Chapter 3 Oh No

• POV (ETHAN):
• I stared blankly at the blood-stained sheets, consumed by guilt. This wasn't who I wanted to be. If I had known she was a virgin, I wouldn't have taken advantage of her in that way.
• Her silent moans and pleas for more echoed in my mind, and I knew deep down that I had made a terrible mistake. At first, I had thought she was just a casual hookup, but when I felt how tight she was, how unfamiliar she seemed to the experience, I realized she was new to this.
• Regret washed over me as I imagined the embarrassment she must have felt, prompting her hasty departure. She wasn't in the right state of mind, and yet I still went through with it. I wished I could apologize and somehow make it right, even if it meant compensating her for the night.
• I reached for my phone and noticed the numerous missed calls from work and Daisy, my secretary. It was clear that I needed to hire additional help to manage the workload. With a sigh, I picked up a pair of scissors from the table and carefully cut out the bloodstained portion of the sheets. Placing it in a plastic bag, I tucked it away in my briefcase.
• Feeling a sense of urgency, I dialed Fern, my trusted designer. She answered promptly, her voice filled with excitement. "Hello!" she chirped. I took a deep breath and asked, "Is it possible to create a frame using clothing?" Fern burst into laughter on the other end of the line, her enthusiasm contagious. "Yes, absolutely!" she exclaimed.
• POV (HANNAH):
• I arrived at the hospital where my brother was admitted just in time. He was lying there, asleep and frail. The doctor had informed us that his condition was critical and that he needed immediate surgery.
• As soon as I entered, my mom's voice pierced through the air with frustration, "Where were you last night?" Her eyes filled with worry and anger. Guilt washed over me as I realized that while my brother was fighting for his life, I had been indulging in selfish pleasures. My mom had called me numerous times, but I had silenced my phone.
• Helplessly, I stared at my brother's weakened body lying on the bed. He had become so thin and frail. I had barely managed to send money for his food, and now, with no paycheck in sight, I didn't have the heart to tell my mom about my financial struggles.
• My mom shook me with a mix of anger and concern, and all I could manage was a feeble, "I'm sorry." Using the little money I had left, I paid for his ongoing treatments. As the evening settled, I found myself sitting on the rooftop of the hospital, feeling the weight of my failures.
• I gazed at Adrien's contact on my phone, hesitating to press the dial button. It felt as though I had let him down, breaking my promise to take care of him. The guilt consumed me, and I swiped his contact away, opting instead to call my best friend, Zoe.
• Zoe rushed over to the hospital as soon as I called her. She brought fruits and juice, offering me a comforting hug before we made our way to the rooftop. Sitting there together, I poured out my worries and frustrations, sharing the depth of my financial strain.
• With a sympathetic gaze, Zoe admitted, "I wish I could lend you the money, but I'm struggling myself. I just paid off my loan, and I don't have much left. I can help with the ongoing treatments, but the cost of the surgery is beyond my means." My heart sank as I realized that even my closest friend couldn't provide the financial support I desperately needed.
• "Why don't you reach out to Adrian?" Zoe suggested. "He might be able to help you with the money." I couldn't bring myself to tell her about the terrible choices I had made, the crimes I had committed.
• "I actually wanted to talk to you about a job opportunity. It's quite significant," Zoe said, her voice filled with hope. "There's a job opening at NEXT IN, and I managed to secure an interview. However, since you need it more than I do, you can take the first shot at it. If you land the job, you'll receive a signing bonus in the first week, which could provide the money you need." Zoe's words sparked a glimmer of hope within me.
• "But NEXT IN is a top company in the country. There's no guarantee that I'll get the job," I replied, my gaze fixed on the towering skyscrapers in the distance.
• Zoe placed a hand on my shoulder, her eyes filled with determination. "Whenever doubt creeps in, just think about Liam lying there, fighting for his life. Focus on the hope, not the uncertainty. You can do this," she encouraged, embracing me tightly. Her support meant the world to me, and I felt a renewed sense of determination.
• "Thank you, Zoe," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. "I'll give it my all. I won't let Liam down."