Chapter 204
Aria’s POV
I’ve spent days trying to figure out how Aiden knew about my secret wish. Each time I tried to casually question him about it, he somehow managed to turn the conversation around until I felt guilty for even asking. After a few failed attempts, I decided to drop the subject altogether.
Today I was scheduled to shoot promotional photos and a video for Audible with Summer, my assistant. As we headed out, we hit the morning rush hour. I was already stressing about being late when—bam!—a red Maserati rear-ended us.
Summer and our driver hopped out to handle the situation while I stayed in the car. My phone buzzed with a text from Lillian: “#Nicholas Duncan officially appointed CEO of Everest Group today p>
“This Everest Group heir is actually pretty hot,” Lillian added. “Though I heard he’s a total playboy. Changes girlfriends more often than he changes his underwear when he was abroad p>
I rolled my eyes. Seriously, what kind of gossip was Lillian always following?
Seven minutes had passed according to my phone, and neither Summer nor our driver had returned.
Frowning, I pushed open the door and stepped out.
The moment my feet hit the pavement, I heard the Maserati owner screaming at our driver. “I was driving perfectly fine! Why the hell did you suddenly brake p>
Her attitude was downright nasty. Our mild-mannered driver tried to defend himself, but she cut him off with a stream of profanities.
“Since we can’t resolve this, let’s call the police,” I interrupted, catching Summer’s eye.
Summer immediately understood and stepped aside to make the call.
The Maserati woman turned her glare on me. “And who the hell are you p>
I didn’t bother engaging with someone so unreasonable. Instead, I pulled out my phone and ordered another car.
We’d already blocked traffic for about ten minutes during peak rush hour. Drivers behind us were getting impatient, honking continuously.
I quickly asked our driver to pull over, but the Maserati woman physically blocked us. “Where do you think you’re going? Trying to run away p>
I pushed her hand away. “The police will be here soon. It’s rush hour, and we’re causing a traffic jam by staying in the middle of the road p>
The honking behind her Maserati grew more insistent. The woman glanced back and shouted, “What’s all the noise about? Are you all in such a hurry to die or something p>
Her outburst immediately triggered angry shouts from the other drivers.
“This woman is being completely unreasonable!” Summer fumed, returning to my side after calling the police. “She rear-ended us at a red light. Were we supposed to run the red light instead of stopping p>
I bit my lip. “Don’t waste your breath. Some people just won’t listen to reason p>
“I can see that!” Summer checked her watch anxiously. “We’re going to be late. Will they think you’re being a diva since it’s your first time working with them p>
I grimaced and showed her my phone. “I already ordered another car p>
“Smart thinking!” Summer sighed with relief. “You go ahead first, and I’ll join you after sorting out this mess p>
I nodded. “That’s exactly what I was thinking p>
Unfortunately, with the rush hour traffic, my ride arrived late, and I still ended up being tardy for the shoot.
As soon as the car pulled up, I unbuckled my seatbelt and dashed toward the building entrance.
“Miss Jones, over here!” called an assistant who was waiting by the doors.
Slightly out of breath, I jogged over to her. “I’m so sorry-our car was rear-ended on the way p>
“Don’t worry about it! Traffic is always a nightmare during rush hour,” the assistant reassured me with a smile. “Are you alright p>
I shook my head. “I’m fine p>
“Let me take you to makeup first. Julian Grant is already getting ready p>
The assistant gestured for me to follow her.
I stopped in my tracks when I heard the familiar name. “Julian Grant p>
“Yes, you and Mr. Grant are our brand ambassadors for this campaign p>
I blinked in surprise. “The Julian Grant I know p>
“That’s right! Didn’t you appear as special guest at his concert
vel
recently? Since you’re friends,
thought he might have mentioned this project to you p>
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “No, he didn’t p>
The assistant smiled. “Perhaps he wanted to surprise you p>
I smiled faintly and followed her into the elevator. This was definitely a surprise.
When we reached the makeup room, Julian was already in the chair getting his makeup done.
“Aria,” he called out the moment I walked in.
I felt my face flush. “What a coincidence, Julian p>
“Not a coincidence,” he replied immediately.
My face grew even hotter with embarrassment, acutely aware of everyone watching
us.
Then Julian broke into a smile. “I already knew you were the other ambassador p>
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his little joke. Everyone else in the makeup room was clearly enjoying our interaction.
“Miss Jones, over here!” One of the makeup artists called me over. “I’ll be doing your makeup now p>
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” I replied, settling into the chair.
The makeup room wasn’t crowded-just six people total: two makeup artists, two assistants, Julian, and me.
“Miss Jones, your skin is so good! I’m glad I brought my lightest foundation shades today,” the makeup artist gushed.
My ears turned pink at the compliment. “Thank you p>
“It’s so smooth too. I almost don’t want to apply too much foundation p>
The entire makeup process took two
hours, during which I received
steady stream of compliments that made me increasingly
self-conscious.
Once we were both ready, the assistanted Julian and me to the photo shoot location. The morning was scheduled for still photos, with a two-minute video shoot planned for the afternoon.
I rarely did photo shoots and my camera presence wasn’t great. Several shots had
to be retaken because my expressions weren’t quite right.
When we finally wrapped up, I asked Summer to distribute drinks to everyone on the
crew.
By coincidence, Julian’s assistant had just returned with beverages as well.
“Miss Jones and Mr. Grant are too kind!” the assistant exclaimed.
Julian caught my eye and handed me an opened bottle of sparkling water. “Tired p>
I shook my head. “I’m fine p>
In truth, I was exhausted, but I felt too embarrassed to admit it, especially since I
was the reason we’d had to reshoot multiple times.
“Rest up,” Julian said with a knowing look. “The afternoon will be even more demanding. Come on, let’s grab lunch p>
I opened my mouth to respond, but my phone rang. Looking down at the screen, I
saw Aiden’s name flashing.