The Offer

Ember

I woke up in my bed and in my nightgown. I was wondering if it was all a dream, but a "good morning, love" from behind me on my bed made me jump out of bed fast and turn around. There was Ryder, just sitting on my bed like it was the easiest thing for him. I was about to make a break to get to my mom's room but he was fast, and was blocking the door before I could get to it.

" Now why would you go and wake up that beautiful lady?" , he asked. He held a finger to his mouth in a hushed manner, and cracked open the door to mom's room. She was indeed sleeping, and there was a woman inside of there with a white doctor's robe on. She smiled and nodded one to me, before attending to my mother.

Ryder pulled me back into my room.

" What do you want with me?". "Who is that woman in my mother's room?". " How the hell do you even know where I live?". I asked. The questions seemed to tumble out at once. I had backed into one corner of my room and he leaned against my dresser. He was wearing a black shirt, with some denim jeans, with black and red Jordans.

" I have a proposition for you. As for the woman, she is a personal doctor of mine, and is now charged with overseeing your mother's condition, per my instructions. As for where you live, I'm a pretty powerful man. Finding you was easier than finding my lost watch. You should make your tracks more easily covered. You never know what could be hunting you", he said with a smirk. It didn't escape my notice that he said 'what', rather than who' and it sent a chill down my spine.

" Give me one good reason I shouldn't report you to the police" I told him. " Breaking and entering is a crime", I told him and he laughed a bit loud at that before pulling out his gun and setting it on the table. The fear of dying came back, so I decided to tread carefully. He saw the fear in my eyes. It was a threat.

" All of the cops here and under my payroll. None of them would listen to you, though they would probably believe you", he said.

" So what, your some mafia crime boss or something" , I asked.

" Something like that", he said.

" That still does not answer my question. What do you WANT with me?,' I asked him, eyeing his gun, then back to him. If he wanted to kill me, he would have shot me last night. With that thought, I moved from my corner and crossed my arms, leaning on the wall. He followed my every motion.

" Ember Maze. 20 years old. Dead father. Parapalegic mother. Going to culinary school to train to be a top chef, which was paid for two years by daddy's money before he died. I imagine that's why you were working at that cafe. To save money? Daddy only paid for two years and you've been paying the bills with his life insurance money. School starts next month for you, and you barely have just enough for a semester. Tell me if I am missing anything" he said. I stayed silent. Just who the hell is this guy? He smiled.

" My proposition to you is simple. You saw me commit murder last night, and I need you silent, which means, I need you in my sight 24/7. I'm offering you the chance to pay for the remainder two years of your school and take care of your mother, as long as you play by my rules." , he said, uncrossing his arms. The wheels were turning in my head. He couldn't be serious.

" And what on earth would I have to do in return," I asked him. I was no whore.

" Simple. You will come, every morning, to my mansion at 10am, and train my chefs. This surprised me as I was not expecting that.

" You want me to..... teach your chef's how to cook? " , I asked him slowly. Just to make sure I heard it right.

" That's correct. The chef's there. You could say they are apart of my extended family, so I don't want them fired. I want them trained, and after they are trained, I want you to lead them as part of your job. You will be paid, handsomely, of course. Money is no object to me," he said.

" You haven't even tasted my cooking. How do you even know if I am the chef you are looking for?" , I asked. He looked serious.

" Because if you aren't, then I will have to finish the job I started last night, he said , motioning his head to the gun.

" So work for you and get my shit paid, or die. Those are my choices?", I asked. He nodded to me. Even with all of this bizarreness, I was putting together pieces in my head. This could be the best thing for me. I could have school paid for, my mother taken care of, and make more money in the process of doing what I love. He was offering me a golden ticket.

" How do I know this is forreal, and not some sick game you've concocted to torture then kill me?" I asked him.

" Call your school. Ask about your balance", he said , tossing me my phone. Not taking my eyes off him, I called my school and they told me the remainder of two years had been paid in full earlier this morning. Well shit. He put his gun back into his belt and walked to me. His presence close to me as I looked in his brown eyes was not threatening, but I still knew he was a dangerous man. He brushed a piece of my hair off of my face.

" Believe me when I say, I don't want to hurt you Ember. Work for me. I'm offering you a chance to make your life better than before. If you don't do it for me, then do it for your mother", he said sweetly, before tucking my hair behind my ear. I stood frozen, unmoving. Not sure what to do. He grinned then walked to the door, before turning around.

" I'd hate to see anything happen to her. I'm sure you will make the best decision." he said menacingly , before leaving completely. I let go the breath of air I hadn't realized I was holding. Did that really just fucking happen? I received a text on my phone from Ryder. The fucker put his name on my phone.

Come tomorrow to 113 Brownsville road for your new job. Be here by 9.45. Don't be late, love.

Ryder.

I went to my mother's room. She was just waking up and was looking confused at the woman in there.

" Who the hell are you?" , she asked the lady.

" My name is Doctor Charli Hanes, but you may call me Charli ma'am" she said, looking at the tubes connected to my mother. I spoke before my mother had a fit.

" Mom, I got a new job as a cook for a job I applied for a few weeks ago. I didn't want to tell you if I didn't get it. Apart from the new job comes with the last two years of school being paid off , as well as your fees. They are paying me to teach their cooks how to better manage the kitchen, and then I will be leading them", I told her, coming to sit beside her. She was shocked.

" Are you serious, Ember? Oh my God, that is amazing,' she said , almost in tears. She hugged me tight. I did my best to put on my bravest face as I felt like I could break down at any moment.

" Oh, your father would be so proud of you. I know I am. You're destined for great things , my little fire Ember. I just know it." she said. A clip on the TV came from the news about a wolf being spotted and breaking into people's homes. I kissed her head and went back to my room, shutting the door. I allowed myself to finally process everything and somehow I just ended up in tears. Charli knocked on my door a little later, letting me know she was heading out to go home.

" I will be here every day at 9am, so you just focus on yourself and your job. She will be well taken care of Ember" she said behind the door. I heard her leave. This was the start of everything, and if I had known what was coming soon, it probably would have been mercy to have him just kill me on the spot.