Chapter Eighteen

Eva's mind was racing as she tried to think of who could have sent the message. She had been so careful to cover her tracks, but somehow, someone had still managed to discover her plan.

She quickly typed out a response, trying to play it cool. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she wrote.

But as she sent the message, Eva couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in trouble. Who was this mysterious person, and what did they want from her?

Just as she was starting to get really worried, Eva's phone buzzed again. "Don't play dumb, Eva," the message read. "I have proof of what you did. Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th street at 2pm if you want to keep your secret safe."

Eva's heart was racing as she read the message. Who was this person, and what kind of proof did they have? She knew she had to go to the meeting to find out.

As she arrived at the coffee shop, Eva saw a figure sitting in the corner, sipping on a latte. It was a woman with long, curly hair and a sly smile on her face.

"Hello, Eva," the man said, beckoning her over. "I've been waiting for you."

Eva's instincts were telling her to run, but her curiosity got the better of her. She sat down across from the woman, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Who are you?" Eva asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"My name is not important," the man replied. "What's important is that I know your secret, Eva. And I'm willing to keep it safe... for a price."

Eva's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. "What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

The man smiled, taking a sip of her latte. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want, Eva. I want what you've been trying to take from Clara."

Eva's eyes widened, her heart sinking. "How did you...?"

The man leaned forward, her voice taking on a menacing tone. "Let's just say I have my ways. And now, I have the upper hand. You see, Eva, I've been watching you. I know all about your little plan to sabotage Clara. And I must say, I'm impressed. You're quite the schemer."

Eva felt a chill run down her spine. She knew she had to think fast, or risk losing everything.

"What do you want me to do?" Eva asked, trying to stall for time.

The man smiled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement, Eva. You see, I have a little proposition for you. Are you interested?"

Eva hesitated, unsure of what to do. But something about the woman's tone made her feel like she had no choice.

"Yes," Eva said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man leaned forward, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Good. I thought you'd see it my way. Now, let's discuss the details..."

The man leaned in closer, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Here's the deal, Eva. I want you to help me take down Clara. But not in the way you think. I don't want you to sabotage her or hurt her in any way. No, I want you to help me make her fall in love with me."

Eva's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why would I do that?"

The man smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Because, Eva, I have something you want. Something that will make all your dreams come true. And I'm willing to give it to you, if you help me get Clara."

Eva's mind was racing. What could this man possibly have that would make her willing to help him? And what did he mean by "make Clara fall in love" with him?

"What is it that you have?" Eva asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

The man leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have the power to make Ethan fall in love with you. To make him forget all about Clara and want you instead."

Eva's eyes widened in shock. This was what she had been wanting all along. But at what cost?

"What do I have to do?" Eva asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, it's quite simple really. All you have to do is help me get close to Clara. Help me gain her trust. And then, I'll take care of the rest."

Eva hesitated, unsure of what to do. But the prospect of having Ethan all to herself was too tempting to resist.

"Okay," Eva said finally, her voice firm. "I'll do it."

The man smiled again, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Excellent. I knew you'd see it my way. Now, let's get started…"

The man leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face. "I'll give you all the details, Eva. But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Ryder, and I've been watching Clara for a while now."

Eva's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What did Ryder want with Clara? And why was he so interested in making her fall in love with him?

"What do you want with Clara?" Eva asked, her voice firm.

Ryder chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Eva. I want what everyone wants. I want to be loved. And I think Clara is the perfect person to give me that love."

Eva raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And why do you need my help?"

Ryder leaned forward, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Because, Eva, I need someone on the inside. Someone who can help me get close to Clara, who can help me gain her trust. And that someone is you."

Eva hesitated, unsure of what to do. But the prospect of having Ethan all to herself was still tempting her.

"What's in it for me?" Eva asked, her voice firm.

Ryder smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Eva. I think we've already discussed that. You'll get Ethan, and I'll get Clara. It's a win-win situation."

Eva nodded, her mind made up. She would do whatever it took to get Ethan, even if it meant helping Ryder get Clara.

"Okay," Eva said finally, her voice firm. "I'll do it. 

Eva nodded, her mind made up. She would help Ryder, no matter what it took.