CHAPTER 4
The Offer
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The shrill sound of Xia Zhao's alarm pierced through the silence of her apartment.
Still half-asleep, she groaned and reached blindly toward the bedside table.
"Five more minutes..." she mumbled.
The alarm continued to ring relentlessly.
With an annoyed sigh, she slapped the phone, finally silencing it.
Xia slowly pushed herself upright, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her long black hair was a complete mess, falling over her face and shoulders.
She yawned before stretching her sore muscles.
Another day.
She reached for her phone to check the time.
6:30 A.M.
As she unlocked the screen, a notification immediately caught her attention.
"1New Email"
Her sleepy expression instantly disappeared.
The sender read:
DEM Corporation & Stark Bio-Scientific Industries
Xia's heart skipped a beat.
"Noway..."her hands trembled as she hurriedly opened the email.She took a deep breath before reading aloud.
---
Hello, Xia Zhao.
Your application has been reviewed and approved.
You are required to arrive ALONE at the location below by 9:00 P.M. tonight.
DEM and Stark Workforce Program
1500 West Industrial Parkway
Washington, D.C. 20020
United States
Your first payment will be issued immediately upon your arrival at the facility.
We look forward to working with you.
Thank you.
---
For several seconds, Xia simply stared at the screen.Then a huge smile spread across her face.
"I got it..."She covered her mouth in disbelief.
"I actually got it!"
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She laughed softly before clutching the phone tightly against her chest.
Without wasting another second, she quickly freshened up ,grabbed her jacket and rushed out of the apartment.
---
Washington General Hospital was already bustling with activity when Xia arrived.
She hurried into her father's ward.
His tired eyes slowly turned toward the door.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Baba."She walked over excitedly.
"I got the job."
His eyes widened slightly.
"They acceptedme." Xia continues as she knelt beside his bed.
"The pay is huge.They said I'll receive my first payment as soon as I arrive." She gently held his frail hand.
"You won't have to stay here much longer,I'll move you back into a private room,l'll buy you the medicine you need. You just have to keep fighting father" Xia Said almost like she's pleading him.
Hao looked at her quietly.Although his voice remained weak, he managed to whisper,
"...Be...careful..."
Xia smiled warmly.
"I will."
She kissed his forehead before standing.
"I have to get to work."
"I'll come see you again tomorrow."
As she left the room, Hao continued watching the doorway long after she had disappeared.A strange feeling settled deep within his heart.
He couldn't explain it felt almost like...
A Goodbye.
By the time Xia reached the restaurant, she was already several minutes late.
She pushed open the glass door.
The familiar bell jingled overhead.
Every employee looked toward her.
"You'relate."Mr. Stowe,the manager stood behind the counter with his arms crossed.The middle-aged manager wore his usual stern expression.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stowe." Xia apologized bowing her head repeatedly
"I'll let it slide.But don't make this a habit." He said
"Yes, sir."Xia said as she quickly tied on her apron before throwing herself into work.
Morning customers poured in nonstop.
Some ordered coffee before work.
Others came for breakfast.
The lunch crowd was even worse.
She carried trays from table to table.
Refilled drinks.
Cleaned tables.
Took orders.
Smiled through her exhaustion.
By early afternoon, she finally had a chance to sit down behind the counter.
She let out a long sigh."My feet are killing me." She said to herself
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Well...if it isn't my beautiful Asian queen."
Xia rolled her eyes before even looking up.
Jake walked out of the kitchen carrying two cups of iced coffee.His messy brown hair stuck out in every direction.
"You know," Xia said, "you're lucky you're funny."
Jake placed one drink in front of her.
"And you're lucky you're cute." He said
She gave him a flat stare."Do I have to remind you that I'm older than you?"
Jake shrugged dramatically." Age is just a number."
"It's also the reason i'll never date me." Xia said with a smirk
"Ouch."
He pretended to grab his chest.
Despite her fatigue, Xia laughed.
Jake smiled."There it is."
"What?" Xia asked
"Your smile."
"I was starting to think you forgot how." Jake said.
Her smile slowly faded.
"So..."
He leaned against the counter.
"Any news about that mysterious job you applied for?"
For a brief moment, Xia hesitated.
"No."
"Nothing yet."She lied
Jake frowned.
She had looked away while answering.
"Xia." Jake called
She didn't answer.
"Look at me."he says
She slowly raised her head.
"I don't know why..but I know you're hiding something." Jake said plainly
"I'm not—" Xia tried to deny but Jake cut her off.
"You are."jake's voice remained calm.
"I just want you to know something."
"If you're in trouble..... If someone is forcing you to do things you don't want to do. You can tell me i'll help."
Xia felt a lump form in her throat, she knew Jake genuinely cared but she also knew she couldn't involve him.
If this opportunity disappeared...her father could die.
She forced a small smile.
"I'llbeokay." She said
Jake studied her face for several seconds.
Finally...
He sighed.".Just promise you'll be careful."
"I promise." Xia affirmed
Neither of them noticed Mr. Stowe quietly watching from his office window.
---
The rest of the shift passed quickly.
By the time the restaurant closed, darkness had completely covered the city.
Xia removed her apron.
She packed her belongings into her worn backpack.
This was it.
Everything was about to change.
She walked toward the exit.
"Good night, Jake."
Jake forced a smile.
"...Good night."
The bell above the door rang as Xia disappeared into the night.
Jake's smile slowly vanished.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, cracked phone.
"Come on..."He said. He was having difficulties operating the phone.
He tapped the screen several times."Stupidphone..."After a few moments, the call finally connected.
A calm manly voice answered.
"Hello, boss."
Jake's expression turned serious.
"Is everything ready?" Jake asked
"Yes." The voice replied
"Should I move in now?"
Jake glanced through the restaurant window, watching Xia disappear down the street."...Yes.Follow her.I want updates on every unusual thing she does."
A brief pause followed.
"...Understood."
The call ended.
Jake slipped the phone back into his pocket.His carefree personality had vanished completely.He looked toward the dark street once more.
"I hope.....I'm not too late."
Far ahead, Xia unknowingly walked toward the mysterious facility waiting at 1500 West Industrial Parkway.
She believed she was going to begin a new job.
She had no idea she was actually walking into an experiment that would change all of humanity.