Mr. Rodrigo didn't seem very shocked that Sam's dad was concerned about that term. It was a very commonly asked question for their company. However, he seemed hesitant to answer him. He was partially afraid that he would scare them off, because part of that term has to do with danger associated with the job.

He had been quietly pondering how to answer this question if it was asked the whole time, yet still wasn't too sure how to answer it. He had to give them a response though, and taking more time to think would definitely seem suspicous. And so, he decided to give them a honest response.

He cleared his throat before replying, "This is to assure the client's safety, as well as your own. As you know, bodyguards usually have access to a lot of personal information regarding the client, as well as where they live, etc. We have this term to ensure that no personal information is leaked regarding the client, that could possibly endanger them or their personal life."

Sam's parents seemed satified with this answer and processed the information in silence for a while, before Sam's mom spoke up. "Mr. Rodrigo, can you explain to me the part where you said that it also ensures our safety? I didn't quite understand that."

Mr. Rodrigo wiped his sweaty palms on his expensive dress pants under the table, hoping that they would just sign the goddamn contract already. He had never been so worried or anxious in his entire life, not even when he'd been waiting for the doctors' diagnosis on his wife, who had been diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer.

He took a deep breath, mind racing. He carefully replied, "Well, if you don't know any information that could be used against us, then you wouldn't be in danger, as our enemies are quite ruthless and will torture people for information. As they say, the less you know, the safer you are."

He prayed that they wouldn't be too concerned for Sam's safety. She was practically his only hope. As Sam's parents took in this new information, he glanced over at Sam. She almost seemed just as anxious and worried as he was, and was staring at the ground.

At that moment, Sam's dad spoke up again. "We'll sign the contract if you change it to a contract for 1 year. After that, we'll decide whether we want to renew it or if we want to work somewhere else." Mr. Rodrigo let out a small sigh of relief and became all smiles. "Alright, I have no problem with that."

He took out a different contract from his briefcase and handed it to Sam's parents along with two pens. "We need you both to sign the contract as well, since Sam is still a minor." They nodded and Sam's mom took the contract. They quickly scammed over it again, before she put down her signature.

Just as Sam's dad was about to sign it, he creased his eyebrows and frowned. He looked up at Sam, who was nervously fidgeting in her seat, barely able to sit still. He asked, "Sam, are you okay with this? If you don't want this job, we can always apply somewhere else or choose a different career path."

Sam looked up, heart pounding in her throat, and seemed to consider what he'd said. Mr. Rodrigo felt cold sweat run down the back of his neck. If she said no, her parents would definitely listen to her and his daughter would have to live in constant danger and fear.

He didn't want her to have to worry about her safety or her life. He'd sworn to keep her safe after his wife died. Yet it seemed that he was constantly failing, no matter how hard he tried. And he was so busy that he barely spent any time with her, causing them to grow distant.

It wasn't her fault though, it was his. He didn't know how to approach her and felt scared to make things worse, so he just never did. He felt like he owed her, so he tried to make more money. It was also his fault that she had to live in constant danger and fear, since he had expanded the business.

Big enough to be targeted by gangs and mafias. She was just an innocent girl, and it hurt him to even think about her being kidnapped or hurt. He had no doubt that he would pay any amount of ransom for her back. He would even give up his life if it were nessesary. He unconsciously held his breath as he waited for Sam to make her decision.

In the end, Sam decided to take this chance. She looked up her dad's concerned expression and said, "I'm fine with it, dad." He gazed at her, and asked her to confirm it. "You're really sure? There's no backing out after we sign this, unless you ended up with a life-threatening injury."

She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and said in a steady voice, "I'm sure." Mr. Rodrigo exhaled slowly, calming himself as he watched Sam's dad scrawl down his signature. Two down, one to go, he told himself. Now all he had to do was to get Sam to sign it. It still wasn't too late for her to change her mind.

Sam's dad passed the contract over to Sam, and she took it from his outstretched arm. She put it onto the smooth surface of the table, then picked up the pen Mr. Rodrigo had handed to her earlier. All the adults in the room watched her intently as she slowly wrote down her signature.

She handed it over to Mr. Rodrigo after she was finished. 

He couldn't believe that it was finally over.