— Anya, hi. I feel really awkward asking, but could you possibly lend me a couple thousand?
Even through the phone, Anya could feel how ashamed Alena was. This wasn’t the first time she borrowed money. And although Anya always said it was no big deal, Alena still felt uncomfortable.
— Of course, no problem.
— I’ll probably pay you back in about a week. My advance will come, and I’ll repay…
— Don’t worry, Alen, whenever you can.
— Thanks, dear, — her friend sighed.
And suddenly Anya started thinking. After all, Alenka had just received her salary. Probably, once again, the ex wasn’t paying child support, and that’s why her friend was going into debt. It’s not easy raising two boys who grow not by days but by hours.
— Listen, it’s none of my business, of course, but did Vovka stiff you on the child support again?
Alena hesitated, and Anya began to get angry. What a scoundrel!
— I told you, you have to take him to court to get child support assigned! Then money would come from each paycheck, and you wouldn’t have to beg for what’s rightfully yours! The kids are his too!
— No, Anya, Vova transferred the money.
Anya stopped and thought.
— I’m meddling again, but where did you spend your salary and the child support then? Alen, I’m just worried. If something’s wrong, just tell me!
— No, it’s all fine. I had a lot of expenses this month. You understand, everything is so expensive. I spent a lot on the kids…
— Got it…
— So, will you send it?
— Of course, don’t worry. I’ll send it now.
Anya hung up and tapped her fingers on the table. Yes, she didn’t have children and probably only vaguely understood how much they need. But usually, Alenka had enough money when Vova wasn’t withholding child support. She only borrowed from Anya when the ex didn’t pay or something unexpected happened. Like three months ago when Antoshka, Alena’s eldest, got seriously ill. They prescribed very expensive medicine. His father left then, saying he’d already paid everything he owed and told her to manage on her own. And at that time Anya, of course, helped with money. She even told Alena not to pay it back, understanding how hard it was.
But now, it seemed, nothing like that was happening. So Anya felt like her friend was hiding something.
They had been friends for a long time, fifteen years if not more. Alena got pregnant by her boyfriend and got married young. And two years later gave birth to another child.
From the outside, it was clear that Vovka was not the best husband and father. But Alenka sincerely hoped everything would work out, held on to him, forgave a lot. And Anya understood why, even though it was unpleasant to admit.
Alena was never a beauty. Chubby, with a potato-shaped nose, unruly hair she didn’t know how to style. Overall, she couldn’t be called attractive; she wasn’t the type boys would chase.
But Alena was a very kind and caring girl, and Anya always felt sorry for her friend. Because if guys looked not at appearance but at the soul, Alenka would have no shortage of suitors. But unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
And when someone paid attention to Alena, she immediately melted. Even though Vova was a bit stupid, quite arrogant, and very lazy. For her, he was still a real prince.
But the fairy tale fell apart rather quickly. They were married for five years, then Vova left. And Alena was left with two children and broken hopes.
It was obvious how much she missed feminine happiness. How much she wanted to be loved. And if she finally found someone who truly loved her, he would be the happiest. Because Alena would do everything to keep the relationship.
Anya always hoped Alena would meet her prince, who would also love her sons. Because Alena herself adored her kids and tried to give them the best life. So she had no time for herself.
And now Anya was worried. What if something had happened, but her friend wasn’t telling? But she didn’t want to pry.
In the end, Anya decided it wasn’t her business. And if Alena wanted, she would tell what happened.
She had almost forgotten about the call and the money her friend borrowed. But literally a couple of days later, Alena called again.
— Anyut, I’m really embarrassed…
— You need money?
— Yes. At least a thousand. I’ll pay you back, you know!
Alena always repaid her debts, and Anya knew that well. She didn’t mind lending money; fortunately, things were fine financially with her and her husband, but this already seriously worried Anya.
— So, tell me, what happened?
— Nothing, I told you…
— Alen, — Anya interrupted, — of course, I’ll give you money. But first, you tell me everything. Because I’m really worried.
At first, Alena dodged, making up some expenses. But then she admitted something happened and said it couldn’t be explained in just a few words.
— I get the hint. Wait till evening. I’ll lend you the money and see your boys too.
— Thanks, I’ll wait.
Alena hesitated for a long time, then confessed she had met a man.
— He’s so gentle, so tender. Calls me “Sunshine”! No one ever called me that. He says he’ll help me raise the boys, that he loves children very much. We’ve only met a few times when the boys were with their dad. And it was like I’d been to paradise… You understand?
While Anya understood something was off, she just nodded not to spoil the story.
