Episode2 Desperate Emilia
562 Words
The night was deep, and the city's neon lights looked even more blurry in the rain.
Emilia wearing a thin trench coat, hurried along the wet streets. Her hair, soaked by the rain, clung to her cheeks, making her look exceptionally disheveled.
She glanced up at a hidden alleyway, where the only illuminated building was a loan shark's office. It was close to the hospital, likely targeting people in situations like hers. The dim streetlight cast a harsh glare on her pale face.
Emilia's heart raced with nerves.
Despite years of enduring hardship through sheer will and ability, she had never borrowed money from anyone.
This was her first time. She never imagined that her first loan would be a massive amount from a loan shark.
Taking a deep breath, she gripped her small bag tightly.
Inside it were her last bit of savings and her brother's medical records. She wiped the rain from her face and pushed open the heavy iron door.
The room behind the door was narrow, filled with the smell of dampness and mold.
A bald middle-aged man sat behind a desk piled with documents and cash. He looked up at Emilia, his eyes flashing with disdain and indifference.
"How much do you need?" His voice was low and cold, devoid of any warmth.
Emilia swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain calm. "Fifty thousand euros." Despite her efforts, her voice trembled slightly.
The man raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Fifty thousand euros? Do you know what that means?"
"I know," Emilia took a deep breath and met the man's gaze. "But I have no other choice. I need the money to save my brother."
The man let out a cold laugh, stood up, and walked over to her, looking down from above. "Do you know how high our interest rates are? Are you sure you can repay it?"
A chill rose from Emilia's feet, but she didn't back down. "I will repay it. No matter what, I will pay it back."
The man stared at her for a few seconds, then turned to the desk, picked up a contract, and placed it in front of her. "Sign this, and you can get the money."
Emilia took the contract and saw the densely packed small print and the shocking interest rates. Her heart sank. Repaying this money would not be easy.
But she had no choice. She couldn't let her brother die. Gritting her teeth, Emilia picked up the pen from the desk, her hand trembling slightly.
"If you default, you know the consequences," the man reminded her coldly.
"I know," Emilia responded softly and signed her name.
The man collected the contract and placed a stack of cash in front of her. "Here is fifty thousand euros. Remember, if you don't repay the money by the due date, your life will be ours."
Emilia took the cash with trembling hands. "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse and weak.
The man said nothing more, just coldly watched her, his eyes devoid of any sympathy.
Emilia turned and left, stepping back into the cold, rainy night.
She clutched the money tightly, tears or raindrops mingling in her eyes, but she held them back.
There was no time for sorrow; she had to rush back to the hospital, pay the medical bills, and get the doctors to perform the surgery.
- Writer
