I had found a job at a nearby bakery, surrounded by the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries and the warmth of the oven. I loved the feeling of being creative, decorating cakes and making treats for our customers. Emily, on the other hand, was working at an art gallery, showcasing her passion for art and design. Despite our busy schedules, we always made time for each other, other than staying in the same room.

Just as Emily finished her story, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen to see Fin's name flashing. I smiled, feeling a surge of excitement, and answered the call. "Hey, Fin! What's up?"

Fin's voice was filled with humor on the other end of the line. "Why did the coffee file a police report?" he asked, chuckling.

I laughed. "I don't know, why?"

"Because it got mugged!" Fin exclaimed, his laughter infectious.

I giggled, feeling a bit of tension release. "That's so cheesy, Fin."

Fin's tone turned serious. "Hey, Luna! I've got some good news. I managed to secure a loan, and I'm more than happy to help you out with your tuition fees."

My eyes widened in shock as I processed the information. Who could have given him such a substantial loan? I felt a mix of emotions - gratitude, surprise, and a hint of curiosity. "That's amazing, Fin! Thank you so much. But... who...how did you manage that?" I stuttered, trying to phrase my question delicately.

Fin chuckled on the other end of the line. "Let's just say I have some supportive connections. Don't worry about the details, Luna. What's important is that I'm here to help you."

I glanced at Emily, who was watching me with a suspicious gaze. She raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing that something was off. I mouthed "Fin" to her, and she nodded subtly, her eyes never leaving mine.

As I continued talking to Fin, my mind wandered to the possibilities. Who was this mysterious benefactor? And why was Fin being so secretive about it? Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the relief washing over me. Maybe, just maybe, this loan would solve our financial woes.

"Thank you, Fin. I appreciate this," I said sincerely, trying to convey my gratitude.

Fin's voice was warm and reassuring. "You're welcome, Luna. We'll discuss the details soon. For now, focus on your studies and don't worry about the finances."

As I hung up the phone, Emily leaned in, her voice low and inquiring. "What's going on, Luna? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Fin got a loan and is willing to help me out with my tuition fees," I said, watching Emily's reaction closely.

Her expression turned thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's...unexpected," she said, her tone neutral. I nodded, feeling a sense of unease.

"I'm telling you, Fin's got a thing for you," Emily said with a sly grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Don't be ridiculous, Emily. Fin's just being a good friend."

Emily chuckled. "A good friend who secures a loan to help you out with your tuition fees? Come on, Luna. That's some next-level friend-zone stuff right there."

I laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "It's not like that, Emily. Fin's just generous, okay?"

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Generous? He's got to pay his university fees, and yet he's giving you money? That's some serious commitment to friendship right there."

I shook my head, trying to play it cool. "Fin's family is not like mine, Emily. I'm sure he's got plenty of resources to spare."

Emily's grin never wavered. "Or maybe, just maybe, he's head over heels in love with you and can't resist helping you out."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "You're being ridiculous, Emily. Fin and I are just friends. Besides, even if he did have feelings for me, which I highly doubt, I'm not sure I'd feel the same way."

Emily's expression turned thoughtful. "Hmm, maybe you're right. But still, it's weird that he's being so secretive about the loan. Do you think he's in some kind of trouble or something?"

I frowned, feeling a twinge of concern. "I don't know, Emily. Fin didn't seem too keen on discussing the details. But I'm sure he'll tell me when the time is right."

Emily nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'm sure he will. And when he does, we'll be right there to grill him with questions."

I laughed, feeling grateful for my friend's unwavering support. "I'm counting on it, Emily."

We chatted for a while longer, discussing our plans for the rest of the semester. Despite the mystery surrounding Fin's loan, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe this was the break we needed to get our finances back on track. Only time would tell.

Next weekend 

I stepped out of the car, Emily by my side, and gazed up at my family's cozy home. The familiar porch, the vibrant flowers, and the warm lights in the windows all felt like a warm hug. I hadn't been back in a while, and I was excited to spend some quality time with my loved ones. Last weekend, Fin called later and planned a meetup for loan details. Emily was curious, so she got along.

"Hey, it's great to be back," I said to Emily, smiling.

Emily grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm so down for some quality time with your fam."

As we walked up to the door, it swung open, and my mom stood there, beaming. "Luna, sweetie! Welcome home!"

I hugged her tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and love. "Mom, it's so great to see you!"

My dad appeared behind her, a warm smile on his face. "Hey, kiddo! Welcome home. We've missed you around here."

Fin, who was standing beside my dad, smiled and waved at me. "Hey, Lu. Welcome back."

I smiled back at him, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Hey, Fin. Thanks for coming over."

Emily stepped forward, her hand extended. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. It's great to meet you both."

My mom took her hand, pulling her into a warm hug. "Oh, Emily, it's lovely to finally meet you in person. We've heard so much about you."

My dad chuckled, shaking Emily's hand. "Yes, Luna's told us all about you ."

