Mr CEO And His Private Chef

"Catch her!" " Amelia's heart pounded like a drum. She ran even faster. Her feet slapped against the pavement as she darted past clusters of curious onlookers, who turned to watch her race by. Her breath came in short gasps, and her hands trembled as she gripped the strap of her bag. She didn't know how much longer she could keep running. "Stop!" " The shout caused Amelia to turn around. Two men were chasing her. Amelia turned to look ahead. Who are these people? Why are they chasing me? Amelia had never laid eyes on them before in her life. A wave of panic swept over her when she noticed a restaurant up ahead. Without thinking, Amelia slipped inside. The warm, welcoming atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the chaos of the streets. Groups of people were seated at tables, chatting and eating, seemingly oblivious to the commotion right outside the door. Amelia glanced around in desperation. A woman was sitting alone in a booth. Amelia rushed over. "Please," she begged, dropping down across from the woman. "Please, help me." " The woman glanced up from her plate, taken aback. "Are you okay?" " Before the woman could answer, the doors burst open and the two men from the street strode in. Amelia's blood turned to ice. The woman's gaze followed Amelia's, and she was startled as well to see the men come in. "Those men?" Amelia asked, fear seeping into her voice. The woman nodded. "They're after you?" the woman asked, worry written across her face. Amelia nodded, her heart thudding in her ears. "Let me just grab my things," the woman said, rising from the table. Amelia nodded, her heart pounding in her ears. " Let me just get my stuff, "the woman said, standing up from the table. She made her way to the door, ready to leave, when one of the men came up to their table. "Are you Amelia?" he asked. Amelia's heart froze in her chest. "Yes," she whispered. "Mr. Williams sent us." Her stomach clenched into knots. "You borrowed five hundred dollars from him six months ago," he said. "Remember? You promised you'd pay him back within three months. You still haven't paid him back, have you? " "I know," she said. "I just need a little more time, that's all. " "We know," the other man said. "And how many times have you said that before?" " The woman, whose name Amelia hadn't caught, turned to face the man. "How much does she owe?" she asked. "Five hundred dollars," the man answered. The woman turned to her handbag and took out her cheque book. Amelia looked on in shock as the woman rummaged through the inside of her bag. "What are you doing? "Amelia asked, by now deeply alarmed. "Paying you back," she replied simply. The woman jotted down the amount and passed the cheque to the man. "There, now leave her alone. " The two men exchanged glances, then looked down at the cheque in their hands. "Tell Mr. Williams that the debt's been paid," the woman said, her voice cold. The men walked off, leaving Amelia badly shaken but otherwise unharmed. "Thank you," she said, almost to herself. "I don't know how to thank you. " The woman smiled. "Perhaps you can. " Amelia turned to face her. "I don't know what you mean," Amelia said, her brow furrowing. "My name's Nicole," the woman said, sitting down across from Amelia. Amelia hesitated. " Amelia. " " I know, "Nicole said. The manner in which she spoke sent a chill down Amelia's spine. Nicole put her hand into her handbag, drew out a small card, and set it on the table between the two of them. " I have a job for you, "she said. Amelia's eyes narrowed. " A job? " " Yes, "Nicole said, " And before you refuse, let me explain just how well this job pays. It pays enough to change your life. " Amelia picked the card up from the table, slowly. " What sort of job is it? " The smile on Nicole's face disappeared. "That, "she said, " Is something we'll discuss in private. " Amelia stared at her in horror, understanding for the first time that night that perhaps, just perhaps, she had stumbled into something much worse than she had anticipated. Yet even so, she reflected, flipping the card over in her hands and thinking of Chloe, her sister, and the enormous medical bill hanging over her like a guillotine. She held the card more firmly. " What am I required to do? " Nicole gave a smile. " See me tomorrow. “