THE DECISION

“Is everything okay?” Nathaniel asked, his voice soft but filled with concern.

I couldn’t stop staring at my phone. The name flashing on the screen made my stomach churn. Jack. What did he want now?

“I… it’s nothing,” I mumbled, turning the phone off quickly. My heart was racing, but I tried to hide it.

“Doesn’t look like nothing,” Nathaniel pressed, stepping closer. His blue eyes searched mine, as if he could see the panic I was trying to bury.

“It’s just… someone I used to know,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t push further.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he stepped back and ran a hand through his dark hair. “You’ve got one week to decide about my offer, Evelyn. Take your time.”

“One week,” I repeated quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind was spinning, but I nodded, knowing I had to think fast.

“Good. You’re smart. You’ll figure it out,” he said, flashing a small smile before turning away, walking back to the crowd in the gallery.

As he disappeared, Sam came up behind me, her eyes wide with concern. “Evelyn, what was that about? Why are you still here?!”

“Sam, I don’t know what to do. He’s offering so much money. And I need it. For my art… for everything,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Sam grabbed my arm. “But at what cost, Evie? A fake relationship? That’s dangerous. You could get hurt!”

“I know. But I don’t have much choice,” I replied, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. “I just… I need to think.”

Sam sighed and let go of my arm. “Fine. But just be careful. Nathaniel Blackwood is not the kind of guy you want to mess with.”

I nodded, but deep down, I already knew that. “Let’s get out of here,” I said, suddenly feeling exhausted by the night.

Later, at my small, cramped apartment, I paced back and forth. My phone buzzed again, and I knew who it was without even looking. Jack. This was the third time he’d tried calling since the gallery.

I finally picked up. “What do you want, Jack?” I snapped, my patience worn thin.

“Evelyn, we need to talk,” he said, his voice slurred. He’d clearly been drinking.

“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s over, Jack,” I said firmly.

“I know it’s over! I just… I heard you’re getting close to Nathaniel Blackwood. Is it true? Are you really going to be his new girlfriend?” His voice was bitter, filled with jealousy.

“That’s none of your business,” I shot back, feeling anger bubble inside me.

“You think he’s gonna care about you, Evelyn? He’ll chew you up and spit you out like the rest,” Jack sneered.

“Goodbye, Jack,” I said, hanging up before he could say anything else. My hands shook as I set the phone down.

Sam’s voice echoed in my head: “You could get hurt.”

The next few days were a blur. I tried focusing on my art, but all I could think about was Nathaniel’s offer. The money he promised, the chance to finally live without struggling. But there was more. The way he looked at me. The way he made me feel seen. And that scared me more than anything else.

One night, after hours of pacing and thinking, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed answers. I needed to know if I could really do this.

I found myself standing outside Nathaniel’s sleek penthouse building. My heart pounded as I stared up at the towering structure. The security guard recognized me from the charity gala and let me in without question.

Before I knew it, I was knocking on Nathaniel’s door.

He opened it, looking surprised but not unwelcoming. “Evelyn?”

“I need to talk,” I blurted out.

He stepped aside, allowing me in. The place was even more luxurious than I’d imagined. Tall windows, sleek furniture, and the city lights twinkling far below us.

“About the deal?” Nathaniel asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

I nodded, feeling the nervous energy build inside me. “I don’t know if I can do this, Nathaniel. Pretending… it’s not something I’m good at.”

He watched me closely. “It’s not just pretending. It’s business. You’ll be helping me, and I’ll be helping you.”

“But what if I can’t handle it? The attention, the lies…?” I asked, my voice trailing off.

Nathaniel’s gaze softened. “You’ll be fine. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t think you could do it.”

“Why me, though? You don’t even know me,” I said, stepping closer without realizing it.

“I know enough,” he replied quietly. “You’re strong, talented, and different from the women I’m usually around.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my pulse quicken. “And what if it’s not enough?”

Nathaniel moved closer, his intense blue eyes locking onto mine. “It will be enough. You’ll be enough, Evelyn.”

For a moment, the air between us felt charged. The room seemed smaller, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. Before I knew it, he was even closer, his hand brushing against mine.

“Nathaniel…” I started, but my voice caught in my throat.

His gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt the pull between us. Before I could think, before I could stop it, his lips were on mine. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and sent a jolt through my entire body.

I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t.

The kiss deepened, and suddenly, nothing else mattered. Not the deal, not the money, not the risk. Just him.

“Evelyn…” Nathaniel murmured against my lips, his hands gripping my waist. “Stay.”

I hesitated for only a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

The night passed in a blur of heat and intensity. I hadn’t planned for this to happen, but I couldn’t regret it. Not with the way Nathaniel made me feel.

In the early hours of the morning, I lay in Nathaniel’s bed, the city still asleep outside the window. He was beside me, his arm draped over my waist. For the first time in a long time, I felt… safe. But as the silence settled in, reality started to creep back in.

This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

Nathaniel stirred beside me, his voice soft and sleepy. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. But the weight of the deal, of everything, was pressing down on me again.

“Evelyn,” he said, his voice more serious now. “I meant what I said. You’ll be enough.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But deep down, I wasn’t sure if I could ever be enough for this world he lived in.

“I’ll think about it,” I whispered, already feeling the pull to leave.

As I quietly slipped out of bed and gathered my clothes, I glanced back at Nathaniel one last time. He was already asleep again, looking so peaceful and carefree.

But as I stepped out into the hallway, my phone buzzed again. This time, I didn’t need to check who it was. I knew.

Jack.

And just like that, the safety I’d felt moments ago vanished.

I stared at the message from Jack, my heart pounding. "We need to talk. I know everything."