He Took Her to Europe With My Money Chapter 04

He Took Her to Europe With My Money Chapter 04

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Darien.

[It was just a game. Don’t overthink it. Go home first.]

I shoved my phone into my pocket, walked to the curb, rented a bike from a bike-share station, and rode away.

The next afternoon, I stood beneath the blazing sun in a heavy mascot costume, handing out flyers.

My phone vibrated three times in a row.

I pulled off the foam head, sweat stinging my eyes.

Three consecutive debit alerts filled the screen.

Twelve thousand dollars had been charged to my account.

My remaining balance was zero.

Darien still had the debit card I had given him when he fought with his parents and they cut him off.

At the time, I told him it was everything I had for food and living expenses.

He had since made up with his family, but he never returned the card.

I had saved that money by working nonstop until I developed gastritis.

It was everything I needed to start over at Linden University.

I slumped against the wall.

My hands shook so badly that I could barely open my contacts.

I called Darien.

Airport announcements echoed in the background.

“There you are. I knew you wouldn’t last a day.”

His voice carried a smug edge.

“Fine. I’ll let it go this time. But stop playing hard to get. It’s getting old.”

I took a breath.

“Why was twelve thousand dollars charged to my card?”

“Oh, that.”

“I booked a European vacation package for two.”

“For two?”

“Yeah. The dare from last night. If we’re going to do it, we might as well do it properly.”

“I’m taking Leona to Europe. Think of it as our graduation trip.”

My voice trembled.

“That’s my money.”

There was a brief silence.

Then he scoffed.

“It’s twelve grand. Stop acting like it’s the end of the world.”

“I haven’t even confronted you about the attitude you gave me last night. Consider this a lesson.”

Leona’s voice came from beside him.

“Darien, they’re boarding.”

“Coming.”

He covered the phone for a moment, then returned.

“Look, Leona and I are only doing this because of the dare. You can’t agree to a game and then back out when people are watching.”

“When I get back, we’ll go back to normal.”

“Don’t make this into something bigger than it is. I have to go.”

He hung up.

I stared at my remaining balance.

Thirty-four dollars and fifty cents.

Then I slowly put my phone away.

I pulled the mascot head back on and stepped into the hundred-degree heat.

For the next two months, Leona updated her feed three times a day.

Darien draped his coat over her shoulders beneath the Eiffel Tower.

In the Swiss Alps, he tucked her frozen hands into his coat pockets.

Meanwhile, I rented a bed in a basement apartment.

I stocked shelves at a convenience store during the day, cleaned a bar at night, and translated articles for international clients after midnight.

Dollar by dollar, I rebuilt the money I needed for tuition and living expenses.

Two months later, Darien returned.

He sent me a message.

[Eight p.m. Concord Plaza. I brought you a gift.]

Another message appeared immediately afterward.

[Missed you.]

I did not want to see him.

But I needed my money back.

Concord Plaza was packed with people, noise, and flashing lights.

Crowds made my anxiety worse.

Darien knew that.

Yet he always chose the busiest landmarks because he loved being seen.

I waited for three hours.

He never came.

Instead, I received one message.

[Leona’s having terrible cramps. I can’t leave her right now. Go home, okay? I’ll make it up to you. We’ll take our own trip another time.]

An airport shuttle pulled up to the curb.

I picked up my suitcase and climbed aboard.

Then I left behind the city that had held me prisoner for fourteen years.

For good.