In that moment, I'll admit it. I was tempted.
The whole reason I'd been killing myself to earn money was to pay for my mother's surgery. Now a full million sat right in front of me. Who wouldn't be tempted?
The client seemed to read my mind. He pushed the entire stack of cash toward me without hesitation.
"Consider this a deposit. Take it. Go settle your mother's hospital bills first."
The room went dead silent. We just sat there, eyes locked.
After a long beat, I fished a cigarette from my pocket and lit it.
"Boss, there's one thing I still can't figure out."
"Why me?"
He smiled and answered without missing a beat.
"Because you need the money."
I searched his eyes for some kind of tell, some crack in the facade. I came up empty.
Because he was right. I needed the money. Badly.
I looked at the bills fanned out in front of me, and all I could see was my mother lying in that hospital bed.
"Fine."
I slammed my palm on the table.
"You've got yourself a deal."
The client didn't look surprised. He just gave a slight nod, as if he'd known all along how this would end.
On his way out, he stopped at the door. He turned back to face me, and something in his gaze turned razor-sharp.