#4

Amy looked at me, confused and amazed. I never brought men home.

"God, I'm sorry, I'm leaving now," she stammered and started to leave.

Before I could stop her and explain, Raven intervened. He wore a conspiratorial smile as he turned to Amy.

"We have a witness to our engagement. That's wonderful," he said.

Amy's eyes darted between Raven and me, her brows furrowing in bewilderment. I couldn't resist playing along, so I flashed a mischievous smile and decided to join in on Raven's joke.

"I got engaged!" I declared, feigning excitement as I showed off the ring on my finger.

The shock on Amy's face was evident as she dropped her keys in disbelief. She struggled to process the unexpected revelation, her gaze alternating between my face and the ring.

"You did what, Eve?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.

Raven and I burst into laughter. His contagious laughter made it difficult to keep a straight face.

"We're just joking, Amy," I finally managed to say through my laughter.

But Raven's expression turned serious, and he countered, "I'm dead serious, though."

I rolled my eyes, thinking he was taking the joke too far. "Oh, stop with this already," I sighed.

Raven's smile remained unwavering as he continued, "No, really. I have to repay your kindness."

I raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure where he was going with this. "Okay, then buy me dinner or something else, but don't marry me, you psycho."

His charming smile persisted as he replied, "So you'll go out with me?"

I shook my head, dismissing his proposition. "I gave that as an example, not as a dare."

I took a deep breath, realizing that I hadn't properly introduced Raven to Amy. I gestured towards Raven and spoke, "First, Amy, this is Raven. Raven, meet Amy."

They shook hands, Amy's smile shy and uncertain as she tried to make sense of the situation. She was looking at me hoping to tell her what was going on.

"Raven wasn't feeling well, so I brought him home, and now he's leaving, right?" I explained quickly.

"Why are you acting like this, fiancée?" he frowned.

"Did you fall as a baby? For the last time stop calling me that," I replied.

I was very tired of this and I wanted it to stop. Amy looked between the two of us, growing more perplexed by the second. "Eve, I'm really confused," she insisted, seeking an explanation.

Raven's smile widened. "Now I have a name for that beautiful face," he said, his tone sincere.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Great," I muttered, not entirely sure how to navigate this.

Concern filled Amy's eyes as she turned to me. "Eve, do you need me to call the cops? Does he bother you?" she asked.

Raven's expression changed. I could tell he was getting frustrated. "I'm trying to give you something in exchange. Why can't you understand that? This whole situation is upsetting me. I'm here with the purest of intentions, and you're treating me like a criminal."

"Okay, Raven, I understand, but this isn't necessary," I said.

"Do you know what? I am leaving as you wish. But be sure that I will come back for you," he said.

"I really hope not," I responded. 

He locked eyes with me, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of disappointment in his gaze. Why did I care about his feelings?

Suddenly, Raven shifted the conversation, asking a seemingly innocent question that sent a wave of surprise crashing over me. "Can you at least tell me how I can get to the Sapphire Business Building?"

Amy and I exchanged bewildered glances, both sensing the significance of his words. What did he just say?

"Why are you going there?" I asked cautiously, a knot forming in my stomach.

"My company is opening a new mall in this building and I need to go see how the opening preparations are going in the morning," he replied matter-of-factly. 

My heart sank as the realization struck me like a lightning bolt. The Sapphire Business Building, the building I had been meticulously planning and preparing for, was for Raven's company. 

The magnitude of the situation hit me with full force, and a mix of shock, apprehension, and regret washed over me.

"Oh, you are my client," I uttered.  At that moment, I became acutely aware of how I had treated Raven, and the consequences of my actions became crystal clear.

I couldn't afford to lose this job; it held immense importance for my professional portfolio.

"Is that so?" he asks, his voice laced with curiosity, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"I hope that my attitude tonight won't have any negative impact on the job we agreed on," I reply with a stupid smile.

"I don’t know, Eve,’’ he says my name so slowly, savoring each syllable, and for some inexplicable reason, it sends a shiver down my spine. "You really hurt me tonight. In fact, you were disrespectful to my cultural customs. I was genuinely willing to engage my soul with yours as a gesture of gratitude for your kindness, but now..." His voice trails off, leaving a lingering tension in the air.

"Please don’t punish me because of my big mouth. Amy has also put in a lot of effort for this project, and she did nothing wrong,’’ I implore, my eyes pleading for forgiveness.

He gazes at me and a small smile plays on his lips. "If you promise to seriously consider the engagement, I will allow your company to organize the event,’’ he finally offers, his tone softer.

"Okay, yes, sure, thank you," I stammered, my voice filled with relief. Overwhelmed with emotion, I impulsively throw my arms around him in a hug. 

I have to start thinking before acting. For my luck, he finds it funny.

He chuckles lightly and gently disentangles himself from my grasp. "Take it easy, fiancée. Remember, you haven't officially said the big 'Yes' to me yet," he teases, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

"Sorry, I got carried away. Hey, I'm sending you the location of the building," I say, swiftly shifting the conversation to a more professional tone. 

"The new mall, you say," Amy says, laughing nervously. She looks at me furtively and adds, "Aren't you in direct competition with the mall next door on the same street as the Sanderson Corporation?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't bother me," Raven replies distractedly.

My fingers freeze on the keyboard of Raven's phone. Raven's direct competitor is Ryan's company. My ex, whom I've been desperately trying to avoid since I stepped foot in town.

I exchanged a quick glance with Amy, we both looked horrified.

"Is everything alright?" Raven asks, snapping me back to the present moment.

"Yeah, yeah, just wondering about the address," I hastily reply, desperately trying to mask my inner turmoil.

"Okay, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" he says, smiling warmly at me, unaware of the storm brewing within me.

"Of course," I manage to utter, my voice filled with horror and disbelief. "Until tomorrow morning." 

After closing the door, I sat on the floor. Amy mirrored my unease.

"Amy, this project is significant, and it's right in the middle of Ryan's territory. I've been avoiding him for years, and now..."

Amy placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Eve, you're an amazing event planner. You can handle this. Besides, it's just business. Keep it professional, and everything will be fine."

"With Ryan, things never end easily. He will take it personally, and it will get ugly. You saw how he treated me. What if he does it again?"

"Calm down, we can cancel the job if you want," Amy gently crouched next to me.

I thought for a moment. My heart skipped a beat, and a fear of the past was creeping into me, but I was more determined than ever. I wouldn't let Ryan scare me, even years from now.

"No, we won't. We're going to put on such a good event that Ryan won't stand a chance."