Uncertain choices

Alisia sat at the kitchen table, staring at her phone. Ethan's offer weighed heavily on her mind, the promise of financial stability and career growth tempting her in ways she hadn't expected. But something about it gnawed at her, a small voice in the back of her head urging caution. She couldn't shake the feeling that rushing into this decision might be a mistake. The stakes were too high, especially with her father's situation looming over them both.

She glanced across the room to where her father, Gram, was busy fixing himself a cup of coffee. He looked tired, worn down by the weight of the debt he had kept hidden for so long. The memory of that man in their basement still sent shivers down her spine. Alisia hadn't told him about Ethan's offer yet, but she knew it was time.

"Dad?" she called softly, breaking the silence between them.

Gram turned around, his eyes flicking toward her with a hint of curiosity. "What's up, sweetheart?"

She hesitated, unsure of how to begin. Finally, she placed her phone on the table and leaned forward. "I... I need to talk to you about something. It's about a job offer."

"A job offer?" Gram set his mug down and pulled out the chair across from her. "What kind of job?"

Alisia took a deep breath. "It's from Ethan. You know, the guy Jenny and I met with yesterday? He offered me a position at his family's company. It's in IT, and he said I'd be working with them for five years, learning and helping their business grow. He mentioned a good salary and benefits."

Gram's face softened with interest, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. "That sounds like a big opportunity, but... five years is a long time. What exactly would you be doing for them?"

"That's the thing," Alisia said, fidgeting with the edge of her phone case. "He didn't go into a lot of detail. He just said I'd learn and apply my knowledge to help them grow. I'd be working in tech, maybe programming, maybe cybersecurity—he wasn't super specific. And with everything going on... I feel like it might be my best chance to help pay off your debt."

Her voice trailed off, and Gram's expression darkened slightly. He sighed, rubbing his forehead as if trying to gather his thoughts. "Alisia, I never wanted you to feel responsible for my mistakes. You're young. You've got your whole future ahead of you. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your education or your dreams to dig us out of this mess."

"But it's not just your mess, Dad," Alisia said, her voice trembling with frustration. "We're in this together, and if I can do something to help—"

"I know," Gram interrupted gently, his hand reaching across the table to take hers. "I know you want to help, and I appreciate that more than you know. But this offer from Ethan... are you sure it's what you want? Have you considered all the angles?"

Alisia blinked. "What do you mean?"

Gram leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his coffee mug. "Ethan's family might be wealthy, but money isn't everything. You need to think about what kind of company they are. What are their values? What do they expect from you? Five years is a big commitment, and if you sign that contract, it'll shape the course of your life."

Alisia hadn't thought of it that way. Ethan had made the offer sound appealing—like an easy solution to her problems. But her father was right. She needed to know what she was getting into before making a decision this big.

"There's something else," Gram continued, his voice softer now. "I've been meaning to tell you this, but I didn't want to add more stress to your plate. Some of my old friends, the ones I used to work with back when I was a manager at the firm, have offered to help. They've got connections in various fields—one of them even manages a software house. They said they might be able to help me figure out the debt situation... and maybe even help you find a better job or opportunity."

Alisia's eyes widened. "Really? Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I didn't want to rely on them," Gram admitted, his gaze dropping to the table. "But after everything that's happened, I realized I can't fix this on my own. I've been too proud, too stubborn, and that's made things worse. But if they can help, maybe we can find a way out of this without you having to tie yourself to something long-term."

Alisia felt a wave of relief wash over her. Her father wasn't alone, and neither was she. There were people who could help them—people with experience and connections that might offer a better solution than rushing into Ethan's contract.

"So... you think I should turn down Ethan's offer?" she asked, her voice tentative.

Gram shook his head. "I'm not saying that. I just want you to weigh all your options before making a decision. You've got talent, Alisia. You don't have to settle for the first offer that comes your way, even if it sounds good on paper."

Alisia nodded, her mind buzzing with thoughts. She had been so focused on fixing everything herself, on finding a quick solution, that she hadn't stopped to consider the bigger picture. Ethan's offer was tempting, but it wasn't her only option.

After a moment of silence, she stood up from the table, her resolve hardening. "I need to talk to Ethan," she said. "I can't make a decision until I know more."

Gram smiled, a look of pride flickering across his face. "That's my girl. Take your time. You've got people who believe in you, including me."

She smiled back at him, grateful for his support. Even though they were both struggling, they were still a team—and that gave her the strength to face whatever was coming.

Later that afternoon, after pacing her room and running over the conversation in her mind, Alisia finally picked up her phone. Her fingers hovered over Ethan's contact for a moment before she pressed the call button.

It rang twice before he picked up.

"Hey, Alisia," Ethan's smooth voice greeted her. "I wasn't expecting a call so soon. Have you thought about my offer?"

"I have," Alisia said, taking a deep breath. "But before I can make a decision, I need to discuss a few things with you."

There was a pause on the other end, and then Ethan's tone became more serious. "Of course. What do you want to talk about?"

Alisia gathered her thoughts, determined to approach this as professionally as possible. "I need more details about what the job entails. What exactly would I be doing? What are the expectations? I also want to know more about your company's values and the kind of work environment I'd be stepping into."

Ethan chuckled softly, though there was no trace of condescension in his voice. "Fair questions. I like that you're being thorough. Why don't we meet in person to go over everything? We can sit down and I'll explain it all."

Alisia hesitated. Meeting in person felt like a bigger commitment, but she knew she needed to have all the information before deciding. "Alright," she agreed. "When and where?"

"I'll text you the details," Ethan replied. "Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?"

"Yeah, that works," Alisia said, her stomach tightening at the thought of the upcoming meeting.

"Great. I'm looking forward to it," Ethan said, and there was a warm, genuine note in his voice that made Alisia feel a bit more at ease. "I think you'll find this opportunity is exactly what you need."

After they hung up, Alisia stood by the window, watching the clouds drift by as the sun set. She was about to step into unknown territory, and though she felt a surge of nervousness, there was also a flicker of hope. This might be the chance she needed to turn her life around, to help her father and secure her future.

But as she thought back to their conversation, a small, nagging feeling of doubt lingered. Ethan seemed genuine, and his offer was generous, but something about it still felt... off.

Shaking her head, Alisia reminded herself that she wouldn't rush into anything. Tomorrow's meeting would give her more clarity. Until then, she would focus on preparing herself for whatever was coming next.

Little did she know, this decision would lead her down a path filled with twists and betrayals she couldn't yet foresee.