Mr.Brightside

Chapter 48

 Clara's Hesitation

The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the living room as I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the blank canvas in front of me. I hadn't picked up a brush all morning. My mind was elsewhere, swirling around the same thoughts that had been plaguing me since last night.

Ethan's card sat on the table, its sharp edges taunting me. I had barely slept, replaying our conversation at the gallery over and over again. His words echoed in my mind—about collaboration, about the potential for creating something extraordinary together. I had felt inspired, invigorated even, but now... now I wasn't so sure.

I glanced over at Olivia, who was playing with her toys on the living room floor, humming softly to herself. Jack had already left for his workshop, and I could tell he had been holding back his own worries. He tried to hide it, but I could sense the tension in him, the way he had avoided talking about Ethan this morning.

The truth was, I didn't know what to do. Ethan's offer was exciting, but it also felt like a massive leap. A collaboration like this could open doors for me, take my art to places I'd never imagined. But at the same time, I didn't want to risk losing the balance I had worked so hard to create—between my family, my art, and my sense of self.

Reaching Out to Emily

After sitting in indecision for what felt like hours, I grabbed my phone and texted Emily.

Me: "Hey, do you have a few minutes to chat?"

She responded almost instantly.

Emily: "Of course! Call me."

I hit the call button, and within seconds, Emily's familiar, upbeat voice greeted me. "Clara! What's up?"

I sighed, not sure where to begin. "I've been thinking about Ethan's offer. The collaboration."

"Oh, that," she said, her tone light. "I knew that was going to get in your head. Look, I get it. It's a big deal, but it's also a huge opportunity."

"Yeah, I know," I said, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "But I'm not sure if I'm ready for something like that. My work is so personal, and collaborating with someone... I don't know if it'll still feel like mine."

Emily was silent for a moment, considering her response. "I get that. Trust me, I do. But sometimes working with someone else can bring out parts of your creativity that you didn't even know were there. And you don't have to lose yourself in the process. You just have to find a balance."

"That's what I'm worried about," I admitted. "What if I can't find that balance? What if I lose myself in it, or worse... what if I let Ethan down?"

"You won't let anyone down," Emily said firmly. "Least of all yourself. You're too good for that. But I think the real question is: what do you want? Are you excited by the idea? Or are you feeling pressured into it?"

I paused, letting her words sink in. "I guess... I am excited. The thought of creating something new, something different—it's thrilling. But it's also terrifying."

"That's how you know it's worth doing," Emily said, her voice softening. "The best things in life come with a little fear attached. You just have to decide if it's the right kind of fear."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, you're right. I just need to think it through."

"Take your time," Emily said. "But don't let fear hold you back. You're more capable than you realize, Clara."

After we hung up, I felt a little lighter, but the decision still loomed large in my mind. I glanced at Ethan's card again, this time with less dread and more curiosity. Maybe this was something I needed. Maybe stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Jack's Support

That evening, after Olivia was tucked in and the house had settled into its usual nighttime quiet, I found Jack in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a beer in hand. He looked up as I approached, his expression soft but guarded.

"Hey," I said, sliding onto the stool opposite him.

"Hey," he replied, setting his beer down. "You've been quiet today. Still thinking about Ethan?"

I nodded, not sure how to phrase what I was feeling. "Yeah. I talked to Emily about it earlier, and she made some good points. But I'm still not sure if I'm ready."

Jack studied me for a moment before speaking. "You know I support whatever decision you make, right? I want you to do what's best for you—whether that's working with Ethan or not."

"I know," I said, reaching out to take his hand. "It's just... a big step. And I don't want it to change things between us."

"It won't," Jack said firmly. "It might feel different, but that doesn't mean it's bad. Change is part of life, Clara. It's how we grow."

"I'm just afraid of losing what we have," I admitted. "Everything feels so fragile sometimes, like one wrong move and it'll all fall apart."

Jack squeezed my hand gently. "We're not that fragile. We've been through too much for that. And we'll get through this, too—whatever you decide."

His words were exactly what I needed to hear. He was right—we had faced challenges before, and we had always come out stronger on the other side. This would be no different.

"I love you," I said, leaning in to kiss him.

"I love you too," he murmured against my lips.

For the first time in days, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever decision I made, I knew that Jack and I were in this together. And with that certainty, I could face whatever came next.

Making the Call

The next morning, after Jack had gone to the workshop and Olivia was at preschool, I sat at the kitchen table with Ethan's card in front of me. My fingers hovered over my phone, heart pounding as I dialed his number.

"Hello?" Ethan's voice came through the line, casual but with that unmistakable hint of excitement.

"It's Clara," I said, taking a deep breath. "I've been thinking about your offer."

"And?"

"I'm in," I said, the words finally spilling out. "Let's do it."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a smile in his voice. "That's great news, Clara. I'm really looking forward to working with you."

"Me too," I replied, my nervousness giving way to something else—anticipation, maybe even excitement. "Let's make something amazing."

As I hung up, I stared at the phone in my hand, my heart still racing. It was done. I had made the decision.

Now, all that was left was to see where it would lead.

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