The air was thick with tension as 100 contestants were herded into a large, stark white room, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. They were all here for one reason: to pay off their crippling debts. But now, they were faced with a far more dangerous gamble—one that might cost them more than just money.
A tall government official, dressed in a cold, efficient uniform, stood at the front, her voice sharp as she addressed the room.
"Welcome to the National Debt Rehabilitation Games. You have been selected to participate because of your financial burdens—debts so large that society deems you expendable." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "However, this is your chance to win. There will be 50 pairs of players, chosen randomly, and you will compete in a series of challenges."
A murmur spread through the room as the contestants exchanged nervous glances.
"You will not only fight for your survival in these games, but for your freedom. The winning pair will be awarded a large sum of money that will erase your debts. However, there is one condition: the losers will be sent to prison. And rest assured, everything you do here will be broadcasted to millions. This is not just a competition—this is entertainment."
Samantha, a woman in her mid-30s with a mixture of grace and grit, listened closely. She had no intention of losing. A milf who had clawed her way through years of financial strain, she was determined to fight for her child's future. But what the official said next made her stomach tighten.
"As for your living arrangements—there are only 50 rooms. You will share a room with your randomly selected partner. And there's only one bed in each room."
A ripple of shock and discomfort ran through the crowd.
"This is for the viewers," the official continued, her tone devoid of sympathy. "They want to see how well you function under stress. The more drama, the better the ratings."
Samantha's heart sank as she realized the implications. Not only would she have to compete against others for survival, but now she was going to have to live with a complete stranger—someone she might not be able to trust.
The drawing of the pairs began. One by one, names were called, and as the pairs formed, each contestant was forced to take in their new partner with a mix of curiosity and unease.
Then, the moment came. The official called out the final pair.
"Samantha and Leo."
Samantha's head whipped around, her eyes locking onto Leo—a handsome young man in his mid-20s, with sharp features and a confident, almost cocky air. His dark eyes met hers with a faint smirk.
She had hoped for someone a little less... intimidating. But she would have to make do.
The official gestured toward the rooms. "You may go to your assigned quarters. Rest up. The first challenge will begin tomorrow."
Samantha and Leo walked toward their shared room in silence, both assessing the situation. The room they were given was small, almost too cramped for two people. And in the center, the bed—a single, twin-sized mattress—was the only piece of furniture.
Leo raised an eyebrow as he looked at the bed, then glanced at Samantha. "Well, I guess we'll be close. No escaping now, huh?"
Samantha shot him a sharp look. "I'm here to win, not to entertain the viewers. So let's get that straight."
Leo chuckled softly. "Yeah, I didn't think you were the type to take this lightly."
He didn't realize just how serious she was. Samantha wasn't here for drama, for the show, or for anyone else's amusement. She was here because this was her only shot at getting out of the hell her life had become.
And if Leo was her partner, then he'd better be ready for the fight of their lives.
As they both sat down on opposite sides of the bed, Samantha's eyes darted around the room, trying to figure out how they would make this work. She would need every ounce of strength, every scrap of cunning, and yes—every ounce of focus. And if Leo could keep up, maybe they had a chance.
But first, they had to sleep—together.
Samantha sighed and lay back, trying to ignore the reality of the situation. This wasn't just a competition; it was a twisted game of survival. And tomorrow, the real challenge would begin.