CHAPTER 4

Evelyn trudged up the stairs to her apartment, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Another day, another rejection. The weight of her failures pressed down on her, each step a reminder of her fading options.

As she fumbled with her keys, the door swung open, revealing Mia's concerned face.

Mia Chen, daughter of the CEO of Vitalis Pharmaceuticals, stood in the doorway, her long black hair ripping over her shoulders. Despite her wealthy background, evident in her designer jeans and chiffon blouse, Mia's warm brown eyes held nothing but genuine concern for her friend.

"Oh, honey," Mia sighed, pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. "No luck today either?"

Evelyn melted into the embrace of her best friend of seven years. They had met in college, an unlikely pair - the struggling orphan and the pharmaceutical heiress. But their bond had proven stronger than any social divide.

"They took one look at my resume and practically shoved me out the door," Evelyn mumbled into Mia's shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of her friend's expensive perfume.

Mia guided her friend to the worn-out couch, her Louboutin heels clicking against the floor.

She grabbed a half-empty bottle of wine from the kitchen counter which she had brought from her apartment – a vintage that cost more than Evelyn's monthly rent, but Mia never mentioned it.

It was just one of the many ways she tried to bridge the gap between their worlds.

"Their loss. You're the best bartender in the city, and they're idiots for not seeing it."

Evelyn slumped into the cushions, kicking off her shoes. "Tell that to my empty bank account and Jake's medical bills."

As Mia poured the wine, her eyes caught something peeking out of Evelyn's purse. She reached over, plucking out a business card. "Hold up. What's this?"

Evelyn's eyes widened. She lunged for the card, but Mia danced away, squinting at the lettering. "Ethan Maverick? The Ethan Maverick? How did you get this?"

Evelyn groaned, snatching the card back. "Some rude guy who thinks the world revolves around him. Wait, you know him?"

Mia's jaw dropped. "Know him? Evie, he's only one of the most wealthy and influential people in the city! How did you meet him?"

Evelyn took a long swig of wine, her nose wrinkling at the memory. "Remember that night at the Rusty Nail? The one that got me fired?"

Mia nodded, perching on the arm of the couch.

"Well, Mr. High-and-Mighty was my last customer. He was being a complete jerk, so I... may have dumped a bottle of wine on him."

Mia's eyes bulged. "You did what?"

Evelyn shrugged with a smirk playing on her lips. "He deserved it. Anyway, I ran into him again last night. Literally. He almost hit me with his car."

"And he gave you his card?" Mia leaned forward, intrigued.

"Yeah, said something about a 'mutually beneficial arrangement.' Whatever that means." Evelyn rolled her eyes, draining her glass.

Mia grabbed Evelyn's shoulders, shaking her gently. "Evie, this could be your chance! A guy like that could solve all your problems with a snap of his fingers."

Evelyn shrugged off Mia's hands, standing up. "Or create a whole bunch of new ones. I don't need his charity or his condescension."

She stretched, her muscles aching from the tension of the day. "I'm going to take a bath. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and this whole nightmare will be over."

With that, Evelyn shuffled towards the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her. Mia's eyes darted to the discarded business card on the coffee table. Her fingers twitched, indecision warring across her face. She couldn't just let her best friend throw away this lifeline, could she?

Mia snatched up the card, her heart racing as she reached for Evelyn's phone. Her thumbs flew across the screen, composing a message:

"Mr. Maverick, this is Evelyn. I've reconsidered your offer. When can we meet?"

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, then waited, drumming her fingers nervously on her thigh. The reply came faster than she'd expected:

"La Bella Rosa, tomorrow at 1 PM. Don't be late."

Mia quickly deleted the conversation history, tossing the phone back onto the couch just as the bathroom door creaked open. Evelyn emerged, wrapped in a threadbare towel, her damp hair clinging to her neck.

Mia plastered on a smile. "Feel better?"

Evelyn nodded, running a hand through her wet locks. "A little. What's got you looking so... shifty?"

Mia's eyes widened for a moment before she schooled her expression. "Oh! I just remembered something. There's another place you could try for a job. My brother's restaurant is hiring."

Evelyn's jaw dropped. "Wow, and you're just telling me about this now?"

Mia shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "It slipped my mind earlier. You know how scatterbrained I can be sometimes. Anyway, they're looking for experienced bartenders. The pay is great, and the tips are even better."

Evelyn's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect! When can I go in for an interview?"

Mia bit her lip, mentally crossing her fingers. "Actually, they have an opening tomorrow at 1 PM. I can give you the address. It's this fancy place called La Bella Rosa."

