Spilled Wine, Stolen Glances (Part 3)

The walk home felt like an eternity. The city lights blurred around Evie as she trudged through the streets, her mind replaying the events of the night over and over again. The shattered champagne glasses. Sophia's mocking laughter. Alexander Grant's icy gaze. It all felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

When she finally reached her apartment, she collapsed onto the couch, her body heavy with exhaustion. The silence of the room was a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the event, but it offered little comfort. Her mind was still racing, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and regret.

She replayed Alexander's words in her head: "You don't belong here." The words stung, not because they were cruel, but because they were true. She didn't belong in that world of wealth and power, and she never would. But what did that mean for her? For her family? She had taken the job hoping it would help her make ends meet, but now she wasn't sure if she'd even be paid after the disaster she'd caused.

As she sat there, staring at the cracked ceiling of her tiny apartment, she felt the weight of her situation pressing down on her. The medical bills. Lily's tuition. Her mother's worsening health. It was all too much, and she had no idea how she was going to fix it.

Just as she was about to give in to the tears threatening to spill over, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She picked it up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the unfamiliar number on the screen.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice trembling.

"Is this Evie Lane?" a crisp, professional voice asked.

"Yes," Evie replied, her stomach twisting with unease.

"This is Martin Hayes, Mr. Alexander Grant's assistant. Mr. Grant would like to see you tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. sharp. I'll text you the address. Don't be late."

Evie's breath caught in her throat. "W-what? Why does he want to see me?"

"That's not for me to say," Martin replied, his tone clipped. "Just be there. And dress appropriately."

Before Evie could respond, the line went dead. She stared at her phone, her mind racing. What could Alexander Grant possibly want with her? Was he going to demand compensation for the ruined suit? Or worse, was he going to sue her for the embarrassment she'd caused him?

Her hands trembled as she set the phone down, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't want to go. The thought of facing Alexander Grant again filled her with dread. But what choice did she have? If she didn't show up, she could only imagine the consequences. He was one of the most powerful men in the city, and she was… well, she was nobody.

The next morning, Evie stood in front of her closet, staring at the meager selection of clothes. She didn't own anything "appropriate" for a meeting with someone like Alexander Grant, but she did her best, settling on a simple black dress and a pair of heels she hadn't worn in years. She tied her hair back into a neat bun and applied a touch of makeup, hoping it would make her look at least somewhat presentable.

As she made her way to the address Martin had sent her, her stomach churned with anxiety. The building was a towering skyscraper in the heart of the city, its glass façade gleaming in the morning sun. Evie felt small and insignificant as she stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.

The receptionist directed her to the top floor, and Evie's heart raced as she stepped into the elevator. The ride felt like an eternity, each passing second amplifying her nerves. When the doors finally opened, she was greeted by Martin Hayes, his expression as cold and unreadable as it had been the night before.

"Follow me," he said, not waiting for her response before turning on his heel and striding down the hallway.

Evie hurried after him, her hands clenched into fists to hide their trembling. They stopped in front of a set of double doors, and Martin knocked once before opening them and stepping aside.

"Mr. Grant, Evie Lane is here," he announced, his tone formal.

Evie stepped into the room, her breath catching in her throat. The office was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. The decor was sleek and modern, all sharp lines and muted tones, but it was the man sitting behind the desk who commanded her attention.

Alexander Grant looked up from the papers in front of him, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. He was even more intimidating in the daylight, his sharp features and cold demeanor sending a shiver down her spine. He didn't speak, simply gesturing for her to sit in the chair across from him.

Evie hesitated for a moment before obeying, her hands trembling as she clasped them in her lap. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating, until Alexander finally broke it.

"Do you know why you're here?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

Evie shook her head, her throat too tight to speak.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "I have a proposition for you," he said, his tone calm but firm. "A business arrangement, if you will."

Evie's heart raced, her mind spinning with confusion. "A… business arrangement?"

"Yes," Alexander replied, his expression unreadable. "I need a wife. And you need money. It's a simple exchange."

Evie stared at him, her mind struggling to process his words. "A… wife?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander nodded, his gaze unwavering. "In name only. One year of your life, and I'll take care of all your financial troubles. Your mother's medical bills. Your sister's tuition. Everything."

Evie's breath hitched, her mind racing. It was an absurd proposition, one she would have laughed at under any other circumstances. But as she sat there, staring into Alexander's cold, calculating eyes, she realized he was serious.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Alexander's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Because you're desperate," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "And because I can trust you to keep your end of the bargain."

"No. absolutely not… I will not agree to your proposition" Evie replied mustering all her courage for refusal.

Alex remained silent for a moment, his eyes kept staring at her which unnerved Evie who thought she might have provoked him. "Why don't you take your time to consider this deal. When you have made up your mind, give me call on this number" Alex said while passing her his business card.

Evie tucked away contact card in her bag and went home.

******** Flashback ends *******

Days had passed since this incident but now that Evie's mother was hospitalised, Evie considered contacting Alex and agreeing to his proposal as she thought about her family, about the massive of debt and the endless struggles, she knew she didn't have a choice.

The next morning.

Evie took out her phone and dialed the number on Alex's contact card. Seconds passed and soon she heard a cool and majestic voice coming from the other end.

"Hello"

"I… I'll do it," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Good. Martin will handle the details. Be ready by tomorrow." Alex replied.

And just like that, Evie's life was no longer her own.