Eva stared at her phone, the missed call from her mother still lighting up the screen. She sighed, placing it face down on her desk. She wasn't ready to deal with that conversation—not yet. Work had always been her escape, and right now, she needed the distraction more than ever.
Her focus shifted to the long to-do list Nathan had emailed her at 6 a.m. Sharp. As daunting as it looked, she found comfort in the structure of it. With a deep breath, she dove into her tasks, starting with a series of scheduling changes for Nathan's upcoming gala appearances.
Nathan's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Eva, in my office. Now."
Her heart jumped. She grabbed her tablet and made her way to his office, trying to push aside the lingering anxiety from the text her mom had sent the night before.
Nathan stood by the windows when she entered, his back to her. The morning sunlight poured in, illuminating the tension in his shoulders. Without turning around, he spoke. "We need to talk about the gala."
Eva nodded, keeping her voice steady. "Of course. I've already started working on your guest list and RSVPs."
He finally turned to face her, his gaze sharp. "Forget about the guest list for now. I need you to be prepared for what's coming."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Nathan sighed, leaning against his desk. "The gala isn't just another event. It's a chance for my family to put me under a microscope, to scrutinize everything I say and do. And, by extension, they'll scrutinize you."
Eva blinked, processing his words. "You think they'll… interrogate me?"
"Not directly," Nathan said, a hint of frustration in his tone. "But they'll observe. Every glance, every word you speak—it'll be cataloged and analyzed. My mother and grandfather especially. They want proof that I'm… serious."
Eva's stomach twisted. "And what happens if I don't live up to their expectations?"
Nathan's gaze softened, just slightly. "You'll do fine, Eva. You're smart, quick on your feet. Just… be yourself."
Be herself? The idea seemed almost laughable. She had spent the past three years trying to figure out who she even was. But she nodded anyway. "Okay. I'll be ready."
By the time lunch rolled around, Eva had barely made a dent in her work. Her mind kept drifting to Nathan's words—and to the unsettling pressure she felt building around the gala. She decided to grab a quick bite at the café across the street, hoping a change of scenery would help clear her head.
As she sipped her coffee, her phone buzzed on the table. Another text from her mom.
Mom: Eva, we need to talk. It's important.
Eva set the phone down with a sigh, her appetite vanishing. She knew she couldn't avoid her mother forever, but the thought of explaining her new life—the job, the city, the fake relationship—felt impossible.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone sliding into the seat across from her. She looked up to see Melanie, the receptionist, grinning at her.
"Hope you don't mind," Melanie said, setting down her latte. "You looked like you could use some company."
Eva forced a smile. "Thanks. I was just… thinking."
"About work?" Melanie asked, taking a sip of her drink. "Or is this about your boss?"
Eva blinked. "What?"
Melanie laughed. "Oh, come on. Everyone in the office can see the way he looks at you. It's like he's trying not to stare but failing miserably."
Heat rose to Eva's cheeks. "That's not true. He's my boss. It's strictly professional."
Melanie shrugged. "If you say so. But just a heads-up—he's not exactly known for keeping things professional."
Eva frowned, a strange knot forming in her chest. "What do you mean?"
Melanie hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "Let's just say Nathan has a reputation. He's charming, sure, but he's left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. I'd hate to see you get hurt."
Eva forced a laugh, trying to ignore the unease creeping up her spine. "Trust me, there's nothing to worry about. I'm not interested in him like that."
Melanie nodded, but her expression remained skeptical. "Alright. Just be careful."
Nathan paced his office, his mind restless. He had spent the morning reviewing reports and approving proposals, but his focus kept drifting back to Eva. Her quiet determination, her sharp mind—it was starting to get under his skin in a way he hadn't anticipated.
He sat down at his desk, pulling up the list of gala attendees on his laptop. The list was long, filled with names of business associates, family friends, and influential figures. But it was the family section that made his stomach churn.
His father's name stared back at him, a stark reminder of the fractured relationship they shared. The man had been absent for most of Nathan's life, yet he always managed to insert himself into the moments that mattered most. The thought of seeing him again—of enduring his thinly veiled criticism—filled Nathan with a familiar sense of dread.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Eva stepped in, her tablet in hand.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, her tone tentative. "I just wanted to confirm a few details about the gala."
Nathan gestured for her to sit, leaning back in his chair. "Go ahead."
As she rattled off questions about seating arrangements and menu options, Nathan found himself watching her more closely. There was a quiet strength about her, a resilience that intrigued him. He wondered what kind of life she had left behind to end up here.
"Eva," he said suddenly, cutting her off mid-sentence.
She looked up, startled. "Yes?"
"Why did you take this job?"
The question seemed to catch her off guard. She hesitated, then said, "I needed a change. A fresh start."
Nathan studied her, sensing there was more to the story. But he didn't press. "Well, you've proven yourself so far. Keep it up."
Eva nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "Thank you."
As she left the room, Nathan leaned back in his chair, his thoughts swirling. There was something about Eva—something he couldn't quite put his finger on. And for the first time in a long time, he found himself wanting to know more.