Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 19 Summary
In Chapter 19 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina finds herself grappling with the consequences of a mishap involving Daron’s coat. After returning home from the hospital, she attempts to wash the coat, only to inadvertently shrink it to an unrecognizable size. Overwhelmed by frustration and embarrassment, she seeks help but finds herself at a local dry cleaner where her hopes are dashed. The staff express their inability to handle the high-end garment, leaving Marina feeling defeated.
Determined to confront the situation, Marina calls Daron, only to be met with his curt response. The encounter leaves her feeling mortified, as she must now face him with the evidence of her blunder. Despite her initial hesitation, she arrives at Daron’s apartment and presents the shrunken coat, bracing herself for the repercussions. As she tries to take responsibility, the tension between them is palpable, and Marina’s anxiety escalates as she attempts to navigate the awkward situation.
In a bid to shift the focus from her blunder, Marina presents Daron with the financials for the Ross Group, hoping to persuade him to consider a deal. However, Daron’s probing question about her intentions regarding her shares catches her off guard. Faced with the pressure of revealing her true motives, Marina resorts to a flimsy excuse, feeling the weight of her deception. The chapter culminates in a moment of uncertainty, as Daron’s interest in her proposal hangs in the balance, leaving Marina to wonder if she can salvage both her professional ambitions and her personal dignity.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 19**
The day at the hospital had left Daron’s coat utterly drenched, the fabric soaked through with the unexpected splashes of water.
Once Marina returned home after her discharge, she wasted no time. She hand-washed the coat, hoping to restore it to its former glory, and hung it delicately in the laundry room, where it now hung, still damp and waiting to dry.
But today marked a turning point for Marina. She felt a surge of determination wash over her, shaking off the remnants of her earlier despondency. Her mind raced as she contemplated how to approach Daron about the Ross Group share purchase. She needed to find a way to persuade him when she finally saw him again.
Lost in her swirling thoughts, she drifted into the laundry room, only to come to a sudden halt. Her gaze fell upon the coat hanging from the rack, and her heart sank. It had shrunk to a fraction of its original size, a comical miniature version of itself. A wave of panic washed over her, and her mind momentarily short-circuited.
Flustered, she snatched the coat from its hanger, inspecting it from every angle. Yes, it was undeniably Daron’s coat. She stood there, frozen in disbelief, realizing she had utterly botched the wash and ruined it beyond recognition.
A surge of frustration bubbled up within her. After a moment of furious contemplation, she pulled out her phone and began searching for solutions. How to salvage a shrunken wool coat?
She scrolled through the results, but most were just sponsored ads pushing products that promised miraculous fixes.
Finding no real guidance online, she resigned herself to the reality of the situation. With a heavy heart, she gathered the shrunken coat and made her way to a local dry cleaner, hoping for a miracle.
Upon entering, the staff eyed the brand label with a mix of curiosity and concern. “These high-end brands are super expensive,” one of them explained politely. “We’re not equipped to handle something like this. If we make it worse, we couldn’t afford to replace it.”
Marina felt a wave of defeat wash over her. She didn’t press the matter further; instead, she left the store, climbed back into her car, and dialed the unknown number she had received earlier.
The phone rang just once before someone answered.
Gathering her courage, she spoke softly, her voice laced with regret. “Garret, I’m really sorry about this, but… I think I ruined Mr. Zamora’s coat when I washed it.”
An uncomfortable silence enveloped the line.
In a rush, she continued, “I’m so sorry; it was completely my oversight. I’d be happy to pay the full—”
Before she could finish, a deep, impassive voice interrupted her. “You’ve got some nerve.” It was Daron.
Mortified, Marina tightened her grip on the phone, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
Daron’s response was curt. “Bring the coat back here first, then we’ll talk.”
With that, he abruptly ended the call.
Sitting alone in her car, Marina let out a frustrated groan, feeling as though she were cursed with a streak of bad luck. It seemed that every disaster had chosen to strike her at once, and now, to top it all off, she was facing Daron, the one person she least wanted to witness her humiliation.
Fighting back tears, she steadied herself, fired up the engine, and steered her car toward Daron’s imposing apartment building.
Thanks to her previous unannounced visit, security was noticeably tighter now. The property manager called Garret to confirm her identity, and only after Daron himself gave the green light did they allow her entry.
A bitter smile crept onto her lips as she realized the implications. She had stormed off earlier with a sharp retort, and now Daron was being vindictive enough to require visitor pre-approval.
Feeling deflated, she lingered at the door, summoning the courage to ring the bell. As soon as the door swung open, her sour expression transformed into a contrite smile.
“Sorry, Mr. Zamora,” she began, holding out a shopping bag with both hands as if it were a fragile treasure. “I take full responsibility for shrinking the coat. I’ll compensate you for the exact—”
Daron took the bag from her, pulling out the coat. In his hands, it looked almost absurdly small.
Marina couldn’t meet his gaze, guilt flooding her as she forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Mr. Zamora, what’s the price on this coat? I’ll Venmo it to you right away.”
She waved her phone, ready to transfer the funds.
Daron didn’t make it difficult for her; he pulled out his own phone with a casual flick of his wrist.
