Chapter 1 The Scam

Calista

I groggily blink awake as a thunderous bang reverberates through my apartment, jolting me upright. I stumble towards the mirror, my reflection revealing a disheveled mess. I hastily smooth my hair and try to mask the exhaustion etched on my face. With a deep breath, I brace myself and swing open the door, only to be confronted by a woman with a face twisted in fury.

A glance at my phone tells me it's barely 7 AM.

"Who are you and why are you knocking at my door this early? I need more sleep-"

"Where's your fucking rent? I'm the landlady," she shouts, pushing her way inside, her eyes scanning the room with anger. "I messaged you, and you said you would pay the rent soon, but where is it?! You've got all this stuff and you haven't paid a single cent!"

My heart sank as her words crashed over me. I felt like I was drowning in confusion, unable to find solid ground or even form a coherent response.

"W-What?" I stammered, clenching my jaw and shaking my head. "I don't understand, I didn't receive your message, I mean, I have already transferred the rent to Caleb-" My voice was barely a murmur, my heart pounding with a sickening rhythm.

The woman scoffed, her laugh sharp and mocking. "What?" She jabbed a finger at me. "What are you, some kind of princess? Do you think you can use all the amenities here- the electricity, the bills- without paying a dime? All while living it up?" Her sneer grew as she surveyed my apartment, her gaze dripping with disdain.

I gulped, a hard lump forming in my throat as panic surged through me.

"Please, I don't think you understand. There must be a mistake," I muttered, my hands trembling as I faced her.

"Caleb-"

"I don't care about what you're talking about because it's already the due date, and you never paid," she interrupted, her voice slicing through my words.

And then it hit me. I had to act- fast. To calm her down, I needed to contact Caleb, the one who had the money for the rent.

"Alright…" I muttered, drawing in a deep breath. "Can you give me a moment?" I asked, using hand gestures to try to soothe her.

Her jaw tightened, and she snapped, "What are you planning to do? Do you even have any money right now? At least $1k to cover the $2k?" Her eyes bore into me, demanding an answer.

I shook my head and exclaimed, "I'll call my boyfriend! He has my money. Plus, this is his place...He only let me have this spare room, everything is supposed to be paid by him as he has my money." I tried to explain while my hands were shaking and clutching my phone. "My money is with him, but it's complicated. He left yesterday and should be back today, but he's been busy. He has some work to do, but I know he will be back, with probably money on his too-"

I grabbed my phone and started dialing Caleb's number, my heartbeat matching the frantic rhythm of my thoughts. I needed him to answer; without his help, I had nowhere to go, and everything just didn't make sense to me because this apartment should be under Caleb's name, I even gave him money to pay for the rent as a thankful gesture.

"Pick up, Caleb" I murmured, eyes squeezed shut, feeling adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Pick up, please. I know you will never disappoint me." I keep thinking.

"The number cannot be reached... Sorry... The number doesn't exist..." The automated message hit me like a punch to the gut. My phone nearly slipped from my grasp. A lump formed in my throat, and I began to shake my head in disbelief.

"No… No!" I shrieked, frantically dialing his number again, desperation clawing at my insides.

I doubt Caleb can disappoint me. We're in such proximity, and I truly believe he has feelings for me.

The automated message repeated, "Number doesn't exist." I put my phone down and averted my gaze to the landlady.

My hands trembled, and my legs felt weak. I had just texted Caleb yesterday, reminding him of everything I needed, including the money for the rent.

"Why are you looking at me like it's my fault that I'm here?" she scoffed, her tone bitter.

Taking a deep breath, I replied, "I think I've been fooled..." My voice wavered, and I felt on the verge of sobbing and screaming.

How could things be like this?

She raised an eyebrow, utterly indifferent to my distress. "And you think you can stay here with that?" she chuckled dryly. "I've had enough of you delaying the rent every time! Every time I message you, you lie to me, saying you'll pay the rent immediately. I'm sick of your lies! If you can't pay and you're just fooling around, you'll have to leave immediately!" she boomed.

I kept shaking my head, taking hesitant steps closer to her, desperation seeping into every pore of my being.

"I honestly d-don't know about this," I stammered. "Caleb, my boy- ... friend, told me this room is his. I thought everything was covered, and I gave him money for my university supplies, and the money for the rent for this month… all my money is with him, but he's blocked me..." I cried out, running my fingers through my hair.

"Please, give me some time to reach him, I might be just wrong-"

"Caleb? I don't know anything about that guy. He never paid me a cent. You're the one living in this house now, which means you're responsible for everything!" she sneered, pushing me away. "I'm not granting you an extension. You have to leave this place immediately!"

Her words cut through me like a knife as she started gathering my things and throwing them out.

"No!" I begged, my voice breaking.

"Please, I'm telling you the truth!" I pleaded, showing her my messages from Caleb. "He told me he had a spare room and that this place was paid for even when he was in Florida!"

"You're talking nonsense, girl. All I need is $2000, and you can't even pay that! It's your fault I've paid so much for electricity!" She flung the door open, fury blazing in her eyes.

"Pack your things and leave!" she demanded.

I stood outside the apartment, tears streaming down my face, my luggage at my feet. I had been kicked out with no money and nowhere to go.

How could Caleb do this to me? I thought he was trustworthy. He had helped me explore the city, shown me around, and given me signals that we had feelings for each other. Is all of that fake? He was being kind to me, and all the while he was lying to my face.

I can't stay paralyzed, isolated in this unfamiliar city. With no one to turn to, my hands tremble as I pull my phone from my pocket.

I don't dare to tell my parents. They were already uneasy about me coming to Boston alone. I can only rely on my friend Lysandra, my best friend in Florida.

Desperation fuels my fingers as I type: "Hey Lysandra, I'm in a tough spot right now. Are you free to chat?"

Just then, my phone buzzes with a message.