My Secret Santa [✔️]

/ T E N T H / / C H A P T E R /

"I don't understand what's happening." My heart is sinking lower as I try to recall the situation. Breathe Sydney.

"You are unable to pay for your items due to your card declining," the lady at the cash register repeats herself.

Hearing it a second time doesn't make me feel any better. I quickly go through my bank application on my phone and notice how CHF 200 is missing. "Can you please give me a minute to quickly add money onto my card?" I pull out my phone from bag.

"Sure, I'll leave your products here," she moves my purchases to the side of the till.

I quickly step out of the perfume store in Waterford Commercial Centre and press my back onto the wall of the building. I dial my mom's number and wait for her voice to reach me. Normally she doesn't answer the first call so I am forced to call a second time.

*Picture this in French*

"Hello?" She answered.

"Maman, how are you?"

"I'm fine and you?" She seems to be in a good mood which is promising.

"I'm not okay." I can hear my voice trembling but I try to break off with a cough. Stay strong.

"Why not? What's wrong, ma puce?"

"Was it you that borrowed money from my bank card?" My throat was closing up as the tears are forming. Please tell me you didn't. Maman please.

"Yes, but it was an emergency Sydnie. You have to understand," her tone changes as she sighs.

"What was the problem?" I was on the verge of tears. Why is always an emergency?

"We decided to do secret Santa as well and the budget was CHF 100. I also needed to buy decorations but I accidentally left my card at home. I should've called you but I was hogging up the line by the cashier. Your card was the next thing I grabbed." She explains with her usual 'there's nothing you can do now' voice.

"Why didn't you ask Henry? Lucy? Aaliyah? Why me?" I'm trembling as I confront her. I can't stop shaking. I need to get out here.

"Sydnie, I didn't have the time to call the others when I could just use the card that was on me. Don't worry, I will owe you back," she firmly says. "I have the money in my bank account so it will not be like last time. You will be reimbursed."

"So can you owe it back now? I need it," I subtly sniff.

"I can't right now, I don't have enough," she shortly answers.

"But you just said you had money in your account," I snap.

"Don't talk to me like that," she warns. "I said they you will be reimbursed just not today. You have to understand. Times are tough.

"I'm sorry," I apologise as another tear drips my eyes. "How much do you currently have? I need the money right now." I wipe my tears.

"I only have CHF 20 on me and it's to buy a bit of fuel for the car. I know you don't like this situation. Believe me, I don't either but you have to understand."

"But imagine if you had your card with you, you wouldn't carelessly buy everything like you just did. Especially with our issues. You could've called dad," the tears continue to stream down my cheeks. I turn my head onto the wall as I break down. I know it was on purpose. I just know.

"You know transactions from Portugal take time. We'll talk about this later. I have a lot of things to do. Bisous, je t'aime," she sounds irritated with me.