chapter 1: the offer

authors POV :~

The smell of noodles always stayed on Smith’s clothes after helping in his parents’ shop. The shop was small, with only a few tables, and his parents worked hard every day just to earn enough for rent and food.

Smith was in college, the first in his family to study that far. But the tuition was expensive, and every month his parents struggled. He felt guilty whenever he saw how tired they were.

At college, his friend Adrian noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

“Smith, you look half-dead,” Adrian said, laughing. “You can’t keep going like this.”

Smith gave a small smile. “I’ll be fine. I just… don’t want to waste my parents’ efforts.”

Adrian leaned closer. “Then maybe you need another job. I know someone who can introduce you to work. The pay is very good.”

Smith frowned. “What kind of job?”

Adrian lowered his voice. “Have you heard of Mark?”

Smith thought for a moment. He had heard whispers. Mark was a dangerous man, a mafia boss who controlled many parts of the city. People feared him.

“You want me to work for him?” Smith asked.

Adrian nodded. “It’s risky, yes. But if you’re loyal, he takes care of his people. One month’s pay could cover your tuition. Maybe even help your parents with the shop.”

That night, Smith returned home. His mother gave him a bowl of noodles and smiled, though he could see the tiredness in her face. His father had already fallen asleep on a chair.

Smith ate slowly. Adrian’s words echoed in his mind.

Mark…

The name felt heavy. Dangerous. But also full of promise.

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The next morning, Smith left for class but couldn’t focus. His professor’s voice blurred into the background. Numbers and notes on the board looked meaningless. His mind kept going back to the same thought: money.

He needed it. Badly.

When the lecture ended, Adrian walked beside him. “Still thinking about it?” he asked.

Smith sighed. “It sounds insane. Why would Mark even want someone like me?”

Adrian smirked. “You’re sharp, you don’t panic easily, and you keep secrets. That’s enough. He doesn’t like cowards, and he doesn’t like liars. But if he sees something in you, he’ll keep you close.”

Smith stayed quiet. Deep down, he knew he was already leaning toward saying yes. His family needed him. He couldn’t stand watching his parents struggle anymore.

Adrian stopped walking. “I can set up a meeting. But Smith… once you enter Mark’s world, you can’t go back. Are you sure?”

Smith clenched his fists. Fear crawled through him, but he forced himself to speak.

“Yes. Set it up.”

Adrian studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Tomorrow night. Be ready.”

That evening, Smith returned home to the sound of boiling broth and the clatter of bowls. His mother was humming softly while serving noodles to a customer. His father gave him a tired smile from behind the counter.

Smith looked at them, his chest tightening. I have to do this. For them.

He didn’t know what kind of man Mark really was. He didn’t know if he would survive working for him. But he had already made his choice.

Tomorrow night, Smith would step into the world of the mafia.

And nothing would ever be the same.

—.

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