The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 387

Chapter 174: Targets and Ties-2

25 Powita

The forest remained hushed around them, undisturbed, as if it had learned long ago how to keep what mattered safe.

Kim approached carrying two gun cases. One of them Maya recognized at once-the same case Dahlia had placed in her hands earlier, back in the study. Kim set both down with quiet precision, inclined her head, and stepped back without a word.

Dahlia acknowledged her with a brief nod before turning fully to Maya. She reached for her hand, her grip warm and steady, anchoring.

“Ready?” she asked, a soft smile touching her lips.

Maya’s chest tightened for a moment, then determination softened her features. She returned the smile and nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”

The afternoon unfolded at its own unhurried pace.

They started with lunch beneath the trees-simple food, warm, unpretentious-conversation drifting easily between quiet observations and shared laughter. There was no rush, no

agenda pressing in from the outside world. Just time.

When they finally moved toward the clearing, Dahlia opened one of the cases and gestured for Maya to come closer.

“Slowly,” she said, voice calm, grounded. “No need to fight it.”

Maya nodded, though her nerves betrayed her. The first few shots startled her every time-the recoil catching her off guard, her grip uncertain, her stance careless despite her best efforts. The paper targets ahead bore the evidence of it: wide misses, uneven clusters, shots that

went nowhere near where she’d aimed.

Her cheeks burned, frustration tightening around her chest. She lowered the gun, taking a shaky breath, realizing just how much it demanded-not just strength, but focus, balance,

patience.

“I’m… terrible,” Maya muttered, the words tasting like defeat.

Dahlia’s smile was quiet, patient, never condescending.

“No, this is all part of learning.” she said gently. “Let’s take a breath before we try again. What do you say?”

Maya exhaled, a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “Alright… okay.”

3

hapter 174 Targets and Ties 2

+25 Prints

They sank onto the soft grass beneath the trees. Kim had already set out tea, simple but warm, the aroma mingling with the earthy scent of the forest. A few biscuits, quietly placed, waited beside them.

When they returned to the targets, Dahlia never rushed her. Each time Maya raised the gun, Dahlia’s hands were there-not heavy, not intrusive-but guiding subtly: a shoulder shifted, a wrist adjusted, a stance corrected. Tiny, deliberate movements that taught without words.

Nothing technical. Nothing forced. Just… awareness. Balance. Presence.

And slowly, imperceptibly, Maya’s tension began to melt, replaced by focus, by rhythm. She felt it first in her grip, then in her stance, then in the way she breathed with each shot.

And then, slowly, something shifted.

Maya stopped flinching.

Her grip steadied. Her breathing evened out. The shots began to land closer together, nearer the center. Her shoulders relaxed, her focus sharpening-not tense, not forced, just present.

Dahlia noticed it immediately.

There was a quiet pride in her eyes as Maya hit the target cleanly for the first time.

Then again.

By late afternoon, the hesitation was gone. The girl who had once braced herself for every shot now moved with ease, confidence settling into her bones as naturally as if it had always

been there.

By the time the sun began to dip, painting the trees in amber and gold, Maya lowered the gun. with a breathless laugh.

“I didn’t think I could do that.”

Dahlia handed her a cup of coffee, warm and fragrant. “Most people don’t,” she replied. “Until they do.”

They sat together, the clearing quiet except for the distant rustle of leaves.

That was when Kim approached.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify