His name was Nathaniel

39

Adaliya had just finished packing her things after an exhausting day of classes when two large men in black suits approached her, blocking her path out of the studio. It had been a long, draining week-one that left her feeling like she was treading water, barely keeping afloat with all the demands of her art projects and part-time job. But these men... they were something entirely unexpected.

"Miss Davis?" one of them asked, his voice deep and professional.

She froze, gripping the strap of her bag. "Yes?"

The other man stepped forward, his tone soft yet authoritative. "We're here on behalf of a client who recently purchased one of your works. He would like to meet with you immediately."

Adaliya frowned, a wave of suspicion creeping in. She didn't know anyone who would go to such lengths for a piece of her artwork. The client they mentioned must've been the one who had paid an unusually large sum for her painting. While the money was helpful, this approach felt strange.

"I don't think I'm interested," she said, her voice hesitant, stepping back.

The first man offered a small, disarming smile. "It's just a meeting, Miss Davis. We assure you it's safe, and it'll be worth your time."

A part of her wanted to refuse outright and walk away, but curiosity got the better of her. After all, she did need the money, and if this was part of the process of networking with wealthy collectors, she needed to at least consider it. With a deep breath, she nodded.

"Fine, but I can't be long. I have work soon," she replied, still unsure.

The men nodded, escorting her to a sleek black car waiting just outside. As they drove, the streets grew more luxurious, leading into the heart of the city's most exclusive area. She had only been here once or twice before, usually for gallery openings or events she could barely afford to attend. When they finally pulled up in front of an elegant, high-end restaurant, her stomach churned with unease.

What am I doing here?

As she stepped out of the car, she tried to calm the growing knot of anxiety in her chest. The restaurant's exterior was intimidating, with its grand entrance and discreet air of wealth. Inside, the atmosphere was equally unsettling-luxurious but empty, save for a private chef behind the counter and a single table in the center of the room, set for two.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him.

Sitting at the table, dressed in a tailored suit, was Nathaniel. He was different, though. Taller, more muscular, with broader shoulders and an air of confidence that made him seem more grown-up, more composed than the boy she had known. He was unbelievably handsome, more striking than she remembered, and that only made the hurt sting more.

Nathaniel Donovan. The boy she once loved. The boy who had vanished from her life without a trace.

Her heart skipped a beat, and then, like a dam breaking, a flood of emotions surged through her-shock, disbelief, anger. She hadn't seen him in four years, and now, here he was, as if those years hadn't happened, like he could just walk back into her life and everything would be fine.

Nathaniel rose from his seat, his expression tense as he met her gaze. His presence seemed to fill the room, his light eyes fixed on her with a mixture of hope and fear.

"Adaliya," he said softly, his voice deeper than she remembered.

Her body stiffened. For a moment, she just stood there, staring at him, her mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. Then, like a switch being flipped, the anger bubbled to the surface.

She shook her head, disbelief morphing into fury. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Please, let me explain," Nathaniel said quickly, taking a step toward her, his hands raised as if to calm her.

Adaliya's heart raced, the sting of old wounds re-opening as she glared at him. "Explain?" she echoed, her voice trembling with anger. "You think after four years you can just show up and explain?"

Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't let him.

"You disappeared, Nathaniel. No calls, no letters-nothing. You left me there, wondering what happened, why you didn't fight for us, for me." She nearly said, why didn't you fight for me, I loved you, but she caught herself, changing the words at the last moment. "I cared for you."

Nathaniel's face paled, and she could see the panic flicker in his eyes. "There's no apology that could show how deeply and truly sorry I am, but please hear me out. I had no choice."

She laughed bitterly. "No choice? You always had a choice. You didn't have to just... disappear."

Nathaniel stepped forward again, his hands shaking slightly as he struggled to remain calm. "I left to protect you. There were things-dangerous things in my life that you don't know about. My father, the situation I was in... it wasn't safe for you."

Adaliya's anger flared even hotter. "Safe? You think leaving me without a word was protecting me? You didn't protect me, Nathaniel. You broke me." Her voice cracked, the hurt spilling out before she could stop it.

"Do you even know what that did to me? I waited for you. I waited for months, thinking maybe you'd come back, that you'd explain why. But you didn't. You never came back."

Nathaniel's expression crumpled, and for a moment, he looked like he might fall apart right in front of her. "I know. I know, and I'm so sorry. But I didn't have the strength then to explain it all. My father... he had control over everything in my life. I had to make sure you were safe from him."

Her anger still burned hot, but beneath it, she felt the old pain resurface, the hurt she had tried so hard to bury. She had loved him. And he had shattered that love when he left without a word.

She shook her head, stepping back. "You could have fought for us. You didn't even try."

Nathaniel's panic was evident now, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I did fight, Adaliya. I fought every day to keep you out of the mess my life had become. I didn't want to drag you into the darkness I was living in."

She wanted to scream at him, to tell him that he had already dragged her into that darkness by leaving her with no answers. But the emotions swirling inside her were too much to bear. She couldn't stay in this room any longer, not with him standing there, pleading for forgiveness.

Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the restaurant, her heart pounding in her chest. Nathaniel called after her, his voice desperate, but she didn't stop.

She couldn't. Not now.