love element

By the time the weekend rolled around, Emilia had convinced herself that Jaden Knight was just a fleeting annoyance—someone she could forget as easily as she dismissed his unsolicited critiques. But then her phone buzzed with an email that made her stomach drop.

Subject: A Curious Proposal.

She opened it, already knowing who it was from.

Emilia,

I hope this email doesn't feel intrusive, but after our conversations, I couldn't resist reaching out. I see potential in your work, and I think you're on the brink of something extraordinary.

I'd like to propose a meeting—just to talk. My schedule is flexible, but let's say Tuesday at 3 PM, Café Lunette?

Consider it an investment in curiosity.

Best,

Jaden Knight

She stared at the screen, a mix of annoyance and intrigue bubbling inside her. An investment in curiosity? Who was this guy?

"Everything okay?" Lila's voice broke her thoughts as she walked into the studio, carrying coffee and a box of pastries.

"Define okay," Emilia muttered, shoving her phone into her pocket.

Lila arched a brow. "Jaden again?"

Emilia shot her a look. "How do you even know that?"

"Please. You've been in a mood all week. Either he's in your head, or someone switched out your coffee for decaf."

Emilia groaned, slumping onto a stool. "He emailed me. Wants to meet. Says he sees 'potential' in my work."

Lila grinned. "That's a compliment, Em."

"It's also infuriating," Emilia countered. "The guy's a walking enigma, and I don't have time for games."

"So don't go," Lila said with a shrug. "Or... do. Worst case, you spend an hour rolling your eyes at him. Best case? He's got something valuable to offer."

Emilia didn't respond right away. She hated how much she was actually considering it.

Tuesday, 3 PM

The bell above the café door chimed as Emilia stepped inside. The place was cozy, the kind of spot where locals came for quiet afternoons with a book. She scanned the room and spotted him immediately, seated by the window with a coffee in one hand and his phone in the other.

He looked up as she approached, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You came."

"Don't let it go to your head," she said, sitting across from him. "I'm curious, that's all."

"Curiosity's a good start," Jaden said, setting his phone down. "Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?"

"No, thanks," she replied. "Let's just get to the point. What is this about?"

Jaden leaned back, studying her for a moment. "Your art. You're good—better than most—but you're holding back."

She bristled. "You keep saying that, but you don't know me, Jaden. You don't know what I've been through or what I'm trying to say with my work."

"Exactly," he said, leaning forward now. "And neither does anyone else. You've built these walls around yourself, and it shows in your paintings. The emotion's there, but it's muted, controlled. If you'd let yourself be completely vulnerable—"

"Enough," Emilia cut him off, her voice sharp. "You think you're some kind of art guru? That you can waltz into my life and tell me how to do my job?"

Jaden didn't flinch. "I think you're scared."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She stared at him, stunned into silence.

"Look," he said, his tone softening, "I'm not trying to tear you down, Emilia. I see something in you, something incredible. But you've got to stop fighting yourself."

Emilia stood, her chair scraping against the floor. "You don't know anything about me," she said, grabbing her bag.

"Maybe not yet," Jaden said calmly. "But I'm not wrong, and you know it."

She hesitated, torn between anger and the unsettling feeling that he might actually have a point. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the café, her heart pounding.

That night, alone in her studio, Emilia stared at a blank canvas. Jaden's words echoed in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push them away.

"You're scared."

With a frustrated sigh, she grabbed a brush and started painting, her movements sharp and unrestrained. For once, she let the fear and anger and doubt pour out of her without overthinking it.

When she stepped back hours later, her chest tightened at what she saw. It was raw, chaotic, and nothing like her usual work. But for the first time, it felt honest.

And that terrified her.