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I stood in front of the most dungy-looking apartment I have seen since I came to Boston for college after my high school graduation. "This?" I asked, turning to the real estate agent. "You're telling me this is the apartment? For $150,000?"

"Yes, ma'am," she grinned.

I paused, not knowing what the hell to say to this woman. "You are who I spoke to on the phone, right? Otherwise, you should go, I don't show this apartment to everybody," she muttered.

"I am Demi Vaughn," I gritted out. "You told me the apartment went for $6,500 at lowest and $10,000 at highest."

"Did I?" she laughed. "Actually, you see, honey, the landlord needs the money, so he's bumping up the rest just a bit."

"I think five thousand dollars is a lot," I sighed. "Can I take a look inside?"

"Yeah, 'course." She led me inside eagerly.

I walked in through the red door and the single yellow bulb above my head flickered. I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie till they fell beyond my hands because I didn't want to touch anything here. At least it didn't reek. Too much. I followed her up the stairs that really had spider webs on the banister.

Spider webs.

The hallway upstairs where the apartments were looked much better, actually. The paint wasn't chipping, it didn't smell... musty, and I felt like I was breathing fine without my chest feeling heavy. The apartment at the end of the hall was the one she was renting out to me.

She unlocked the door and I walked in, taking a look around. "When was the last time someone stayed here?" I asked while walking to the kitchen. Everything seemed fine here. I turned the tap on but only cold water came out, no matter how hot I adjusted it to be.

"It's been a couple of months," she answered.

"Is there no hot water in this building?"

"There's a problem with the system, people are coming in tomorrow to get a look," she explained.

I doubt it.

I walked into the room. There was a bed but no mattress, a closet but no mirror, a vanity table but no stool, a desk chair but no desk. I walked to the window and opened it to get a look. What do I see when I look down? The dumpster. I closed the window but it never closed all the way.

"That's just how the walls are."

I frowned in confusion. "Windows won't close?"

"Not all the way. It's the brick walls."

I sighed, dusting my hands on my jeans. "Don't you think $15,000 is a little much for this tiny one-bedroom studio apartment which is in less than pristine condition?"

"I don't decide on the rent, sweetheart. But it's what everybody's pricing their apartments on the market."

Not when they look like this. I'm pretty sure if I took a closer look, there would be mold here.

"Are you interested?" she asked, fixing her hair.

I took a look around but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't imagine living here. "Let me think about it," I mumbled.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. "We both know what that means. If you aren't renting, then let's move it."

I huffed, gesturing for her to walk ahead of me. "Lead the way." I started following her out and on our way to the stairs, the door to the apartment next door opened.

A lady came out wearing a lace robe with a cigarette hanging from her lips.

"Cathy!" a man called from her apartment.

"I'm coming!" she huffed, glancing at me. "Are you moving in? I came to see what the commotion was?"

"Commotion?" I asked in confusion.

"The walls are thin," she smiled.

I nodded and continued walking, heaving a breath when I made it out.

"Get back to me if you're interested," the agent said.

"Yeah, all right." I turned around, walked out of this neighborhood, and sat at a bench. I sighed, taking out my phone and the little notepad I brought in my purse. I crossed out this apartment too and entered the address to the next one in Google maps. I whined, my shoulders slumping when I realized it was an hour-long walk. I could get a cab but it would be a waste of money. "Vanessa," I groaned.

She was supposed to come with me today but bailed last minute because she had to rush into work.

I've spent the past six months, totally miserable. First, I regretted quitting the job. Then I was in denial and refused to get another one. I'm still not completely over that, but Vanessa forced me to find something to do, so for the time being, I'm helping one of her ex co-workers, who just opened her own small business. I sort of went from being the Vince Hunter's assistant to just another random, underpaid assistant and it didn't feel very good.

Vince's agency didn't pay me as much as they should have anyway because they work for all our players, which is rare. Most players have different agents, but not our team. That's why the team is able to stick together.

Anyway, with the lack of money, I was able to use some of the savings that I have never touched before to pay rent, but that money was saved for something else. That was all saved for my parents' loans.