— I’m sure we’ll make it. I’m happy with him, we message every day! You know, I sometimes didn’t even want to get up in the mornings before. It seemed like I had no purpose in life besides the kids. Like I was living on autopilot. But now, as soon as I open my eyes, my hands reach for the phone. I know he probably already wrote me. And my heart feels warm…
— That’s all great, — Anya finally interrupted, — but what does this have to do with money?
Alena blushed, and her friend understood it wasn’t good.
— You see, he has temporary difficulties… He’s looking for a job, wants to find something decent to help me later.
Anya already understood everything but hoped she was just mistaken.
— Has he asked you for money?
— To borrow! — Alena even got indignant.
— Alen, has he ever paid back a debt?
Her friend hesitated.
— Not yet… But I gave him a little for food…
Anya covered her face with her hands. She just wanted to scream, emotions overwhelmed her.
Somehow she persuaded her friend to show her the messages.
— I’ll skip all the personal stuff, don’t worry, — she said.
And when Anya started reading, she immediately realized her friend was being scammed.
A classic scam: the man gains trust and then starts begging for money. At first, it’s small amounts so the victim doesn’t suspect anything. A hundred rubles, two hundred… Even if he doesn’t pay it back, it’s not a big deal. Then the sums get bigger and bigger. The requests keep increasing.
And the messages asking to borrow alternate with sweet messages — declarations of love, compliments, and sweet promises. And when Alena refused to give money, manipulations began: “You don’t love me, you don’t want to help me, we are one.” And other nonsense aimed at naive girls like Alena.
Anya explained at length that this Roman was just scamming her. Alena didn’t want to believe it, her main argument being that she had met him in person. For some reason, she thought a person could only pretend online, not in real life.
Then Anya advised Alena to demand the return of the debt. Say she urgently needed money. And also write that she wouldn’t give a penny more until he returned everything he took.
At first, there were excuses, then threats, and then Roman simply blocked Alena, saying she would never see her money again.
How Alena cried! Deep down, she probably knew something was wrong, but didn’t want to believe it. Facing reality was terrible.
— I trusted him! I wanted so badly to believe, do you understand?!
— I understand, — Anya comforted her.
But unlike her friend, she felt anger, not sadness. And she wasn’t going to leave it at that.
At first, she herself wrote to Roman. Told him to return every penny. But he just laughed. Said Alena was a naive fool, and he wasn’t the first to take advantage of those desperate to find a partner. And that it would be a lesson for her.
— A lesson, huh, — Anya said bitterly.
She asked her friend where Roman lived. But Alena didn’t know. He didn’t invite her over or give his address. But she knew where he had a part-time job.
Anya believed everything could be resolved peacefully in life. But now her beliefs wavered.
She told her husband everything, and he got very angry too. He thought such a scoundrel couldn’t call himself a man. How could he have the conscience to scam a woman in love with him who was raising two kids?
Taking her brother, Anya’s husband went to talk to that guy. Luckily, they had a photo of Roman.
Roman regretted Alena found out so quickly it was a scam. He would have milked money from her longer. He knew how to pick a victim who wouldn’t refuse. Usually, these were women who hadn’t even heard compliments before. Once you say something nice, they immediately melt.
He had several other victims lined up and was thinking which one to start with. Roman didn’t like working but had to do odd jobs. He didn’t always have women who gave him money.
He left work thinking to stop by a store. He wanted something to drink.
But then two men blocked his way. Both were much taller than him.
— Roman? — asked one.
Roman was quite cowardly, so he only scammed women who couldn’t do anything to him.
— Yeah, — he tried to sound brave.
— We’re from Alena.
—I don’t know any Alena, — Roman squeaked.
— You do. We counted how much you owe her. You’re paying it all back today.
—I don’t have that kind of money, — he snapped.
— Find it. Or we’ll speak differently.
Roman had to borrow from all his friends. Also got a stash saved for a rainy day. Still, a couple thousand were missing.
— You’ll pay the rest in a week, — Anya’s husband said. — Otherwise, I’ll be back, I promise. And if I find out you’re scamming someone else, I’ll kill you.
Alena counted the money returned to her and cried. She had already said goodbye to it and didn’t even think her friend’s husband could get it back.
— Thank you, — she said. — This will be a lesson for me. No more dating. To hell with men. Better to raise my sons so they never become like that.
— Don’t give up on love, — Anya smiled. — I’m sure you’ll meet a worthy person. Just don’t hide anything from me.
— I promise, — Alena said, hugging her friend.
Probably, having a good friend is even more important than a partner. Now Alena understood that better than ever before.
