"Faye, just give Sven the lead in the films."

Faye rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for this, Ronald. I told you from the beginning, Sven wasn't going to have any part in these films, yet you still fed him lies and sent him thirsting after my sister."

"And now she's magically engaged to some bullshit prince," Ronald seethed. "You did this on purpose. You crafted the optics on this to make even more money off my client's ideas and won't let him be apart of it."

"You think I crafted this for some kind of media ploy?" Faye let out a bark of laughter. "You're just as delusional as Sven and he doesn't deserve to make any more money off Maia's intellectual property. Sue the agency if you really think you've got a case."

"I've got proof that this engagement is a sham and you're going to need Sven's good image to keep that movie deal intact and save what little reputation your agency will have when this blows up in your face."

Faye fought the urge to curse under her breath at his accusation, but she held it in. "You do what you have to do, Ronald." She smirked. "But I doubt the royal family of Oost den Burg will appreciate you meddling in their Prince's affairs."

"Then it's a good thing my information is coming from a reputable source within the family," Ronald said. "I'll be waiting for your call to partner on this film deal soon."

Faye scowled at her phone as Ronald hung up. She dragged a hand over her face and heaved a deep sigh. She had everything sorted between the media, the agency and even Mateo's PR team. The narrative of Maia and Mateo's relationship and their unexpected engagement was damn near rock solid, but she couldn't plan for one of Mateo's family members messing it up.

"Fuck," Faye groaned.

Ronald was right, if anyone knew their relationship was a sham, it could jeopardize the film deal, Maia's image and her integrity as an author, but now that the news was out there, it would be worse if Maia pulled out.

Getting up from the desk, Faye tucked her phone in her pocket and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair before she slipped out of the office to the terrace to tell Maia and Mateo about this very precious and potentially damaging news.

They needed to know that while it was important that they looked the part in public, they were going to have to be careful how they acted around Mateo's family. She had a feeling the source Ronald was referring to was Mateo's brother or his sister-in-law feeding bullshit to Sven.

"Alright, I need – Oh!" Faye said as a blush burned over her cheeks at the sight of Maia and Mateo cuddled up and kissing on the couch. "You two are really getting into making that content, huh?"

"Just uh, just a bit," Maia said, laughing as she pulled away from Mateo. "So, some things have changed."

"I see," Faye said, shrugging off her coat as she sat in the chair beside the couch. "I'm guessing you two had a nice talk about things, hm?"

"We did," Mateo said, smiling as he brought Maia's hand to his lips. "And we decided to be honest with each other."

"Well, thank God for that," Faye said, reaching for one of the joints in the wooden box on the table. "This makes my job a little easier."

"Wait," Maia frowned. "You're okay with this...with us?"

"Mm-hm. For once, I actually like your choice in a boyfriend, but we'll talk about that later," Faye said, taking a nice long toke of the citrus tasting herb. "Right now, we need to revisit the issue of your brother and Sven's relationship with his wife."

"Why?" Mateo said, gripping Maia's waist. " What happened?"

Faye eyed Mateo's protective embrace and a grin tugged at her lips. At least her intuition was right about him. "Nothing happened, per say, but Sven's agent, Ronald, is determined to undermine your engagement to secure Sven's role in the film deal."

Mateo frowned. "I don't see how breaking us up would do that?"

"It's not about breaking us up, but the perception that what we're doing isn't real," Maia said, shaking her head. "Paramount will see our engagement as a money grab for the films. We're essentially the real life embodiment of a Damage Royals novel and if they think we're faking this as a media ploy to bolster the deal, they could back out which would damage my reputation and integrity as an author."

Faye nodded. "Exactly."

"I'm sorry," Mateo said. "But I still don't see how that happening is a benefit to Sven and his agent. If Paramount backs out, there's no deal for anyone, right?"

"Not completely and if Ronald uses Sven's image and his involvement with the books as Maia's previous muse, it'll keep the deal intact," Faye said, taking another toke of the joint. "And let's not forget Sven's most likely using the information he's gaining from your brother or your sister-in-law to bolster his narrative that you're using Maia and he's there to save her from you. It's the perfect storm to fuck up everything for you and shine a glorious light on Sven."

