33 Lina decided to accept the offer

Aunt Ning could not afford to loose this opportunity. Lina was her only ray of hope. She decided to give her best. "Lina, listen to me carefully. I'll tell you everything that needs to be done - step by step. Okay, sweetie?" smiled Ning.

Lina turned her face towards Aunt Ning again, and paid attention as Ning started to explain further.

"The man.. I'm talking about.. is the owner of a very big company. When you agree to accept my offer, I'll get you the job of that man's PA. You'll work as his assistant.. and you'll take care of everything related to the man.. everything that concerns him. And then.. he will fall in love with you," giggled Ning.

"Why will he fall in love with me? Does this man.. frequently fall in love with his assistants?" asked Lina with a straight face.

"Oh sweetie! You'll work as his PA.. to be close to him. You know PA? Personal Assistant!" taunted Ning.

"Yes! I know!" Lina rolled up his eyes in irritation, to express that she was not illiterate.. and she knew what PA was. "Last two days have been very bad for me.. I have had enough adventures already. No more please!" expressed the dejected crimson haired girl. "Thank you so much for coming here. Have a good day!" greeted Lina as she stood up from her seat and begin to walk away from Ning.

Lina's walk was soon brought to a halt by the words of aunt Ning.

"Forty Thousand Dollars!" declared Ning as Lina stopped and turned around with her eyes wide open. Aunt Ning repeated," I'll give you forty thousand dollars."

Lina could not believe what she just heard. "Forty thousand dollars! Our entire neighborhood would not be able to accumulate this amount, if they wanted to," Lina mumbled. She walked back slowly.. towards Ning, scratching her head with her fingers. "Ahmm! Are you .." Lina hesitated a little as she sat back on the bench. "Are you.. that much rich?" she asked.

Aunt Ning smiled. She knew Lina needed the money, and the offered amount caught her attention. "Listen carefully! All you have to do is.. follow my instructions.. and the man will fall in love with you.. for sure. And then, you both will get married. Simple and perfect! That's the plan," Ning smiled and placed her right hand on Lina's shoulder.

"Ahmm! And, what after marriage?" Lina wondered.

"After marriage.. you'll break up with him. You'll just leave! You'll pack your stuff and leave from his life.. forever. The end!" declared Ning.

Lina laughed at the ease by which aunt Ning said those words. "Aunty! Such a sweet plan. Let's do this immediately," mocked Lina as she gave out a sarcastic laugh.

Ning understood the sarcasm behind those words. "Oh Lina! There are a lot of things that you still have to learn," commented Ning.

"But, why me? You seem to be extremely rich. And certainly, there would be a lot many beautiful girls around you. Why didn't you go to them to offer this job?" doubted Lina as she stared into the eyes of the middle-aged lady.

"Well! For the time being.. I'll just say that.. I know something," disclosed Ning. "Hey! This is my decision.. And you don't have to worry about whom I choose and whom I reject," declared Ning as she looked into the eyes of the crimson haired girl. "If you agree to my offer, I can send you the advance payment to your account.. tomorrow itself. This is a golden chance for you. Don't miss it!" empathized Ning.

"Okay! B.. but, who is this man?" stammered Lina.

"Well! You won't know this until you accept my offer.. and start working for him as his assistant," giggled Ning. "Time for me to go!" declared Ning as she opened her clutch and took out her visiting card from it. "Take this. I will be waiting for your response," smiled Ning as she gave the card to Lina.

Ning stood up from her seat and cat-walked back to the place where her car was parked.

Lina continued to sit there in a confused state. "I don't know if she is crazy or just super rich.." Lina mumbled to herself as she took out her phone and called her friend, Tina.

------

Lina told everything that had happened to Tina on the phone call.

Tina couldn't believe it herself. "Oh! I am scared thinking of that mystery man. Maybe, he is old.. or ugly," Tina doubted. "Is he rich?" she asked. "I just wish this story isn't going to be similar to that 'beauty and the beast' tale. I would hate to see you with a lion faced man. Did that lady say anything about this man?" asked Tina.

"She didn't say a word! Look at my situation. How can I agree to this offer?" sobbed Lina.

"On a second thought, I think accepting this offer.. would not be such a bad thing. What bad can happen if you accept this?" asked Tina.

"Come on! A lot happens in the world. Anything is possible," Lina doubted.

"Lina, I say this.. after reflecting upon the situation you already are in. If you don't pay the landlord, the family will not have a place to live. And most importantly, Bob's life is in danger. You would have accepted the offer, were you to see a gun pointed at your brother's head," explained Tina.

"God will protect Bob. I know this! And why are you talking about the guns and stuff?" fumed Lina.

"Where else do you expect guns to be at? They are the Mafia!" warned Tina. "Lina! Listen to me carefully. As a friend, I just want to show you the reality. Besides this, weren't you the one who prayed for a miracle from God. Here it is! A miracle from God," reassured Tina.

"Aren't miracles supposed to give you a good feeling?" doubted Lina.

"Lina! Stop this now! I suggest you to visit that lady. You have her address on the card she gave you. Tell her that you would be needing about half the money in advance," instructed Tina. "And then.. you visit those Mafia guys.. give them the money and get Bob released. And later, you can pay the landlord with the pending money." suggested Tina.

"Yes, I think, that's the only option," sighed Lina. "I'll go now!" she said as she cut off the phone call.