Chapter 3

• Isabella couldn’t sleep well that night. She kept thinking how she is going to get fifty thousand dollars in two days.
• Even if she sold all that they had, it won’t be enough to settle the debt. And it will be Christmas, there is no way she can get a job or a loan from the bank since the banks have already gone for Christmas holidays.
• Isabella’s mom had borrowed the money from the loan sharks so that they could pay for her dad's medical bills. The initial money was up to a hundred thousand dollars but they were able to pay up half of the amount already.
• Isabella is troubled about what may happen to them if they fail to pay the money in two days. She had heard about how ruthless loan sharks are to those who are unable to pay up their debt. She just hopes that a miracle will happen and make her fate not be the same with those people.
• Isabella sighed in frustration. Surely this isn’t how she planned her Christmas to be.
• Morning came very soon. Isabella had not closed her eyes even for a second last night. She got up from the bed and got ready to go to work.
• Isabella went to check if her mom was awake but she found her still sleeping and so she wrote a note for her and left for work.
• At work, Isabella kept working absentmindedly. She kept thinking of ideas of how to raise such a huge amount in less than forty eight hours. She thought of borrowing money from the bank but then realized that wouldn't be a good idea. Moreover it will take weeks before the loan is approved and by then, Her life and her mother’s will be long gone by then.
• Isabella had not realized that she had been mopping the same spot for a while until she heard the manager’s taunting voice.
• “Are you trying to create a hole on the floor?”. Mr Alponso the manager screamed at her.
• Isabella wasn’t in the mood to entertain his bullying this morning and so she kept quiet.
• “Aren’t you going to answer or have you gone deaf?.” Mr Alponso jest at her. Isabella still kept her cool and refused to respond to him.
• “I can see that you have finally grown wings. You dare not answer me when I talk to you. Surely you don’t want to lose your job. Or do you!”. Mr Alponso spat at her as he smirked. He knows how much Isabella needs this job and that is why he always uses the “fire” word at her. He knows then that he will have her at his mercy. Just where he wants her to always be.
• Because of the foul mood she is in, Isabella bit her tongue to refrain herself from saying something she will actually regret later on.
• “Silent is the answer to a fool!.” Isabella said in her mind. And so without giving Mr Alponso any response, she picked up the mopping bucket and left him standing there shouting her name.
• Isabella dropped the mopping bucket in the utility room and went to look for Alessia. Isabella found her resting in the staff changing room.
• “Good Morning Alessia, I have been looking for you!”. Isabella greeted her.
• “Funny enough, I am the one who is always looking for you and not the other way round. What do you want? I hope you are not here to take revenge for all the times I ask you to cover up for me?”. Alessia asks with her brows raised. Alessia usually begs Isabella to cover up for her whenever she has somewhere to go and so she just hopes that Isabella is not here to ask for the same favors because she doesn’t feel like working today.
• “That’s not the case. I need your help!.” Isabella uttered.
• “What it is. I hope you didn’t get into trouble with Mr Alponso. Did he fire you?.” Alessia asked. Isabella wished that was the case. But sadly it’s something bigger than that.
• “No! This does not have anything to do with Mr Alponso. I have a debt I need to pay in two days time and I don’t have the money!” Isabella explained her situation to Alessia.
• “How much is your debt?.” Alessia inquired.
• “Fifty thousand dollars!.” Isabella whispered and watched as Alessia's eyes grew bigger.
• “Fifty thousand what? What did you use such a huge amount for?”. Alessia asked.
• “For my papa’s treatment. You are not able to pay up all the money since then. I am not looking for all the money. I just need about ten to twenty thousand. I am sure the loan sharks will be content for a while if we offer that much to them..” Isabella explained. She knows how these loan sharks operate. Once she is able to give them a portion of the money, they will not disturb them for a while.
• “That’s about a huge amount of money. Why don’t you beg the loan sharks to pardon you until after the New Year?.” Alessia asked.
• “We couldn’t because they left no room for negotiation.” Isabella explained.
• “Hmm that is sad. I do know where you can get up to ten thousand dollars in a day but I am not sure if you are willing to do what it takes to earn it!.” Alessia expressed..
• Isabella smiled in relief. She knew that she could count on Alessia for a solution.
• “How much I do. I am willing to do anything as long as it’s not illegal.” Isabella assured Alessia.
• “If you say so. Have you heard of Mat Escort Agency?”. Alessia asked her.
• “No!”. Isabella answered although by hearing “Escort Agency” she already has an idea where Alessia is heading to.
• “What did I expect from a nun like you? Anyway I am sure you know what an Escort Agency means. Mat Escort Agency has the best clients, some of which are ready to pay tens of thousands just for a night. Since the owner Matteo is an acquaintance of mine, I can plead with him to connect you with one of his clients. And so are you in for it?” Alessia explained to her.
• Isabella didn’t want to do this. But she has no choice. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
• “Yes I am!.” Isabella swallowed hard as she answered.
• “.Good then let me give Matteo a call.” Alessia said and excused herself leaving Isabella in her thoughts.
• A minute later she came back into the room and informed Isabella that Matteo agreed to set her up with one of his clients tonight.
• “Tonight? But what would I tell my mom?” Isabella argued. She doesn't want to leave her mom alone in case the loan sharks come back for her.
• “Of course. Don’t let this opportunity find you or you won’t get another chance. And as for you mom, you can tell her you have a night shift at work.” Alessia explained.
• “Okay!.” Isabella answered. Even though she doesn't like the idea, she has no choice since this is the only chance of getting such a huge amount in one night.
• “Okay then. Let’s get going. You need to take tests to make sure you are clean. It’s part of the company's policies and then we will go shopping. I wouldn’t want you to dress as if you are going to church.” Alessia mocks her, making Isabella glare at her.