**Chapter 10: A Glimpse of Fame**

The lights were blinding, the cameras flashing, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Emily's heart was racing as she stood by Jon's side, trying to make sense of the chaos around her. They were at a high-profile charity event, and Jon had brought her as his plus one. Emily had never been to anything like this before, and she felt like a fish out of water. As they posed for photos, Emily tried to smile and look confident, but inside, she was panicking. She had always been a private person, content to stay behind the scenes and work on her makeup artistry. But now, as Jon's guest, she was thrust into the spotlight, and it was overwhelming. Jon, sensing her unease, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Don't worry, baby," he whispered in her ear. "I've got you. You're safe with me." Emily felt a surge of gratitude towards him, but also a twinge of discomfort. She didn't need him to protect her; she just needed him to understand her boundaries. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside and smiled for the cameras. As they made their way through the crowded room, Emily was stopped by several people who wanted to meet her. Jon hovered close by, his eyes scanning the room, his expression watchful. Emily began to feel like a prized possession, one that Jon was determined to keep for himself. As they stopped to chat with a group of industry professionals, Emily noticed a guy from her makeup artist community approaching them. He was friendly and chatty, and Emily was happy to see a familiar face in the sea of strangers. But as soon as Jon noticed the guy talking to Emily, his expression changed. His eyes narrowed, and his arm around her waist tightened. "Let's move on, shall we?" he said, his voice low and abrupt. Emily felt a flash of annoyance, but she tried to brush it off. She didn't want to make a scene, not here, not now. But as they walked away, she couldn't help but wonder why Jon had reacted that way. Was he really that jealous, or was he just trying to protect her? As the night wore on, Emily found herself feeling more and more trapped. She was stuck in a world that wasn't hers, surrounded by people she didn't know, and with a man who seemed determined to control her every move. But despite the chaos and the confusion, Emily couldn't deny the thrill of being in Jon's presence. He was charismatic and charming, and when he looked at her, she felt like she was the only person in the world. As they left the event and made their way back to Jon's car, Emily turned to him and asked, "Jon, can I talk to you about something?" Jon looked at her, his eyes questioning. "What is it, baby?" Emily took a deep breath. "It's just...I know you were trying to protect me tonight, but sometimes I feel like you're suffocating me. I need some space, Jon. I need to be able to breathe." Jon's expression changed, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and hurt. "I was just trying to help," he said, his voice low and tight. "I don't want to lose you, Emily." Emily felt a pang of guilt, but she stood her ground. "I'm not going anywhere, Jon. But I need you to understand me, to trust me. Can you do that for me?" Jon's face was a mask, his emotions hidden behind a wall of indifference. For a moment, Emily wondered if she had pushed him too far, if she had asked too much. And then, in a voice that sent shivers down her spine, Jon spoke. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you, Emily. Whatever it takes."