Minnie POV
I woke up with a tired face and a heavier heart, yesterday's words with Will's mother still echoing inside my mind. I shook my head, trying to erase the memories, and dragged myself out of bed. After a long shower, I made a simple sandwich and sighed. I missed my mother's cooking... I missed home... I missed being someone who wasn't broken. The day rushed me to the office before I could breathe.
I prepared everything for today's meeting about our new movie project, and it ended after hours of discussion. As we walked out, Will was talking with Nova when suddenly a soft female voice called his name. I turned and saw her-beautiful, younger than me, smiling like she belonged there. She walked straight to him and hugged him without hesitation.
My body froze, but my heart shattered.
I couldn't watch anymore. I whispered to Nova that I needed the washroom and walked away before anyone could see my face falling apart. Inside the restroom, I stared at my reflection, breathing heavily, as if the mirror itself was judging me.
"So this is the reason..." I whispered.
"This is why he left for Paris all of sudden. He already had someone in his life. Then why did he come into mine? Why did he make me believe in something that was never meant for me?"
Tears burned my eyes, but I forced them back. Because even now the only thing that hurt more than losing him was realizing I was never the one he chose.
Will POV
After the meeting, I was discussing script corrections with Nova when suddenly a familiar voice called my name.
"Will!!!"
Before I could react, Luna jumped into my arms and hugged me tightly.
I froze.
When she pulled back, the first thing I saw was Minnie.
Her face... that disappointed, broken look. My heart sank.
"Minnie, wait-" I tried to speak, but she had already turned away.
Great.
Another misunderstanding.
Now she would think I was dating my own sister.
I rolled my eyes and looked at the girl standing proudly in front of me.
"What are you doing here, Luna? Did you get lost on the way to school or something?"
Luna grinned. "Excuse me, Mr. CEO Brother. I came for my internship. I'm a professional now."
Nova blinked. "Internship? Here? In THIS office?"
Luna crossed her arms dramatically. "Yes. I want to learn about the cinema, coffee machine location, and also... important emotional matters."
Nova frowned. "Emotional matters?"
I narrowed my eyes. "I know exactly why you came suddenly. You want to see Minnie, right?"
Luna gasped loudly. "Wow, detective brother! Gold medal for observation."
Nova looked between us, confused. "Wait... why does she want to see Minnie? And how does she even know Minnie"
Luna leaned closer to Nova and whispered like it was top-secret news, "What, Nova? You don't know who Minnie is? Seriously? This office is behind in gossip."
Nova thought for a second, then his eyes widened. "Don't tell me... Minnie is that Minnie from Chennai?"
I didn't answer.
I just turned and walked toward my office, my chest heavy with one thought:
She left again... believing the wrong story... and I didn't even get the chance to tell her the truth.
Nova followed me into my cabin and closed the door behind him.
Nova: "Will... stop acting like a tragic hero in a movie. Why didn't you tell me Minnie is the girl you loved? You hid it like it was a company secret."
I leaned back in my chair and let out a slow breath.
Will: "Because if I said her name out loud, it would become real again. And I already lost her once... I didn't want to lose her with everyone watching."
Nova folded his arms. "So you chose silence? Wow. Very mature. Oscar-level drama."
I gave him a tired smile.
Will: "I thought distance would protect her. Instead, it punished both of us."
Nova: "And now she thinks Luna is your girlfriend."
I closed my eyes. "Perfect. My life is officially a misunderstanding series."
Nova softened. "You still love her, don't you?"
I looked at the window and whispered,
Will: "I never stopped. I just learned how to hide it better than my feelings."
I looked at Nova, and he was staring at his phone with a deep sigh.
"What happened?" I asked.
He showed me Minnie's message. She had written that she would leave the office early and meet us directly at the party hall. My heart sank, and my mind started racing with fear and regret. I turned to Nova and said urgently, "Tell her we will pick her up for the party." He sent the message, but her reply came quickly - no.
I took out my phone to text her myself, but then I remembered she still hadn't unblocked me. Frustration washed over me, and I dropped my phone onto the table. Looking at Nova, I said, "Send her a message that I need to talk about our new project during the car ride." He nodded and sent it.
For a long moment, there was only silence. Then she replied
She reply came - 'ok.'
I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes. I knew this was my chance. I had to clear every misunderstanding between us. Nova left the room, and I forced myself to f on my work, even though my heart was al. waiting for the night.
Minnie POV
I came out of the washroom with trembling hands and a heavy heart. I couldn't face anyone, especially him. My chest felt tight, and my eyes burned with unshed tears. I took out my phone and sent a short message to Nova, telling him that I was leaving the office and that I would meet them directly at the party hall.
Without waiting for a reply, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the office. Every step felt harder than the last, as if my heart was being pulled backward while my body moved forward. The elevator doors closed, and only then did I let out the breath I had been holding.
On the way home, his face and that girl's hug kept replaying in my mind like a cruel movie scene. "So this is the truth," I whispered to myself. "This is why he left... he already belongs to someone else."
When I reached my apartment, the silence welcomed me. I leaned against the door after locking it, feeling completely empty. I had run away from him once before, and now I was doing it again - not because I was strong, but because my heart couldn't take another break.
After a while, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Noua.
He said they would pick me up for the party and that we could talk on the way. I stared at the screen for a long moment, then slowly typed back, "Okay."
The evening came quietly. I stood in front of the mirror and wore the black dress we had bought yesterday. The same dress that once made me smile now felt heavy on my skin. I tied my hair, put on light makeup, and looked at my reflection. "You have to be strong," I whispered to myself, even though my eyes didn't believe it.
