Semua Bab Wanting my best friend’s brother : Bab 51 - Bab 58

Chapter 51. The next morning started normally. I was halfway through reviewing production schedules when Maya walked into my office carrying her tablet. She closed the door behind her and sat down without her usual greeting. That immediately made me suspicious."I’ve been thinking about something." I sighed. "That sentence never leads anywhere good."Maya ignored me. "Do we have a backup plan if Chloe decides to make things difficult closer to the exhibition?"I blinked. "You want us to replace Chloe? And why would she make things difficult?""Because she’s unpredictable and I want us to be prepared.""Maya…""I’m serious, Lin." She cut in. "You need to think about that,"I leaned back in my chair. "You are overthinking it. And even if Chloe wanted to pull out, she can’t."Maya folded her arms. "You sound very confident about that. How are you so sure?”"Because…" I pointed toward the contract folder sitting on my desk. "Model Luxe signed a binding agreement. If they pull their mod

The venue was elegant and modern. It looked effortlessly stylish without trying too hard. It had a large glass entrance with warm lights and a valet attendant. Guests were dressed in shades of burgundy, from elegant designer dresses to perfectly tailored suits. They were gathered around tall tables with drinks in hand. I took a deep breath, then another, and finally stepped inside. The setting made everything feel slightly more cinematic than it actually was. The ballroom buzzed with conversation and music drifted softly through the room. People laughed, groups formed and reformed. Old classmates were recognizing each other after years apart.For a moment, I simply stood there taking it all in. I collected a glass of wine from the bar near the entrance and took a moment to scan the room the way I always did in social gatherings. I did it quietly, without making it look like that's what I was doing. Some I recognized immediately, some only after a few seconds. Names came back slowly, a

I cleared my throat."I appreciate your apology…" I said gently. "And I meant everything I said."He nodded once. "But we can never be friends."The words were gentle. It wasn’t said with bitterness, not with residual anger, just with the calm certainty of someone who knows exactly where their lines are and has no interest in redrawing them for anyone's comfort."I’ve forgiven you." I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. "But forgiveness doesn’t erase history."He lowered his eyes. "I don’t hate you, Daniel. At least not anymore and I’m not saying that to punish you," I continued. "I said it because it's simply the truth. There's no version of this where we stay in each other's lives and it serves either of us well. What I have to give you is forgiveness and I meant it when I said it earlier. But the door closes there."He was quiet for a moment. Something moved across his face that I chose not to analyze too deeply. Then he nodded. "I understand," he said. And it sounded li

We stayed there staring into each other's eyes for another few seconds before he broke the silence."So…" he smiled.I smiled back waiting for him to complete his sentence."Does this mean I can text you good morning again without overthinking it?"I laughed. "Yes, Ethan. Don’t be dramatic.""And I can send you lunch when Maya tells me you’ve skipped it?"I narrowed my eyes playfully. "So she’s been reporting to you?""I refuse to answer that."I laughed harder. "You two are impossible.""We just care about you."I shook my head. "Okay fine. Just do whatever it is that you want. I don’t mind."He smiled. "Will I see you soon?""I can’t promise that right now but I will make time."He nodded once. The conversation drifted naturally after that. We talked about the exhibition, his latest project, and the ridiculous amount of coffee I had been drinking since the exhibition plan started.At some point during the second course, he reached across the table and covered my hand with his briefl