Deeply in love with a Scammer

Chapter 8: The "UPFRONT"

Lin was feeling completely worn out at her event show. She had been tirelessly managing and delegating various roles to her teammates, her time stretched thin. Despite the overwhelming busyness, she found a moment to send a quick text to Eun.

"Hey babe, just wanted to let you know I might not be able to respond to your texts right away or pick up any calls. Things are really hectic here," she typed. Lin didn't want Eun to worry or wonder why she hadn't replied, so she made sure to send the message, hoping he'd understand.

Even amidst the chaos, she still thought of him, trying to balance her work and their connection.

Lin's responsibilities felt like a towering mountain, and her plate was full with the many roles she was juggling. Yet, all she wanted was for the event show to run smoothly. As a dedicated team leader, Lin understood her responsibilities well and was deeply committed to delivering success. One of her strengths was how thoroughly she studied her clients' needs and expectations, always striving to meet them with precision.

Even when hiccups occurred along the way, Lin never let them discourage her. She viewed every challenge as a learning opportunity and made sure to share those lessons with her teammates. Lin believed that by reflecting on setbacks, they could collectively improve and refine their approach for future events. Her leadership wasn't just about managing people but also about growing as a team.

Because of this, Lin worked seamlessly with both her teammates and clients. Her team was grateful to have her, appreciating her for being understanding, hardworking, and always ready to lend a hand when things got tough. Whether they faced challenges or were short on manpower, Lin never hesitated to step in and support them on the ground.

She never saw herself as above anyone else, despite her role as team leader. Lin treated everyone with equal respect, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. Her humble and inclusive leadership style made her not just a boss, but a true team player, earning the admiration and trust of those around her.

Staring at her Apple Watch, Lin noticed she still had four hours left before the event started. After finishing her last briefing with the team and assigning them their roles, she felt a brief moment of relief. But just as she dismissed them, her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw an unknown number.

Assuming it might be her client with potential last-minute changes, Lin's heart skipped a beat. She knew how quickly things could shift in event management. Without hesitation, she answered the call, mentally preparing herself for whatever adjustments might come her way.

"Hello," Lin answered.

"Hi, good afternoon. May I speak to Ms. Linette Mary Bruce, please?" A woman's voice came through the line.

"Yes, speaking. May I know where you're calling from and who am I speaking to?" Lin responded politely.

"I'm calling from Express Swift Delivery Services. Is this a good time to speak with you, Ms. Linette?" the caller inquired.

Lin glanced at the time. She still had some room before the event started, so she decided to continue the conversation. "Yes, this is a good time. How can I help you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"We've received your parcel, but it's currently on hold by customs. You'll need to pay an amount upfront to retrieve it, as the parcel has exceeded the weight limit," the lady explained.

"Really? How much will that cost?" Lin asked, her curiosity turning into concern.

"As per the regulations, every additional kilogram over the limit incurs a charge of $55. Your parcel is 55kg, which exceeds the 25kg limit by 30kg. The total charge will be $1,650 (£920.50)," the lady detailed.

"That much?" Lin's worry intensified. "Is there a way for me to confirm this? Can I see a receipt or any documentation?"

"Yes, of course. I'll send the receipt to your email for your review. Also, please be aware that if the payment isn't made by the end of the week, there will be additional storage charges applied daily," the caller added.

"Alright, I'll review everything and get back to you after I've gone through it. Thanks for the information." Lin ended the call and quickly opened the email sent by the delivery company.

As she read through the details, her nerves heightened. She carefully scrutinized the email, trying her best to understand every aspect. To ensure she wasn't falling victim to a scam, Lin even researched the delivery company online, double-checking its legitimacy before proceeding any further.

Lin's head started spinning as stress crept in over the hefty payment, she was now responsible for. She recalled Eun mentioning that she might need to cover some charges because he had exceeded the parcel's weight limit. While she appreciated the heads-up, she hadn't anticipated just how expensive it would be.

Glancing at her savings, Lin started calculating. The amount was sufficient to cover her and her children's needs, but her thoughts quickly drifted. With that kind of money, she could take her kids on a short getaway, something they hadn't done in a long time. The idea of using the funds for such a purpose tugged at her heart.

Still, knowing how much Eun had already spent on her, Lin shook off her doubts. She decided she would arrange the payment in the next few days before the deadline, even if it wasn't how she would have preferred to spend the money.

As soon as the event wrapped up, Lin quickly texted Eun, "Babe, we need to talk tonight. It's urgent. I'll call you once I'm home."

During the drive home, her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Doubt crept in, and she couldn't shake the weight of the upcoming payment. The amount was far more than she had anticipated, and it had been gnawing at her ever since the conversation with the delivery company. The anxiety made it hard for her to focus, leaving her unsure of the next steps.

Each passing minute in the car intensified her feelings. She dreaded the conversation with Eun, afraid of how to bring up the topic without causing more tension.

"Hey babe, I'm home now. Are you home too?" Lin asked hesitantly.

"Hi honey. Yeah, it's 12 midnight, where else could I be?" Eun responded, his tone slightly annoyed.

"Oh, sorry love, I didn't check the time. My bad. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that earlier this afternoon, I got a call from the delivery company," Lin started cautiously.

"Oh really? The parcel arrived? Did you get it, honey?" Eun asked, his voice suddenly filled with excitement.

"No, of course not. That's why I need to talk to you," Lin continued, her voice softening with concern. "I've been charged for the exceeded weight, and I need to pay an upfront fee of $1,650 because the parcel exceeded by another 30 kg. Each extra kilo costs $55. It's so expensive, Eun," she explained, her worry coming through.

Eun's excitement dimmed as he realized the situation. "Oh babe... I didn't think it would cost that much. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen," he responded, his tone now serious and apologetic.

"What are you going to do next, babe? Are you going to pay for it?" Eun asked, sensing Lin's hesitation. He was worried she might decide to let the parcel go.

"Yes, I'll make the payment before the end of the week, babe," Lin replied, though Eun could tell she sounded a bit doubtful.

"Honey, don't worry so much about it. Remember what I told you? I just want to see you happy. Stop being doubtful and pay for it before the flowers in the parcel start withering!" Eun said, trying to lift her spirits with a playful reminder about the bouquet.

Lin couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, okay, I will. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the flowers either. Haha."

They both burst into laughter, theirconversation easing into light-hearted jokes and silly banter. It felt as ifthe weight of the day melted away, and the connection between them grewstronger, filled with warmth and joy.