A few minutes later, my phone rang. "I'm in front of your building," Nova said.
I took a deep breath and walked downstairs. When I reached the gate, I saw their car. Nova was in the driver seat.. and Will was sitting in the back seat.
My heart skipped painfully. I opened the door without saying a word and sat in the front seat beside Nova. I didn't even look at Will. I kept my eyes on the road, pretending everything was normal, while inside my heart was shaking.
The car started moving, and silence filled the space between us.
I knew this ride was not just taking us to a party hall... it was taking me straight into the misunderstanding I was too afraid to face.
Will POV
I got ready and found Nova already waiting at the entrance of my house. Mom, Dad, and Luna had left earlier for the party. I sat in the back seat, and we drove toward Minnie's apartment.
When she came out of the building, I saw her... and my chest tightened.
She was wearing a black dress with simple makeup. She looked beautiful, but her eyes were empty, like she had built a wall around herself.
Nova: "Wow, WilI... it's been a long time since I saw you smile like this.'
I didn't answer. My mind was busy thinking, How do I explain this morning to her?
Before I could open the door, she came and sat beside Nova in the front seat... without even looking back at me.
That hurt.
The whole car became silent.
I wanted to say, Minnie, that girl was my sister. But my throat refused to work.
Nova: "Uh... Minnie, I think I need to be your bodyguard tonight."
Minnie (raising an eyebrow): "Why?"
Nova (grinning): "Because you look too beautiful in that dress. If some guy falls in love with you, I need to save him from Will's jealous face."
She gave a small fake smile and looked out of the window again.
I stared at the back of her head and thought, You disappeared from me before I could explain... and now I don't know how to reach you.
Every road felt longer. Every silence felt heavier.
I wasn't sitting in the back seat of a car... I was sitting behind the girl I loved, watching her drift away because of one misunderstanding I failed to stop.
Minnie POV
I didn't talk the whole drive. I had no idea why Will suddenly wanted to pick me up. When we reached the hall, I stepped out of the car and adjusted my dress. Then I looked up... and my breath literally forgot how to work.
Why does he look like this in a white shirt and black suit?
I bit my lower lip and whispered to myself, Great Minnie, now even your heart is confused. We were wearing matching colors and I felt like the gossip headlines of the night already: "Office couple arrive together."
Nova said, "Let's go inside," and I nodded. Will walked on my right, Nova on my left. I tried to move closer to Nova, but Nova shamelessly pushed me toward Will like a delivery package. Inside the hall, I got nervous and held Will's hand without thinking. He leaned close and whispered, "Relax... they are not going to eat you."
I forced a smile and looked around. Why did I feel like the whole world was staring only at me?
Then Mia aunty came running toward us and hugged me.
Mia: "You look so pretty, dear. Come, let's meet uncle."
I walked to him and said politely, "How are you, uncle?"
Parker: "Oh Minnie, how are you? You look so different now... did you stop eating food or what?"
I shook my head and suddenly noticed a girl standing beside them. I froze like a statue.
Mia smiled sweetly and said, "Minnie, let me introduce you. This is Luna... my daughter."
My brain went blank.
Daughter??
So... the girl from morning... was his sister?!
Luna raised her hand to shake mine.
Luna: "Hello, sister!! You look so pretty.'
I shook her hand, still shocked and half laughing inside.
"Hello... you also look good," I said softly.
At that moment, the host of the party began to speak.
Host: "Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming. Now, let's begin the party."
He happily welcomed the Parker family to the stage. Uncle, Aunty, Will, and Luna walked forward. Uncle started giving an introduction about the company- how they had begun their production house and what they had achieved over the past fifteen years. Aunty also gave a short speech, and then Will spoke a few words. Reporters gathered in front of the stage and began asking questions, and Will answered them confidently.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.
Voice: "Hello, Ms. Beautiful."
I turned around and saw Akil holding two glasses of wine. I smiled at him and asked, "What are you doing here, Akil?" He handed me one glass.
Akil: "Ms. Minnie, did you forget what I do for a living?"
I realized it and smiled awkwardly. "Yes, yes... did they invite you too? Why didn't you tell me?"
Akil: "It's a surprise."
I rolled my eyes playfully and looked back at Will. I froze when I saw that he was already looking at me. Our eyes met for a second, and then he shifted his gaze toward the reporters.
Reporter: "Hello, Mr. Will. First of all, congratulations on your achievements."
Author: Will nodded, but when he saw Minnie standing beside another man and smiling, jealousy burned inside him. He couldn't bear to watch her laugh with someone else. The hall went silent, and the reporter repeated his question.
Reporter: "My question is-how is your next project going? Have you decided on the actor and actress?"
Will tightened his grip on the microphone.
Will: "Yes, we have decided. And today, I will officially announce it. For the actor, it will be Lucas, whom you all already know. For the actress, she is a new face-her name is Emy. The second lead will be Lise. We will announce the movie title very soon, and the shooting will begin shortly."
Whispers spread across the hall.
I knew Lise-she was a famous actress. Why would she agree to be the second lead?
Reporter: "Mr. Will, why did you choose Lise as the second lead? She is a very famous artist in Paris. Are you sure about this decision?"
Author: Will glanced once more at Minnie and the man beside her. His jealousy was hidden behind his calm voice.
Will: "Yes. From the beginning, we decided that the female lead would be a new face. I believe she will give her best performance."
The reporters began writing down every word he said, while Will stood there smiling for the world- hiding the storm of jealousy and pain growing inside his heart.
_________________________________________
Author Note
Hello my dear readers 👋If you're enjoying the story, please support with Power Stones Your support helps this story grow.😀 🤠