Chapter 4 4

Ten minutes later, Emily stepped into the school courtyard, clutching her jacket tightly around her as the crisp autumn air brushed against her skin. Lucas stood by the iron gate, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He looked utterly out of place against the backdrop of the modest brick school building, as if someone had plucked him straight out of a luxury magazine and dropped him here for effect.

She approached him cautiously, her heart still racing from the audacity of his unannounced visit.

"All right," she said, crossing her arms. "You have five minutes. Talk."

Lucas tilted his head, his lips curving into a faint smile. "You're direct. I like that."

"I don't have time for games, Mr. Sterling," she replied, her tone sharp.

"Lucas," he corrected, stepping closer. "And I'm not playing games, Emily. I came here because I want to help."

Emily narrowed her eyes. "Help with what, exactly? My community programs? Or is this just another way for you to feed your ego?"

His smile faltered slightly, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something genuine in his expression. "You think I'm doing this to impress you?"

"Am I wrong?"

Lucas sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "You're not wrong to question my motives. Most people don't. But this isn't about my ego. I've looked into your work, Emily. The after-school tutoring programs, the community outreach initiatives-you're making a difference. And I think I can help you do more."

Emily blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. "You've looked into my work?"

"Of course I have," Lucas said, his gaze steady. "You're not easy to ignore."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Emily didn't know how to respond. She'd spent years fighting for her programs, scraping together funding and resources wherever she could. The idea of someone like Lucas Sterling taking an interest in her work felt surreal-and dangerous.

"Why?" she asked finally, her voice softer now. "Why would someone like you care about what I'm doing?"

Lucas hesitated, as if weighing his answer carefully. "Because I've spent most of my life chasing things that don't matter," he said. "And for the first time, I see something that does."

Emily's breath caught. His words were unexpected, disarming, and entirely too personal. She looked away, unsure of what to say.

"Let me help," he said quietly. "No strings attached. Just... let me do something good for once."

She studied him for a long moment, searching his face for any hint of insincerity. But all she saw was a man who, for reasons she couldn't yet understand, genuinely wanted to help.

"Fine," she said finally. "But if I even suspect you're doing this for the wrong reasons, we're done. Got it?"

Lucas nodded, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. "Got it."

Emily turned to walk back toward the school, but his voice stopped her.

"Emily."

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Thank you," he said softly.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to smile. "Don't make me regret this."

As she walked away, Lucas watched her, a sense of determination settling over him. He didn't fully understand why she mattered so much, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to let her down.

Later that evening, Emily sat at her small kitchen table, her laptop open as she reviewed the endless list of expenses for her programs. Her mind kept drifting back to Lucas-his sudden interest, his unexpected vulnerability.

She couldn't decide if he was a man worth trusting or a risk she couldn't afford to take.

Her phone buzzed on the table, jolting her from her thoughts. She picked it up and saw a message from an unknown number.

Lucas Sterling: You'll be hearing from my team tomorrow about funding details. Just wanted you to know you're not in this alone anymore.

Emily stared at the message, her chest tightening. She typed a quick response.

Emily Harper: This isn't a partnership. It's a trial run.

A reply came almost instantly.

Lucas Sterling: Fair enough. But I don't lose trials, Emily.

She couldn't help but smile, despite herself.

"Cocky billionaire," she muttered, setting her phone down.

But as she returned to her work, she couldn't shake the feeling that her world had just shifted in a way she wasn't entirely prepared for.