Chapter 6: Unexpected Turns

The days that followed were... complicated.

Jaden kept his word, showing up at Emilia's studio at odd hours with coffee, ideas, and, occasionally, uninvited critiques. Emilia tried to keep her guard up, but he had a way of getting under her skin.

"You call this bold?" he asked one afternoon, pointing at a half-finished painting.

Emilia shot him a glare. "Do you ever just say 'nice work' like a normal person?"

Jaden smirked. "Normal is boring."

She rolled her eyes and went back to work, but she couldn't deny that his pushy attitude had forced her to take risks she wouldn't have taken otherwise. And, annoyingly, some of those risks were paying off.

One Evening at the Studio

It was nearly 10 PM, and the city outside was quiet. Emilia was finishing a new piece when Jaden, as usual, popped in without knocking.

"Ever heard of boundaries?" she muttered, not even looking up.

"Boundaries are for strangers," he replied, setting down a bag of takeout.

She finally turned to him, her brow furrowing. "What's this?"

"Dinner. Figured you hadn't eaten."

Emilia's stomach growled, betraying her. She grabbed the bag with a sigh. "Thanks, I guess."

Jaden leaned against the counter, watching as she opened the food. "So, tell me—what's the deal with this?" He nodded toward the painting she was working on.

It was a landscape, but not the kind she usually did. The colors were darker, the lines sharper, and there was a strange tension in the way the elements clashed.

"It's... complicated," Emilia said, avoiding his gaze.

Jaden tilted his head. "Everything you paint has a story. What's this one?"

She hesitated. She wasn't used to talking about the personal side of her art, especially not with someone like him. But something about the way he asked made her feel like she could trust him.

"It's about my mom," she said finally. "She passed away when I was a kid. This is... what I remember about her."

Jaden's expression softened, the usual smugness fading. "It's powerful," he said quietly. "Raw. Honest."

For once, Emilia didn't roll her eyes at his comments. Instead, she looked at the painting again, seeing it in a new light.

The Next Day

Jaden called her early in the morning, his voice filled with excitement.

"Get dressed. I'm picking you up in an hour," he said.

"What? Why?"

"Trust me," he replied, and then he hung up.

Emilia sighed, already regretting whatever this was. But true to his word, Jaden showed up exactly an hour later, driving a sleek black car that looked like it belonged in a movie.

"This better be good," she said as she climbed in.

"Oh, it is," Jaden said, grinning.

He didn't tell her where they were going, but when they pulled up to a massive art gallery in the city's high-end district, her heart skipped a beat.

"This is—"

"Yeah," Jaden interrupted, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I pulled a few strings. The director's agreed to meet with you."

Emilia stared at him, unsure whether to feel grateful or overwhelmed. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I believe in you," he said simply. "And because I'm curious to see what happens when the world finally sees what you're capable of."

Inside the Gallery

The meeting went better than Emilia could've hoped. The director loved her work, praising its emotional depth and unique perspective. By the time they left, Emilia had secured a slot in an upcoming showcase.

As they walked back to the car, she turned to Jaden. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Don't," he said, his tone light. "Just keep painting like you mean it."

For once, Emilia smiled at him without a hint of sarcasm. "You're not so bad, you know."

"Careful," Jaden teased. "I might start thinking you like me."

She rolled her eyes, but this time, it felt more playful than annoyed.