Chapter 190


    Elysia plopped down onto the chair with a sense of forced bravado, her mind a whirlwind of confusion


    Callum asked, “It’s been years since west met. How have you been doing?”


    “Fine, just fine” Elysia replied, taking a sip of her coffee to calm her nerves.


    Callum continued. “You know, after that incident years ago, Winona was half out of her mind with worry.


    I heard she’s been looking for you all this time. Now that you’re back, she must be thrilled, right?”


    Callum was also Elysia’s senior of college. He was Zane’s ssmate.


    He had a crush on Winona and used to woo her by bringing treats to her dorm, like fresh baked


    cookies and apple pastries.


    To get closer to Winona, he had often gone out of his way to be nice to her and Blossom, so they were


    all familiar with each other


    Elysia steadied her thoughts and asked, “Have you been in touch with her recently?”


    “No, we lost touch after she started dating Zane. You know I pursued her once. I’ve kept my distance to


    avoid any misunderstandings or unnecessary drama


    “Right. I remember you studied film direction. Are you a director now?”


    “Yeah, what about it?”


    “You must know Winona’s agent, night?”


    “I know of the person, but we’re not close, and I haven’t contacted Winona’s agent I’ve always been


    careful to maintain professional boundaries”


    Elysia continued, “I heard from Zane and Blossom that Winona has gone off to shoot a movie and


    signed some sort of non–disclosure agreement. She’s not allowed to have contact with anyone outside


    the production crew and has been off the radar for over a year now. Do you have any news of her?”


    Callum looked shocked. “No contact for over a year? That doesn’t sound right. In our industry, NDAs


    are


    emon, but I’ve never heard of an actor being cut off from their family. They just need to keep the


    script confidential.”


    y increased Elysia’s concem. “Could you find out what’s going on? I’m worried since there’s been no


    word from her.”


    This only i


    “Sure, Ill ask around as soon as I get back and let you know if I hear anything Let’s exchange


    numbers.”


    They swapped contact information, and then Elysia couldn’t help but ask, “Did you book this table in


    advance for your meeting?”


    “Yeah, why?”


    “That’s strange. I also


    lso had a reservation for this table”


    Callum paused, then it clicked. “You’re meeting Tarquin?”


    “Yes!”


    Callum’s face twitched as he nced upstairs, cursing under his breath.


    Busted.


    He was Tarquin’s buddy who had just flown in from abroad and gotipped into this setup by Tarquin


    himself.


    Tarquin had asked him to meet a woman on his behalf, just to listen to what she had to say.


    Who would have thought it would be Elysia?


    Realizing the situation, Elysia red at Callum before gritting her teeth in anger quin asked you to meet


    me?”


    Callum awkwardly admitted, “Well, yeah…”


    Elysia was livid. She grabbed her phone to call Keaton.


    Keaton’s phone exploded with rings, making him jump in rm.


    “Oh no, the gig is up! You’ve really screwed me over. If you were going to get someone to stand in, at


    least pick someone she doesn’t know! What am I supposed to do now, huh?”


    Tarquin was stone–faced, silent. He hadn’t expected Elysia to know Callum.


    Callum was a film director with a background in screenwriting, a true professional in the craft.


    Tarquin had thought that hiring an actor would be the perfect cover, but he hadn’t anticipated this twist.


    Keaton’s phone was relentless. He answered reluctantly


    “Hello?”


    09:59


    “What the hell is Torquin ying at?” asked Elysia


    Keaton, sticking to the code of every man for himself, foigned ignorance.


    “What do you mean? Didn’t Tarquin show up for the meeting?”