Eva stood in the corner of her tiny kitchen, staring at her phone. The missed calls from her mother glared back at her like accusations. She had avoided returning them for days now, knowing full well what the conversation would entail.
Her mother would ask about her new life, her job, and why Eva had suddenly decided to leave her hometown so abruptly. She'd probe, and Eva wasn't sure she could keep up the vague responses much longer.
With a resigned sigh, Eva hit the call button. It rang twice before her mother picked up.
"Eva!" Her mom's voice was warm but carried a hint of worry. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us."
"Of course not, Mom," Eva replied, forcing a smile she hoped carried through her voice. "I've just been busy settling in."
"Busy? With what? You haven't even told us what you're doing over there."
Eva hesitated, gripping the edge of the countertop. "I, um, I'm working as a personal assistant."
"An assistant? To who?"
"Just a businessman," Eva said quickly, hoping to keep the details vague.
Her mother wasn't satisfied. "What kind of businessman? And why did you have to move so far away for it?"
"Mom," Eva interjected, her tone firmer now, "it's a good job, and it's helping me move on. Isn't that what you and Dad wanted?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line before her mother spoke again, her voice softer this time. "We just want you to be happy, Eva. Losing Adam was hard on all of us, but especially you. I just hope you're not running from your grief."
Eva swallowed the lump in her throat, her free hand clenching into a fist. "I'm not running, Mom. I'm trying to move forward."
Her mother sighed. "Okay, sweetheart. Just… promise me you'll keep in touch more, okay? And maybe consider letting us visit."
"I will," Eva said, though the words felt like a lie.
After saying their goodbyes, Eva ended the call and leaned against the counter, her head falling into her hands. Talking about Adam always left her feeling raw, like an old wound that refused to heal.
She didn't have time to dwell on it, though, because her phone buzzed with a message from Nathan.
Nathan Burns
Be in my office in five minutes.
Nathan looked up as Eva entered his office, her expression cautious.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, closing the door behind her.
"Yes," he said, motioning for her to sit. "We need to strategize for this weekend."
Eva frowned. "What's happening this weekend?"
"My mother is hosting a charity gala," Nathan explained. "It's one of the most publicized events of the year, and naturally, she expects me to attend. With you."
Eva blinked. "Another public appearance already? Don't you think that's a bit… rushed?"
Nathan smirked. "The point is to convince people we're a couple, Eva. Couples don't disappear after one dinner."
She crossed her arms, giving him a skeptical look. "And what exactly am I supposed to do at this gala? I'm not exactly trained in mingling with high society."
"I'll coach you," Nathan said, leaning back in his chair. "You'll be fine."
Eva wasn't so sure. "What if someone figures out this is all fake?"
"They won't," Nathan said confidently. "As long as you stick to the story we agreed on and follow my lead, no one will suspect a thing."
Eva sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I hope you're right."
Nathan studied her for a moment before his expression softened. "You did well at the dinner, Eva. I wouldn't have asked you to do this if I didn't think you could handle it."
She looked at him, surprised by the unexpected compliment. "Thanks, I guess."
Later that evening, Eva found herself rifling through her closet, trying to decide what to wear for the gala. Nathan had mentioned something about formal attire again, but her wardrobe was severely lacking in that department.
Her phone buzzed on the bed, and she picked it up to see a message from Nathan.
Nathan Burns
I'll have something sent over for you tomorrow. Don't stress.
Eva sighed, part of her relieved and part of her annoyed by his presumptuousness. Of course Nathan Burns would assume he could just take care of everything.
Still, she couldn't deny that it was one less thing to worry about.
Meanwhile, Nathan was in his own apartment, nursing a drink and trying to ignore the looming shadow of his father's disapproval. Richard Burns had always been a dominating presence in his life, and the charity gala was just another opportunity for him to criticize Nathan's choices—both personal and professional.
This time, though, Nathan had a plan. Bringing Eva wasn't just about convincing his family he was settling down; it was about showing his father that he didn't need to fit into the mold Richard had tried to force him into for years.
For the first time in a long while, Nathan felt like he had some control over the narrative.
But as he stared out at the city lights, a nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him that control was fleeting. And if this charade with Eva fell apart, it wouldn't just be his reputation on the line—it would be hers, too.