FALLING FOR THE UNTOUCHABLE

CHAPTER THREE: THE OFFER

Ava knew he would call for her again.

She just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

“Ava.”

Her name, low and controlled, cut through the noise of the restaurant like it belonged only to him.

She froze mid-step.

Of course.

Slowly, she turned.

Nathaniel Hale was standing near the far end of the VIP section now, his posture relaxed, one hand tucked into his pocket but there was nothing casual about the way his eyes were fixed on her.

Waiting.

Always waiting.

Her pulse quickened.

You can ignore him.

You should ignore him.

But something told her that walking away would only make things worse.

So she walked toward him instead.

Each step felt deliberate. Careful. Like she was stepping into something she wouldn’t be able to step out of.

“You called for me, sir?” she asked, keeping her tone professional.

His gaze flickered briefly at the word sir, but he didn’t comment on it this time.

“Walk with me.”

Not a request.

Again.

Ava hesitated but only for a second.

Then she followed.

The hallway leading to the private suites was quieter, dimly lit, far from the curious eyes of guests and staff.

Ava’s heart beat louder with every step.

This wasn’t good.

Nothing about this was good.

Nathaniel stopped outside a closed door and pushed it open without looking back.

She stepped in after him.

The door clicked shut.

And just like before

The air changed.

Ava crossed her arms slightly, grounding herself. “If this is about earlier, I already apologized”

“It’s not.”

Her words cut off.

Nathaniel turned to face her fully now, his expression calm, composed… unreadable.

But his eyes

His eyes were too sharp.

Too focused.

“Then what is it?” she asked carefully.

A pause.

Then

“I need something from you.”

Ava blinked.

That wasn’t what she expected.

“What kind of something?” she asked slowly.

Nathaniel studied her for a moment, like he was deciding how much to say.

Then he stepped closer not enough to trap her, but enough to remind her of the space between them.

Controlled.

Intentional.

“A role,” he said.

Her brows furrowed. “A role?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched for a second before he continued.

“There’s an event this weekend. Investors. Partners. People who care more about perception than reality.”

Ava said nothing, but her attention sharpened.

“Recently,” he went on, voice smooth, “there’s been… speculation.”

“About what?”

“About me.”

Her lips pressed together slightly.

Of course there was.

A man like him didn’t exist without rumors following him.

“And you need me because…?” she prompted.

Nathaniel’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Because,” he said, “I need those rumors to stop.”

Ava let out a small breath. “And I’m supposed to help with that?”

“Yes.”

The answer came too easily.

Too confidently.

Ava shook her head slightly. “I don’t see how.”

Nathaniel tilted his head just slightly, watching her.

“You will,” he said. “When I explain it properly.”

Something in her chest tightened.

She already didn’t like where this was going.

“I’m listening,” she said cautiously.

A pause.

Then

“You’re going to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

The words landed between them.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Unreal.

Ava stared at him.

“…what?”

Nathaniel didn’t repeat himself.

Didn’t need to.

The silence stretched long enough for the meaning to settle.

For the absurdity of it to sink in.

“You’re serious,” she said finally.

“I don’t joke about things like this.”

Her breath left her in a short, disbelieving laugh.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

Ava shook her head again, taking a step back.

“No.”

The answer came quickly.

Instinctively.

“Find someone else.”

Nathaniel didn’t react.

Didn’t argue.

He just watched her.

Like he had expected that response.

“Anyone else would work,” she continued, her voice firmer now. “Someone who actually belongs in your world. Not”

“Not you?” he finished quietly.

Ava stopped.

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“Why not you?”

“Because this is ridiculous,” she snapped, her composure slipping just a little. “I’m a waitress. You’re”

“I’m aware of what I am.”

The interruption was calm.

But final.

Ava exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay grounded.

“Then you should also be aware that this makes no sense.”

“It makes perfect sense.”

Her brows drew together. “How?”

Nathaniel stepped closer again.

Slow.

Measured.

“Because you’re new,” he said. “Unfamiliar. Unquestionable.”

Ava’s stomach tightened.

“And,” he added, his voice lowering slightly, “you won’t attract unnecessary attention from the people I don’t want involved.”

Her heart skipped.

What does that mean?

She didn’t like the sound of that.

“I’m not interested,” she said firmly. “Whatever this is find someone else.”

Silence.

Nathaniel held her gaze for a long moment.

Then

“Think carefully before you say no.”

Her chest tightened slightly.

There was something in his tone.

Not a threat.

Not yet.

But close enough to make her uneasy.

“I have,” she replied. “And my answer is still no.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

Nathaniel’s expression didn’t change.

But something behind his eyes shifted.

Subtle.

Dark.

“Temporary,” he said instead. “Public appearances. A few events. Nothing more.”

Ava shook her head again. “No.”

He studied her.

As if trying to see through her.

As if trying to figure out what would make her break.

“I’ll compensate you,” he added.

“I don’t want your money.”

That was the truth.

Money wasn’t what scared her.

He was.

The situation was.

The past was.

“Then what do you want?” he asked quietly.

Ava hesitated.

Then

“Nothing from you.”

The words came out softer than she intended.

But they were honest.

Nathaniel didn’t respond immediately.

He just watched her.

And for a brief moment

Something unreadable passed through his expression.

Then it was gone.

Replaced by that same calm control.

“Unfortunate,” he murmured.

Ava frowned slightly. “Why?”

Another pause.

Then

“Because,” he said, his voice quieter now, more deliberate, “this could have been simple.”

A chill ran down her spine.

Something about that didn’t sit right.

At all.

Ava straightened slightly, forcing confidence into her posture.

“Well, it’s not,” she replied. “So you’ll have to find another solution.”

Nathaniel’s gaze didn’t leave hers.

Not for a second.

“Maybe,” he said.

But the way he said it

Made it clear he didn’t mean it.

Ava felt it.

Deep down.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

“I’ll return to work,” she said, turning toward the door before the silence could stretch any further.

Her hand reached for the handle.

“Do that.”

She paused briefly at his voice.

Then opened the door.

And stepped out.

Back into the noise.

Back into the light.

But this time

Her chest felt heavier.

Because she knew something now.

Something she hadn’t wanted to admit before.

Nathaniel Hale didn’t ask for things.

He decided them.

And even though she had said no

It didn’t feel like the end of the conversation.

It felt like the beginning of something far more dangerous.