Love or money ?

Part title

Holiday romance
A short story written by Eilidh C. Henderson

"This interview begins at 12:20 am with Dc Jones and my colleague DI Russell, will you please state your full name for the recording ."
"Yes , of.. of course , Addilyn Murphy "
" Now Addilyn we understand this is all new for you but we would like you to explain your full side of the story and why u were found to be travelling with no possessions other than $1 million into the US undeclared "

Well * giggles slightly* where do I begin...

33 days earlier
I've always been a very well behaved girl. As a child I always obeyed the rules. Rarely caused problems. I was that type of child that I would feel guilty and turn myself in for stealing a sweet when I was told not to.
I always made good decisions. Very rarely do I slip up.
I've always came from a very poor background. I grew up with a single parent , it was just me and my mom, yet we still struggled to get by. Which meant any form of education for me last high school was out of the question. She always said " Addy , you're a smart girl u will always find a way."
I wish I had listened to her but I had really high expectations as a child. She really shouldn't have splashed the cash and got us cable. I was always obsessed with shows like judge Judy, and that's where my obsession with the law came from. From the age of 13 I was ready to become a lawyer and as much as my mother supported that dream she was trying to not let me down as we both knew we couldn't afford it.

It was my last year at high school and I had gotten straight A's. I applied to universities out of state for law and got in to every single one but the price was just to much to pay.
This is where the story took a twist.
I was truly desperate so I made an online fund to help raise money for my education. We barely raised enough to pay for gas. Until I was sitting up late at night and suddenly my computer makes a strange noise.
I open up my half asleep eyes to reveal that my fund spiked.
"Annonymousdonator01 has donated $50,000"
I couldn't believe what I was reading.
Someone actually wanted to help me! I knew my mom would never believe me so I set off to find out who this person was.

The next day
I received a message from annonymousdonator01 to which it said -
Meet me at Maryville park at 7pm by the statue - Jose

I start to get excited, Jose , what a sweet name. I picture a red headed woman in her early 30's with an amazing fashion sense.
I couldn't wait , I wouldn't know what to say I was so grateful to Jose for helping me fulfill my dreams!

7pm- Maryville park
I am here right on 7pm. I can hardly contain my excitement I have never seen that much money in my life. I am wearing my fanciest clothes I had my mother give me a new haircut and I was ready.

Then it hit me, nothing ever this good and real. Good things don't happen to us and that was made very clear.
I woke up With a throbbing pain in my head. I was shaking with fear. I am trapped inside of a dark what looks like a van, or some sort of vehicle anyway. I go to scream but my mouth is covered in tape. Hands tied behind my back. The door opens.
In walks a rather short Mexican looking man in a sharp suit.
It then hits me. The message said José. It quickly makes me realise that it's pronounced " hosey " in his country. I'm shaking in fear. I've never been so unsure in my life.
He rips off my tape and I stay calm. Along with judge Judy I have also seen crime shows so I know not to be dumb and cause attention.
He introduced himself.
" I am willing to offer to pay for your whole tuition fees , if you do something for me "
I was intrigued, mostly desperate , I just want to make my mom proud and show her I can become something.
I reply with ,
" whatever it is I'll do it , I need this "
The cheap not waterproof dollar store mascara is streaming down my cheeks as he tells me he is taking me on a vacation.
Long story short he wanted me to transport $300,000 worth of cocaine into the US from Mexico.
I instantly shake my head to which he slaps me across the face and says he will pay for everything. Even to get my mom out of poverty. José assured me I wouldn't get caught so of course I gave in. I needed this for myself and for my family.