A subtle sigh of relief escaped her lips as she asked, “So, how much is this going to cost?”
She glanced down at her screen, prepared to input the amount, but instead, she was met with a friend request notification.
Confusion flickered in her eyes, but she proceeded to send the request, wondering if perhaps the price was exorbitant and a regular transfer wouldn’t suffice.
Daron accepted the request with those long, graceful fingers of his.
“Great! I’ll wire it over right now!” Marina murmured, pulling up the transfer screen.
But Daron slipped his phone away, his voice calm and detached. “I don’t have the exact price yet. Once I get a quote, I’ll hit you up for it.”
Marina nodded, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.
He shot her a sidelong glance, one filled with unspoken implications, before turning and walking back inside, the shrunken coat in tow.
Marina lingered for a moment, wavering on the threshold, before mustering her courage to follow him inside. Digging into her bag, she placed the Ross Group files on the coffee table, hoping to shift the focus.
“Mr. Zamora,” she began, her voice steadying, “here are the recent financials for the Ross Group. I would really appreciate it if you could take a serious look at this deal.”
Daron sank into the sofa, draping one hand over his knee, his knuckles standing out sharply against the fabric.
His fingers drummed lightly against his thigh, a rhythmic sound that sent her pulse racing.
Marina stood nearby, battling her nerves, feeling like an inexperienced intern in front of this formidable figure.
The last time she had felt this anxious was likely during her pitch to investors with Lavern right after launching the Ross Group.
Daron’s expression was inscrutable, leaving her in the dark about how to seal the agreement she so desperately wanted.
Not keen on groveling, and with him remaining silent, she took a seat across from him and launched into her earnest pitch, determined to sway him.
She had mentally scripted her talking points on the way over, and even though Daron radiated no enthusiasm, she pressed on, outlining the latest updates from Ross Group.
With her back straight and hands neatly folded in her lap, she dissected the ways in which Ross Group could deliver significant wins and value to the Zamora Group.
Daron listened, absorbing her focused demeanor without interruption.
But when she paused to take a breath, he leaned forward slightly and murmured, “If Ross Group is such a winner, then why are you dumping your shares?”
Marina pursed her lips, the question hanging heavy in the air.
He didn’t press her further, simply waiting patiently for her answer.
While it was theoretically simple to spill the real motive behind her decision, the thought of voicing it to Daron felt utterly mortifying.
She chewed on her lip, crafting a white lie. “Because I’m over the grind. I just want to head back to the Finley family, lounge around like a slacker, and let my sister foot the bill. Sound good?”
Daron let her flimsy excuse slide without comment, his gaze shifting to the stack of documents she had laid out.
Her materials were meticulous, thorough, complete with strategy outlines brimming with forward-thinking ideas for the Ross Group. He could almost envision her diligently working on them.
“What’s the catch?” His voice was deep and steady, circling back to the condition she had alluded to earlier.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the day’s tumult, Marina stood at a crossroads, her emotions a swirling mix of anxiety and determination. The shrunken coat, a tangible representation of her blunders, had become a catalyst for reflection. As she faced Daron, the weight of her earlier mistakes pressed heavily upon her. Yet, amid the embarrassment and regret, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. She had come to realize that this moment, fraught with vulnerability, was not merely about a coat but about her own growth and the courage to embrace her aspirations. The Ross Group deal loomed large, and for the first time, she felt the urgency to assert herself, to transform her failures into stepping stones toward a brighter future.
Daron’s presence, once intimidating, now felt like an opportunity for redemption. As Marina laid out her vision for the Ross Group, she could sense the shift in the air, a subtle acknowledgment of her commitment and passion. The tension between them began to dissolve, replaced by the possibility of collaboration. In that moment, she understood that the path to success was often paved with missteps and that vulnerability could lead to unexpected connections. With each word she spoke, she reclaimed her narrative, forging a new chapter not just for herself but for the partnership she envisioned with Daron. The winds that had once carried her lost promises now whispered of hope, guiding her toward a future ripe with potential and shared dreams.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Winds Carry Lost Promises*, readers can expect an electrifying confrontation as Marina faces Daron with the weight of her mistakes hanging heavily between them. The tension is palpable, and as she attempts to navigate the delicate balance of professional ambition and personal embarrassment, the stakes are raised higher than ever. With the fate of the Ross Group share purchase hanging in the balance, Marina must muster every ounce of courage to not only salvage her professional reputation but also to confront the emotions that have been simmering beneath the surface. Will she be able to convince Daron of the merits of her proposal, or will her blunder with the coat overshadow her efforts?
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex dynamics between Marina and Daron. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, the reader will be drawn into their intricate relationship, filled with unspoken tension and unresolved feelings. Daron’s stoic demeanor will challenge Marina’s resolve, pushing her to confront her vulnerabilities while also revealing the layers of Daron’s character that make him both formidable and intriguing. Expect unexpected twists and revelations that will not only impact their professional paths but also challenge the boundaries of their personal connection. As the winds of change swirl around them, will Marina find the strength to rise above her mistakes and seize her opportunity, or will she falter under the weight of her own insecurities?
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
