As Ethan, Claire, Mia, Marcus, and Dante walked toward the film studio. The group was an odd mix—Ethan tense and brooding, Claire chatting animatedly with Mia, Marcus stoic and watchful, and Dante a silent, imposing presence at Ethan’s side.  Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see his father’s name on the screen. He hesitated, then answered, his tone clipped.  “Dad.”  

“Ethan,” Charles Harrington’s voice came through, calm but commanding. “I assume Marcus and Dante have filled you in.”  Ethan glanced at Dante, who was walking a few steps behind him, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. “Yeah, they’ve filled me in. But I still don’t understand why I need a bodyguard. This seems like overkill.”  Charles sighed, the sound crackling slightly over the line. “I know it feels that way, but these threats are serious. Until we get to the bottom of this, I need you to take precautions.”  

Ethan stopped walking, causing the group to pause and glance at him. Claire raised an eyebrow, her expression curious, but Ethan turned away, lowering his voice.  “What kind of threats, Dad? You can’t just drop this on me and expect me to be okay with it.”   There was a pause on the other end of the line, and when Charles spoke again, his tone was softer. “I know this isn’t easy, Ethan. But your safety is my priority. Dante is one of the best. He’ll keep you safe.”   Ethan glanced at Dante, who was watching him with an unreadable expression. There was something in his eyes, a quiet intensity, that made Ethan’s skin prickle.  “Fine,” Ethan said, though his tone was anything but. “But I’m not happy about this.”  

“I don’t expect you to be,” Charles replied. “But this is the way it has to be, for now.”  Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, okay. I’ll… talk to you later.”  He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.  

As they walked into the film studio, the bustling energy of the set was a stark contrast to the tension in their group. Claire linked her arm through Ethan’s, her tone light.  “Everything okay?” she asked, though her eyes were sharp.  “Yeah,” Ethan said, forcing a smile. “Just… family stuff.”  Claire raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smirk. “Family stuff, huh? Does it have anything to do with your new shadow?”  She glanced over her shoulder at Dante, who was walking a few steps behind them, his sharp eyes scanning the room.  Ethan sighed. “Yeah. Apparently, I need a bodyguard now.”  Claire’s smirk widened. “Well, if you’re going to have a bodyguard, at least he’s easy on the eyes.”  Dante chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. “Thanks.”  Ethan shot him a glare, but before he could respond, Mia walked over, her expression curious.  “Everything okay?” she asked, glancing between Ethan and Dante.  “Yeah,” Ethan said, though his tone suggested otherwise. “Just… family stuff.”  Mia nodded, though her expression was thoughtful. “Well, if you need anything, let me know.”  Ethan forced a smile, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Mia.”  

As they walked over to their workspace, Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was about to get a lot more complicated.  The group was ushered into the green room, where Daniel Carter, their supervisor, was waiting. He stood at the front of the room, a projector screen behind him displaying the logo of the brand they’d be working on “Luxe Noir”, one of the luxury fragrance lines under Benouislager, Ethan’s father’s company.  “Alright, everyone,” Daniel said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s get started. This is a big project, and I expect nothing but your best.”  As Daniel began detailing the campaign, Ethan’s attention wandered. He glanced out the window, his eyes landing on Marcus and Dante standing just outside the building. They were deep in conversation, their expressions serious. After a moment, Marcus nodded, clapped Dante on the shoulder, and walked away, leaving Dante to stand guard by the door.  Ethan’s stomach twisted. He hated this—the constant surveillance, the feeling of being watched.  “Ethan,” Daniel’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Care to share your ideas?” Ethan blinked, pulling his attention back to the room. “Uh, sorry. What was the question?”  Daniel raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Claire jumped in.  “I think Ethan’s just distracted by his new entourage,” she said, her tone teasing. “Who’s the guy by the door, anyway? He looks like he stepped out of an action movie.”  The room erupted into laughter, and Ethan felt his cheeks heat up.  “That’s Dante,” he said, his tone flat. “My… bodyguard.”  Daniel chuckled, leaning against the table. “Well, I hope he’s not here to critique our work. We’ve got enough pressure as it is.”  The group laughed again, and Ethan forced a smile, though his frustration was mounting.  

The meeting continued, the group began brainstorming ideas for the *Luxe Noir* campaign. The fragrance was sleek and sophisticated, with notes of black orchid, amber, and musk. They needed a campaign that reflected its elegance and exclusivity.  “What if we do a black-and-white cinematic ad?” Mia suggested, her eyes lighting up. “Something moody and atmospheric, with a mysterious storyline.”  “I like that,” Claire said, nodding. “We could feature a high-profile model or celebrity to give it that extra edge.”  Ethan leaned forward, his mind finally starting to focus. “What about incorporating elements of art and architecture? The fragrance is all about luxury and sophistication. We could shoot in iconic locations—Paris, Milan, New York.”  Daniel nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s a great idea. Let’s flesh it out further. Claire, Mia, you work on the storyline. Ethan, you focus on the locations and visuals. We’ll regroup tomorrow.”   As the meeting wrapped up, Mia stood and stretched, a mischievous smile on her face.  

“So,” she said, addressing the group. “I’m hosting a party this weekend at *Eclipse*, that new exclusive lounge downtown. You’re all invited.”  Claire’s eyes lit up. “Eclipse? Isn’t that the place with the insane light show and the rooftop pool?”  Mia nodded, her smile widening. “That’s the one. It’s going to be epic. Think live DJs, signature cocktails, and a vibe you won’t forget.”  Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Sounds… intense.”  Mia laughed. “It’s going to be fun. You’re coming, right?”  Claire didn’t wait for Ethan to respond. “Of course he’s coming. Right, Ethan?”  Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”  Mia clapped her hands together, clearly pleased. “Perfect! It’ll be a great way to unwind after this week. Plus, it’s a chance for all of us to get to know each other outside of work.”  As the group dispersed, Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that the party was going to be more eventful than he expected.