Chapter 44: Echoes of Destiny

Fifteen minutes ticked by in a whirlwind of conversation and delicious dim sum. As promised, a waiter materialized beside their table, whisking away the remnants of their feast. In their place, he presented a dazzling array of miniature desserts, each a work of art in its own right. "Look at these beauties!" Quam exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with childlike lee. "Aaron really outdid himself tonight." Mariana smiled politely, picking up a dainty spoon and taking a tentative bite of the dessert. Despite the delicious dessert, her attention wasn't entirely focused on the food. "So," Quam continued, "that new director I was telling you about? He's a real character. Always wants these crazy last-minute changes on set. Can you believe the guy wanted me to..." He launched into a detailed account of a recent filming experience, peppered with industry jargon and anecdotes about famous actors Mariana had only heard of in passing. Her smile remained polite, but her eyes glazed over slig