Chapter 70: From Vodka to Vogue-1
Claim
The group was mid-laughter-Harper reenacting Ashcroft’s dramatic drunken fall from the night before, complete with flailing arms and exaggerated sound effects-when the sound of footsteps cut through the morning buzz. Confident. Steady. A little too polished for island air.
Then came the voice.
Maya?
Clear. Familiar. Just loud enough to slice through the low hum of conversation, commanding attention like it belonged there.
Maya froze, a piece of fresh mango skewered on her fork.
That voice.
It tugged at something buried-something she hadn’t thought about in a long time.
She blinked, slowly turning toward the sound.
And there he was.
A tall man in a crisp resort polo and perfectly tailored linen pants, striding toward their table like he owned the view. Dark blonde hair swept back just-so, sun-kissed in all the right places. Clear, striking blue eyes. A sharp jawline, scruffed with designer stubble.
He looked like he’d stepped straight off the cover of a luxury travel magazine.
“Maya Thompson?”
The name sounded foreign coming from him now. Too formal. Too detached. This was someone who used to lean over her sketchpad and call her May, grinning while teasing her about shading lines that made no sense to him.
Maya stood slowly, her chair scraping softly against the stone floor.
“Ethan?”
His face lit up. “It is you!”
Before she could react, he stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm hug.
Maya froze-caught off guard, uncomfortable and stiff, her hands dropping awkwardly to her
sides.
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Gravies 70 From s’ada to Voque-1
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Damien’s jaw tighten, his fist curling on the table as he shifted forward, ready to rise.
She gently but firmly pushed Ethan away-not rudely, just enough to create space.
Damien stilled.
His elbow lifted from the table, spine straightening in one fluid motion. Not tense, but no longer relaxed. On guard. Watching.
For a second, something flickered in Ethan’s eyes-surprise, maybe even hurt. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a practiced, easy smile. He recovered with the kind of charm that had always come naturally to him… at least on the surface.
“Ah… yeah, it’s me,” she said, forcing a small, uneasy smile.
Harper’s eyes narrowed. “Heeey… easy there, tiger.” She leaned in, tone shifting with a spark of realization. “Hold on-are you Ethan Miller?”
Maya blinked, surprised. “You know him?”
Harper blinked back, trying not to choke on her juice. “Uh, yeah. Everyone knows him. Ethan Miller-28, model and actor. Brand endorser for every major lifestyle label in Asia. He was the face of that men’s fragrance campaign last year. You know, the one with the horse and the helicopter?”
Jess glanced up from her toast. “Oh. That guy. The shirtless one on the yacht?”
Harper nodded vigorously. “That’s the one. My cousin framed that ad in her bathroom. Not even kidding.”
Maya tried to process it. The Ethan she remembered wore hoodies to class and carried a duffel bag that smelled faintly of gym socks and spearmint gum. This version was…. elevated. Sleek. Intentional.
“Yeah… I guess that’s me.”
Then his gaze shifted-landing on Maya with that same old glint in his eyes, like no time had passed at all.
“Wow. May.” His voice dipped slightly lower, warm and intimate. “I can’t believe it. You look… İ ncredible.”
Maya flushed, breath catching. “It’s been a while.”
“You could say that.” He chuckled, gaze sweeping over her subtly. “College feels like a
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aphs 70 Freer Wadika to Voque-1
Clam
lifetime ago. I never thought I’d see you here. I’m working with the campaign team for the shoot-came in last night. Early call today for pre-briefing.”
Damien still hadn’t said a word.
But Maya felt him.
The silent presence at her side. The quiet, simmering attention. The firm line of his jaw.
And Harper, of course, soaking it all in like the drama connoisseur she was. She leaned back, sipping her pineapple smoothie with exaggerated interest. “Oooohh… tension incoming.”
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.