A New Chapter Unfolds

The phone still felt warm against Kenzy's ear as she stared out the window, her mind reeling with the offer she had just received. Levi Ackerman, the love of her life, would be mere miles away, and yet, she wouldn't be able to see him. It was as if fate was testing her resolve. She took a deep breath and let her gaze drift back to her computer screen, where her email inbox was still open from earlier. The messages from her beta readers were still pending, but she couldn't muster the enthusiasm to care about them right now. Her thoughts were interrupted by a text from Levi. "Hey, just wanted to check in and see how you're doing." Kenzy's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the message. She had been dreading this moment, unsure of how to respond without giving away her true feelings. She settled on a simple reply, trying to sound casual. "I'm good, just busy with work. How about you?" The response came almost immediately. "I'm doing alright. Just chillin' in LA, enjoying the sunshine." Kenzy's eyes widened as she read the message. He was really close now. The distance between them seemed to shrink even further, making her anxiety grow. She quickly changed her focus to the practical aspects of her new modeling gig. The contract from Elite Modeling Agency arrived later that day, and Kenzy devoured every detail. The shoots would take place over the next three weeks, and she would be staying at a luxurious villa in the Hollywood Hills. The pay was indeed $10,000 per shoot, and the daily stipend was more than generous. As she read through the contract, Kenzy couldn't shake off the feeling that this was all a bit too much to handle. Being so close to Levi without seeing him was going to be a challenge, but she was determined to make it work. She signed the contract and emailed it back to Rachel, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her. The villa was even more beautiful than she had imagined. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, it offered breathtaking views of the city below. Kenzy spent her first few days getting accustomed to her new surroundings, meeting the crew and the team from Aurora Beauty. On the eve of the first shoot, Kenzy received a message from Levi. "Hey, just wanted to let you know that I'm in LA now. Maybe we can catch up soon?" Kenzy's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. She had been trying to avoid this moment, but it seemed inevitable. What was she going to say to him? And how would she manage to keep her feelings hidden? As she lay in bed that night, Kenzy knew that she had to make a decision. She could try to play it cool and pretend that nothing had changed, or she could take a chance and be honest with Levi. The thought of being near him, of seeing him again, was both exhilarating and terrifying. What would tomorrow bring?