Chapter 28 Come Closer
Christina’s heart raced as she stared at the list, her name standing out in bold letters among the selected designers. Her exhaustion seemed to melt away in an instant, replaced by a rush of pride and satisfaction. She had done it—she had earned her place among the best. But even as the joy surged through her, a subtle unease lingered at the back of her mind.
Her excitement was short-lived, however, as she glanced around the office. She could feel the eyes of her colleagues on her, some with genuine congratulations, while others shot her envious glares. Being an intern, it was rare for someone like her to be chosen, and she knew that this achievement would stir up more than just admiration.
A sense of discomfort settled within her as she headed back to her desk, trying to focus on the work at hand. But the feeling of being an outsider, the sense of having done something that others might resent, gnawed at her. Still, she couldn’t let that spoil her victory. She had worked hard for this, and no one could take that away from her.
As the day wore on, the office buzzed with the usual hum of activity, but there was an undercurrent of tension. Christina could feel it in the air, especially from the more experienced designers who might have been hoping for that spot themselves.
Her thoughts wandered back to Nathaniel. She hadn’t heard from him since their encounter the other night, and although she had been trying to focus on her work, his presence loomed over her mind. The way he had kissed her forehead, the weight of his words, and the intimacy they shared—it was all too much, too intense for her to process completely.
Yet, something in her couldn’t shake the feeling that she was falling into something deeper than she intended. His attention, his words, his gestures—there was a pull she couldn’t resist, even though she wasn’t sure if she was ready to give in to it fully.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality. It was a message from Nathaniel.
I’m proud of you, Christina. But remember, I’ll be watching.
A shiver ran down her spine as she read the words. His message was both encouraging and possessive, and she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—appreciation, confusion, and a bit of anxiety. What did he mean by “I’ll be watching”?
Before she could contemplate further, Gina appeared at her desk, smiling brightly. “Congratulations, Christina. I knew you had it in you.”
“Thank you,” Christina replied, her voice a little uncertain. “I still can’t believe it, honestly.”
Gina laughed softly. “You should. Your designs were exceptional. Just be careful, though. Not everyone here will be happy about it.”
Christina’s smile faltered slightly as she glanced around. She had sensed the undercurrent of jealousy earlier, but hearing Gina’s words made it feel more real. It was one thing to be recognized for her talent, but it was another to have to navigate the tension it caused with her colleagues.
“I’ll be fine,” Christina said, trying to sound confident. “I’m just going to keep doing my best.”
Gina nodded, her smile softening. “That’s the spirit. Keep your head up, and don’t let anyone dim your light.”
As Gina walked away, Christina couldn’t help but wonder just how much of a challenge it would be to keep her focus amidst the brewing tension. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, especially with the added complexities of her relationship with Nathaniel and the growing expectations around her.
But for now, she decided to take it one step at a time, pushing aside the uncertainties that weighed on her. She had earned this opportunity, and she wasn’t about to let anything—or anyone—take that away from her.