love element

The night of the gallery showcase arrived, and Emilia was a mix of nerves and excitement. The venue was alive with energy—soft music played in the background, guests sipped champagne, and the walls were adorned with a curated selection of her best work.

Emilia stood near the entrance, scanning the room as people wandered from painting to painting, murmuring their impressions. It was surreal. This was her dream, yet it felt like she was floating outside herself, watching it all happen.

"Looking for someone?"

She turned to see Jaden, dressed in a tailored suit that made him look annoyingly good. He held two glasses of champagne and handed one to her.

"You showed up," she said, unable to hide the relief in her voice.

"Of course I did," Jaden replied. "You think I'd miss this?"

For a moment, they just stood there, watching the crowd.

"You're killing it, by the way," he said, gesturing toward a small group gathered around one of her larger pieces. "They can't stop talking about your work."

Emilia smiled, though her nerves still buzzed. "I just hope they like it enough to buy something."

"They will," Jaden said confidently. "Trust me. Tonight's your night."

A Private Moment

As the evening progressed, Emilia found herself constantly pulled in different directions—guests wanting to talk to her, the gallery director introducing potential buyers, and her own nerves demanding attention.

At one point, she managed to sneak outside for a breath of fresh air. The cool night air was a welcome relief, and she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Stealing a quiet moment?"

Emilia opened her eyes to see Jaden standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets.

"Something like that," she said. "It's overwhelming in there."

Jaden walked over, his expression soft. "You're handling it better than you think."

She laughed lightly. "You always say the right thing, don't you?"

"Not always," he admitted. "But I mean it this time."

Emilia glanced at him, the sincerity in his eyes making her heart skip. She looked away quickly, trying to shake the feeling.

"This whole thing feels... surreal," she said. "I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up."

"It's real," Jaden said. "And you deserve it. Every bit of it."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sound of the city filled the space between them, and Emilia found herself relaxing in his presence.

"Thank you," she said finally.

Jaden raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For... everything," she said, gesturing vaguely. "For pushing me, for believing in me when I didn't. I don't know how to repay you for that."

He smiled, stepping closer. "You don't have to repay me. I'm just glad I get to see you shine."

Her breath caught at his words, and for a split second, she thought he might kiss her. But instead, he took a step back, giving her space.

"Come on," he said, his tone lighter. "Your public's waiting."

Emilia nodded, letting him lead her back inside. But as she walked, she couldn't help but wonder what might've happened if he hadn't stepped away.

The Final Hours of the Showcase

As the night drew to a close, Emilia's nerves gave way to exhilaration. Several pieces had sold, and the gallery director had already started talking about future collaborations.

Jaden stayed by her side for most of the night, subtly guiding conversations and keeping her grounded. She hadn't realized how much she'd come to rely on his presence until now.

As the last guests trickled out, Emilia and Jaden found themselves alone in the gallery.

"Well," Jaden said, looking around. "You did it."

Emilia smiled, the reality of the night finally sinking in. "We did it."

Jaden shook his head. "No. This was all you."

She stepped closer to him, her eyes meeting his. "I wouldn't have gotten here without you."

For a moment, the space between them felt electric. Emilia could feel her heart racing, and she was almost certain Jaden felt it too.

"You're something else, Emilia," he said softly.

Before she could respond, he gave her a small smile and turned toward the door.

"Get some rest," he called over his shoulder. "Tomorrow's a new day."

Emilia watched him leave, her emotions a tangled mess. As much as she hated to admit it, Jaden had become more than just a distraction. He was starting to feel like something... permanent.

And that terrified her.