"So are you saying we shouldn't go through with this now?"

"Oh no, Mateo. You have to go through with this. It would look worse for both of you if you didn't. What I'm saying is," Faye said, leaning forward and waving her hand between him and Maia. "You two don't have any room for error. You can't give Sven, your brother or his wife any inkling that your relationship is fake or that it ever was."

"There's no reason for anyone to believe that," Maia said, squeezing Mateo's hand. "We're not faking it anymore and fuck Sven and his agent for trying to capitalize on my work again."

"That's not going to happen," Mateo said, bringing her hand to his lips. "I'll get to the bottom of the issue of the crown with Jorien and Gesina. I told you both that I won't let anything jeopardize your image while you're with me and I meant that."

A proud grin bloomed across Faye's lips. "I'm counting on that, Mateo, because my career is riding on this deal with Paramount being a success and like Maia, I refuse to let Sven and his shitty agent capitalize on Maia's work. It was a mistake to allow it the first time and if there's anything I can do to help with Jorien and Gesina, just let me know."

Mateo shook his head. "No, you've done enough with everything you're doing to make sure our engagement looks real."

"I can help you, though."

"No, liefje," Mateo chuckled. "I don't want you getting involved in it either."

Maia frowned. "Why not? Let me do some digging for my novel. I'll get to the bottom of it."

"No," Mateo said, curling his fingers around her chin. "I don't know if Jorien was the one who planned those photos of me with Saskia and I don't want him to do anything like that to you because you're digging around for information."

"But I could –"

"Promise me, you won't go digging."

Maia pursed her lips. "You don't have to handle this on your own. I'm a fresh pair of eyes. I could help you see what you couldn't before."

"Maia," Mateo said with his voice hard and stern. "Promise me."

Maia sighed. "I promise," she murmured.

"Thank you," he said, kissing her softly. "You're going to have enough on your plate adjusting to a new life and I don't want to add to that."

"Mateo's right. You don't need to get caught up in that. I don't want you becoming more of a target for anyone more than you already are," Faye said, yawning as she tapped her joint on the ashtray. "I'd prefer it if you both could focus on your relationship for the optics of this, but that's not the reality of the situation."

"No it's not, but it's my responsibility to make sure my family's drama doesn't affect Maia or you," Mateo said, pressing a kiss to Maia's forehead. "It's also my duty as your muse to make sure you enjoy this experience as much as you can."

"No. That's your duty as my man, lekker ding." Maia grinned. "And I'm looking forward to that part."

Mayeo chuckled. "So am I."

"Right," Faye said, smiling at the couple. "I'm glad this hasn't put a damper on your budding relationship and I feel better now that I've talked this over with you, but I think it's time for me to get some sleep."

"Good. You've been doing nothing, but work since you got here," Maia said, pulling away from Mateo. "Do you want me to go back to the cottage with you?"

Faye shook her head. "No," she said, yawning again. "I'm too tired to walk or drive over there. Do you mind if I take you up on your offer to stay here for the night, Mateo?"

"Not at all," he said, standing. "Why don't you two have another joint while I get a room set up for you. I'll bring your bags inside too if you tell me where your keys are."

"Oh, you're such a sweetheart," Faye said, fishing her keys out of her coat pocket. "Thank you."

"It's not a problem," he said, taking her keys. "Thank you for everything you've done."

"You're welcome. I'll make sure I invoice you for my time."

"I hope you do." Mateo laughed. "I'll let you know when I've got your room ready."

Faye nodded as he slipped out of the terrace and she turned her gaze to Maia who was fishing a joint out of the box with a cheesy grin on her face. "So," Faye said, leaning back in the chair. "What happened to Mateo not being your type, huh?"

"Alright, so maybe I lied a little bit," Maia said, lighting the joint. "But how come you like him so much? It's not like you to get along with anyone I like so quickly."

"Mm, that's true, but my gut never lies and I've never seen someone look at you or care about you the way Mateo does," she said, crossing her leg over her lap. "He's far from perfect and he's got some baggage, but he's not doing this to benefit himself. He just knows it's what's best for you at the moment and I...I respect that."

