Chapter 17: A Tempting Offer

Leaving the office, Oliver stepped into the brisk evening air, feeling a flicker of determination reignite within him. The road ahead was still fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face them.

As he made his way home, the familiar weight of his responsibilities settled on his shoulders. His current financial struggles loomed large in his mind, but he held onto the resolve he had found earlier that evening; he would find a way to make things work.

Later that night, as he sat at his small kitchen table, a familiar name lit up his phone screen: Jason. The unexpected call brought back memories of his university days, a time filled with camaraderie and late-night adventures. Jason had always been the one who seemed to skate through life, taking risks while Oliver worked diligently and followed the rules.

"Oliver! It's been ages!" Jason's voice rang out, filled with an energy that contrasted sharply with Oliver's somber mood.

"Yeah, it has. How are you?" Oliver replied, trying to keep the conversation light despite the heaviness in his heart.

"Doing well, doing well! Listen, I heard you've hit a rough patch," Jason said, cutting to the chase. "I wanted to offer you something that might help. It's a bit unconventional, but it could really turn things around for you."

Oliver's pulse quickened. He had seen the paths Jason had taken—some less than savory—and he knew what "unconventional" often entailed. "What do you mean?"

"There's an opportunity I've come across—a property deal that needs someone with your expertise. Just a bit of paperwork and signatures, and you could make a quick five figures. No major commitment, just a simple favor."

Oliver hesitated, the prospect of quick money tugging at his resolve. Five figures could provide a significant relief from his financial burdens. But he also remembered the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"Jason, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure if I want to get involved in anything that could compromise my career," Oliver said carefully, weighing his options.

Jason laughed lightly, as if Oliver were joking. "Come on! You know how these things work. Just think of it as a stepping stone. You're drowning, Oliver. This could be your lifeline."

"I've built my career on honesty and hard work," Oliver replied, firm in his convictions. "I can't just throw that away."

"Look, I get it. You're the good guy, and I respect that. But sometimes good guys need to bend the rules a bit to stay afloat. Think about it. You'll be helping me out, and you'll be in a much better position afterward. Just a few signatures, and it's all over."

Oliver's mind raced. The temptation was palpable, and he felt the tension between his determination to uphold his principles and the urgency of his situation. He couldn't ignore the reality of his circumstances, but he also didn't want to lose everything he had worked for.

"Let me think about it," he finally said, feeling the weight of the decision already pressing down on him.

"Of course! Just don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't last forever. Call me when you're ready," Jason said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of urgency.

As Oliver hung up, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off the turmoil in his mind. He had felt so resolute before the call, but now doubt seeped in. The idea of taking an easy way out gnawed at him, and he felt the struggle within himself intensifying.

He returned to the kitchen table, his thoughts swirling. The determination he had felt only hours ago seemed to waver as he weighed the implications of Jason's offer against his moral compass. What would he sacrifice for the sake of survival? Was it worth it?

The silence of the night enveloped him as he contemplated his next move. Whatever decision he made, he knew it would have a lasting impact on his life—and possibly define the man he was becoming.