The Hunt for Work​

The next few days blurred together in a haze of rejections and dead ends. Evelyn tried everything—small theater productions, student film projects, even waitressing gigs—but each time, something fell through at the last minute.

She refused to let Emily see her frustration. Every evening, she returned home with a smile, pretending she was just one step away from securing a job.

But the truth was, she was running out of options.

Then, an unexpected lifeline.

Diana’s cousin worked at a high-end nightclub, Velvet, where wealthy patrons often tipped generously. It wasn’t ideal, but Evelyn was desperate.

"You’ll just serve drinks," Diana assured her. "No funny business. The owner doesn’t tolerate that."

Evelyn hesitated. She had never worked in a place like that before. But rent was due soon, and Emily’s tuition loomed like a storm cloud.

"Fine," she said finally. "I’ll do it."

That night, she stood in the staff locker room, adjusting the snug black dress that was part of the uniform. The club was already buzzing with energy—music thrummed through the walls, laughter and clinking glasses filling the air.

Evelyn took a deep breath and stepped out.

She lasted exactly two hours before he walked in.

Alexander Blackwood.

Dressed in a tailored suit that cost more than her family’s former monthly income, he moved through the crowd like a predator—effortless, commanding, impossible to ignore.

Evelyn ducked behind the bar, her pulse racing.

He can’t see me here.

But fate had other plans.

A hand closed around her wrist, pulling her upright.

Alexander’s storm-gray eyes locked onto hers.

"Miss Carter," he murmured, his voice a dark caress. "Fancy meeting you here."

She yanked her arm free. "I’m working."

His lips curved in that infuriating half-smile. "So am I."

He reached into his pocket and slid a business card across the counter.

Blackwood Holdings. Executive Suite. Tomorrow. 10 AM.

Evelyn stared at it, her stomach twisting.

"Why?" she demanded.

Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.

"Because you’re running out of choices, little butterfly. And I’m the only one offering you a way out."

Then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd as suddenly as he’d appeared.

Evelyn crumpled the card in her fist.

She had sworn she’d never rely on anyone again.

But desperation had a way of rewriting vows.