Evelyn lunged forward, enveloping Mia in a damp hug. "You're a lifesaver, Mia! I don't know what I'd do without you."

Mia hugged her back with guilt warring in her chest. "What are friends for?" she murmured, praying that her well-intentioned deception would pay off.

*************

Mia circled Evelyn, adjusting the hem of a black cocktail dress. Evelyn shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the fabric clinging to her curves. "This is the fifth dress, Mia. It's just a job interview, not a red carpet event."

Evelyn studied her reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, showcasing her slender waist. Mia had paired it with strappy silver heels and a small clutch adorned with beadwork.

Evelyn ran her fingers through her carefully styled hair. "This feels like overkill for a restaurant job."

Mia busied herself with smoothing out non-existent wrinkles on the dress. "La Bella Rosa is one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. You can't just waltz in there looking like you're applying at a fast-food joint. Trust me, this is perfect."

Evelyn sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "If you say so. I just hope I don't trip and fall flat on my face."

"Of course, not," Mia chirped, grabbing her car keys. "I'll drive you. We can't risk you getting all wrinkled on public transport."

As they pulled up to the restaurant, Evelyn's jaw dropped. The building was a masterpiece of modern architecture, all sleek lines and glittering glass. "Wow, your brother owns this place? How did I not know about this?"

Mia's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. As they approached the entrance, she suddenly stopped, her face a mask of guilt. "Evelyn, I'm so sorry. I had to do something. You were running out of options and-"

Evelyn turned to her friend, confusion written all over her face. "Sorry? What are you talking about?"

Her question was answered as she glanced through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows. Seated at a table, looking every inch the powerful businessman, was Ethan Maverick. His piercing Grey eyes locked onto hers, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Realization dawned on Evelyn's face, quickly replaced by fury. She whirled on Mia, her eyes blazing. "You set me up?"

Mia took a step back, her face pale. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to help. I have to go." With that, she turned and fled, leaving Evelyn alone in the lion's den.

"Well, well," Ethan's voice cut through the air, sharp and mocking. "I see you've decided to grace me with your presence after all."

Evelyn's cheeks burned with anger and embarrassment. "This wasn't my idea," she hissed. "As you can clearly see, I've been manipulated into this little rendezvous. So if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave now."

"Leaving so soon?" Ethan's voice sneered as lounged forward. "I wonder how many more job rejections you can handle."

Evelyn froze mid-step, her blood turning to ice. She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Those bars, those restaurants – all those perfectly reasonable excuses? My doing."

The realization hit Evelyn like a punch to the gut.

She'd visited countless establishments, each rejection more baffling than the last. Her qualifications were impeccable, her experience unquestionable. Yet doors slammed in her face, one after another. The pieces clicked into place, forming a maddening puzzle.

"You bastard," she hissed, marching back to the table. "What the hell do you want from me?"

Ethan leaned back, swirling his wine glass. "Take a seat, unless you fancy permanent unemployment. My influence runs deep, Evelyn."

Evelyn glared at him, her jaw clenched tight. She knew she had no choice. With a frustrated growl, she dropped into the chair. "Five minutes. Then I'm out of here."

Ethan pulled out his phone, sliding it across the table with his wrist. A news article glowed on the screen, its headline screaming scandal. "Quite the predicament I find myself in," he mused, tapping the screen.

Evelyn's eyes widened as she scanned the article, her mouth going dry. "What does this… How is this my problem?"

Ethan's eyes locked onto Evelyn's."It's about to become your problem. Evelyn. I need a wife. A contract marriage, to be precise. And you're the perfect candidate to help salvage my image."

"What?" Evelyn choked on the word, nearly spitting out the water she'd just sipped. "You've lost your mind. Why on earth would I agree to that insanity?"

Ethan's smile grew wider. "Desperation makes for an excellent motivator. How does five million dollars sound? For one year of marriage?"

Evelyn's jaw dropped, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She gripped the edge of the table, steadying herself. That was more money than she'd make in five lifetimes. "You can't be serious."

"Ten million," Ethan countered, as casually as if discussing the weather.

Evelyn stood abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor. "You're delusional. I won't be bought like some commodity."

As she stormed towards the exit, Ethan called out, "And what about Jake? Surely his life is worth more than your misplaced pride? Think carefully, Evelyn.”

Evelyn's steps faltered, her brother's face flashing in her mind. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

But as the cool air hit her face, a text message chimed on her phone. It was from an unknown number. With trembling fingers, she opened it:

"Final offer: Twenty million and full control over Jake's medical care. You have 72 hours to decide. Tick tock, Evelyn. Jake's time is running out."