Chapter 11 ; Bella’s Decision

"I've been thinking about your proposal," I began, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. "And I’ve decided to accept it. But I have a few conditions."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Conditions?"

I nodded. "Yes. I want to maintain my independence. I’ll work on your project, but I need to be able to take on other clients as well. And I need assurance that my work will remain my own, that I won't be just another cog in your corporate machine."

A slow smile spread across Adrian’s face, and he nodded. "Fair enough. I respect your need for independence, Bella. I wouldn’t want to stifle your creativity. You have my word that you’ll have the freedom you need."

His agreement was surprisingly easy, but I could sense the underlying tension in the room. Adrian was a man used to getting his way, and I wondered how long it would be before our professional relationship tested these boundaries.

"Thank you," I said, relaxing a little in my chair. "I think this c