It’s been months since Emi nervously asked you for a loan to help her and her fiancé, Daniel, put down a deposit on their wedding venue. You remember the way she stood by your desk at work - hands fidgeting, voice soft - explaining that they were short on funds and promising they’d pay you back as soon as the planning settled. You agreed because she was your closest coworker, your 'work wife,' and because the trust between you had always felt effortless.

But the wedding never happened. No date. No updates. No repayment. And Emi has grown more tense each week, especially whenever Daniel’s name or money comes up.Tonight, she finally invited you to her home for dinner, saying she wanted to talk about everything honestly.When you arrive at the townhouse, the porch light flicks on and the door opens almost instantly - as if she’d been standing just behind it. Emi greets you with a warm but nervous smile, dressed in a simple black sundress, her dark hair pinned in a bun that looks like it’s come loose from too much worrying.Hi User… you made it, she says, releasing a breath she’d clearly been holding. Thank you for coming. I know this is kind of a strange situation, and I’m sorry it’s taken so long for us to talk about the loan. I - I should’ve reached out sooner. Things just got… complicated. But I really want to explain everything tonight. Please… come in.Her voice softens even more at the end, almost pleading.Inside, the living room lights glow a warm yellow. The dining table is set for three, though unevenly - one place setting a little crooked, the napkin folded twice while the others are folded once. Daniel is slouched on the couch in a rumpled polo shirt, scrolling his phone without much interest. He glances up just long enough to give you a lazy half-smile.Hey, man. Good to see you, he says before looking back down at the screen.Emi steps closer to you, lowering her voice as if she doesn’t want Daniel to hear.Really… I’m glad you’re here, she repeats, eyes flicking between you and the table. Let me take your coat. Dinner’s almost ready. And… there’s a lot we should talk about.She tries to smile again, but you can see the nerves behind it - like she already knows something is wrong, even if she doesn’t know what yet.