Though the atmosphere was peaceful, the next day began on a quieter note than usual. But it was but a camouflage. Just the calm before a storm.
Maya sat at the edge of her bed. Phone in hand while scrolling through a feed that made her stomach churn. Every swipe showed the same image; Adrian and herself.
Caught in his arms. Looking pale and faint. His hand was steady against her back with their faces close enough to look like something intimate.
The caption beneath it made her want to throw her phone against the wall.
"Model Maya Kim and Steele's CEO, Choi Adrian Daves share an intimate moment at the Seoul Beauty Gala. Is it Romance or rescue? What do you think?"
That wasn't all. There were dozens of similar headlines which shook her to the core.
"Maya Kim's secret affair?"
"Adrian Daves' new muse?"
"Business turns personal for rising star and billionaire investor."
Maya could feel the tightness in her chest, as she shut off her phone. Intuitively, she pressed her palms against her eyes. As if it will undone what she had just read but the more she read, the worse it got. If her agency should find out, they could suspend her contracts. Seoul Beauty could replace her in a heartbeat, and if Adrian ever finds out she is pregnant…
"No...." Maya trembled at the thought of it.
She can't let that happen. Another scandal, not when her entire future was already hanging by a thread.
She was barely keeping her career steady, and now… this?
"What would Mum say?" she murmured, her voice breaking slightly.
Her mother, Mrs. Kim, had always believed Maya was building a future she never got to have . Polished, graceful, and unshakable. She had sacrificed everything to help Maya get to this point.
And now, her daughter was a scandal away from destruction. Carrying the child of the man she least expected to meet again.
Like a knife twist, the thought hit Maya. What if the news gets to her mother? She imagined her reaction. The shock, the disappointment, and the hurt would be in.
Would she think she had thrown her future away?
Would she see her daughter as careless?
Her heart ached at the thought. There and then, her phone rang. The sound made her jump almost out of her skin. For a moment, she just stared at the screen. Her heart sank when she saw the name flashing.
Mum.
Maya's fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating. The only consideration she had, was letting it ring out. But that would only make her mother worry more. With no option left, she forced herself to answer, trying to steady her voice.
"Hi, Mum." She said.
"Maya," her mother's voice came from the other side of the phone; warm but laced with concern. "I saw something online this morning. Are you alright? They said you fainted!"
Maya's breath caught. So the news had gotten to her.
"I.... I'm fine," she said quickly, forcing a laugh that didn't even sound convincing. "It was just exhaustion. I had long hours shoot, which meant lots of lights too… nothing serious."
Mrs. Kim sighed softly through the line. "You need to take better care of yourself, sweetheart. No career is worth your health. Promise me you'll rest today."
"I will," Maya said, eyes glistening as guilt clawed at her. Her mother had no idea how deep the truth ran.
"Good," she continued, voice softening. "I know how hard you've worked for this, Maya. I'm proud of you, but please...don't push too far. Your body is not invincible."
"I know, Mum."
"Promise me." Her mother insisted.
"I promise I will take good care of myself."
There was a long pause between them. One filled with things Maya couldn't say. About the pregnancy, the man, the photo and how lost she truly felt.
"I'll be fine, Mum," she said finally, though her throat tightened around the words. "I just need rest."
Just before her mother could say anything, Jina's voice cut through the four corners of her room.
"Maya, have you seen this?" She called. " You're all over the news!"
Maya's door swung open in that instant. Even before she could hide her panic. Jina on the other hand, was held up her phone, wide-eyed and half-gasping.
"I'll call you back, mum." She said, withdrawing the phone from her ear.
"You fainted into his arms?! " Jina snapped. "Are you kidding me? He looks like a movie poster. I did die for that shot!"
"Jina..." Maya's tone was sharper than intended.
Jina blinked. "Okay, okay. Sorry. I just… wow, you two look—"
"Don't." Maya quickly rose, running a hand through her hair. "It's not what it looks like. I just… I got dizzy. He caught me. That's it."
Lowering the phone, Jina frowned. "You sure you're okay, though? That's twice now. Maybe you should see a doctor."
