The Proposal (3)

"Do you have any other concerns?" Maria asked like she hadn't threatened Auralia.

"Yes. It's about keeping my true identity hidden. I get that you're going to introduce me but how exactly will it be done?"

"Well, I shall introduce you as the granddaughter of one of my old friends. She's agreed to put you on the family register and it helps that you have the same surname. Additionally, my son is only going to officially need you in three months' time when he comes back to the country.

"During that time, you'll be able to adjust to your new life with my friend, learn about high society as well as get extra training from those two bodyguards outside. Get you up to standard with proper bodyguard training and procedures."

Maria paused for a second, handing over more documents to Auralia. She took them, seeing that they looked to be some kind of contract.

"This is a life changing decision to make." Maria said, standing up. "The contract states everything you need to know, terms and clauses etc. Look over it and make your choice."

Auralia put the papers done and stood up too. She knew that while Maria was giving her a 'choice', it was mostly an illusion. The woman wouldn't have had planned everything so well if she was going to leave with a no.

"Alright, I will…" Auralia sighed, leading the elderly woman back to the front of the dojo.

"Good." Maria placed her shoes back on, going to the door which was held open by one of her guards. "I'll have one of these guards and my lawyer come over this afternoon to settle the contract with you. If you have any concerns about the terms bring it up with my lawyer. I've given him full authority to make decisions in my name."

With those words, Maria Ezra left the dojo with her guards, leaving Auralia to wonder what she was going to do.

***

As Auralia was finishing up the last page of the documents, Maria had handed her earlier this morning, she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." She called out, swiftly placing the papers into a drawer.

The door opened and a young teenage boy with short black hair and striking blue eyes walked in. His tall frame of 6.2ft forced the boy to bend a little as he entered the small doorway.

"Afternoon coach." The boy greeted politely.

"Afternoon Jamie. What brings you here today?" Auralia asked, smiling at the boy. "Are you here to practice?"

Auralia typically had the dojo closed on Fridays, there not being enough people coming to classes to keep it open. She did however allow members of the dojo to use it for any extra practice and training they wanted to do.

"Um…yeah." Jamie smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Is it okay if I use the dojo overnight?"

Auralia nodded her head. "Sure, thing kiddo. You know the rules of course."

"Yes…Thank you coach." Jamie smiled widely before heading back out.

Auralia smile faded as the door closed behind Jamie, sighing in anger. The boy lived in a foster home and from what she had gathered, it wasn't the best place. There wasn't much she could do about it, social services determining that the foster home was fine so Auralia had decided to let him stay at the dojo whenever home got too much for the teen.

His foster parents didn't care too much about it, more worried about the monthly check that they got for "looking after" him. Auralia knew most thought she was stupid for allowing a kid with no money into her dojo, but considering the kid's talent…

She couldn't let him land up on the streets without trying to help him get somewhere with BJJ. And with the upcoming tournament, she knew how important it was. Showcasing his talent there could get him the money he needed for college through scholarships.

He of course wasn't her only pupil who showed much potential…

He was however her star pupil and even if the tournament didn't work out, she had been planning to ask him to become an official coach.

He had already been helping with some of the classes, mostly as a thanks for the times Auralia had let him use the dojo, no questions asked. Of course, getting another coach meant the dojo would need money…

Auralia sighed again, rubbing a hand over her face before looking at the drawer with the contract in it. Maria Ezra knew exactly how to lay a trap.

She pulled the drawer open again and took out the documents, deciding to take a serious look through it.

***

"Alright then…I'll give this to Mrs. Ezra and let her know the good news." A balding man in an expensive suit said, standing up. "It was a pleasure doing business with you…"

"Of course." Auralia stood up, shaking the lawyer's hand.

The man quickly let go of her hand and headed out, not bothering with greetings. Auralia's business smile faded as she watched the rude man leave, hating every second being in his presence.

Thankfully the guard with him had forced him to remove his shoes in the dojo earlier, otherwise Auralia wasn't sure what she was going to do. Walking on the mats with shoes was the biggest mistake someone could make and lucky the guard had stopped the moron from making it.

Once the duo left, Auralia turned to see some of her students were staring at her curiously. There were five of them in the dojo, all using the space for extra training, although they'd probably stay over too, home not being the greatest for most of them.

Auralia shook her head at her students, happy she was going to finally give them the proper chance they deserved.

"Coach, who was that?" One of the girls asked as they headed towards Auralia.

"Oh…just someone's lawyer." Auralia smiled. "Turns out there's someone high profile who wants to learn BJJ."

That was the cover of course, Auralia under an NDA about the real reason behind her new job as a bodyguard.

"So, will there still be um classes…" Another student asked.

"Of course…" Auralia said. "Although there will be some changes….Good changes through."