The Proposal (1)

Auralia stared at the accounting book in her hands, hating all the red numbers that appeared on the page. The dojo was overwhelmed with debts and with few people taking classes, she was barely keeping things afloat with her part time job working at the bar.

The sudden ringing of her phone distracted Auralia from the book, making her put it down on the small wooden table so she could pick up her phone. She quickly looked at the caller ID and wanted to cringe, the name of her landlord on the screen.

Taking a deep breath, she answered the phone, knowing it was best to get the dreadful conversation out the way.

"Morning Mr. Matthews." Auralia greeted.

"Hello Auralia." A gruff voice replied. "I'm calling you to remind you that you have a payment due next week. Make sure you pay it on time or you'll be evicted. I have a few paying clients who want your space and they're willing to pay double the rent."

Auralia gritted her teeth, holding back her anger. She hated the old man and his rudeness, him knowing that she was dealing with a lot. Not that he cared. All he wanted was money, forcing her to pay a stupidly enormous amount of rent so she could keep her late father's dojo running.

"Of course, sir…I'll make sure the money is in your account on time." Auralia muttered, trying to keep her tone polite with great difficulty.

"Good." The man said before hanging up, leaving Auralia to wonder how she would pay for this month's rent.

She put her phone down and sighed, hands covering her face. She wanted to scream and cry in frustration but she couldn't. She needed to keep it together and figure out what she was going to do to save her father's dojo.

Looking up, she stared at the photo on her desk of a middle-aged man holding a little girl with pigtails on his shoulders, laughing with the girl, blue eyes bright with joy. She sighed again, placing a hand on the wooden frame.

"Sorry dad…I didn't mean to keep your legacy going like this." She murmured softly as she rubbed her thumb across the glass protecting the photo. "I'll find a way to save this place…I promise."

The sound of a door banging shut loudly alerted Auralia, making her stand up and exit the tiny office. She entered the main room of the dojo, bare feet touching the matted floor.

By the front door across the room stood a woman with pixie styled, gray hair and a straight posture, an aura of wealth around her. She looked to be in her late fifties, her green eyes blazing as she removed her sunglasses to look at the room.

Next to her were two men in suits and sunglasses, the typical picture of bodyguards. Auralia realized immediately the person in front of her was no ordinary person. This person was dangerous.

"Hello there. Can I help you?" Auralia asked, putting on her professional smile as she walked over to the woman.

The woman looked at her and tilted her head to the side. "Are you Auralia Davidson?"

"Yes I am…May I ask who you are?"

"Maria Ezra."

As Auralia heard the name, it instantly clicked who was standing before her. She was looking at the wife of Ezra Holdings chairman, one of the most powerful women in the country. Shock flooded Auralia's system as realization hit.

She had one of the most powerful women standing in her dojo!!

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Ezra." Auralia murmured as her system went into overdrive, trying to figure out what this woman wanted with her.

"It's nice to meet you too, dear." Maria smiled back. "By the way, do you have an office where we can talk? I have some important matters to go over with you."

"Yes, it's in the back." Auralia replied, pointing to her office as she wondered what 'important matters' Maria had with her.

"Alright then. We'll talk there." She nodded at the bodyguards who took a step outside. She then looked down at her feet and murmured, "I take it you don't want shoes on the floor."

Auralia looked at the older woman's feet, seeing she was wearing high heels. "Yes, I ask that you please take your shoes off. The mats are clean."

Maria nodded her head in understanding and held out a well-manicured hand. "Could you be a dear?"

"Sure."

Auralia took the woman's hand into hers, holding her steady as she removed her high heels, lifting one foot at a time. She then handed the shoes to Auralia who placed them in the nearby locker she had made specifically for shoes.

The two women then made their way across the room to Auralia's small office, Auralia opening the door for the older woman and letting her walk in first. She then guided the woman to a seat before taking the one she had been sitting in moments ago.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Auralia asked, knowing her father would turn in his grave if she didn't offer a guest some refreshments.

"No dear. I'm fine, thank you."

"Alright then. May I ask why you came here today?"

"Of course." Maria paused for a second, opening her handbag and pulling out some documents. "I came here today because I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal?"

"Yes…" The woman paused again. "Before I continue talking, we're at an understanding that everything said in this room will stay between the two of us."

Auralia felt a bit of panic flood her, wondering what the proposal could be that Maria would want to keep it a secret. She hoped it was legal at least and nothing that would harm her.

"Of course." Auralia finally answered, mentally waving away all the worst case scenarios that popped into her head.

"Good…Now as I was saying, I have a proposal for you. One that you might be interested in. You see I'm in need of a bodyguard for my son, Alexander, and you fit my requirement perfectly."