Estrella waved down a taxi to Willow's Glow House. Upon arriving, she paid the driver and walked inside.
The moment she entered, Willow quickly welcomed her.
"It's nice having you here, Mrs. Banks."
"The pleasure is mine," Estrella replied with a smile.
"Shall we go to my office?" Willow suggested.
"Yes, please," Estrella agreed immediately.
The two headed toward Willow's office. As they walked, Estrella noticed that the receptionist had been replaced.
She wondered why but chose not to ask.
Willow pushed open the office door.
"Come in."
Estrella walked in, and Willow gestured toward a chair.
"Please, have a seat, Mrs. Banks."
"No need for so much formality. Just call me Estrella," she said as she pulled out a chair and sat down. Willow's constant use of her title was making her uncomfortable.
Willow thought for a moment before nodding.
"Okay, Estrella."
Estrella smiled in response.
Willow picked up her phone.
"Please bring a cup of coffee to my office."
While Willow made the call, Estrella took the opportunity to look around.
The office was spacious and elegantly furnished, with floor-to-ceiling windows that filled the room with natural light. Shelves lined one wall, displaying beauty products and awards that reflected Willow's success.
Estrella had to admit it was the most luxurious office she had ever been in.
Yet she remained calm and composed.
After ending the call, Willow returned her attention to Estrella.
"You mentioned that you wanted to discuss something with me."
Estrella nodded.
"Yes."
"Okay, I'm all ears."
"The last time I came here with Luciano, you mentioned that I could contact you if I was interested in acting."
"Oh yes." Willow nodded, remembering immediately. "So, are you interested now? My husband is a director. I could introduce you to him."
"I am."
"That's wonderful. You definitely have the talent," Willow commented.
"Let me contact him for you."
Just then, the coffee arrived.
Willow smiled.
"Have your coffee."
Estrella picked up the cup.
"Thank you."
Willow moved to the side and made a call to her husband.
Estrella quietly sipped her coffee while waiting for her to finish.
A few minutes later, Willow returned with a smile.
"You're really in luck. He happens to be at his office today. He said we could come over."
Estrella's face brightened.
"That's great. Can we go now?"
"Of course," Willow replied. "If it's convenient for you."
"It is."
"Then let's go."
Willow stood up and grabbed her car keys.
Estrella followed her out.
Soon, they were in Willow's car heading toward her husband's office.
During the drive, Willow gave her a brief introduction.
"My husband's name is Maverick. You can call him Director Maverick. He's a very successful director."
Estrella made a mental note of that.
A while later, Willow's car came to a stop in front of a small building.
"We're here," Willow said.
Estrella was surprised.
She had expected another luxurious building.
Together, they entered.
A receptionist greeted them.
She appeared to be around the same age as Willow.
Her bold red lipstick and extremely short skirt immediately caught Estrella's attention.
"What do you want?"
Her tone was far from welcoming.
Estrella expected Willow to lash out.
Instead, Willow's face briefly flashed with anger before she quickly suppressed it.
"Sophia, I'm here to see Maverick."
Sophia sneered.
"Even if Maverick is your husband, you don't have the right to come here whenever you want. You need an appointment."
Who calls their boss by his first name? Estrella wondered.
"I already called Maverick," Willow replied calmly.
"You think I'd believe that?"
Sophia clearly had no intention of backing down.
Willow pursed her lips and took out her phone.
"Maverick, I'm downstairs. Sophia won't let me in."
"Hand the phone to her," Maverick replied.
Willow passed the phone to Sophia.
After listening for a few seconds, Sophia's expression darkened.
Reluctantly, she returned the phone.
"You can go in."
Willow took the phone and headed toward Maverick's office.
Estrella followed behind her, ignoring the drama.
She was here for something important.
Other people's family issues weren't her concern.
Soon they arrived outside Maverick's office.
Willow pushed open the door.
Inside, Maverick stood by a bookshelf, seemingly arranging some files.
The moment he saw Willow, he quickly shoved the file back into place.
Straightening up, he smiled.
"Willow."
"Maverick."
"How was your day?" he asked.
"It was fine. And yours?"
"It's been going well."
Then silence fell.
Neither of them continued the conversation.
The atmosphere became awkward.
Maverick glanced around nervously, as though searching for a topic.
Finally, his eyes landed on Estrella.
"Is this the person you said you were bringing?"
Willow followed his gaze.
"Yes. Her name is Estrella."
She intentionally avoided introducing her as Mrs. Banks, knowing Estrella disliked using the title.
"Director Maverick," Estrella greeted with a polite nod.
Maverick didn't return the greeting.
Instead, he studied her,
"Do you think you're fit to be an actress?"
His tone carried obvious skepticism.
Estrella was surprised by his bluntness.
But she wasn't intimidated.
In fact, she preferred people who were straightforward.
"I am," she replied confidently.
"Then show me."
Maverick's eyes locked onto hers.