The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 503

 Chapter 232: A Conscious Effort

Damien’s gaze remained on the sketch

He pointed to the space beneath the primary setting, where the two hands joined.

“The final diamond goes here.”

The manager stepped closer and followed where Damien was pointing, nodding in understanding.

“Of course, Mr. Blackwood.”

Retrieving a pen from his pocket, the manager made a brief notation on the design packet.

“Is there anything else you would like modified, Mr. Blackwood?”

Damien looked at the drawing one final time.

“No.”

His answer came without hesitation.

The manager gave a small nod before carefully closing the portfolio.

“I’ll ensure the additional specifications are communicated immediately, Sir.”

With the final instruction recorded, the manager carefully closed the velvet presentation case containing the gemstones.

The Argyle pink diamond was secured separately, along with the heirloom diamond and the finalized design packet.

Only after everything had been properly accounted for did he return the items to the vault.

A few moments later, the manager returned his attention to Damien.

Inclining his head respectfully, he waited for further instructions.

“I’ll be out of the country for the next week,” Damien said as he rose from his seat. “t want the piece completed by the time I return.”

The manager nodded immediately.

“Certainly, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Whatever resources are required, use them,” Damien continued. “Cost is not a consideration.”

A faint smile crossed the manager’s face.

“Understood, Sir. Rest assured, every necessary resource will be made available. The piece will be handled personally by Monsieur Laurent himself.”

The name carried weight.

Laurent was widely regarded as one of the most respected high–jewelry craftsmen in the world.

For more than three decades, his creations had found their way into royal collections, museums, and the private vaults of some of the wealthiest families on earth.

Collectors waited years for the opportunity to commission a piece bearing his signature.

Many never received one.

In recent years, Laurent had become increasingly selective with his work, accepting only a handful of commissions annually and personally crafting even fewer.

Most projects were entrusted to his team.

Very few ever reached his own workbench.

This would be one of them.

“Good,” Damien said. “Notify my assistant the moment it’s finished.”

“I’ll see to it personally, Sir.”

As he made his way toward the door, Damien glanced at James.

“Take care of the rest.”

“Understood, Sir.”

The manager offered a respectful bow. Damien acknowledged it with a slight nod before exiting the private suite without another word.

Meanwhile, James remained behind to settle the purchase of the Argyle pink diamond and the substantial fees that came with securing such a rare gemstone.

The moment the doors closed behind him, Damien’s thoughts shifted to the next item on his list.

It was something James could have arranged with a single phone call.

Yet Damien intended to handle it personally.

Stepping out onto the quiet street, Damien’s driver noticed him immediately and started to step out of the vehicle.

A subtle gesture from Damien stopped him.

Understanding the silent instruction, the driver remained inside the car parked at the curb, wisely giving him space.

Damien pulled his phone out of his pocket.

His thumb moved automatically to the first contact pinned at the top of his favorites list.

A second later, the call began to ring.

The call rang once.

Twice.

Three times.

Four.

By the fifth ring, a faint crease had appeared between his brows. He was already considering hanging up and calling the manor’s landline when the line finally connected.

“Hello?” Maya’s voice came through, slightly breathless.

Damien frowned.

“Why are you out of breath?”

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“What do you mean, why? We’re leaving tomorrow before sunrise.”

“Oh.”

A brief silence followed.

Under normal circumstances, the conversation would have ended there.

Instead, he found himself remembering an article he had come across several nights earlier.

Technically, it had started with a search related to relationship communication.

Unfortunately, one article had led to another.

Then another.

Before he knew it, he had somehow spent nearly an hour reading advice from self–proclaimed relationship experts with titles such as How to Be a Better Boyfriend, Ten Small Gestures Women Appreciate, and How to Make Her Feel Loved Without Grand Gestures.

He still wasn’t entirely sure how that had happened. The experience had been deeply humiliating.

The article itself had been ridiculous.

Most of the advice had been common sense.

After their last misunderstanding, he had made a conscious effort to pay closer attention to the small things Maya seemed to value–things that often escaped his notice.

Yet one recurring theme had appeared often enough to become impossible to ignore.

Pay attention.

Show interest.

Be thoughtful.

Offer help without being asked.

Ask if she needed anything.

The question lingered on the tip of his tongue for several seconds before he finally said it.

“Do you need anything while I’m out?”

Silence.

Long enough that Damien pulled the phone away from his ear to make sure the call hadn’t disconnected.

“Maya?”

“…Did you just ask if I needed something?”

Damien was silent for a moment.

“Why do you sound surprised?”

Maya hesitated.

“Because you’re Damien.”