Maia nodded as she looked down at her hands. "That kind of scares me a little."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm used to someone needing me. Everyone I've ever been with has needed me for something as if just being me wasn't enough, but Mateo..." Maia shook her head. "He doesn't need me. He doesn't want me to help him and I don't know what to make of that."

"That's because you've never been with someone who just simply wants you by their side without any need for you to do something for them." Faye smiled as she got up from her chair and sat next to her sister. "I know I told you not to go falling for Mateo," she said, sliding her hand over Maia's. "But don't let what happened in the past stop you from opening up to him or you might miss out on the love you've always been looking for."

Maia raised an eyebrow. "That's the last thing I thought you'd ever say to me. Where is this coming from?"

"I just don't want you to end up like me."

"What do you mean?"

Faye sighed, looking away from her and took a toke from her joint. "Jackson and I are getting a divorce."

"What?" Maia gasped, squeezing her hand. "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to bother you with it." She shrugged. "He found someone else and served me divorce papers after telling me he's been having an affair for about a year."

"Jesus, Faye," Maia said, sliding a hand over her face. "You've been dealing with that and here I am pouring more shit on your plate. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. Me and the girls will be fine, but honestly, I used your situation to get a break from mine." Faye shook her head. "Jackson leaving me made me realize I married him because I thought he was safe, but I feel like I cheated myself by doing that," she said as tears pooled in her eyes. "I love Lana and Eliza and I'd never regret having them, but I do regret not letting myself fall in love and I'm sorry for trying to protect you from that."

"There's nothing for you to say sorry for. You're just being a good sister," Maia said, wiping the tear that rolled down her cheek. "And fuck Jackson for leaving you, but that doesn't mean you have to be alone or you don't deserve to fall in love."

A sad smile tugged at Faye's lips. "I'm not sure I have it in me to start over. Jackson and I were together for so long, I don't even know what I want anymore," she said, looking down at the ring on Maia's finger. "I don't want you to play things safe like me and I know Sven messed with you, but don't let what he did make you feel like you're not worthy of the way Mateo treats you."

"Thank you for saying that," Maia said, wrapping her arms around Faye. "I'm not going to shy away from my feelings even though I'm nervous about the life I'm about to experience with him, but I want you to promise me that you'll give yourself the chance to find what you're looking for."

"I'll try." Faye laughed softly, leaning her head against Maia's. "Do you mind if I stay at your place out here for a while? At least until the girls come home from college. I think I need the space to breathe and get my mind right."

"You can stay as long as you need," Maia said, grinning. "Maybe you'll find your Prince Charming out here too."

Faye let out a bark of laughter. "No. I just need to find me for a while and being in this slow ass backwater town will help me do that."

"Don't let the locals hear you saying that," Maia said, laughing. "But this backwater town has always helped me find clarity and I'm sure it'll help you too." She hugged Faye tight. "I'm glad you're going to stay for a while. I wish I was staying with you."

"No, you're about to live out the fantasy that started your writing career and I want you to enjoy and write about every minute of it, " Faye said, hugging her back. "I'll be fine right here, but I might need you and Mateo to introduce me to some of the locals before you leave."

"Of course! We'll take you into town tomorrow, but I'll warn you, everyone's going to be a bit excited over the news and the pictures I posted of us."

"And who wouldn't be? A secret prince falling for a romance novelist. It's the stuff of fairytales and you get to live it," Faye said. "I'm happy for you, Maia and all the extra bullshit aside, I do hope Mateo's the one for you because at least one of us deserves a happily ever after."

"You deserve one too, Faye. Your life isn't over and I hope being out here helps you see that."

Faye sighed, leaning into Maia. "I hope so too."

A/N: Alright, this was a lil filler Faye chapter, but I wanted to take us into her perspective a little bit because honestly it didn't make sense that she came all the way out there just to handle the PR for Maia. She could've done that from LA, but now we know she's going through some shit at home and I'm glad she was honest with Maia about her feelings for Mateo. I think Faye being supportive of Maia is going to go a long way when Maia's in Oost Den Burg....and maybe there's a story developing for Faye in the future too 🥰