HE IS MY OBSESSION

urniture. Elara sat across from Isla, her fingers loosely wrapped around a cup of untouched tea. The soft hum of the air conditioner

reer now?" Isla asked casually, leaning back in her

other choice, Isla. I've spent years trying to make something work

eaned forward as if she'd been

ucky I know just

ul, but there was a flicker of s

ional internship program for scriptwriters. It's very selective, and only the best get in. You'd be learning fr

se. "That sounds... amazing. B

ste ara," Isla said

t she quickly recovered, lowering her gaze to

es to be seen. The studio president, Ethan Sinclair, already knows about yo

t... he knows who I am? How could that be poss

ir behind her ear. "Not entirely. He kn

Celeste Ara." Her voice faltered slightly, and she shift

ere she wasn't trapped by her marriage or the expectations placed upon her. And now, someone like Ethan Sinclair-

a fresh start," she mur

d, and she clapped

writing, gaining expertise and come back ready

weight of her decision s

's d

ious as she assured Elara this was the right choice. When they finally stood to leave

phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out,

she a

was Ethan

she typed back, "Ye

ately, a resp

eep me u

of the tinted window, her thoughts drifting back

ays b

e sharpness of his presence. Isla Thompson sat across from him, her usual bold demeanor tempered with an unusual hint of uncertainty. Despite her

the edges of his sharp features. He clasped his hands together, his ste

oice measured and cool,

d. "What kind of task?" she as

est smile as he spoke again. "I want you to

nked in

este

motive storytelling tha

s incredible, but..." Isla

eleste Ara actually is. S

arefully, a knowing

t fooling

beat. She didn't know how to respond, but

stand why you're so

wasn't one of humor-it was a kn

industry. But you're right. I want you to bring her into our internship program.

t he knew exactly who Celeste Ara was-or rather, who Celeste Ara is. But he wasn't pushing her for answe

her decision," he added smoothly,

know that the opportunity comes fro

the undercurrent of tension

tated, trying to ease her unease, "I don't think she's g

half-smile, his

her, Isla. You'

story with Celeste, and the unspoken bond that existed between them. But he didn't press, didn't demand answers. He sim

le it well.

y get her nowhere. He wasn't one to tolerate being pried into, and while Isla had learned to

o pres

ling that hiw elara strings connecting her to this mysteri

ll shared this offer with elara bec

fer is brea

was certain they were far more complex than

mind, Isla couldn't help but wond