Chapter 38 Afraid Of Me
Nathaniel stood silently in the doorway, his sharp gaze focused on Christina as she worked. The hum of the room and the rhythmic sound of fabric being cut filled the air, but it was her quiet determination that drew his attention. He watched as her fingers moved with precision, shaping the fabric into something both functional and beautiful.
Christina, absorbed in her work, finally sensed a presence. She looked up briefly, her eyes narrowing when she saw Nathaniel standing there, watching her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.
Nathaniel’s lips curled into a smirk as he stepped closer. “I thought I’d check on my favorite designer,” he replied, his tone teasing yet warm. “How’s the project coming along?”
Christina rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile that tugged at her lips. “It’s going fine,” she said, looking back down at the shirt she was working on. “Just making sure every detail is perfect.”
Nathaniel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, studying her. “You know,” he began casually, “I could help speed things up. I have… connections who could make this whole process easier for you.”
Christina glanced at him over her shoulder. “I don’t need anyone’s help,” she said firmly, returning to her work. “I’ve got this under control.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her independence. “Well, if you ever change your mind, I’m right here.” His voice softened for a moment. “I admire your dedication.”
She froze, caught off guard by his sudden sincerity. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. “Flattery doesn’t work on me, Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “I wasn’t trying to flatter you,” he said, his eyes glinting mischievously. “I’m just stating facts.”
Christina returned to her work, but the warmth of his words lingered in her chest, unexpected and unsettling. She couldn’t quite figure out what to make of it. Their dynamic had always been playful, but in moments like this, it felt as though there was something deeper beneath the surface.
After a few more minutes, Christina finally broke the silence. “If you’re going to stay and watch, you might as well help,” she said, her voice half-joking, half-serious.
Nathaniel raised both eyebrows, intrigued. “Help? With what?” he asked, stepping closer to the table.
She handed him a piece of fabric, her expression deadpan. “Hold this for me.”
Nathaniel took the fabric, his lips curving into a grin. “You know, I think I might actually be good at this.”
Christina rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Just don’t mess it up.”
They worked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of their hands moving together in rhythm. Though the tension between them was undeniable, there was a strange sense of ease in the room, an unspoken connection that neither of them fully acknowledged.
Eventually, Christina glanced at the clock, realizing how late it had gotten. “I should finish up for the night,” she said, sighing. “I’ve been at this for hours.”
Nathaniel gave her a knowing look. “You never stop working, do you?”
Christina shrugged. “It’s the only way to get things done.”
He stood up, stretching. “Well, if you need a break, you know where to find me.” His tone was light, but there was a flicker of something more serious in his eyes.
Christina didn’t respond immediately, her attention back on the work before her. She wasn’t sure how to reply, or if she even should.
As she continued her work, Nathaniel turned to leave but paused at the door. “Good night, Christina,” he said, his voice quieter now.
“Night,” she muttered in return, though her mind was still caught in the quiet exchange they had just shared. The energy between them had shifted, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were changing, subtly but surely.