Charley's P.O.V.

The Moonlight Ball, November 18th

To think that I would attend one of these balls. Rich people are everywhere and having a good time. They smile at each other and dance around in their money. I can nearly scoff. To attend one of these things sucked, but the reason I am going to this ball in the end will be worth it. 

I looked around the gold-themed room with almost cinematography-like lighting. The people are wearing fancy and expensive dresses and suits. Even the live music today was notable for these people's richness. I just know any photo posted online tonight will look good and be used to show off their luxury. I looked up towards the balcony as I felt a pair of eyes on me. As I did, I stood stunned.

Flashback

Charley's Condo, A Few Months Ago

I stared at the upcoming bill on my kitchen table. I've worked hard to pay off my cousin's debt, but it's taken so much out of me.

 These greedy loan sharks 

and their interests.

I am going to have to pull overtime at the office to pay my mortgage and bills for this month. I may have to cut my grocery bill in half if push comes to shove. Yeah, until the end of the month, I can have rice, maybe canned tuna or chicken on the side, and frozen vegetables. I heard my doorbell sensor go off. I stood up and walked over to my phone and picked it up, before looking at my security app. I panned my camera to my doorbell camera. There, in front of my door on my welcome mat, was a manila envelope.

I walked over to the front door and peeped through the peephole to see no one. I went into my bathroom before I grabbed a pair of gloves and a mask from under the sink and put them on. I walked into the living room and peeked through my cameras and my door peephole one more time and confirmed no one was there before opening the door and picking up the envelope. When I walked back inside, I opened the envelope. Inside were what looked like papers. I pulled them from the envelope when suddenly dried lavender soon came out from between the papers. Why am I surprised? It's not such a secret anymore between them. I sighed and read the papers.

Another surprise debt to a loan shark. One where I am the person to pay if Jocelyn doesn't make any payments. They want me to pay them, but also put the plant I am allergic to in the folder. I shook my head and placed the folder down. Looks like I will have more overtime than I thought.

Two Months Later

I stared at the new envelope in anger. Jocelyn has another loan, and yet she hasn't told me about it. I just finished working to pay off the last loan she had, and now I have a new one to pay for her. My phone began to ring, causing me to look at it. I sighed as I saw Jocelyn calling. I muted the call and flipped the phone over before dumping the lavender into a grocery bag from the newest envelope. My phone, out of nowhere, began to vibrate repeatedly. Exasperation came to me as I heard my phone. Jocelyn is texting me right now, right? She's telling me why I have to pay that loan I just found out about. She always does this. 

I get it. 

It's my fault that things are the way they are, but because of the damage she has done, there are so many precautions I had to take.

My eyes landed on the images from the envelope I was sent last week. Images of my address, my niece and sister from far away, my job, my friends. I am being blackmailed and have no one to tell. If I pay Jocelyn's loan, it will stop, but- My phone began to ring again. As much as I want to remain calm, the fact that everything is being thrown at me all at once feels like an absolute shit show. I quickly picked it up and answered it in vexation.

“Can I have one fucking break, Jocelyn?!” I wailed.

“Woah, Charley, I get your cousin is a pain in the ass, but I am not her.” My shoulders sank as I heard the feminine voice.

“Janie”

“I had a feeling to check on you. It seems that I am right.” Janie, my best friend since high school. She always knows the right time to call or ask to meet. She was always a woman who could calm your mind in seconds with her presence. She’s truly a beautiful and interesting woman indeed.

“Yeah, you were,” I said before sitting on my couch.

“Let me guess. Jocelyn got another loan.”

“Yes,” I said with a sigh.

“Jeez, why have you not talked to the loan sharks? I am pretty sure they understand that it's her responsibility to pay back those loans and not yours.”

“It's because I owe it to her.”

“You always say that and let her get away with putting you as a cosigner on a new loan.”

“It's the least I can do.”

“Charley, you had no idea all of that was going to happen. Had Jocelyn just-”

“Janie, not now, please.”

