Forest

As Brooke entered the building, She is greeted by a large canvas that contains a painting of the God's and Goddesses in a Golden frame, then notices how fancy the inside is, wall and ceilings are painted with white while the carves and designs are gold. Tables and chairs are black in color while the sofas are in maroon with a touch of gold. She reached the center of the building, a big crystal chandelier is hanging up in the middle and foremost is the ceiling painted with God's and Goddesses' faces. It seems the building's theme is related to Greek myth.

"You must be Ms. Collins." a middle-aged man approaches her "Mr. Miller been waiting for you in the garden, come follow me" he turned his back at her and started walking. She followed him behind. The quietness in the lift is killing her, they still have 5 more floors, 'What kind of person that places his garden on the 15th floor of this building?' she thought to herself

*Ding*

He is the first one to walk out from the lift, She still follows him, like a lost puppy. They go straight in the hallway until they reach a door, He opens the door that leads to the garden. The first thing to welcome her is the smell of nature. Different types of flowers and plants could be seen, She can't help but squeal from excitement upon seeing a bunch of butterflies, she runs towards it and stared in awe.

"You like butterflies?" She nodded vigorously still not paying any attention to the person

"My brother does too, I made this for him actually" Her eyes went wide upon seeing Mr. Miller beside her, She could feel Her face turning red as it is warm,

"That was embarrassing" she whispers to herself, looking on her fiddling fingers. A sudden chuckle escapes from the man, "Cute" he uttered and started walking while Brooke is left dumbfounded.

"Aren't you coming?" He asked that made her more flustered, she jog towards him, still not facing him.

"So, about our deal, you accept it right?" he asked while he takes a seat, she nodded as she takes a sit in front of him. "And the reason why you're here is for me to discuss the job" he paused "Are you willing to sacrifice yourself?" he smiled creepily that made her shiver

"Wha-What?" she stutters

"I'm just kidding" he laughs at his own joke which he gains a deathly glare from the woman "Fine, I'm sorry, It's just you're too serious, you need to loosen up"

"You know what? if you're not taking this seriously, I'll better leave" she was about to leave but a hand stop her

"Fine, I'm sorry but I need you and I know you need the money for your sister right? So, please I'm begging you to stay" he pleaded, She let out a deep sigh as she looks at him

"Fine" it was true that she badly needed the money this left her no choice. He smiled widely as they both get back on their chair

"So," he started "Are you willing to live with me? cause that is one of my te-- "

"WHAT!?" she shouted not letting him finish the sentence

"Let me finish first," she nodded "As I was saying you will live with me starting tomorrow night," she was about to cut him off but he got her first "No butting in while I'm talking, So, yeah you'll be staying with me, don't worry I'm with living with my sister. Second is no asking of questions to me nor my sister about the crystal ball. third is whatever happens don't tell this to other people, the events that will happen in my house will remain within us, that's all. And if you're worried about your food and essentials, we got you"

"How about the crystal ball? where should I look for it?" she gave him a questionable look while shrugging both of her shoulders

"I'll explain it to you when we're there, so, are you accepting my offer?" she nodded

"But before that how about the 50% payment?"

"I already sent it to your mom this morning" she looked at him surprised but caught off-guard when suddenly her phone vibrated

"Go ahead answer it," he said as he takes a big bite of his cake

"Thank you Brooke, I've received the money, I already paid the half earlier before I called you. They told me that the operation will be tomorrow in the afternoon." her mother pauses a little and continued "Will you go here? to support her?" her mother asked

"I'm sorry mom but I can't, I'm starting my work tomorrow" she answered as she stared at her drinks

"Ok I understand"

"Tell Avery that I'll visit her soon and I love her so much."

"Yes, I will. I love you brooke and I miss you so much take care of yourself honey" her mother's sweet words makes her heart melt

"I miss you too mom. You too mom don't get sick I love you"

"I love you most, My baby. Bye" as her mother ended the call she stared at her boss who is busy eating

"What?" he muttered

"How sure you were that I will accept this?"

"101 percent cause of my instincts" he winks at her

"Unbelievable" she uttered not believing his words "So, where do you live?"

"In the middle of the forest", he calmly answered

"WHAT!?" she yelled that made him flinch and cover his ears

"Jeez stop yelling, you're hurting my lovely ears, and what is wrong living in the forest? It's cool and besides, we love nature" he shrugged both of his shoulders

"It's weird to live in the middle of the fo--"

"You're hurting my feelings you know," he looked down on his feet, he feels hurt from her statement.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that way, it's just my first time to encounter a person living there and I think it's cool" she smiled at him

"Ok then, it's settled. Tomorrow Eli, the old man earlier will fetch you at 2." he happily speaks

"How about my address? you don't even know where I live"

"I know, I already know you live 5 blocks from here" he confidently stated

"Are you a stalker?"

"Nope" he stops "I'm just a wise man"

"Weirdo" she mumbled within herself as she rolls her eyes

~

"WHAT!? SO YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT YOU NEED TO LIVE WITH HI----" Brooke shuts her friend by putting her hands on her mouth.

"Sorry," she apologizes to the people who were in the cafe as she drags her friend in the kitchen "Shout again and I'll cut that tongue of yours" she warned that made Ava gulp hard. "and yes, I will live with them, them" she repeated "He lives with his sister in the middle of the forest," she said the last word in a whisper as if ava wouldn't hear

"Oh, No shit sherlock you've accepted the offer"

"Well, guess what?" she pauses looking straight on her friend who's going to blow anytime "I accepted it"

"You're unbelievable" Ava shook her head multiple times "What were you thinking?" she asked still can't believe what her friend

"Your advice and Avery?"

"Oh God, Brooke I didn't know that you will be staying with them in the middle of nowhere, what if something bad happens to you? what if so---" she cut her friend off

"I'll be fine Ava, I promise to Keep in contact with you, So, you'll be in peace" she holds her friend's hand "Please just support me into this one and you know that I'm doing this for my sister, Avery"