Chapter 2 Swallowing My Pride

SUSAN'S POV

(Present day)

I jumped slightly in anticipation and fear as my phone began to buzz. I picked it up, and as soon as I saw the caller ID, I dropped it again as though it burned.

My heart was beating a mile a minute. I wiped off perspiration from my brow and noticed that my hands were trembling.

The loan sharks saved as 'Do Not Pick' on my phone, were calling.

There was no way I was going to cough up eighty grand to pay them, and my skin crawled thinking about what they would do to me. I didn't need to think for long, because they began blasting my phone with texts explaining exactly what.

'ARE YOU F**CKING KIDDING ME? You slut! Are you ignoring your calls? Pay the money you owe today, or else YOU'RE DEAD!'

My heart dropped to my stomach. I began to feel queasy.

I was in deep shit, and I knew it.

I had no doubt that they meant it. I had heard stories of what loan sharks did to people, and I knew I would be dead meat.

My breath caught in my throat as I read the next text, 'Tick-tock, Tick-tock..."

I stared at the phone, as though it would explode if I touched it.

I needed to somehow raise eighty grand before evening.

I had promised my landlord that I would have the rent by the end of the day. It was a lie to get him off my back, but I didn't know how long before he finally kicked me out.

Think Susan! Think Susan!

It would have been easier if I still had my friends and connections as before, but after what happened, they wanted nothing to do with me.

My gaze darted to the 'OVERDUE' red stamp on the envelopes before me. I couldn't afford to be proud at that moment. I needed help.

It was the weekend, and I knew where my former colleagues would be on a Friday night. I just needed to meet with them before the loan sharks met me. They wouldn't just ignore me if I told them that my rent was due and I had nowhere to stay.

I quickly put on some clothes and grabbed my club permit- It was an exclusive club for celebrities and I still had my VIP permit from when I worked at Sky Networks. Though I had never used it as much in the past, it was to expire in two weeks.

This was my chance to meet with them. I had stayed in isolation for so long all this time, because I didn't like being recognized as the meme every time I stepped out of the house. I didn't expect that I would be ostracized by everyone, including my friend Vanessa- none of them reached out to check on me once in all this time. But I didn't hold it against them, I was ready to find a solution.

I had to sell my car, when my savings ran out, so, I had to rely on cab service. It was right on time. Thankfully, he was a man from the Middle East, who didn't seem to care about technology and may not have seen the meme.

"Where are you headed, ma'am?" He asked me, watching me through his rearview mirror.

"Barnes club."

He nodded, and drove off.

It was a quiet ride and the roads were not as jammed. We arrived at the club in record time. I was sure they would be there on time as it was seven thirty pm.

I paid and got out of the cab and headed to the entrance of the nightclub. Weekends meant free entrance for girls, so I had no hassle getting past the front door.

The lights were blinding, and the sounds were too loud. The setting seemed very glamorous and vibrant. I couldn't remember the last time I had been to a nightclub. Sweaty guys were rocking and dancing with girls dressed in sleeveless short body-con dresses. The waitresses were in uniform- stylish bras, form fitting bumshorts, high heels and matching smiles. They carried their trays, containing cocktails and snacks, confidently to the guests.

I moved past the throng and made my way upstairs, where the VIP session was reserved, of which I used to be a member.

But what I feared began to happen.

"Hey! Aren't you that sexy reporter?"

"Come on, why don't you hang out with me tonight?"

I pushed past horny guys, leering at me with a feeling of trepidation and disgust.

One guy grabbed me by the waist, and I gasped, "Get off me!"

"Chill! What's there to be embarrassed about? Isn't this what you like?" He licked his lips in what he expected to come out as sexual, but in my eyes looked like a dog licking his nose.

I scrambled off him, successfully, but with a lack of grace. I had pushed so hard that I almost fell on my face.

The guys who watched, laughed and mocked me.

"She's trying to act like a saint, when she's a slut."

I felt so humiliated.

I didn't deserve the mistreatment from these guys who knew nothing about me.

I ignored them and made my way to the exclusive session.

"Excuse me, ma'am. VIP's only." The bouncer at the door said, stopping me.

"Oh yes! I have an entry card."

The bouncer looked at me from head to toe, not believing me. I should have expected that. I looked nothing like someone who was meant to be in the VIP session.

He took the card from me and recognizing the name, his eyes widened.

"Susan Carter," his eyes shone with amusement as he stared at my chest without trying to hide it. "I remember you."

