The Job Offer

After a short discussion about how things should be done for more profit, Stephen who was about to take a short rest in a room next to the office which furnished and only him could use it, it had his fingerprint, about to enter the room, Brownie stopped him, "boss, we found a family member of McDonald, his daughter and she's here with us, if they can't pay, we can sell her as a slave to gain profits enough to balance out what she owes us",

"His daughter? Where is she?", Stephen asked out of curiosity, not knowing that Mr McDonald had a daughter, he went back to his rocking chair and sat down, waiting impatiently to see her, in his mind, he had decided to sell her at an expensive amount to his friend who would pay him huge, Stanley was Stephen's friend and both of them has been God fathers but Stanley was more brutal than Stephen, he just know what to do with such slaves.

Stephen's thought was interrupted by the sight of the woman who had made his heart raced before and still does, she was already weak and Stephen was almost unable to tell if she was the Lyra he know or not.

Stephen's curiosity is piqued, and he's eager to see Lyra, unaware of the emotional connection they share. His mind is already racing with ways to exploit her for profit, selling her to his brutal friend Stanley. But as Lyra is brought before him, her weak and frail state takes him aback. He's momentarily taken aback, his mind struggling to reconcile the strong, independent woman he met before with the vulnerable person before him.

Lyra, sensing Stephen's gaze, lifts her eyes to meet his. Despite her weakened state, her eyes still flash with defiance and recognition. She knows she's in grave danger, but she refuses to give up. Stephen's eyes lock onto hers, and for a moment, time stands still.

Brownie, oblivious to the tension between Stephen and Lyra, continues to detail his plan. "We can sell her to Stanley, he'll pay top dollar for her. And with that money, we can settle the debt and make a profit."

Stephen's eyes never leave Lyra's face, his mind racing with calculations and strategies. But Lyra's gaze is like a punch to his gut, awakening a spark of conscience he thought he'd long extinguished. For a moment, he's torn between his ruthless business instincts and a glimmer of humanity.

Unsure what to do, Stephen answered, "why would I sell her? I just know what to do with her and can you all leave? I prefer to have a short quick conversation with our debtor's daughter".

With the instruction, all of them left the office in a swift manner, they feared Stephen, he wasn't the type to repeat himself.

Standing up from his chair, Stephen walks towards Lyra whose face was weary and whose weak eyes never stopped releasing tears, he untied the rope and made her sit down in a sofa in his office.

Lyra who minutes ago was so desperate to find a way out, now stay down quietly feeling so humiliated, she had acted all mighty before him and now she's so much embarrassed that even though she wanted to question why Stephen was there but she didn't find her voice, with her head bent in shame, Lyra answered no question.

Stephen's demeanor has changed, and he's showing a glimmer of empathy towards Lyra. He unties the rope and offers her a seat on the sofa, a small act of kindness that contrasts with the cruelty she's faced so far. Lyra, however, is overwhelmed with shame and humiliation, her eyes fixed on the floor, unable to meet Stephen's gaze.

The power dynamic has shifted, and Lyra's proud and defiant exterior has crumbled, revealing a vulnerable and broken person. She's unable to speak, her voice silenced by the weight of her circumstances.

Stephen's eyes linger on Lyra, his expression unreadable. He seems to be studying her, trying to understand the depth of her despair. For a moment, the room is silent, the only sound Lyra's quiet sobs.

Then, Stephen speaks, his voice low and measured. "Lyra, look at me." His words are gentle, but firm, commanding her attention. "You're in a difficult situation, but I might be able to help you. If you cooperate."

Lyra's head remains bent, her eyes fixed on the floor. She's unsure what to make of Stephen's offer, her mind racing with questions. Can she trust him? What does he want in return?

Lyra thought within herself, "I shouldn't be expecting anything from him,besides we didn't start anything and now I know that we are in different world, why should I feel bad? It's not like I know him anyway", raising her head, she began to speak, "I am sorry that you had to see me this way, I am Mr McDonald's daughter and he is owing a huge money, I was going to make some money to start paying back, I... I...", Lyra was interrupted by tears.

Lyra's inner monologue shows her trying to reason with herself, to shake off the feeling of disappointment and shame. She reminds herself that she and Stephen didn't have any agreement or relationship, and that they come from different worlds. She's trying to detach herself from the situation, to protect her emotions.

But when she starts speaking, her vulnerability and desperation shine through. She apologizes for being a burden, reveals her identity as Mr. McDonald's daughter, and tries to explain her situation. However, her words are cut short by tears, showing that despite her efforts to appear strong, she's still deeply hurt and struggling to cope.

Stephen's reaction to this will be crucial. Will he show empathy and understanding, or will he remain detached and calculating? The moment hangs in the balance, as Lyra's tears reveal the depth of her despair.

Stephen trying to process all of this at once, he is not the one to mix business with personal affairs, unsure whether to give her time to pay back or take advantage of the opportunity, he said, "I am sorry you are going through this and you see, your father borrowed a lot of money from me, it's not something I can easily forget like it's no big deal, but I can give you time to pay and I will instruct my boys not to disturb you until you are done paying",

"You have no idea, but my shop is a mess now and some money were taken from me, can you start deducting from it?", Lyra asked trying to make Stephen to understand the situation.

Stephen was ashamed of showing this side of his to the woman his heart loved, he had no idea what to do or say, trying to give Lyra hope, he said, "come work for me, I will help you clear your debt",

Surprised at the offer, she asked, "how can I possibly work for you? I'm not as strong as your men!", Stephen smiled and said, "no, no, come work for me in my father's company, it's in my uncle's care now, you can work there and pay me back". Wiping her tears completely, she said, "thank you, I will apply tomorrow, but what's the name of the company, are they hiring?"

"Hahaha, Lyra, if I say you start today, you start, I don't need you to submit application letter and CV, just tell me whenever you are ready and I will take care of it".

Turning his back on Lyra while facing the window, Stephen remembered that he missed Sophia's call.

Stephen's gaze remains fixed on the window, his mind racing with thoughts of Sophia and the complications she brings to his life. He's torn between his loyalty to her and his growing feelings for Lyra. The sound of Lyra's voice breaks the silence, bringing him back to the present.

"Stephen, thank you again for this opportunity. I won't let you down," Lyra says, her voice filled with determination.

Stephen turns to face her, a soft smile on his face. "I know you won't, Lyra. You're a fighter. I like that about you."

Their eyes meet, and for a moment, the tension between them is palpable. Stephen's phone rings, breaking the silence. He hesitates, then answers it.

"Sophia, I've been busy. What's up?" he says, his tone a little too casual.

Lyra notices the change in his demeanor and realizes who's on the other end of the call. She takes a deep breath, feeling a pang of jealousy she can't ignore.