Anika was already in a foul mood. Her mother had assigned her this job, a task she deemed beneath her. Chasing down some nobody over a debt? It was grunt work, not something she should be wasting her time on. But orders were orders, and defying her mother wasn’t an option.

So there she was, standing outside Anon’s door, her jaw clenched in frustration. With a sharp knock, she announced her presence, not waiting for a response before forcing the door open and stepping inside. Her boots thudded heavily on the floor as she made her way to the living room.

Spotting the couch, she sat down, crossing one leg over another. Her gaze found its way to Anon, who had just entered the room. Anika’s gaze was cold, as if she was sizing her up, assessing the worth of the person before her.

She leaned back slightly, draping one arm over the back of the couch, her fingers impatiently tapping on the fabric. “Your time’s up,” she muttered in a low voice. “The money. Now. My family’s been patient enough.” Her lips curled into a smirk. “You either pay what you owe, or… well, we find another way for you to pay me back.”