Fin added, "Yeah, I'm sure Emily's been keeping Luna out of trouble."

Emily laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I try my best, but no promises."

As we stepped inside, Aria and Charlotte came bounding into the hallway, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"Luna! You're finally here!" Aria exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.

Charlotte nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with happiness. "Yeah, we've missed you so much!"

I hugged them both tightly, feeling grateful for my friends. "I've missed you guys, too. It's great to be back."

As we made our way into the living room, Fin sat down beside me on the couch. "So, how was your trip?" he asked, his eyes locked on mine.

"It was good," I replied, feeling a sense of comfort with him beside me. "Just needed to get away for a bit."

Fin nodded, his expression understanding. "I'm glad you're here now. We can hang out again ."

As we chatted and laughed together, I felt grateful for the warm and loving atmosphere of my home. After a while, we settled into the kitchen, where my mom had prepared a delicious spread of food.

As we sat down to eat, Fin turned to me and said, "Hey, Lu, can I talk to you about why we gathered here ?"

I nodded, curious. " Yeah sure ."

Fin leaned in, his voice low. " I'm glad you're doing well, and I hope you're not feeling too much pressure. I've sent you your remaining tuition fees and some extra in your bank account, you can use them whenever you need. It's not a loan for you, think it's help from your childhood, handsome and charming best friend."

I smiled, feeling grateful for his concern. "Thanks, Fin. I appreciate it. I saw the notification of transportation, and I've used some amount for tuition. I'll make sure to tell everyone you are handsome and charming at university ."

Fin giggled, " Just make sure to give my number to whoever seems interested." He winked at me, and Emily gave a side eye.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Thanks, Fin. You're a lifesaver."

As we finished dinner and settled into the living room, Aria and Charlotte started gossiping about the latest celebrity news. Emily joined in, sharing her own opinions and jokes. I listened, smiling, feeling happy to be surrounded by people I loved.

As the evening wore on, Fin sat beside me, his arm brushing against mine. I felt a sense of comfort and security with him by my side.

"Thanks for being here, Fin," I said, smiling at him.

Fin smiled back, his eyes locked on mine. "Anytime, Lu. I'm always here for you."

Emily couldn't resist making a joke. "Hey, Fin, I think you're officially Luna's sugar daddy now," she said with a grin.

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, and Fin's eyes widened in surprise. We both looked at each other, and I could see the embarrassment reflected in his eyes.

Aria and Charlotte burst out laughing, and my mom chuckled, "Oh, Emily, you're such a card."

Fin and I exchanged a mortified glance, and I tried to play it cool. "Emily, stop it. Fin just helped me out with a loan, that's all."

Fin added, "Yeah, it's no big deal. Just a friendly loan between friends."

But Emily wasn't having it. "Oh, sure, sure. A friendly loan that just happens to be from a guy who's been looking at you with puppy dog eyes ."

The room erupted in laughter, and Fin and I both looked like we'd been caught red-handed. I felt my face burning with embarrassment, and Fin's face was turning pink.

Aria and Charlotte were giggling uncontrollably, and my mom was smiling warmly at us. "Well, I think it's sweet that you two are so close," she said.

Fin and I exchanged a look, both of us trying to play it cool, but it was clear that we were both embarrassed. I tried to deflect the attention, "Emily, stop teasing us. You're making us both blush."

But Emily just laughed and said, "I'm just kidding, guys. I know you're just friends."

The room continued to laugh and joke, and Fin and I tried to laugh it off, but I could feel the tension between us. It was clear that Emily's joke had struck a nerve.

As we walked outside, enjoying the fresh air and each other's company, a van suddenly pulled up beside us. Before we could react, several men jumped out and grabbed us, covering our mouths and dragging us into the van.

The last thing I remembered was the sound of my friends' muffled screams and the feeling of being dragged away.When I came to, I was disoriented and groggy. As my vision cleared, I saw that I was tied up and lying on a cold, hard floor. Aria, Fin, Charlotte, and Emily were beside me, also bound and gagged.We were in a dimly lit room that looked like a secret basement. The walls were made of concrete, and the air was musty and damp.As I struggled to free myself, I saw several men standing in front of us. They were tall and imposing, with stern expressions.

One of them stepped forward, his eyes scanning us with a mixture of curiosity and calculation. "Welcome, ladies," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "You're going to be staying with us for a while."

I tried to speak, but my voice was muffled by the gag. I struggled against my restraints, but they were too tight. The man smiled, seeming to enjoy our distress. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of you. You'll be... guests... for as long as we need you to be."

I looked at my friends and saw the fear and uncertainty in their eyes. We were in grave danger, and I didn't know why or how we were going to get out of this situation.

The man turned to one of his accomplices and said, "Get the boss. He'll want to know that our guests have arrived."

As the accomplice nodded and left, I realized that we were in the hands of someone who was well-organized and ruthless. I didn't know what their plans were for us, but I knew we had to find a way to escape before it was too late.