CHAPTER 68: SOCIAL MEDIA GIRL

Zack chuckled before Maximus could speak. "Oh, he is not shy. He just likes to observe before he speaks."

Maximus finally looked up from his menu, meeting her gaze with a calm expression. "I prefer to listen first," he said simply.

She smiled, leaning in slightly. "And what have you learned about me so far, Maximus Prime?"

She said his name deliberately, as if testing it on her tongue.

Zack shot Maximus a glance, as if warning him to be careful.

He had already told Maximus that this woman was a flirt, and it was clear she like to push butttons just to see how people would react.

Maximus didn’t take the bait.

Instead, he set his menu down and met her gaze evenly.

"You like attention, but only on your terms. You enjoy being in control of converstaions and you test people to see how they react to you. But when it comes to business, you take things seriously."

She shot an eyebrow up, clelarly impressed. "Not bad. You get all that from just a few minutes?"

Maximus gave a small shrug. "I pay attention."

Zack chuckled, shaking his head. "See? Told you he wasn’t shy."

The waiter arrived, and they placed their orders.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics like entertainment, travel and some of the more outrageous things they had witnessed in the city’s high society.

Maximus remained engaged but reserved, letting zack and their guest carry most of the conversation while he observed.

Halfway throught the meal, she glanced at maximus again. "So, if youre always this quiet, soes that mean you don’t date much?"

Zack nearly cholked on his drink, coughing as he tried to suppress his laughter.

Maximus, on the other hand, remained unbothered.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering. "I don’t waste time on things that don’t interest me..."

Her lips curled into a slow smile. "And what does interest you, maximus prime?"

Zack let out a sharp breathe, clearly enjoying the exchange, but maximus remained unfazed.

"Business, growth, things that actually matter."

She tapped her nails against the table, studying him with an almost predatory curiosity. "You sound like a man with a plan."

"I am..."

She hummed, tilting her head slightly. "Then I suppose I should take this offer seriously."

"You should," maximus said without hesitation.

The confidence in his voice seemed to amuse her futher, but there was also a flicker of intrigue in her eyes.

She leaned back, finally breaking the locked gaze between them as the food arrived.

Zack, who had been watching the exchange with a smirk, clapped his hands together. "Alright, enoghg tension... lets eat."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics again, mostly driven by Zack.

Maximus engaged when necessary, but his focus remained on the deal at hand.

Once they finished their meals, he leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

"So, do we have a deal?"

She wiped her lips with a napkin, then set it down gracefully.

"I’ll need a formal proposal, bit I like what I am hearing. Send the details to my manager, and we will set up the promotional campaign."

Maximus nodded, already expecting that answer. "You’ll have it by tomorrow."

She smiled, standing up. "Looking forward to it."

Zack stood as well, shaking her hand. "Always a pleasure."

Maximus offered a firm handshake, which she held for just a second longer than necessary.

"Youre an interesting man, maximus."

He didn’t react. "So ive been told."

She let out a soft chuckle before turning and walking away, leaving the two men at the table.

Once she was out of earshot, zack exhaled dramatically and leaned back.

"Ma, she was all over you." he teased.

Maximus simply picked up his drink and took a sip. "She was testing me."

Zack grinned. "And you passed with flying colours."

Maximus wasn’t interested in playing games, but he knew how to navigate them when necessary.

The deal was as good as done, and that was all that mattered.

Zack streched, grabbing his jacket. "Alright, leets head back. We have got a resort to launch."

Maximus nodded, standing up and tossing some cash on the table for the bill.

As they walked out, his mind ws already on the next steps.

The pieces were falling into place. Now, it was time to make sure everything was executed flawlessly.

As maximus and zack stepped out of the restaurant, hands tucked into their pockets, the crisp late afternoon air settled around athem.

Th ecity light flickered like stars scattered acroos the skyline, illuminating the busy streets.

Zack nudged him slightly. "Well, that went smoothly," he said with a lopsided grin.

Maximus glanced over at him, then back toward the parking lot where their dinner companin was stepping into a sleek black car.

She moved with a relaxed confidence, but just before getting n, she caught sight of them. Her lips curled into a playful smirk as she raised a hand in a small wave.

Zack returned the gesture without hesitation, but maximus simply tilted, his expression unreadable.

"Whats her name again?" he asked with a shrug.

Zack scoffed. "Seriously? You were sitting across form her, and you never caught her name?"

"I was more focused on the deal," maximus replied cooly.

Zack rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Its Anita Sparks."

At the sound of her name, Anita leaned against the open car door, her blonde hair catching the glow of a nearby streetlight.

Maximus smirked slightly.

Anita shut the door and her car smoothly pulled out of the parking lot, vanishing into the city streets.

Maximus turned to zack. "How excatly is she planning to promote it?"

Zack pulled out his phone as they headed toward the Dreamweaver, his fingers flying across the screen. "Youre about to find out."

Once inside the car, zack leaned back in the passenger seat and opened a page on of the leading social media platforms that dominated the world.

He tilted his phone toward maximus, revealing the profile with a staggering 10 million followers.

The bio was simple, sleek and professional, but what stood out the most were the engagement numbers: 3 accounts follwed which meant she was selective about whos she kept in her circle and a jaw dropping 12.5 million likes across all posts.

Maximus scanned the numbers, his fingers drumming lightly againsthe steering wheel. "Shes got massive influence," he admitted with a nod.

Zack grinned. "And she knows how to use it to her advantage. This girl dosnet just post, she creates trends. One endoresement form her, and people are going to be scrambling to book a stay at out resort before we even officially open."

Maximus considered that, his mind turning over the possibilities.

If anita handled the marketing the way she claimed she would, their resort would skyrocket in popularity before they even had to spend a cent on traditional advertisng.

"Smart move bring her in," he said, starting the engine.

Zack scrolled though Anita’s page while maximus dorve, occasionally humming in approval as he glaced at different post.

"Shes already got partnerships with major brands," zack commented. "Luxry hotels, private jets, designer labels... she dosnet just promote anything. Only high end, exclusive, expensive stuff."

Maximus arched a brow. "which means she wouldn’t have agreed to our deal if she didn’t see potential in it."