Emilia was determined not to think about Jaden again. She had a gallery to manage, commissions to finish, and a reputation to maintain. The last thing she needed was a sharp-tongued stranger dissecting her every move like some kind of emotional detective.
But as fate would have it, Jaden Knight didn't seem to care about her plans.
It started with small, irritating coincidences. She saw him at a café she frequented, casually sitting in the corner with a book—though she was convinced he didn't actually read it. Then he showed up at a charity auction she attended, somehow charming half the room within ten minutes. By the time she spotted him at an art supply store, it felt less like coincidence and more like the universe had decided to mess with her.
"Are you stalking me?" she asked when they bumped into each other by the canvas aisle.
Jaden looked up from a set of brushes, his expression perfectly innocent. "Stalking implies intent," he said. "This? Pure serendipity."
"Right," Emilia said, crossing her arms. "And I suppose you just happened to need professional-grade brushes today?"
He shrugged, holding up the pack. "Turns out I've got a knack for watercolor."
Emilia narrowed her eyes, trying to figure him out. Was he serious? Was this just another one of his games? And why did she care so much? "You're unbelievable," she muttered, turning to leave.
"Wait." Jaden's voice stopped her in her tracks. "If I'm bothering you so much, why do you keep talking to me?"
She spun around, her cheeks burning. "Because you keep showing up! How am I supposed to ignore you when you're everywhere?"
Jaden's lips curved into a slow, infuriating smile. "Maybe the universe is trying to tell you something."
"Like what?"
"Like... you might need someone to keep you on your toes."
Emilia stared at him, torn between laughing and yelling. "You are so full of yourself, you know that?"
"True," Jaden admitted, his grin widening. "But I'm not wrong."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there with her pulse racing and her mind spinning.
Later That Week
By Friday evening, Emilia was sure she'd seen the last of him for a while. She was wrong.
The art gallery she worked with was hosting a private event, and Emilia was in her element, moving through the crowd, answering questions, and discussing her work. She was mid-conversation with a potential buyer when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Impressive work," Jaden said, standing at the edge of the group.
Emilia turned, her stomach flipping as she saw him. He looked too polished for her liking, his tailored suit somehow making him seem even more smug. "You're here," she said flatly.
"Wouldn't miss it," Jaden replied, holding up a glass of champagne. "Big fan of your work, remember?"
The buyer, sensing the tension, politely excused themselves, leaving Emilia and Jaden alone.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice low.
"Networking," he said easily. "Besides, I told you—I like your art."
"You like getting under my skin," she corrected.
"That too."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Look, Jaden, I don't have time for whatever this is. Some of us actually have jobs to do."
"And some of us just like to appreciate talent," he said, stepping closer. "Tell me, Emilia, do you always get this defensive when someone takes an interest in you?"
Her breath caught. It wasn't what he said—it was the way he said it, like he was peeling back layers she hadn't even realized were there.
"You don't know anything about me," she said, her voice colder than she intended.
"Not yet," he replied. "But I'm a fast learner."
Before she could respond, one of the gallery managers called her over, pulling her attention away. Emilia turned back to Jaden one last time, but he was already walking off, blending into the crowd like he belonged there.
For the rest of the night, she tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept drifting back to him—to his words, his smirk, and the way he seemed to unravel her without even trying.
Who is this guy? And why does he feel like trouble?