other end

hearsals, two commercial shoots, three interviews, a charity gala, and prep f

d win. Strike while the iron was hot. St

han wa

nk into his bones and mad

noticed

ulders slumped deeper. His voice was s

ght Nathan watching h

han asked low,

d a smile.

n wasn't

y, exhausti

l choreography under harsh studio lights. The choreographer

his time! Ethan, m

is heart pounded painfully in his

e side of the room, te

an stumbled mid-sequence, cat

p echoed in

e choreogra

side in seconds, stead

" Nathan said firmly

ourse" the cho

han turning b

His body was trembling,

his things quietly, ignor

in the seat, pale, sweat-damp

ol bottle of water. "D

Ethan didn

t when they arrived, his

him peel off damp clothes, wrapped

said quietly. "I

y, the sound of Nathan's quiet brea

s no time fo

rly call time for th

now their youngest male ambassador, a coup orchestrated

eer," Richard had said sm

oncept? Bol

contract had been signed. And w

mbassador:

with a reputation for arrogance, and for p

adn't f

e massive studio d

ung across the space-models entwined in sugge

close behind E

e air. "Darling, you look divine. Now, here's the mood boa

stomach

ow by his ear: "Y

l shrug. "Don't h

oments later, alre

he said coldly. "This brand

ght arrived, t

s ever. Designer sungla

oadly when he

If it isn't E

neutral smile

ng nearby, wat

hoot

em shirtless, in EliteWear brie

lmost chest to ches

ced ease-his gaze heavy, fingers grazin

ong reasons. He hated this. The forced

owing Nathan

se reclining-Caleb behind Ethan, ar

hand on his chest. Ethan, tilt

eyed, ja

he camera felt l

Caleb's brea

, Caleb leane

after," he murmured. "L

lled bac

than

on. It's j

aid

a low chuck

, looked ready to step in-but Ethan

gged on into

lt raw. Stripped bar

a hoodie as soon a

asked quietly as th

vily. "Yeah. Just

it w

Wear dropped the firs

of Ethan and Caleb entwined, foreh

instantl

nded on every plat

ernet with edits, me

k so good

leb = new p

ey dati

ip this S

ame was born

in his hotel room, scrolling

s of him with Caleb. Fake cou

hone onto the b

d softly. "Ev

. "They're shipping me wit

aze harden

," Nathan said quietly. "They

"Yeah... but i

oo close-but close enough to

in-beneath the weariness and frustration-so

no camera