RENT A HEART

EVE's POV

My world crumbled when Chris said we wouldn't work. Seeing the hurt and disappointment in his eyes before he left shattered my heart into a million pieces. I wanted to fall apart, to sob uncontrollably, but I couldn't. I had guests to see off, a show to close. But first, I had to confront Frederick.

"Was this your plan all along?" I spat, the anger raw. "To create a scandal and drive a wedge between Chris and me?" I was furious with him, and with myself for letting him hurt Chris.

"What? He lied! Eve, I would never do that to you. You know how much I care for you." He tried to touch my shoulder, but I flinched away.

"You believe him over me?" The surprise in his voice was almost comical.

"At this point, yes. Why did you follow me here? Why did you kiss me, knowing I had a boyfriend? You didn't respect me or my boundaries."

"Come on, Eve, don't be like that. It was just a coincidence that the cameraman was there. And you kissed me back, remember? Deep down, you know you still like me. You could never care for him the way you do for me. He would never treat you like I do." He took my hand, his touch unwelcome.

That's when it hit me. Whatever feelings I might have once harbored for Frederick were nothing compared to the love I felt for Christopher. I yanked my hand back.

"I don't like you, Frederick. Maybe I did in junior high, but I certainly don't now. That ship has sailed. And as for Chris, that's between us. It's none of your business. So please, leave." My voice was cold, my face expressionless.

Shock, then anger flashed across his face. It was a look that scared me, a look I'd never seen before.

As soon as he was gone, my legs gave way. I would have collapsed if Stephanie hadn't caught me. "What have I done?" I whispered, my heart aching, the tears refusing to fall.

"Calm down, Eve. Take a deep breath. You didn't know it was going to happen. And besides, it's obvious Christopher really likes you."

"Where is he? I need to talk to him. I need to explain that it was a mistake." I tried to stand, but she held me back.

"No, Eve. This isn't the time or the place. There are reporters everywhere, and your family is here." Her words calmed me slightly, but my mind was racing, consumed with thoughts of Chris.

With Stephanie's help, I managed to see off the remaining guests. Thankfully, Mum and my brothers didn't seem to notice anything amiss. They accepted my excuse that Chris had an emergency.

Despite everything, it was a triumphant night for 'Ethereal Eve.' The show broke records, becoming the most watched fashion show in the country. Our designs were the most ordered, and we sold out before the day was over. It was a beautiful day for my business, but inside, I was a wreck.

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I paced my office, dialing Chris's number for the hundredth time. I'd gone to his place last night after the show, but he wasn't there. I'd even called his friend, Frank, but no luck. Just as I was about to try again, the door opened, and there he was.

Chris walked in, his expression unreadable. He looked exhausted, and I knew I was the cause. His hands held a large brown envelope. I didn't know what to do or say, so I slowly approached him, as if any sudden movement might make him disappear.

"Hi," I whispered, my heart pounding.

"Hi," he replied, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. It was a knife twist to my gut. I had a sinking feeling that whatever he was about to say would hurt even more.

"I came to return your contract. I don't think I can continue with our agreement. I'll understand if there are any penalties for breach of contract." He avoided my gaze, his words directed at the wall behind me.

"You're breaking up with me?" The words felt thick and heavy in my mouth.

"It wasn't a real relationship to begin with. I'm just terminating our agreement early." His hands were shoved deep in his pockets.

Each word felt like another shard of glass piercing my heart. He sounded so cold, so indifferent.

"Can you look at me, please?" I reached out and took his hands. He let me hold them, a small victory in the face of overwhelming defeat.

After a long pause, he finally met my eyes. The sadness I saw in their blue depths mirrored my own. It was a sharp, agonizing pain, knowing I was the cause.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, tears finally breaking free, spilling down my cheeks. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, how much he meant to me, but the words caught in my throat. I felt like I didn't have the right.

Through blurred vision, I saw him lift his hands and gently cup my face. "I know," he said softly, his thumbs wiping away my tears. He leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to my temple before turning and walking away.

I stumbled, collapsing onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. My heart ached so intensely I thought I might pass out. I had lost him.

I don't know how long I sat there, replaying the scene and sobbing, when the door opened. Hope flared, a foolish, desperate hope that he'd come back. But it was only my mother, her face etched with shock.

"Eve! Baby, what is it? Why are you like this? Did someone hurt you?" She rushed to my side, helping me up and settling me on the sofa.

"Honey, what's wrong?" she asked, smoothing the damp hair clinging to my face, her eyes searching mine.

"Mum, it's all my fault," I choked out, burying my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably. She didn't understand, but she held me close, gently patting my back as I cried.

When my tears finally subsided, she handed me a steaming mug of lemon tea. She sat beside me, patiently waiting, though I suspected she already had an inkling of what had happened.

"Does this have anything to do with Christopher? Did he hurt you?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"No, Mum. I hurt him. I hurt us both," I admitted, taking a sip of tea.

"What did you do, Eve?"

Hesitantly, I told her about the contract, about everything that had led to this moment. I knew I had to be honest, no matter the consequences. I started from the beginning, from the day she'd given me the ultimatum to bring a man home.

She listened intently, her expression giving nothing away. It was impossible to decipher her thoughts.

I retrieved the envelope from the floor, pulled out the document, and handed it to her. She read it in silence, then set it aside, her gaze fixed on me.

"You can scold me, yell at me. I made a fool of everyone, disgraced the family name. I deserve it. But please, don't blame Chris. It was all my fault."

Her face, previously unreadable, softened into a warm smile. "How can I scold you when my daughter has finally found love, regardless of how it happened?" She pulled me into a hug.

Relief washed over me. Her reaction was the opposite of what I'd expected.

"Now, be honest with me. Do you have feelings for Frederick?"

"No, Mum," I answered immediately.

"What about Christopher?"

"I love him, Mum. I don't think I can live in a world without him," I confessed, fresh tears welling up.

"Come here," she said, opening her arms. I hugged her tightly, sobbing quietly.

"I know you do, sweetheart. And I know he loves you too. I knew it from the moment I met him. Don't worry, everything will be alright." She stroked my hair, her words a soothing balm.

Talking to my mother had lifted a weight from my shoulders. I felt lighter, stronger. I wouldn't give up on Chris, no matter how long it took.