BENEATH THE VELVET EMPIRE

ty. I tried to focus on the passing buildings, the blur of people going

ust him. Trust-such a simple word, but the weight of it felt heavy in my chest. I was stepping into his

abe

s on the road. Even though he wasn't the one driving, he had this air abou

ettled between us. "Remember what I told you last night. You d

ith the idea of what it meant to stand out. My art, the thing I'd poured my soul into for years, was about to take a backseat to this new lif

ce we'd met, he softened. His hand brushed lightly against min

"I wouldn't have brought you here

ll glass and steel, reflecting the city around it like a giant mirror. Liam got out first, offering his hand to help me

ing under the soft light. The receptionist didn't even need to ask who we were. As soo

slid closed, and we ascended to the

echoed, my stomach

ones who will help shape your image. But reme

ling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city. It was breathtaking, but I didn't h

into the room. Beside her stood a man in his early forties, impeccably dressed, his posture confident and commanding. And t

," Liam said, gesturing to each of them i

ss he was referring to, bu

said, her voice cool but professiona

" I replied, trying to m

er lips curving into a f

quite the investment in you," he said, his eyes scanning m

uncomfortably, but I forced myse

as little warmth in it. "On

nuine smile as she stepped closer. "I'm so excited to work wit

placed. I wasn't sure what amazing things they had in mind

lyn said, taking control of the

sh white couches and sleek glass tables filled the space. As we sat

you apart," she began, her tone all business. "Your background as an independent artist giv

ing to keep up

"People don't just buy art, Isabella. They buy the story

ersonal for me, something I did because I needed to, not because I wanted to market myself. Bu

terviews, carefully curated social media posts, all designed to build a

imed in, glancing between the two of us. "T

to be brought up so soon. Liam remained q

mean?" I as

you, about Liam, about how the two of you met. It's a

his plan all along? To use our connection-whatever it was-

s private," he said, his eyes meeting mine briefly before turning b

ker of disappointment in her eyes. "Of course.

id enough. This was his world, and I wa

ingering on me for a moment before she spoke again. "We'll handle everything f

ew that nothing about this would be simple. As we stood to leave, L

urmured as we descen

my voice tinged

ssion softening for just a mo

opened and we stepped outside into the bright afternoon sun, I felt a strange mixture of

cting that same calm confidence, I couldn'