Leading Us

4. The Invitation

Chapter Four: The Invitation

The rest of the gala passed in a blur for Maya. She engaged in polite conversation, smiled at the right moments, and accepted compliments on her work with practised grace.

But her mind was elsewhere, replaying the kiss on the terrace, the feel of Adrian’s hands on her, the way he had looked at her as if she were the only woman in the world.

Victor had been a welcome distraction, pulling her back into the safety of the crowd, but even his enthusiastic discussion of her art couldn’t fully distract her from the memory of what had happened. Every time she glanced across the room and caught sight of Adrian, her pulse quickened, and her thoughts grew hazy.She needed to clear her head. She couldn’t afford to be distracted, not when so much was riding on this evening.

Her career was finally gaining momentum, and she had worked too hard to let anything—especially a man—get in the way.But as the night drew to a close, and guests began to filter out of the ballroom, Maya couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

Adrian hadn’t approached her again, though she had felt his gaze on her more than once. She wondered if he was giving her space or if he was simply waiting for her to come to him.As she made her way toward the exit, Maya felt a hand on her arm.

She turned, half-expecting to see Adrian, but instead found herself face-to-face with a woman she didn’t recognize. The woman was tall, with striking features and an air of confidence that immediately put Maya on edge.“Maya Sinclair?” the woman asked, her voice smooth and cultured.“Yes,” Maya replied, a hint of caution in her tone.

“And you are?”

“Isabelle Rousseau,” the woman said, her red lips curving into a smile. “I’m an art dealer. I’ve been following your work for some time now.”Maya’s interest piqued. Isabelle Rousseau was a name she had heard before—a powerful figure in the art world, known for her ability to make or break careers.

She was one of the most sought-after dealers, and her interest in Maya’s work was both flattering and a little intimidating.“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Maya said, extending her hand.Isabelle took it, her grip firm but elegant. “The pleasure is mine. I’ve been meaning to reach out to you, but it seems fate has brought us together tonight. I wanted to discuss a potential collaboration—if you’re interested.”

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. A collaboration with Isabelle Rousseau could be the breakthrough she had been waiting for. “I’m definitely interested,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.“Wonderful,” Isabelle said, her smile widening. “I’ll be in touch to arrange a meeting. But in the meantime, I wanted to extend a personal invitation. I’m hosting a private event at my estate next weekend—a gathering of artists, collectors, and a few influential friends. I would be delighted if you could join us.”

Maya hesitated. The invitation was tempting, but the memory of Adrian’s intense gaze still lingered in her mind. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to dive deeper into this world, especially with everything that had happened tonight.