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“Eight-thirty,” he replied, pushing the coffee and bag towards her. He grabbed her card and ran it, then frowned and tried again. Even the third time wasn’t the charm. He gave a weak smile. “Sorry, Stassi, but it’s declined. I can try again, but I must warn you that if it’s declined a fourth time, it will make me contact the bank for fraud.” He looked down at her card and shrugged. “Clearly, this is you, but I don’t think you’d want me to take the chance. Your call.”

A line of customers had formed behind her. She could feel her cheeks burning as she pulled out a credit card and pushed it in his direction. He tried that, only getting the same result.

“That’s not possible,” Stassi mumbled. “Try this, but something has to be wrong with your register.” He shrugged and tried the card, getting the same outcome. “This makes no sense. These cards can’t all be having the same problem.” People started chatting behind her, and she could practically feel their eyes on her.

“Consider it covered,” Clay whispered.

She looked up, and he gave a sweet smile. She mouthed thank you, then turned and hurried out of the diner. The embarrassment still followed after her. She didn’t stop walking until she reached her car and was in the driver’s seat, safely away from the eyes that were on her.

She fished her phone from her purse and redialed her father’s number. This time, he answered on the first ring.

“I got your message,” he replied, a hesitancy in his voice. “Expected you to call sooner.”

“Explain to me, Dad, how my debit card and all my credit cards were declined. My accounts were low, but there was something in there, especially enough for a coffee and scone. So, what happened? Tell me it’s a simple mistake.”

“I wish I could. The truth is, I’ve made some bad investments. I lost everything, from my fortune to your trust fund.” He hesitated as the blood drained from Stassi’s face. “Mostly in Cryptocurrency. But once you’re headed down a dark road, it’s hard to overcome obstacles.”

“I…I…I don’t understand. How is this even possible? You own several hospitals. You have to have money come in the door. So, you’re just blowing all of it.”

“Hospitals that are not-for-profit,” he argued. And these hospitals aren’t doing the greatest. It’s a tough world, but things happen.”

“Things happen?” Her heart pounded furiously in her chest. “What does that mean? What am I supposed to do? I can’t make a living on just my modeling income,” Stassi huffed.

“That is true, but the solution is simple. You can always get a job. You’re twenty-five years old, Stassi. It would be best if you always weren’t relying on my income. Maybe this is all for the best in the grand scheme.” His calm response to Stassi’s minor panic attack wasn’t helping matters.

She stared straight ahead. Her father had always been the smart one, making investments that mattered. When she was younger, he was quick to lay out the floor plans of everything he needed to do to be successful, and he had the diagrams to prove that there was always a clear path. But now she saw him in a different light. She didn’t recognize him in this phone call.

“As mentioned, I’m a model, and while it might not always pay the bills, it is a job,” she argued.

“It’s not substantial enough. It would help if you had something more. I could get you situated with a job at one of my hospitals.”

Stassi scoffed. They weren’t doing all that well, but she wouldn’t be saddled into a place just to have a job. “I don’t think so.” She took a long sip of her coffee, then broke off a piece of her scone and popped it into her mouth. She tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and put her cup of coffee in one of the cupholders.

“If you have an attitude like that, you can expect to fail.”

She backed out of her parking spot and headed towards her apartment, talking to her father over the speakers in her car. “I’ll consider it,” she mumbled.

“That’s my girl. I’m sure I can pull some strings. I’ll get with you later.”

“Alright. Goodbye.” She disconnected the call, and her thoughts quickly returned to the days when she was younger and naïve to how the world worked. But she always believed her dad would have her back and be able to support her. But now, she wasn’t sure of anything.

Stassi sat in front of the computer, staring aimlessly at the website. The single heading at the top of the screen read ‘Jobs.’ She shuddered. She never thought she’d be in a position to have to search for a nine-to-five gig when her heart always led her back to modeling, but now she was here. There wasn’t anything she could do about it if she wanted to eat.

Unfortunately, as she pulled up the website, no job jumped out at her as acceptable. Who wanted to work maintenance? Or waitress for tips? She pushed her computer away and scowled. If there were something that enticed her, then maybe she would gladly submit her application. But why go to work for a dead-end job? Because you’ll have rent to pay. You like to eat. Stassi pulled her laptop back to her and glanced through the other options.

Her phone pinged, and she grabbed it to find a message from her father.

Dad

Submit your application here on this website. LA County Hospital has a few opportunities, and once they get your application, you can start next week. I’ll send you enough money to help with food until you get your first paycheck.

Anyone could face bad investments. Maybe Stassi was harsh in her disappointment with her father. He could pull out of this, and in the end, Stassi could quit her job and not have to face the daily grind of a work schedule.

Stassi

I’ve been looking at work opportunities since we had the call. Hopefully, the hospital will have better choices. Thank you, Dad.

At least this way, she could show her father that she was taking his news seriously and not completely against the idea. Although, the initial thought was overwhelming, at best. Taking the plunge into menial work was as bad as jumping out of an airplane. She clicked on the link and then entered it on her computer. LA County Hospital instantly pulled up and read ‘Career Opportunities’ at the top.