My parents have a huge loan waiting to be paid off to the bank, our house back home is on mortgage, and it was my job to pay that back, slowly but steadily. They didn't even tell me about it but before I left for Boston, one day I just found the mortgage papers lying around. They went to the bank and forgot the papers at home. I almost had a heart attack when I read the amount.

$500,000.

Out of which I've only managed to pay off $150,000 since I started college and now. That means I have an entire $350,000 still left.

My parents apparently never planned to tell me but I'm glad I asked because if I never knew, this would be a surprise whenever, god forbid, my parents, pass away. I have to find a job, a well-paying job, and I have to do it fast. Because right now, I don't even have enough money to afford my apartment. I will admit, my apartment isn't the cheapest, but working for Vince, I could afford it. It wasn't a rich apartment, but it was above average. And now, I can't. So I need to find another one before the month is up and my rent is demanded. Thank god I didn't lease it.

I started walking to the next apartment while checking the time. It's almost six in the evening, so it'll definitely be near eight when I get home. Way past sunset. A cool breeze picked up and some strands of my hair got loose from the high ponytail. I tucked them behind my ear and walked the rest of the way with a frown on my face.

I'm struggling and I have no idea what to do or who to ask for help. I've kept in touch with James over the past six months. He gives me little check-ins on Vince and I curse at him for it, reminding him that I never asked.

I know I shouldn't be mad at Vince because he did try to defend me and help me keep my job but it wasn't enough. And more than him, I'm just mad at the whole situation. We both did something very stupid but it's only costing me. Well... not exactly but it's costing me more.

As far as I know, his reputation has fucked up and gone south, but he still has money and a stable roof over his head. I don't even have that. If I want to live with my parents, I have to move back to North Carolina and I don't want to do that. I don't like it back home.

I've never had to deal with a situation like this. It gets worse too. People recognize me now. Sometimes. Most women who see me are able to realize who I am.

"Are you Demi Vaughn?"

"Did you really sleep with Vince Hunter?"

"Are you still seeing him?"

"Was it just for publicity?"

And my favorite. "Vince Hunter's whore." Although that wasn't said to my face, I heard it. And it made me laugh. Maybe because it was said by a group of teenage girls who seemed jealous more than anything else, but it made me laugh nonetheless.

The sun had set about halfway, the sky was mostly pink and orange and I was nearly at the apartment when my phone rang. I took it out, recognizing the real estate agent's name. The one I was heading to meet. "Hello?"

"Demi," he chuckled, "you aren't coming today, are you?"

I stopped. "I'm almost there... why?"

"Oh um," he cleared his throat. "Someone just... signed the lease."

"Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm sorry. I tried calling but I got busy showing them the apartment. I'm sorry."

I sighed, standing still.

It's not this guy's fault, it's really not. But it fucking is, he should have told me!

"It's fine. Would you please let me know if any other apartment is available?"

"Sure."

"Thanks." I hung up. I turned around and started walking back home, my feet and legs absolutely killing me.

It took me almost two hours to make it home, but I stopped by the grocery store to buy groceries and tonight's dinner. I thought I'd make some spicy noodles tonight since I was craving them. I took out the Capri Sun from the bag and started sipping on it while I walked home, kicking a can that was in front of me when I reached my street. I made it to the apartment building, frowning in confusion.

Why is it so dark?

I stopped, asking our doorman. "Mr. Diego, what's wrong with the power?"

"Oh, there's a power cut, Ms. Demi. It just happened two minutes ago, the power should be back soon. The elevators aren't working."

"Oh, all right." I fished out my phone, used the flashlight, and headed to the staircase which nobody uses but there are a few people using it right now. I live in apartment 5B in Harley apartments. That's the fifth floor. My legs are really just going through it today.

I groaned, walking up the stairs, still sipping my Capri Sun, biting down the straw.

I regret it. I regret having sex with Vince Hunter. And I don't even have a clear memory of the night! I remember bits and pieces, I was too drunk.

My life is at an all-time low. And things just couldn't be worse.

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