The next morning, I called Victor to know how he was doing. We bonded the way couples do, but my mind kept drifting to Nathen.
Then Victor finally called me back, sounding excited. "I've gotten what I've been looking for! We're rich now, Elena! Come back to New York, we'll buy a house, get married too."
"What's good news, babe," I said softly, "but I can't. A lot of people supported me to get here. I can't just walk out of it."
"How much? I'll pay them back," he said.
"Ugh, Victor…" I sighed and ended the call, falling back into bed.
There were no calls or texts from Nathen either. Frustrated, I started painting.
A few hours later, my phone buzzed—Nathen: I'm outside.
A smile spread across my face. I grabbed my jacket and rushed out.
"The weather's cold," I said, shivering slightly.
"Yes, it is," he replied, opening the car door for me.
"Where have you been?" I teased.
"Oh, yeah Carlos proposed to his girlfriend Clara, and tonight's their engagement party. We'll stop by the store and get you a dress before heading there."
"Oh really?" My heart skipped.
"Yeah and our parents will be there too," he added casually.
My stomach turned. I'm meeting Nathen's family? Oh God.
"Relax, Elena," he said with a smile. "They're nice people."
At the boutique, everything felt luxurious the soft lighting, the scent of expensive perfume, silk dresses in pastel shades. I tried on a few outfits and spun around shyly for Nathen's approval.
When we finally found the perfect one, he paid for everything far too much for me to even protest.
We left the store and drove to Carlos Petrov's mansion. It was massive guards at the gates, chandeliers visible from the windows, and rows of luxury cars parked outside.
My breath caught; this was my first time at a wealthy man's gathering.
A valet approached, and Nathen handed him the keys. He took my hand as we entered.
The music was soft and elegant, laughter filling the air.
"Welcome, brother!" Carlos said, pulling Nathen into a hug.
"Congratulations, man. I'm happy for you," Nathen replied.
Soon, Isabella arrived with her boyfriend the mayor's son, Ethan.
"Evening, guys," she said smoothly. "And congratulations, Carlos."
Then her eyes found me. "Wait, who's this? Oh, I remember. You're the girl from the competition."
"Yes, ma'am," I stammered. "I mean yes, I am."
"I don't think Mom or Dad will be too happy, Nathan," she whispered with a smirk.
I looked at Nathen nervously, but he mouthed, Don't worry.
"We're off to enjoy the party," Isabella said, walking away with Ethan.
Moments later, Nathen's parents arrived Boris and Nathail Petrov. Their presence shifted the whole atmosphere; conversation quieted, the air thick with tension. Even Carlos and Clara hurried to greet them.
Soon after, another couple arrived Richard and Catherine Sterling and the event came alive again with applause and smiles.
But Isabella's words kept echoing in my mind.
After the party, Nathen drove me back to my hotel.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," I replied quietly.
"You don't need to worry about my parents, Elena. They'll come around."
"You know," he added, "my family's hosting a dinner tomorrow. You should come."
"There's no need, Nathen. You've done a lot already."
"Goodnight," I said softly, closing the door behind me.
But lying in bed that night, I knew it was too late I was falling for him.
The next day, my phone rang. It was my mother.
"Elena," she said tearfully, "the rent is due. The landlord says he'll evict us. We've already owed two months."
I froze, speechless. My chest tightened. I didn't know what to do or who to turn to.
So I called Nathen, sobbing.
"Elena, listen," he said calmly. "Everything will be fine.",
The next morning, Nathen flew to New York. He bought my family's house outright.
When he arrived, my mother, Lucia, answered the door, confused to see him standing there with a lawyer and their landlord.
"Good morning, ma'am," Nathen said politely. "I'm Nathen Sterling a friend of Elena."
"Oh, please, come in," Lucia said, calling for my father.
"Miguel! Come, quickly!"
As Miguel appeared, Nathen extended his hand. "It's a pleasure, sir. I brought something for you."
The lawyer stepped forward. "These are the documents to your house. It now belongs to you."
Miguel blinked in disbelief. "Why are you doing this?"
"As I said, I'm Elena's friend," Nathen answered simply. "And I wouldn't want her sad."
Miguel signed the documents, still stunned.
Nathen left shortly after, flying back to Chicago.
When my parents called to tell me what had happened, I was speechless.
I called Nathen immediately. He came to my hotel, and as soon as I opened the door, I threw my arms around him.
"You didn't have to, Nathan."
He smiled softly. "What are friends for, Elena? It's nothing."
That evening after dinner, Nathen said, "My family's hosting dinner tomorrow. You should come with me."
"Uh… alright, sure."
He hugged me tightly before leaving.
Moments later, there was another knock at the door.
"Already?" I called, thinking he'd forgotten something but froze when I opened it.
It was Victor.
"Hey, dear," he said. "Aren't you going to let me in?"
"Oh come in," I stammered. "But you should've called."
He smiled faintly, scanning the room. "Something wrong?"
"No, Victor. I'm just… surprised."
"I came because you wouldn't come back," he said. "So I came to support you."
I nodded and turned to finish the dishes, but my mind was spinning.
Victor here. The competition is in two days. Nathen's family dinner tomorrow. Everything closing in at once.
The next morning, Nathen texted: Good morning, Elena. Can't wait to take you to my parents tonight.
My heart fluttered.
Then another knock came. It was Victor again.
"Hey, babe. Hope you slept well," he said, hugging me from behind.
Feeling uncomfortable, I slipped out of his arms and headed to the bathroom.
"Tomorrow's the final day of the competition," he said through the door.
"Yes, it is," I replied. "The tension must be high, but no need to worry—I'm here now."
"Thank you, dear," I said, stepping out and giving him a quick hug.
But my thoughts were far away—with Nathen.
That evening, as I dressed up, Victor watched me.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Uh… the Starling family is hosting a dinner for the competitors."
"Then I should come," Victor said quickly.
"No, Victor," I replied, trying to sound calm.
When I reached the lobby, Victor followed me.
A black SUV waited outside. The driver stepped out.
"Ma'am, Mr. Nathen instructed me to pick you up."
Victor stared, his expression hardening.
"They sent a car for you? You're dating the Starling son, aren't you?"
"We're just friends," I said quietly. "I met him at the airport."
"You've been together for two weeks!" he shouted.
"Ma'am, the family's waiting," the driver interrupted politely.
"I'm sorry, Victor, but he's my friend. I promise," I said, then got into the car, leaving him standing on the sidewalk.
My heart ached—but strangely, I wasn't as hurt as I expected.
As the car rolled through the city lights, the mansion came into view—grand, glowing, elegant beyond words.
Nathen opened the door himself when I arrived.
"Welcome, Elena," he said, holding my hand. "You look beautiful."
I smiled, trying to hide my nerves.
We walked into the dining room, where his parents sat waiting—along with Isabella and the mayor's son.
We were all gathered in the sitting room of the Sterling mansion. The air was calm but heavy, the kind that made your chest tighten with each breath.
Nathan sat beside me, his hand resting close but not touching mine.
Across from us were his parents—Mr. and Mrs. Sterling—alongside Adrian and Isabella. Their eyes, though polite, carried curiosity wrapped in quiet judgment.
"What's your name, dear?" Mr. Sterling asked, his deep voice commanding the room.
"Elena Marquez," I said softly.
"And where are you from?" Catherine Sterling followed, her chin slightly raised.
"New York," I replied.
Her brows lifted a little. "I don't know any Marquez family in New York. Are your parents well-known there?"
My throat tightened. "Not really," I said, trying to hold my composure.
"Mom," Nathan interrupted firmly, a warning tone in his voice.
Catherine smiled faintly but said nothing more