Movie promotion

On her way to the design department, Ava ran into Lisa Chen near the elevator. Lisa had a file open in her hands, and as Ava glanced down, she caught a peek at the sketches inside.

So this is what the CEO had gone to Mason for: a custom bracelet design for Lana West, the star of the upcoming movie Lost. But… why Mason?

Still, the work spoke for itself. Ava couldn't deny it. Ethan Sterling's instincts were spot-on. The patterns Mason had drawn had this quiet, aching loneliness to them. There was nothing flashy or commercial about them. They felt… personal.

"What do you think?" Lisa asked, closing the folder with a satisfied smile and looking up at her.

Ava hesitated for a moment. "It's beautiful. That flower looks like a poppy. If I remember right, poppies symbolize fleeting love or remembrance. It fits the theme of Lost. The whole story's about holding onto something that's already gone."

Lisa studied her for a beat, impressed. "You're observant."

Ava gave a faint smile, but a thought lingered in the back of her mind.

Mason didn't design that just for the movie. There's something personal in it.

Could it be Lana?

If that were true, it explained why Ethan brought him into this. Maybe he understood more than people gave him credit for.

Lisa handed her the file. "Here. Take this to the design team."

Ava nodded and turned to go—only to spot Ethan Sterling standing just down the hallway, watching her.

She froze. How long has he been there? Did he hear what I said?

Her face warmed, and she turned quickly toward the department, trying not to show how flustered she felt.

Back at his office, Ethan sat at his desk, slowly replaying Ava's words in his mind.

"Fleeting love..."

He opened his desk drawer and pulled out an old photograph. He stared at it for a long while, his expression unreadable. Then, with a soft scoff, he tossed it back in and shut the drawer.

The collaboration between Sterling & Co. and INK Corporation had officially launched. Lana West would begin filming the promotional shot for Lost in five days, and the bracelet design would be completed within ten.

Ava accompanied Ethan to the venue to inspect the venue ahead of time.

The location was extravagant—LED backdrops, a custom-built runway, media booths, everything planned to perfection. Ava couldn't help but admire how well the event captured both artistic flair and business savvy.

This wasn't just a movie promo—it was a luxury branding coup. INK had nailed both storytelling and marketing in one move.

No wonder Ethan signed on.

"Ava. The event briefing," Ethan called.

When she didn't respond, his tone sharpened. "Ava!"

She jumped a little. "Oh—right. Sorry!"

She handed over the folder, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Why does my brain always drift when I'm around him? she scolded herself.

What Ava didn't realize was that Ethan was known for his composure, for being nearly impossible to rattle. But something about her always seemed to shake that calm.

Ethan flipped through the event plans until his attention was caught by a small display case on a nearby table.

Inside it sat a single preserved poppy flower—soft red petals, slightly curled, encased in a clear acrylic stand.

"This is a poppy flower, right?" he asked, studying it.

Ava stepped beside him. "Yeah. That's it."

She brushed her fingers gently along the glass and added, "There's an old story about it."

Ethan turned slightly toward her. "Let's hear it."

"A girl finds a rare flower—this flower—and offers it as a gift to the king. But the flower is actually part of her. She's its spirit. When she touches it, she transforms back into who she really is… and loses all memory of the boy she once loved."

Ethan nodded, waiting.

There was a pause. Ava's voice had softened, her eyes fixed on the blossom.

Ethan didn't speak. He just watched her.

For the first time, he noticed the way her quiet presence filled a the room.

And for a moment, he wasn't thinking about contracts, brand launches, or boardroom politics.