The next morning, Eva walked into the office early, determined to organize her tasks before the day's whirlwind began. Her to-do list for the gala seemed never-ending, and the weight of Nathan's expectations loomed heavy in her mind.
As she settled into her chair, her phone buzzed with a text notification.
Nathan: "Expect a delivery at your apartment this afternoon. Be ready to meet the stylists by 7 p.m."
Eva frowned at the message. Delivery? Stylists? She quickly typed a response.
Eva: "What delivery? And stylists for what?"
The reply came within seconds, as if Nathan had been waiting.
Nathan: "For the gala. You need to look the part, Eva. Let me handle it."
Her lips parted in disbelief as she stared at her phone. "Let me handle it"? That was easy for Nathan to say—he wasn't the one being made over like a Barbie doll.
By the time she got home later that afternoon, Eva was greeted by three large, elegant packages stacked neatly in the lobby. Each one bore the logo of high-end designer brands she had only ever admired from afar. The concierge smiled as she handed over a clipboard for Eva to sign.
"Big night planned?" the older woman asked, eyeing the luxurious packages.
"Something like that," Eva muttered, her cheeks flushing as she dragged the boxes upstairs to her apartment.
Once inside, she opened the packages, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. The first box contained a stunning floor-length gown in deep emerald green, its fabric shimmering faintly under the light. The neckline was daring but tasteful, with intricate beading along the bodice.
The second box revealed a matching pair of heels and a velvet clutch, while the third held an assortment of sparkling jewelry: a diamond necklace, drop earrings, and a bracelet that looked far too expensive to even touch.
Eva stared at the items, overwhelmed. She couldn't deny their beauty, but wearing something so extravagant felt…foreign.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. When she opened it, two impeccably dressed women stood on the other side, each carrying cases that looked like they belonged to professional stylists.
"Miss Eva?" one of them asked with a bright smile.
"Yes, that's me," Eva replied hesitantly.
"We're here to prepare you for tonight's gala," the woman said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Her partner followed, both of them immediately setting up their tools on the small dining table.
Eva sighed, resigning herself to the makeover. This was Nathan's doing, after all.
For the next few hours, Eva endured a flurry of activity. The stylists worked with precision, their chatter light and professional as they transformed her. Her usually simple makeup was replaced with a glamorous look: smoky eyes, dewy skin, and a bold red lip that made her feel like an entirely different person.
Her hair was styled into soft waves that cascaded over one shoulder, complementing the gown perfectly. When she finally slipped into the dress and stepped in front of the mirror, Eva barely recognized herself.
The woman staring back at her looked confident, elegant—someone who belonged in Nathan Burns's world.
"You're stunning," one of the stylists said, smiling as she adjusted the necklace around Eva's neck.
"Thank you," Eva murmured, her voice barely audible.
Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced at the screen.
Nathan: "The car will pick you up at 8. Don't be late."
Eva sighed, setting the phone down. She felt like Cinderella preparing for the ball, but unlike the fairy tale, this wasn't a magical romance. This was business.
Or at least that's what she kept telling herself.
At precisely 8 p.m., Eva stepped into the sleek black car waiting outside her apartment building. The driver greeted her politely, holding the door open as she slid into the plush leather seat.
The ride to the venue was quiet, giving Eva too much time to think. Her nerves built with every mile, the reality of what she was about to do sinking in. She wasn't just attending a gala—she was stepping into Nathan's world as his "girlfriend," a role she still wasn't entirely sure she could pull off.
When the car finally pulled up to the grand entrance, Eva's breath caught. The venue was breathtaking, its towering columns lit up against the night sky. Guests in glamorous attire milled about, their laughter and conversation filling the air.
The driver opened her door, and Eva stepped out carefully, clutching the velvet bag in her hands.
"Miss Blackwell,"a familiar voice called.
She turned to see Nathan approaching, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo. His presence was magnetic, drawing attention from everyone around them.
"Mr. Burns," Eva said, forcing a calm smile.
Nathan's eyes swept over her, lingering just long enough to make her self-conscious.
"You clean up well," he said, offering his arm.
"Thanks," she replied, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "I had a little help."
Nathan smirked but said nothing as they walked toward the entrance.
As they stepped inside, the noise of the crowd and the flash of cameras surrounded them. Eva took a deep breath, bracing herself for the night ahead.
"Ready?" Nathan asked, his voice low.
"No," she admitted honestly.
"Just stick with me," he said, his tone surprisingly reassuring. "You'll do fine."
Eva nodded, her grip tightening on his arm. For tonight, she would play the part. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into something far more complicated than she'd anticipated.