6. The Estate

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Chapter Six: The Estate

The following weekend, Maya found herself standing before the grand entrance of Isabelle Rousseau’s estate, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves. The sprawling mansion was even more impressive than she had imagined, its towering façade and perfectly manicured gardens exuding an air of opulence that made Maya feel slightly out of place.

But she reminded herself that she belonged here—she had earned this. With her acceptance into the art world’s inner circle came opportunities like this, and she wasn’t going to let self-doubt hold her back.

As she entered the estate, the soft hum of classical music greeted her, mingling with the quiet conversations of the guests already mingling in the grand foyer. She handed her coat to a waiting attendant and made her way inside, her eyes taking in the elegant décor and the priceless artworks that adorned the walls.

Maya felt a shiver of excitement. This was her world now, or at least, it was the world she was striving to be part of. And tonight, she intended to make the most of it.

She spotted Isabelle across the room, surrounded by a group of well-dressed guests. The art dealer caught Maya’s eye and gave her a warm smile, excusing herself from the group to greet her.

“Maya, I’m so glad you could make it,” Isabelle said, taking her hands in a gesture that felt both sincere and calculated. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you,” Maya replied, returning the smile. “Your estate is incredible. I’m honoured to be here.”

“The honor is mine,” Isabelle said smoothly. “I’ve been eager to introduce you to some of my closest friends. There are quite a few people here who are very interested in your work.”

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. This was exactly what she had hoped for. “I’d love to meet them.”

Isabelle led her through the gathering, introducing her to collectors, gallery owners, and fellow artists. Each introduction felt like a step closer to the success she had dreamed of, and the encouragement and admiration she received from those she met bolstered her confidence.

But as the evening progressed, Maya couldn’t help but feel a sense of detachment. Despite the warm welcome, there was an undercurrent of something she couldn’t quite place. The conversations were polite, the compliments genuine, but there was a formality to everything that made her feel like an outsider.

And then, there was Adrian.

She hadn’t seen him all evening, and part of her was relieved. But another part, the part that still remembered the way he had kissed her, was disappointed. She knew he was here—Isabelle had mentioned he would be. But he had kept his distance, and she couldn’t help but wonder why.

Maya found herself drifting to the edge of the gathering, her thoughts consumed by the memory of their last encounter. She stepped out onto the terrace, needing a moment to collect herself. The night air was cool, and she took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind.

But before she could, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

“I wondered when you’d find your way out here.”

Maya turned, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Adrian leaning against the stone railing, his expression unreadable. He looked as devastatingly handsome as ever, dressed in a tailored suit that only emphasized his commanding presence.

“Adrian,” she breathed, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. “I didn’t see you inside.”

“I’ve been watching,” he said, his gaze piercing as it met hers. “But I wanted to give you space. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

Maya swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. “You’re not overwhelming me,” she lied, even though the intensity of his gaze was doing exactly that.

Adrian’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “I’m glad to hear that.” He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “But I’ll admit, it’s been difficult to stay away.”

Maya’s breath caught in her throat. There was something about the way he looked at her, as if he could see right through her, that made her feel exposed and vulnerable. But it also thrilled her, igniting a spark of desire that she had been trying to ignore all night.

“You’re here now,” she said softly, unsure of what else to say.

“I am,” Adrian agreed, his voice low. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

The promise in his words sent a rush of heat through her, and for a moment, Maya forgot all her reservations. All she could think about was how much she wanted him, how much she wanted to give in to whatever this was between them.

But before she could say anything, the sound of footsteps approaching broke the spell. Maya quickly stepped back, her heart racing as she turned to see Isabelle standing in the doorway, her expression cool and composed.

“Am I interrupting?” Isabelle asked, her tone polite but with an edge of curiosity.

“Not at all,” Maya said quickly, her face flushing with embarrassment. She couldn’t believe she had almost lost control like that, especially in front of Isabelle.

Adrian’s expression remained calm, but Maya could see the flicker of frustration in his eyes. “We were just getting some air,” he said smoothly, stepping back as well.

Isabelle’s gaze flicked between them, and Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just walked into something she didn’t fully understand. But Isabelle merely smiled and gestured toward the entrance.

“The next part of the evening is about to begin,” Isabelle said. “I’d hate for you to miss it.”

Maya nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Of course.”

As they made their way back inside, Maya felt Adrian’s gaze on her, the weight of his unspoken words lingering between them. But she forced herself to focus on the evening ahead, determined not to let her emotions get the best of her.

Yet as they rejoined the gathering, Maya couldn’t help but wonder what exactly she had just agreed to—and what role Adrian was going to play in it.

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