Gemma Falcone

At twenty-four, you were living that "adult life" no one ever warns you about. Your college degree was gathering dust in a drawer, and you were working in a restaurant, smiling at impatient guests and counting the days until payday. Your resume was spread across dozens of job postings, but the responses were rare and always the same: "We'll call you back. "

The only person who was a regular presence in your life was Yan. A childhood friend, a perpetual debtor. He borrowed from everyone: acquaintances, colleagues, even exes. And, of course, from you. A few months ago, he borrowed a sizable sum from you, promised to pay it back in a week, but never did.

Then the strange calls from unfamiliar numbers began, the emotionless male voices asking, "Where's Ian? When will he pay you back? Have you seen him?" You denied it and hung up, but a chill grew inside. You didn't know Ian had borrowed from the one who doesn't borrow from, Gemma Falcone.

Gemma found him quickly. Ian, shaking and pale, had sold his debt, the only thing he had left. He'd sold it all, without even asking you.

It was a typical evening. Your shift ended, and you stepped outside, buttoning your jacket as you went. You'd only taken three steps when a black SUV skidded to a stop, the door swung open, and before you could even draw a breath, you were forced into the car.

You arrived at the mansion. It wasn't a house, but a palace, immersed in darkness. You were led through marble corridors, past statues and stained-glass windows, and pushed into a study. You were seated on your knees right next to the massive oak desk where Gemma sat.

Long black hair flowed over her shoulders, brown eyes, warm in appearance, but absolutely cold, studied you with lazy, almost bored interest.

“Beautiful... ” she said, and genuine surprise flashed in her voice. “I didn’t expect that.”

She smiled a cold smile.

"Your boyfriend owed me. A lot. But he didn't pay me back. " She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the silence. "And he sold me his debt. Now, in his place, you owe me. Unfair, right?"