Crossing Lines

Chapter 10

Maya meticulously arranged the idea boards on the stands and adjusted the camera angles for the Zoom call. She double-checked the positioning of each board, ensuring they were perfectly aligned and visible to everyone in the room. Today, she had to hit the ground running not only as a new partner but also as a leader.

Suddenly, a familiar voice startled her from behind and caused her to jump slightly. She turned to find Ethan standing there, a playful grin on his face.

"Ethan, you scared me!" Maya exclaimed, amusement dancing in her eyes and hitting her fist on his chest in protest.

Ethan chuckled, his gaze lingering on Maya with admiration. "Sorry about that. I thought I'd give you a burst of adrenaline before your meeting," he admitted, his tone light.

Maya couldn't help but smile at his playful demeanor. "Oh, Trust me. I was doing fine on my own," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "But you did get me out of my head, so thank you."

"You're welcome." Ethan winked at her as he sat in one of the chairs.

Maya chuckled, feeling a sense of ease in Ethan's presence. "So, what brings you here? Not that I mind the company," she added with a grin.

Ethan shrugged casually, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just thought I'd offer some moral support. Plus, I wanted to see that confident Maya charm in action," he replied, a playful smirk playing on his lips.

Maya rolled her eyes playfully at his comment. "Well, I appreciate it. Having you here helps," she admitted, her tone sincere.

Ethan's gaze softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Anytime, Maya. You know I've got your back," he said, his voice filled with genuine support.

As they chatted about the upcoming presentation, Maya went into boss mode as she filled him in on the strategy she and her team had put together. She appreciated Ethan's encouragement and support, knowing he believed in her abilities.

"You're going to land this client, but that doesn't surprise me one bit," Ethan said, his eyes filled with confidence.

Maya appreciated his kind words, which she knew were sincere. "Thanks, Ethan. That means a lot coming from you," she replied sincerely.

The door swung open, and Gina, Rachael, and Seth entered the room, interrupting their moment.

"Are we all set up for the presentation?" Gina asked, calm and collected as she always was.

Maya and Ethan quickly composed themselves, shifting their focus back to the task at hand. "Yep, everything's ready to go," Maya replied in a professional tone.

Glitz Cosmetics joined the Zoom room for their appointment. Maya took charge, confidently kicking off the meeting.

Gina took her place at the front of the room, a confident smile on her face as she began the pitch. Her voice was steady and persuasive as she outlined the key points of their campaign, her passion for the project shining through with every word.

Rachael followed suit, seamlessly transitioning into discussing the social media strategy they had developed. Her expertise in digital marketing was evident as she delved into the intricacies of engaging with consumers online and building brand awareness through various platforms.

Finally, Seth took the floor, his voice measured as he presented the projected numbers and potential ROI for Glitz Cosmetics. His meticulous research and attention to detail left no doubt in anyone's mind about the financial viability of the proposed campaign.

As the presentation drew to a close, Maya felt a sense of pride for her team. They had delivered a compelling pitch, and she could see the impressed expressions on the faces of the Glitz Cosmetics representatives.