The Catalyst office buzzed with energy as Ryan called an impromptu meeting. The team had just received a lucrative invitation to pitch for Sterling & Crown's latest collection, "Ever After," a modern engagement ring line meant to redefine timeless love. The stakes were higher than ever, with the deadline barely a week away and competition from every big-name agency in the city.
"We're in, but we need to give them something bold—something unforgettable," Ryan declared, his voice carrying the familiar authority that sent a ripple of excitement through the room. His gaze lingered on Maya. "You're leading this."
Maya blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
"You have the insight we need. You understand authenticity, and this campaign has to feel real," Ryan replied. Though his tone was calm, there was an undercurrent of trust that made her chest tighten.
"I won't let you down," she promised, ignoring the butterflies that seemed to have taken permanent residence in her stomach.
Linda, Ryan's mother, happened to be visiting the office that day with her usual flair for turning mundane events into mini adventures. After overhearing snippets of the team's brainstorming session, she marched straight into the war room.
"I couldn't help but overhear," she began, placing a steaming cup of tea in front of her son. "You're talking about love stories, aren't you? Well, let me tell you about mine."
Ryan groaned. "Mom—"
"Shush, darling. This might be the inspiration your little team needs," Linda said, fixing him with a playful glare. Maya bit back a laugh, utterly charmed by her.
Linda recounted her and her late husband's whirlwind romance, from their first meeting at a bookstore to their impromptu elopement in Paris. The room fell silent as everyone listened, captivated by the sincerity and nostalgia in her voice. Even Ryan, who often dismissed his mother's exuberance, seemed lost in her words.
"That," Maya said softly when Linda finished, "is exactly what we need. A story that feels real."
Linda beamed, her eyes twinkling. "Well, you know where to find me if you need more gems of wisdom." She winked at Maya before leaving, making Ryan sigh in resignation.
As the team dove deeper into the campaign, brainstorming late into the evenings, whispers began to circulate. Priya, who had a knack for catching the office grapevine before anyone else, leaned over to Liam one afternoon.
"Did you hear?" she whispered, her eyes darting to Maya. "There's a rumor going around that she's connected to Sterling & Crown. Like… family connected."
Liam frowned. "What? That doesn't make sense. Why would she be working here if that were true?"
"I don't know, but Titan Strategies started the rumor. Apparently, someone saw a photo of her with one of the owners a while back," Priya replied, her voice hushed.
The rumor reached Ryan in record time, and his reaction was predictably sharp. He stormed into the meeting room where Maya was fine-tuning her presentation and shut the door behind him.
"Do you have something to tell me?" he asked, his voice low but edged with tension.
Maya looked up, startled by his tone. "What are you talking about?"
Ryan hesitated, struggling to choose his words. "There's a rumor circulating that you're connected to Sterling & Crown's owners. Is it true?"
For a moment, Maya's mind went blank. Then, like a jigsaw puzzle snapping into place, she realized what he meant. "Wait—are you talking about my cousin, Amara?"
Ryan's eyes narrowed. "So, there is a connection?"
"Yes, but—"
"Why didn't you say anything?" His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of frustration.
"Because I haven't spoken to Amara in years," Maya said firmly. "We grew up together, but we drifted apart after college. She's part of the family, yes, but I had no idea she was with Sterling & Crown until now."
Ryan studied her, his gaze searching for any sign of deceit. Finding none, he nodded, though the tension between them remained palpable.
The situation took a sharp turn two days later when a tabloid article surfaced online. It featured a photo of Maya and Amara at a family wedding years ago, the caption speculating about nepotism and Catalyst's involvement in Sterling & Crown's campaign.
The article spread through the office like wildfire. Priya and Liam, who had initially dismissed the rumor, now exchanged worried looks. Linda, who had returned to the office that day with lunch for Ryan, found herself in the middle of the gossip storm.
"Is this the Maya Claire's always talking about?" Linda asked her son when she saw the photo. Her tone was light, but there was a note of curiosity.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration barely concealed. "Yes, Mom, and it's not what it looks like. Maya doesn't have any active connection to Sterling & Crown."
Linda raised an eyebrow, her playful demeanor softening. "You're sure about that?"
"I am," Ryan said firmly, though the doubt in his own mind gnawed at him.
That evening, as the office emptied out, Ryan found Maya sitting alone in the conference room, staring at her laptop. The glow of the screen illuminated the worry etched on her face.
"We'll fix this," he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.
Maya looked up, her eyes searching his. "What if we can't? What if this ruins everything?"
Ryan hesitated, then sat down beside her. "It won't. I know you, Maya. You're honest, hardworking, and talented. This—" he gestured to the photo on her screen, "—is just noise. We'll clear it up."
Before either of them could say more, Linda appeared in the doorway, her face unreadable. "You two might want to come outside," she said. "There's someone here who wants to talk to Maya."
As Maya and Ryan stepped into the hallway, their breaths caught. Standing there, dressed impeccably and exuding an air of authority, was Amara.
"Hello, Maya," she said, her voice cool. "We need to talk."
To be continued...