen for a moment, my thoughts spinning.
Tomorrow?
How was I supposed to get that kind of money in one night?
"You okay?"
The voice pulled me back.
I turned quickly.
A man stood a short distance away, calm, observant—like he had seen everything that just happened.
"I'm fine," I said quickly.
He didn't look convinced.
"That didn't look fine."
I hesitated.
"I said I'm fine."
A small pause.
Then he nodded once, like he wasn't going to argue.
"I'm Cole," he said.
The name clicked instantly.
Harrison's assistant.
"I've seen you around," he added. "Executive floor."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah."
His gaze shifted briefly in the direction Blake had gone, then back to me.
"That kind of situation doesn't stay quiet for long," he said.
My chest tightened slightly. "It's nothing I can't handle."
"Maybe," he replied. "But it can still cost you your job."
That hit.
Because it was true.
I looked away, exhaling softly. "It's just… something from before I got here."
"Debt?"
I didn't answer.
I didn't need to.
Cole nodded slightly.
"For what it's worth," he said, "you don't look like someone who should be dealing with people like that."
I let out a small breath. "Life doesn't really ask."
A brief silence followed.
Then he pulled out his phone.
"You said he wants something tomorrow?"
I nodded.
"What bank are you using?" he asked.
I frowned slightly. "Why?"
"Your account," he said simply. "Tell me."
I hesitated for a moment.
Then slowly, I told him.
He tapped on his phone for a few seconds.
That was it.
A soft vibration came from my bag.
I pulled out my phone.
Credit alert.
My heart skipped.
I looked up at him. "You… you just sent me money?"
"Handle it," he said calmly, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
"I can't just take that," I said quickly.
"You can," he replied. "And you should."
I hesitated, then said, my voice firm despite everything,
"I'll pay you back. As soon as I can… I will."
He looked at me for a moment.
Then gave a small nod.
"Do what you have to do first," he said. "Then worry about that."
I swallowed. "Thank you."
"Just fix it before it gets worse," he added before turning and walking away.
I stood there, my phone still in my hand.
The street hadn't changed.
But everything felt different.
Tomorrow had become a deadline.
And this time…
Failure wasn't an option.