I took a deep breath and said, "Lina, calm down and listen to me. I''m out of money now!"


    Lina, who had been agitated this whole time, froze when she heard what I said. Her demeanor changedpletely, and she stared at me with wide eyes.


    "What do you mean?"


    I scoffed inwardly. As I thought, she was just after money.


    "I said I''m out of money. I liedst time, but this time, it''s true. You already know about the money I donated and the amount I spent on Felicia''s clothes.


    "I''ve also been spending a bit on food and dates with her, so I''m running dry. I only have about 8,000 bucks left. If you want to borrow money, I can only spare you 2,000 dors."


    She stared at me, dumbfounded. The affectionate and pitiful mask she wore earlier has been reced by shock and disbelief.


    "You''ve spent all the money?"


    I nodded. "All of it."


    Lina stood there, speechless. A momentter, her eyes lit up again. "Hang on, didn''t you also win a Rolex yesterday? That watch could fetch quite a hefty amount."


    She said, "Sell it to help me out for now. We can buy it backter, okay?"


    I silently sneered. First my money, now even my watch? I had underestimated how greedy she truly was. Since I wasn''t wearing the watch, I t-out lied, "I gave it to my dad. It''s not with me anymore."


    Lina looked utterly stupefied. "W-What? William, are you an idiot?" she shrieked, dropping the act. She had rarely cursed in all the years I''ve known her, so she was clearly losing herposure.


    I burst outughing. "How does giving my watch to my dad make me an idiot? It''s my watch, and I can give it to whoever I want."


    Lina frowned, clearly annoyed. "Fine, then. I''ll stop arguing with you. Just give me the 8,000 dors you have left."


    As if I''d do that! I gave her a cold stare. "I''d really be an idiot if I gave you my money."


    She seemed stunned by my words. "What do you mean by that?"


    I smirked. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Where''d you find the nerve to


    ask me for money? Who do you think you are?


    "Be d I''m not asking you instead," I retorted.


    "Are you saying that you won''t give it to me?" Lina seethed.


    gave her a nk stare. "Sorry, no can do." Even if I hadn''t seen through her or if she was genuinely sorry, I still wouldn''t have lent her any money. I knew all too well that I would never get that money back, and I wasn''t generous enough to fund my ex-girlfriend for free.


    "Fine! I was wrong about you, William!" Lina spun on her heel and stormed off.


    I shook my head as I watched her retreat. I felt guilty that my resolve had nearly wavered earlier. It seemed like I needed more practice in resisting urges.


    Just then, I received a call from Matthew.


    "Hey, William. Where are you right now? If you''re free,e to the bar," he said. "It''s closing down soon, so let''s have onest drink there."


    "It''s closing down?"


    I was surprised.