I became self conscious, blushing deep red as I adjusted my top, so nothing would be revealed.

"You can go in." He said handing me back my pass and opening the door for me.

"Yeah, sure. Thanks."

My eyes scanned the room, and soon I saw my former colleagues. I took a deep breath, not knowing what to expect. I could be rejected, but I couldn't turn back now. I had already come this far.

Vanessa was the first among the six to spot. I couldn't see the rest from where I was, but I saw her say something to the others and they all looked in my direction.

The sight of Josh, made my heart race and caused blood to drum in my ears. I hadn't seen him again since our last phone call.

"Now, look who we have here..." He said looking at me with a smirk. "If it isn't the 'stripping anchor' or is it the 'barfing anchor'?" He asked the others and they snickered.

I hadn't expected to see him here. It was unlike him to be among others he considered beneath him.

Seeing him made my composure falter a bit, "H-hey, Josh." I stuttered, "It's really nice to see you."

"I wish I could say the same about you." His eyes shone with malice.

I couldn't forget how hurt I had felt when he had spoken about me live on air, saying that I was a slut and he had been deceived into proposing. It was much worse than him breaking off our engagement.

"Hi Vanessa," I turned to the one I had once called my best friend.

She rolled her eyes at me and turned away, sipping her drink slowly.

I said hello to the rest of them, but they were all so cold to me.

I didn't know how to state my purpose for being there anymore, even though I had anticipated the treatment, this was way worse than I imagined.

They ignored me and went back to talking about work and other stuff.

I cleared my throat and they cast annoyed glances at me. "Vanessa, can I speak to you privately?"

"Why?" It was her first word to me.

"Just because." I replied.

"If you have something to say, say it here." She replied coldly.

"Okay, fine." I puffed out a breath, "I need your help. I am about to lose my home, and I need some cash."

"Really?" She jeered, her mouth cracking into a barely restrained smile.

The others broke out into laughter.

I closed my eyes to minimize the feeling of embarrassment, but it only seemed to make it worse. I clutched my purse tightly, my hands trembling slightly.

"Honey, no one here is going to help you, least of all, my Vanessa." Josh said when his laughter had reduced to snickers.

"Excuse me?"

I may be wrong, but did I just hear, 'my Vanessa'?

I looked at Vanessa, and she was smiling conspiratorially at Josh.

"You are just about to witness a very memorable moment." He said, turning his smile to me, "I'm sorry, Susan. I don't intend to change my plans so I don't hurt your feelings."

He stood up and pushed past me, got on one knee and my mouth dropped open.

Did I just stumble on my ex-fiance proposing to my best friend?

I didn't hear the words being exchanged, or notice when he pulled out the ring, or when she shouted 'yes' or when he put the ring on her finger or when the guests cheered and clapped.

Then when he pulled her up and kissed her in front of me, I knew I had to go.

But fate had other plans for me (-cruel plans, I must add). Just when I thought that this day couldn't get any worse.

My whole life flashed before my eyes as I looked at the door, which was the only way out, and saw the loan sharks. I knew instantly that they were here for me.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

They had spotted me, and were making their way to me.

It was an enclosed space, I couldn't run.

"Hey! Slut! You got our money?"

I shook my head as the tears I had dared not to fall, began to streak my face.

"Please-"

Some of the other guests began to look scared. The guys looked like gangsters, and they were here to harm me.

I didn't look at the table, knowing that my colleagues were also watching.

"I just need some more time. I promise, I'll pay you-"

I heard Josh scoff, "So, you owe these guys too...? Why are you so pathetic?" He sighed and said, "Thank you for making this day truly memorable."

They all stood up and pushed past me, leaving me to myself.

When Josh got to the leader of the gang after me, he said, "You can do whatever you like with her. She's all yours. If she can't pay what she owes, she can make a good whore," he turned to me with his lips pulled back in a grimace, "After all, that's what she's known for." He walked away.

Asshole! I couldn't believe I ever fell for him.

The leader had a liquid smile on his face that spoke volumes. "Come here, sweetheart."

He said approaching me with his gang.

He got to me and grabbed my arm.

"Don't be shy. I have a way you can pay me back."

I let the tears fall freely.

If there was anyone, somewhere, anywhere that could help me...

"Let her go." A deep sultry voice from behind me said.

He held on to the hand that grabbed me and freed me. He stood between me and the leader. "Don't you dare lay a finger on her. I'll pay whatever it is she owes."