“If not now, then when? She has had control over you almost as long as I have known you. I mean, you hardly have a life anymore outside of her and work. We don't spend time together anymore because all your time is spent working overtime. That is because of Jocelyn’s actions.”

“I have to pay these loans off somehow.”

“What do you do when you get off work?”

“Go to sleep.”

“When you wake up?”

“Eat, pay a few bills, and-”

“Cry, right?” Janie's words halted my mind and body. I couldn't do anything but think of what she said. “I know you do. You always cry by yourself when things get hard.”

“Listen-”

“Charley, for once, do something against her wishes. I can't just sit here and watch her do this to you.” 

She doesn't understand.

“What else can I do? I hardly have time for anything anymore?”

“Geez, go on a walk, take yourself out to dinner, I will pay for it-” I hate this. The fact that Janie is right. I have hardly done anything for myself in so long that it's taking a toll on me. Still, this doesn't feel right. To do something so out of my normal schedule.

“I can't let you do that.”

“Then go out on a date. I know she never let you do that. Just keep it a secret. Think about it. Some people ask you out, and I know you have thought of going out with them. You have mentioned it a few times. Go out with one of them.”

“If things go well, how will they feel about the debt I have?”

“It's the debt Jocelyn has, and I'm pretty sure the person you date can be understanding.”

“But if we get married, they will also be in my mess.”

“Then marry a rich man who goes to the balls or something!” 

A rich man?

“What I am saying is that you should try doing something different. I promise you will be happy.” There has been talk at the office about a ball downtown in a few months. If I pull a few strings, I can get in. “Charley?”

“Go to a ball with a ton of rich people. A ball with people who know business but likely wouldn't bother me. A perfect social gathering where I can eat expensive food and listen to music. I can have a small break.”

I also have a goal in life, I 

am trying to achieve and

Being near socialites could help.

“Charley, are you going to a ball? If so, where? I haven't heard about one recently.”

“There is a ball downtown in November. I can go somewhere and finally have freedom, but not have to interact with anyone. If I start working on my dress now, then I can have it ready by then!” There was silence on the phone. “Hey, I know you are shaking your head, but think about it. It can work, and I can get out of my normal schedule for once.”

“You can't see me. How do you know I am shaking my head?”

“I have known you for fifteen years, Janie. I know every bit of you.”

“Ew, don't say it like that. It sounds weird.”

“Nope, I like it this way.”

“I don't.” I walked into my design room and stared at the undressed mannequin. It's been a while since I created a gown beautiful enough to fit a ball. “You're in that zone again, right? When you finish creating what you are going to wear, send a picture to me. I always love seeing your designs, and so does my mother.”

“I will”

Now

The Moonlight Ball, November 18th

I walked through the ballroom in my white puffy ball gown with tulle and sparkles at the bottom and on the front embroidered designs of jasmine flowers. The theme was a romantic royal ball. People are dressed no differently than me, so I shouldn't be nervous, but I can't help but feel nervous. I used to design dresses for these events, hoping to attend one, but never got the chance to. Eventually, I just sold them off and got over everything and forgot about it, but here I am. In a ball with rich people who are focused on everything else, but I admit, I am receiving a few stares. My eyes went to the tall, muscular, pale man with black hair styled in a mash perm, purple eyes, and dressed in a black suit, standing on the balcony. His lips curved up, causing an embarrassing blush to come to my cheeks. Does he see the rip I caused earlier in my dress? I thought only I saw that? The only difference is that he is not laughing. Is he flirting then?

I do not need that right now.

I need to focus on something else. Maybe that can help. I went over Janie's advice in my head. Give glances, not stares, smile with confidence, and remember your goal. That's all I had to do, but everything feels hard. 

I felt a stare, causing me to look up and at the balcony ahead. Standing there was a tall, handsome man who looked muscular. His skin was a warm beige, his medium-length hair was black and slightly layered while being parted in the middle.

It was hard to tell what color his eyes were from far away, but so far, I was stuck between gray and purple. His lips were full, and his cheeks had a slight red blush under them. Not to mention his suit. It was a bit of a dark gray with a black top. He looked as though he had come straight from the office.

He is a businessman indeed.