Chapter 1: The Price Of Hope

Maya POV

“Ms. Rivers, there’s nothing more we can do without a full payment. He’s hanging by a thread. If you really want to save him, you have to do what’s necessary.” Doctor Harry said.

I swallowed hard, the salt from my tears stinging my lips. “Please, Doctor. I’m working three jobs. I’m trying my best. Please don’t give up on my brother.” I sank to my knees.

He sighed, looking at me with pity. “Maya, we can’t perform the surgery without the new lungs. And we can't secure the lungs without the deposit. This is beyond me.”

My breath hitched. I stood up slowly, my body feeling like lead.

I walked out of his office without another word. I didn’t even hear him say he was sorry.

I just kept moving until I reached Andre’s ward.

I stood at the glass door, staring in.

He lay peacefully on the bed, surrounded by machines that hissed and beeped—the only things keeping his heart beating.

What do I do?

None of my workplaces would grant me a loan. Years of loyalty meant nothing to them.

I exhaled shakily and left the hospital.

When I got home, I dropped my bag and collapsed onto the bed. My head pounded. My whole body felt hollow.

My phone rang.

Ember.

“Maya, where are you? Stanley is freaking out. He said he didn’t even know when you left. Get your ass down here if you still want to keep this job,” she snapped before hanging up.

Exhaustion had made me forget I was still on my shift.

I grabbed my bag again and rushed out.

I arrived at The Rosewood Bistro breathless and hurried inside.

“There you are. Where were you?” Stanley, the manager, demanded.

All the staff stared at me.

“I went to see my brother. I took permission before leaving,” I said.

“Permission? From who?”

“From you.”

His brows furrowed. “Me? How come I’m not aware of this permission?”

“I’m not sure, sir, but Ember was there.”

“I wasn’t,” Ember said quickly. “I didn’t even see you leave.”

“What? You were there! I even begged you to attend to the last customer before I left.”

“Maya, stop dragging me into your mess—”

“Ember, you were there!”

“That’s enough!” Stanley barked.

“Sir, I’m not lying. I informed you—”

“Maya,” he cut in coldly, “do you remember when you came here begging for a position, even without a degree? I was kind enough to hire you. But you’ve taken that kindness for granted. You keep messing up. But not anymore. We already have your replacement. Your brother needs full-time attention, so go be with him.”

My heart dropped.

“No… please, sir. I need this job.”

“Leave,” he said, turning away.

Just then, a voice spoke.

“What’s going on here? A customer can’t even enjoy his meal in peace.”

I turned to see an elderly man standing there. He looked powerful—expensive suit, polished cane, and eyes that saw everything. Instantly, Stanley bowed. The whole staff followed suit.

“We are so sorry, Mr. Wellington,” Stanley stammered.

Ember subtly waved me away.

I swallowed my pride and walked out.

Outside, I slumped onto an empty chair. The sun burned overhead. I shut my eyes, very exhausted.

“Saw what happened.”

I opened them.

The old man stood in front of me now, flanked by three bodyguards.

I quickly stood and bowed slightly. If everyone inside bowed to him… he must be someone important.

“What is your name?” he asked.

“M-Maya, sir. Maya Rivers.”

He smiled. “Are you looking for a job?”

I glanced at the bodyguards, then back at him. “Y-yes, sir.”

“That’s good. How about a job worth ten million dollars?”

My blood ran cold. My head spun.

“I… I don’t understand, sir.”

He snorted softly. “I thought as much. I thought you truly needed a job. Oh well. Let’s go.”

He turned to leave with his guards.

Wait… what?

They opened the door of a black SUV parked a few meters away.

Ten million dollars.

That's a huge money.

My feet moved before my mind did.

“Sir—wait!”

The car stopped. The window rolled down.

“I want the job,” I said breathlessly.

He smirked. “You see why many people stay poor? They get scared when they hear a few zeros. Get in.”

I got in.

The car drove off.

I waited for him to explain the job, but he remained silent, face expressionless.

I swallowed.

I don’t even know where they’re taking me.

I’m doing this for my brother.

Andre… please hang on. Nothing will happen to you. Please let this be real. Please let it be safe.

After a long endless drive, we entered a massive estate.

My breath caught.

The mansion before me looked unreal — like something from a dream.

Inside, neatly dressed workers bowed as he passed. He ignored them all.

Who is this man? And what kind of job is worth ten million dollars?

We entered an office. He sat and dismissed his guards. Now it was just the two of us.

My legs felt like jelly as I stood there.

“Sit,” he said.

I obeyed.

“So, Maya Rivers. This job requires one hundred percent success before full payment.”

“What?” Irritation sparked.

“You’ll receive ten percent upfront. Complete the job, and you’ll receive the rest.”

I scoffed. “Ten percent? Sir, I followed you because you said ten million. Now you’re saying I only get ten percent?”

He simply stared at me.

Frustration burned my chest. I stood, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door.

“You haven’t even heard what the job is,” he said calmly.

I stopped.

“I don’t need to.”

He chuckled. “That restaurant doesn’t pay you even a thousand dollars. Yet you’re walking away from a job offering ten million with one million upfront. Well, if you’re not interested, the door is right there.”

I swallowed hard.

One million dollars could really go a long way for Andre.

Slowly, I turned back.

“W-what is the job?”

He smiled.

“Good. I knew you had it in you. You’ll be getting married to my grandson… for one hundred days.”

My head snapped up.

“What?!”