The first thing I saw in the morning wasn't sunlight, but my face on a dozen news channels.
"Tech or talent?"
"Phantom's living dress stuns the fashion world!"
"Lu Jinghao's designer or secret muse?"
I sat up so fast that my blanket slipped off the bed.
"Nova? Please tell me this is some AI nonsense..."
'Unfortunately for you host, it isn't. I have cross checked over 100 news channels, the trending topic is confirmed. Congratulations host. You are viral...again.'
"Of course, what a perfect morning. You seem to know that I always prefer fame before breakfast. Tsk."
I dropped my head into my hands as I sighed.
'Correction host. Your breakfast was ready, it just ended up burning because you were busy scrolling.'
I sniffed the faint scent of burner food before I rolled my eyes.
Across my bed, Nova played a holo screen footage from last night's gala. From the moment Nie Huilin's champagne spilled, to the moment my gown reacted, all the way up to the gasps and applause of the crowd.
Rewatching it felt... different. It was like watching some other woman stand in my place, all calm and unbothered, while her creation spoke volumes for her.
'The public fascination is indeed high, the rumor though? Highly toxic.'
"What kind of rumours are we talking about?" I asked, even though I had a hunch on what it was.
'First one is Nie Huilin. She claims you sabotaged her glass to facilitate a triggered tech illusion. Some say you hacked your gown using some nanofibres and finally, they say you seduced Lu Jinghao into working with you, and endorsing you. They say you are way too beautiful to have talent.'
I groaned upon hearing his words. "Great. So now I am not only a hacker and witch, but also an enchanting seductress."
I pulled out a loose shirt before finding my way to the kitchen. I watched as the coffee machine whirled, my mind lost in thoughts. I only snapped out of it when I noticed paparazzi drones floating by my window, looking for sweet gossip.
"Guess who is outside Nova?" I muttered, picking up my cup of coffee.
'Hmm... let's see. Two journalists, one woman wearing ridiculous and hedious heels, likely from Nie Huilin's team, and ten drones.'
"How lovely. Please add captive to my resume."
By midmorning, the internet was having a full blown meltdown. The hashtags multiplied faster and faster, that I couldn't read all of them. Some were praising me, others were accusing me.
Suddenly, a call buzzed through but I didn't answer. It came from an unknown number.
Suddenly, a message from Lu Jinghao's assistant popped up.
Huh? Lu Jinghao was going to hold a press conference in the next one hour? And they wanted me to stay offline till then? Did I look that fragile?
The more I thought about it, the more my stomach knotted. Because presidents and CEOs never handle gossip, they just let the publicists do it.
'Aaww host. Protective CEO daddy detected.'
"Shut it Nova. He is just maintaining the brand's reputation."
'Tsk! No wonder you are still single.'
By eleven, I was at my studio, Nova projecting the live feed from across the room. The Lu Group's backdrop filled the screen as cameras angrily flashed. Hundreds of journalists were packed in the hall, murmuring all sorts of things, from theories, to names, to occasional insults towards me. Ouch.
Amidst that tense moment, he appeared. Lu Jinghao walked onto the stage in a midnight suit, his every movement calculated. The noisy room immediately fell silent, the same way predators recognize higher presence than theirs.
"Good morning all. I am aware of the speculations running around, in relation to last night's gala."
His voice was calm and steady, prompting the hundred or so recorders to be clicked on.
"I took the initiative to invite Jiang Rui to collaborate with The Lu group because of her integrity and out of world talent. What you witnessed yesterday was innovation, whose roots are passion, and not manipulation."
Someone couldn't hold back and immediately called out. " Mr Lu! Is it true Miss Nie accused her of sabotage?"
Lu Jinghao's jaw flexed, not too much, but just enough for those who are familiar with his expressions.
"Miss Nie's accident was unfortunate, that we know, but to openly imply deceit against a powerful design under my wing is not only disrespectful, but also inaccurate. Jiang Rui's work always speaks for itself."
'Host, that translates to, touch her and bam! Die.'
"You are enjoying this more than you should be."
'You should be thankful he is doing it on my behalf. Because I can't guarantee my methods to be soft.'
Without giving Lu Jinghao an opportunity to rest, another reporter immediately shouted. "So Jiang Rui is your personal designer?"
"Yes. And while we are at that, Lu Group is proud to officially announce our partnership with her studio, AUREA ATELIAR, for the upcoming fashion summit."
The hall erupted into chaos as Cameras flashed wildly.
My coffee almost fell out of my hand, my mouth wide open.
"This... partnership? Since when? Did I perhaps forget?" I whispered, clearly shocked and confused.
'Since now host. Proudly sponsored by surprise.'
On the screen, Lu Jinghao paused, proudly scanning the crowd, before delivering a line that would end up replaying all over the internet for the next one week.
"I am saying this now and I won't say it again. Creativity deserves utmost protection. Jiang Rui doesn't owe anyone an explanation for being a genius."
There was a moment of silence before applause filled the hall. Thunderous applause sounded, even from the initial hostile journalists. Today shocked the whole industry.
For a man like Lu Jinghao who was always avoiding theatrics, this was practically a confession. Not in a romantic way, but in a protective way that burned steady and low.
As more questions were asked, Nova zoomed in on Lu Jinghao's expression.
