Chapter 72: The Price of His Presence-1
The sun filtered through the lattice roof of the Garden Pavilion, casting soft shadows over the team as they moved with focused precision.
“Alright,” Harper said, clapping her hands lightly, “time to make this place sing.”
Maya nodded, mentally pulling herself into the task.
Yet, beneath the busy surface, her mind kept circling back. Why now? Why him? Her fingers adjusted the hem of a fabric swatch, but her eyes were distant, gaze unfocused.
Jessa was snapping reference photos from multiple angles, her tablet in one hand, stylus in the other, noting which frames matched the mood board. Sienna hovered near the layout plan, pointing at spots where props would be arranged, her voice low but clear. Harper, ever the connector, coordinated with the production team, smoothing over questions about timelines and deliverables.
Maya was with them-physically, at least. But her heart was elsewhere.
She didn’t hear Harper the first time.
“Hey,” Harper said gently, nudging her elbow. “Maya, you okay?”
“Huh? Oh… yeah.” She blinked. “I’m fine.”
Harper wasn’t buying it. “Is it about Miller?”
Even just hearing the name made Maya’s chest tighten. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted softly. “But something tells me none of this is a coincidence.”
“What do you mean? I thought you said you never saw him again after you dropped out of university, that was what? Like 4-5 years ago?”
“Yes. And even when I went back 2 years ago, I never heard anything about him again. Maybe once, at the coffee shop where I used to work, just in passing. Some girls were talking about a new actor… the name sounded familiar. But that was it.”
Harper tilted her head. “Okay… so do you think he took the gig on purpose? Like, just to cross paths with you?”
“I don’t think so.” Maya hesitated. But doubt was a strange thing-it crept in, slow and slippery. “But… have you noticed how he keeps pushing Damien’s buttons? Like he’s testing the waters-bringing up university memories, playing the familiarity card, seeing what kind of reaction he gets. And when he walked into the room… he said my name first. But it didn’t look
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like he was surprised to see me there.”
Jessa and Sienna joined them then, both holding clipboards.
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“I noticed that too,” Jessa murmured. “That’s why I said earlier-something feels off. His presence is unsettling, the way he talks about you feels different, I can’t quite put a finger on it, but it’s awkward, like watching a kid trying to brag about how he’s better because he knows you even before boss does.”
Sienna folded her arms, her brow drawn. “And let’s talk about Trina’s actions.” she added. She acted strange when he mentioned he was here for the shoot. Like she was expecting someone else instead. You can tell she’s uncomfortable, but just trying to keep it all professional.”
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The air shifted with unease. Then Maya recalled the name of the agency Sienna mentioned handling Ethan – Orion.
The name struck something in her chest-hard and cold. She’d heard of it before. Not in meetings or strategy decks, but in passing. Hushed mentions. Vague warnings. Always paired with a shift in tone… and eyes that didn’t quite meet hers.
Harper turned serious. “There’s something strange about all this. We have to be careful around that Miller guy.” Then she looked up, eyes scanning the three ladies standing beside her. “Let’s be cautious around this guy, especially on what we’re saying-about Maya, the boss, everything. We don’t know his intentions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
And the ladies nodded their heads in agreement.
Meanwhile, back at the resort, Trina ushered Ethan and his manager into a sleek, glass-walled conference room overlooking a polished courtyard. Cool and modern, the space was outfitted in polished oak and minimalist chrome finishes-elegant, but impersonal, sunlight bouncing off the glass walls. Mary and Aimee were already inside, projecting calm authority as they laid out the agenda. Aimee’s tablet pinged softly as she reviewed the proposed figures. Mary’s expression remained pleasant but sharp, her pen poised above the printed contract.
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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.