Chapter 3

"Evie! You look radiant!" Mrs. Jameson exclaimed when Evie came downstairs the next day, her cheeks still flushed from the gala.

"Thanks, but I'm not sure how radiant I feel," Evie said, biting her lip. "I might've made a huge mistake."

"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked, tilting her head.

"Allen Fitzgerald... he offered me a contract to be his companion for a year," Evie admitted.

"Wow! That sounds... interesting!" Her mom replied, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Interesting? It's complicated! He's a billionaire, and I'm just a teacher. What would people think, mom?" Evie said, her voice rising.

"Forget what people think! This could solve your dad's medical bills! You'd be helping him too. It's a win-win!" Stephanie argued.

"But it feels wrong. What if it turns into something I can't control?" Evie said, her heart racing.

"Life is about risks, Evie. If you don't take this chance, you'll always wonder what could have been," Stephanie said, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.

Evie bit her lip, knowing she had to make a decision.

..

A week later, Evie stood in front of Allen's penthouse. The sleek, modern architecture towered over her, and she felt small and insignificant. "Just go in," she muttered to herself, taking a deep breath before pressing the doorbell.

Allen opened the door, his smile warm and inviting. "Evelyn! You came."

"I did," she said, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "I've thought about your offer."

"And?" he prompted, stepping aside to let her in.

"I accept," she said, her heart pounding.

"I'll sign the contract," she said, surprising herself.

"Excellent! We'll work out the details. But first, how about a tour?" he asked, his excitement so real.

As he led her through the luxurious apartment, Evie couldn't help but admire the stunning views of the city. "This place is amazing," she said, awed.

"It's nothing compared to the view you'll bring," he teased, his eyes glinting.

Evie laughed, feeling a spark of connection. But as they walked past a door marked "Restricted," she felt a shiver run down her spine.

"What's behind that door?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

"Just a research facility," he replied, his tone casual.

"Research? What kind?" she pressed, sensing there was more to the story.

"Nothing you need to worry about," he said, brushing off her question.

But Evie couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he wasn't telling her.

..

Evie Jameson stood in front of her classroom, the faint sound of children's laughter echoing through the halls, a comforting backdrop to the tension simmering within her. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Five minutes until the bell rang, and the chaos of lunch would erupt. Her students, a lively bunch of fourth graders, were working on a project about their dreams for the future. She smiled at the sight of them.

Just as the school bell rang, echoing through the hallways. Children spilled out of classrooms, their laughter echoing like music. Evie forced a smile, greeting each student with a warmth that belied the turmoil inside her.

"Ms. Jameson!" squealed a girl with pigtails, her eyes wide with excitement. "Are we having art class today?"

"Of course, Mia. We're going to paint the sunset!" Evie replied, her heart swelling with affection. As the children gathered around her, she felt a fleeting sense of normalcy, but it was overshadowed by the looming darkness of her father's illness and the secrets Allen kept.

..

Days turned into weeks as Evie settled into her new role. The events were glamorous, filled with laughter and dazzling lights, but beneath the surface, she sensed an undercurrent of danger surrounding Allen. He was magnetic, and her heart began to betray her, drawing her closer to him despite her better judgment.

One evening, after a charity gala, they found themselves alone in the back of a sleek car, driven by a silent chauffeur. The city whizzed by outside, a blur of neon lights and shadows. Evie turned to him, curiosity bubbling within.

"What made you want a partner?"

Allen's gaze softened for a moment. "Isolation can be suffocating.

"I've built my empire from the ground up, but I've lost a lot along the way. I thought… maybe having someone like you around could change that."

"Change how?" she asked, her heart racing.

He looked out the window, his expression distant. "I've lost trust in people. I need someone who can… remind me of what it means to be human."

"Is that why you chose me? Because I'm… genuine?" she pressed, her heart pounding with the weight of his words.

"You're a light in a dark world, Evie," he replied, his voice low, almost a whisper.

Evie felt warmth bloom in her chest, but the shadows of his past lingered in the air between them, heavy and unspoken. She wanted to know more, but the moment was interrupted by her phone buzzing in her pocket.

"Excuse me," she said, glancing at the screen. It was Collins.

"Hey, I'm busy," she said, stepping out of the car for a moment. "What's up?"

"Evie, you need to be careful. I've heard things about Allen. He's not who he says he is."

"Collins, I can't just walk away from this. Dad needs help."

"I know, but I'm worried about you. Just promise me you'll be cautious."

"I will," she said, though doubt gnawed at her.

The weeks rolled on, and as she and Allen spent more time together, the layers of his persona began to peel back. He shared pieces of his life—his childhood in the shadows of a government program, the betrayal that had forged him into the man he was today. She listened, captivated but cautious.

"Why share this with me?" she asked one night as they sat on the balcony of his penthouse, the city sprawling beneath them like a living organism.

"Because I'm tired of living in the shadows. I want someone who knows me—who sees through the mask," he confessed, his voice hoarse with vulnerability.

"Why me?"

"Because you're different. You see beyond the surface." He paused, his gaze piercing. "You've become important to me."

Evie's breath caught in her throat. "Important how?"

"Evie…" He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. "I don't want to lose you."

Before she could respond, a sharp sound pierced the night. Pulling them back to reality.