Secret Crush

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ •• Chapter 6 •• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

The weeks following the gala were a whirlwind of events, photo shoots, and social media updates. Marina and Lorenze continued working together, their collaboration turning into a regular fixture in both of their schedules. The more time Marina spent with Lorenze, the more she found herself drawn to him. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the bond they shared grew stronger with each passing day.

One evening, as they prepared for a charity event, Marina couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different. The event was set in an elegant ballroom, with guests dressed to the nines and the air buzzing with excitement. Marina and Lorenze had just finished taking some photos together, and the evening was shaping up to be a memorable one.

Sitting together at a table, Marina tried to focus on the festivities around them. However, her attention kept drifting to Lorenze. She found herself watching him more closely, noting the way he interacted with others and how effortlessly he made people feel at ease. The way his laughter filled the room and the warmth in his eyes made her heart flutter in a way she hadn’t experienced before.

As she looked around, Marina saw Esmeralda across the room, chatting animatedly with a group of guests. The sight of Esmeralda, paired with the way Lorenze had politely deflected her previous advances, tugged at Marina’s heart. The thought of Esmeralda and Lorenze together made her stomach churn, and she couldn’t ignore the pang of jealousy that followed.

Marina’s feelings were becoming harder to ignore. She realized she might have developed a crush on Lorenze, something she had tried to deny but could no longer avoid. Every time Lorenze smiled at her or leaned in to share a joke, her heart skipped a beat. The crush was undeniable, and it left her feeling both exhilarated and anxious.

As the evening went on, Marina struggled to keep her composure. Her heart raced, and she found it difficult to concentrate on the conversations around her. Lorenze noticed her distraction and furrowed his brow in concern.

“Hey, Marina,” Lorenze said gently, placing a hand on her arm. “You don’t look so well. Are you feeling okay?”

Marina forced a smile, trying to brush off his concern. “I’m fine, Lorenze. Just a bit tired, I guess.”

Lorenze’s expression remained worried. “You seem a bit off. Maybe you should get some rest. We can head back early if you’re not feeling up to it.”

Marina hesitated, her heart conflicted. She didn’t want to seem like she was making a fuss or let her feelings interfere with their work. But the thought of spending more time with Lorenze alone was tempting.

“Are you sure?” Marina asked, her voice soft. “I don’t want to ruin the night for you.”

Lorenze gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble at all. I’d rather you be comfortable and take care of yourself. We can catch up on the event later.”

Marina nodded, touched by his kindness. “Alright, if you don’t mind. I could use a break.”

As they left the event, Marina felt a mix of relief and sadness. The evening hadn’t gone as planned, but Lorenze’s concern and willingness to take her home made her heart swell. In the car ride back, Lorenze chatted softly, trying to keep the mood light and comfortable. Marina appreciated his efforts to make her feel better.

When they arrived at her place, Lorenze walked her to the door. “Get some rest, okay?” he said, his voice gentle. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”

Marina smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Lorenze. I appreciate it.”

As she closed the door behind her, Marina leaned against it, her mind racing. Her feelings for Lorenze had deepened, and the realization left her both excited and apprehensive. She knew she had to sort through her emotions and decide how to navigate her growing crush, especially with the complexities of their professional relationship.

For now, she was grateful for Lorenze’s support and kindness. As she settled into bed, she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them and how her feelings would impact their dynamic.

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