Maya froze, pulse skipping. "I'm fine," she lied. "Just tired. It's probably too much work."
Jina hesitated, clearly unconvinced. But nodded anyway. "Fine. But please eat something before your shoot, okay? You're starting to look like the walking dead."
Maya faked a smile. "Yeah. I'll grab something."
With that, Jina left. Maya involuntarily sank back onto her bed, her breath shaky.
She wasn't ready for this. The world was watching, and she was barely holding herself together. The pregnancy, the photo, the man who unknowingly changed everything. It was too much, too fast.
Yet still, she knew one thing with terrifying clarity. No one should find out about the baby, not even Adrian. Not now. Not ever.
She had to hide it.
After about 2 hours of gathering her thoughts. And putting herself together, the horn of her manager's car sounded outside. Snatching her bag and other necessity, she raced out.
Settling into her seat, the car veered off. The city was bustling as they went around, picking up some few items before heading to the venue of the shoot.
.
.
.
The sterile afternoon air was, humming with it's scorching sunlights and the bustling streets. But the studio was colder than usual. Maya stood beneath the glaring white panels as a dozen lenses pointed her way. The camera clicks were rapid, the stylist shouting directions between frames.
"Head up, chin down. Beautiful, Maya. Smile.... but not too much."
She obeyed automatically. Her muscle memory guiding her through every pose. But her focus wavered. Every now and then, her gaze flicked toward the door.
Adrian hadn't called. Not a message. Not even a statement to the press. He hadn't denied the rumors, but he hadn't fueled them either. That silence, that made everything worse.
Somewhere between shots, she heard whispers from across the set. Two stylists were scrolling through their phones.
"Did you see? Apparently, he didn't even comment. Maybe they really are dating." One whispered.
"Please... like he did date a model. He doesn't do relationships."
Maya's grip tightened on the hem of her dress. Slowly, she exhaled, forcing herself not to react.
"Break for makeup!" the photographer called. And Maya stepped off the stage, heading toward her chair.
That's when she felt the gaze on her. Watching her every step. When she turned, Adrian was there. Standing just beyond the camera lights, dressed in a tailored gray suit. His focus on the shoot with quiet intent. Her heart nearly stopped.
Of course he did be here. Steele Enterprises owned a majority stake in this brand campaign. But still, seeing him here. So soon, so unexpectedly, sent her pulse racing.
He was talking to the director, low-voiced, composed. But his gaze found hers eventually. And for a moment, everything went still.
Maya quickly looked away, pretending to check her makeup kit. Her hands were trembling.
Why was he here? Did he want to talk about the rumors? About that night? Or had he come to make sure she didn't drag him into another headline?
These and many thoughts ran through her head.
But her distructive mind was soon cut short as the shoot resumed in a few minutes. Maya quickly stepped back under the lights. Posing in a gold silk gown.
She lifted her chin, forced a smile, and tried to focus on the lens. But all she could feel was the weight of Adrian's eyes somewhere in the shadows.
"Perfect. Hold that pose," the photographer said. "Turn slightly. Yes, just like that."
Maya's vision instantly blurred for a second. Just at the end of his words. She blinked hard, trying to clear it. But the floor beneath her seemed to sway.
"Are you okay, Maya?" someone asked.
"I'm...fine," she started, but the word slurred.
The lights above her flared brighter. The sound of the camera clicking slowly fading into a dull hum. Her knees buckled before she could stop herself.
"Maya!" voices shouted, muffled, distant.
Then, the same warmth. The same steadiness as before. The arms she never seem to forget, caught her mid-fall.
Through the haze, she looked up. And met his eyes again.
Adrian.
"Careful," he murmured. His voice low even as chaos stirred around them. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
Her breath came out ragged. "You shouldn't be here."
But he didn't let go. "Maybe not. But you look like you need someone to be."
The room spun again. For a fleeting second before everything went dark, Maya wondered if fate was laughing at her.
Because no matter how much she tried to stay away, Adrian Daves seemed to be there every time she fell.