Nathan felt oddly satisfied as he leaned back in his chair, the signed contract displayed on his tablet. He had expected some resistance from Eva, and she hadn't disappointed with her sharp questions and hesitations. But in the end, she had agreed, and that was all that mattered.
Now came the hard part—convincing his family and the media that he had, against all odds, fallen for someone as grounded and unassuming as Eva Blackwell.
The thought made him smirk. It was a stark contrast to the women his name had been linked with in tabloids over the years: heiresses, actresses, models. All dazzling, all fleeting.
Eva was none of those things. That was why this would work.
Eva, meanwhile, sat at her kitchen table, staring at the copy of the contract she had printed out. It felt official now, more real than the conversation in Nathan's office.
She had never done anything like this before. Pretending to be someone she wasn't, lying to an entire family, stepping into a world she knew nothing about—it was overwhelming.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Nathan Burns
We'll start tomorrow. Be ready by 7 PM. Formal attire. I'll send a car.
She exhaled slowly, nerves curling in her stomach. This was really happening.
The next evening, Eva stood in front of her full-length mirror, tugging at the hem of her dress. Nathan had been vague about the details, simply instructing her to wear something formal, but she hoped her sleek black gown would suffice.
Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she had opted for minimal makeup—just enough to look polished without overdoing it.
When the black town car arrived, she felt a rush of anxiety as she stepped inside, clutching her small evening bag. The driver greeted her with a polite nod before pulling away from the curb.
As they drove through the city, Eva couldn't help but wonder what she was walking into. Nathan hadn't provided any specifics about the event, only that it was "important."
When they arrived at the venue, Eva's breath caught. The grand hotel in front of her was nothing short of opulent, its marble facade glowing under the soft light of chandeliers visible through towering windows.
The driver opened her door, and Eva stepped out, her heels clicking against the polished stone walkway. Nathan was waiting for her near the entrance, dressed in a sharp black tuxedo that made him look even more intimidatingly handsome.
He gave her a once-over, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "You clean up nicely, Miss Blackwell."
Eva straightened her shoulders, determined not to let his charm rattle her. "You're not so bad yourself."
Nathan chuckled, offering his arm. "Shall we?"
She hesitated for a split second before taking his arm, her fingers lightly resting against the smooth fabric of his sleeve.
The ballroom was a spectacle of wealth and elegance. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, and soft classical music played in the background. Waiters in crisp uniforms weaved through the guests, offering champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
Eva felt out of place almost instantly, but Nathan's steady presence beside her was oddly reassuring.
He leaned down slightly, his voice low. "Remember, you're my girlfriend tonight. Stay close and follow my lead."
Eva nodded, her heart pounding.
Nathan guided her through the crowd with ease, greeting people with practiced charm. He introduced Eva as his girlfriend, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back—a detail that didn't go unnoticed by the other guests.
She played her part, smiling and nodding, though she felt like she was in over her head. The conversations were a whirlwind of business jargon, family gossip, and thinly veiled attempts to pry into their relationship.
"How did you two meet?" one woman asked, her diamond necklace glittering under the light.
Nathan didn't miss a beat. "It was serendipitous," he said smoothly. "She walked into my office one day, and I knew she was different. Smart, grounded—everything I didn't know I was looking for."
Eva felt her cheeks heat under the weight of the compliment, even though she knew it was all part of the act.
"And you, my dear?" the woman pressed, turning to Eva. "What drew you to Nathan?"
Eva hesitated, her mind scrambling for an answer. But Nathan's hand squeezed hers lightly, grounding her.
"He's… persistent," she said finally, earning a low chuckle from Nathan. "And surprisingly genuine when you get past the exterior."
The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but didn't press further.
As the evening wore on, Eva began to relax—at least a little. Nathan's confidence was contagious, and his ability to deflect probing questions with ease made her job easier.
But just when she thought she was getting the hang of it, a voice cut through the crowd, sharp and familiar to Nathan.
"Nathan Burns."
Nathan stiffened, his easy demeanor shifting as an older man approached them. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, and his suit was immaculate, but his piercing gaze was what caught Eva's attention.
"Father," Nathan said, his tone cool.
Eva's heart sank. She hadn't been prepared for this.
"And who is this?" Nathan's father asked, his eyes narrowing as they landed on her.
"This is Eva," Nathan said, his arm sliding around her waist. "My girlfriend."
The older man's expression barely shifted, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that made Eva's skin prickle.
"Interesting," he said, his tone laced with skepticism. "I wasn't aware you were seeing someone seriously."
"It's recent," Nathan said smoothly. "But I'm happy. Isn't that what matters?"
His father's lips thinned, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention to Eva.
"And what do you do, Miss…?"
"Blackwell," Eva supplied. "I'm Nathan's personal assistant."
The faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he said nothing, simply nodding before excusing himself.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Eva turned to Nathan, her voice low. "Your father doesn't like me."
Nathan shrugged, his jaw tight. "He doesn't like anyone."
By the time the event ended, Eva was exhausted. She hadn't realized how draining it would be to keep up the facade, to smile and nod and pretend like she belonged in Nathan's world.
As the car pulled up to her apartment building, she turned to him. "Was that convincing enough for you?"
Nathan smirked. "You did well, Miss Blackwell. Better than I expected."
She rolled her eyes, stepping out of the car. "Goodnight, Mr. Burns."
As she walked toward her building, she felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, pride, and an underlying sense of unease.
This was just the beginning, and she had a feeling it was only going to get more complicated from here.