'Look at your CEO lover, he looks relieved.'
"Relief?" I asked quietly.
'The public opinion has stabilized, you are safe and your lover has both kidneys. That, in my terms, is relief.'
"You are truly insufferable." I muttered as I sipped on my coffee.
'Flutterly detected host. Thank you.'
The conference finally wrapped up with Lu Jinghao leaving the stage as security guided the reporters out. He looked tall, and composed.
Somehow, I could feel the unspoken thread between us tightening further.
A new message immediately lit up my phone, from his assistant...again. Lu Jinghao was on his way to my studio.
'He will be here in another ten minutes. I recommend you brush your hair. You look like you barely survived the apocalypse.'
"I am not brushing anything Nova. He is the one coming, not me going." I grabbed the nearest scarf I could find, tying my messy bun higher.
'Perhaps he is coming to scold you, or congratulate you, or even scold you...maybe both. Humans are inconsistent.'
My heart sped up faster, as I pretended to arrange my fabrics. Suddenly, my door slid open after three knocks sounded.
Lu Jinghao stepped in, the quiet authority announcing him before he said a single word.
For someone who had just faced a room full of cutthroat journalists, he seemed dangerously calm.
"Quite a morning this has been. Are you hiding from the world or redecorating?" he asked, scanning the chaos in the room. From the fabrics, to the coffee mug.
I folded my arms. "Both."
"I suppose that's fair...you watched it?" His gaze was fixed on me as his lips curved up slightly.
"Hard to miss it when you just accidentally announced a partnership I never signed."
"Accidentally? Rui, do you think I do things accidentally?"
"You could have warned me earlier. Now everyone thinks I am your personal..."
Lu Jinghao leaned a hand on the table beside me. This wasn't a threatening gesture, it was a grounding one...
"Just let them think what they want. I don't mind protecting what's mine." His voice came out so gentle that my pulse jumped.
"Yours?"
"Yes. Mine."
"You..."
"Anyway Rui, you should lay low offline for a few days. There are a lot of vultures circling around."
"I can handle vultures more. It is the people who are pretending to be angels I worry about."
"You mean Nie Huilin?"
"And the rest..."
Lu Jinghao's jaw tightened. "She has already received a public warning from the Lu Group. She won't try anything again."
"That was...fast."
"Of course. I don't waste time when people under my protection are smeared."
There it was again,protection. He made it sound like a promise.
"You really didn't have to do that. I could have handled things myself."
"Yeah. Just because you can doesn't mean you should everytime."
His reply came simple and final, but as simple as he sounded, his words were heavy.
Survival has always been my art form. I don't know what to do with someone who steps in without asking for anything in return.
"Lu Jinghao, is this your strategy? Charming your way out of a scandal?"
He smiled faintly, as if proud of his actions. "It works, doesn't it?"
"Maybe it does." My voice came out softer than intended.
Finally, he stepped back, pulling an elegant box from his coat pocket. "There's something else here."
I blinked hurriedly , as if the box would disappear if I didn't keep an eye on it. "Oh no! Please tell me that is not a ring. That would complicate so many things right now."
His mouth twitched in amusement. " Relax. This is a token for the upcoming summit collection. You will need it the moment we unveil our first prototype."
'Oh my host! Your panic was so genuine! Don't worry. I know the proposal will be grand. Hehe...'
I calmed down before opening the box. Inside say a delicate gold pin shaped like a needle.
I gasped in surprise because it looked so beautiful. It had some threading that I couldn't quite get but I was certain it was beautiful.
" It is so beautiful...where did you..."
"It was my grandmother's piece. She said it belonged to the first Lu designer. Consider it a temporary loan." He interrupted me gently, putting my heart at ease.
Something inside me softened at the mention of his grandmother. The old beautiful lady who had smiled at me throughout the night like someone she had approved of.
I gently closed the box as I met his gaze.
"You really trust me with this?"
"More than you think."
The air around us thickened again, until Nova's voice sliced through.
'Host the temperature is rising and your heart rate is beyond normal. I recommend deploying cold air control.'
I coughed, not so violently, pretending not to blush. "No thank you. We are fine."
Lu Jinghao caught my words and frowned slightly. "Huh? We?"
"Oh, nothing," I replied quickly. "That is just my studio slang. You won't understand."
Thankfully, he didn't push. Instead, he straightened his suit, before slipping his hand back into his pockets.
"My driver will drop off the official documents tomorrow. You shouldn't worry about the noises online. They will eventually fade."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door. "Jiang Rui."
"Yes?"
"If you claim to be second, no one can dare claim to be first. You are an amazing person."
Something between gratitude and disbelief fluttered in me.
"Hmm. I'll keep that in mind."
"Good." His lips curved just a little, before he turned and left.
My studio door was sealed shut behind him, as comfortable silence followed.
'I don't know much host, but all I know is that you should both be rolling in bed right now. Too much heat!'
"Shut up Nova."
'Fine. But you have to accept that he made your circuits almost run short.'
I rolled my eyes at him, but that didn't stop me from fighting the small smile tugging at my lips.
The golden pin on the table caught a sliver of light, reminding me of the quiet promise I had just made, a connection I didn't seek, but couldn't ignore.