Julian Cross was not the type who liked giving interviews.
He didn't need them—his reputation was bulletproof, his talent undeniable, his fame stable.
He only sat in front of cameras when absolutely necessary.
So when he agreed to a live talk show the morning after Aria's leaked footage went nuclear, the entire industry perked up.
Something was about to happen.
The Host Smells Blood
The stage lights dimmed in the studio.
Julian walked out calm, elegant, dressed in black—an air of effortless control surrounding him.
The host, usually composed, nearly rubbed his hands together.
"Julian Cross! Thank you for joining us today."
"Always a pleasure," Julian replied with a faint smile.
The host cut straight to it.
"I'm sure you've seen the viral clip of Aria Lane—"
Julian's smile tightened.
Of course he'd seen it.
He'd seen it the moment it leaked.
He'd watched it more times than he'd admit.
He'd recognized her stance instantly.
The host continued, excitement building:
"People are saying her reflexes aren't human. Some claim she has tactical training. Others say she's hiding something big. As her co-star… what do you think?"
The entire audience leaned forward.
Julian met the camera with an expression soft enough to seem harmless—until he spoke.
Julian Cross Defends Her
"Aria Lane," he said steadily, "is the most capable woman I've ever met."
The host blinked.
"…That's quite a statement."
"It's the truth," he replied.
The audience murmured.
Julian continued, voice low, calm, and absolutely certain:
"She reacts fast because she pays attention.
She moves precisely because she's disciplined.
And she survived that show because she works harder than anyone I've seen in this industry."
The host raised an eyebrow.
"So you believe her reflexes are just… hard work?"
Julian paused.
Just long enough for tension to thicken.
Then:
"No," he said quietly.
"I believe she has experience. More than she lets on."
The audience gasped.
The Internet Explodes Again
Clips hit social media instantly.
💬 "JULIAN SAID EXPERIENCE NOT TALENT???"
💬 "HE KNOWS SOMETHING WE DON'T."
💬 "The tension between them is insane."
💬 "Protective Julian is real???"
Conspiracy theorists screamed.
Romance shippers fainted.
Industry insiders panicked.
The clip reached five million views before the interview even ended.
The Host Pushes
"Julian," he asked carefully, "when you say 'experience,' what do you mean?"
Julian didn't look away from the camera.
"Exactly what it sounds like.
She's been through things.
Things that teach you to survive."
The host stammered.
"S-survive?"
Julian nodded.
"And she doesn't owe anyone an explanation for it."
Another explosion of applause.
Someone in the audience yelled, "MARRY HER!"
Julian almost smiled.
Sudden Chemistry on Full Display
The host laughed nervously.
"So… you seem to admire her quite a bit."
Julian replied without hesitation.
"I respect her."
"And… anything more?"
A long silence.
Julian leaned back slightly, expression unreadable but intense.
"I think the world underestimates her."
His gaze sharpened.
"And I think she prefers it that way."
The room fell silent.
The host swallowed.
"I—wow. I don't think I've ever seen you speak so passionately."
Julian gave a small, almost private smile.
"She inspires it."
Back at Aria's Apartment
Aria watched the interview on her phone while eating noodles, one leg casually bouncing off the kitchen counter.
Daniel was pacing again.
"HE SAID WHAT?! WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT?! NOW THE RUMORS ARE WORSE!"
Aria kept eating.
"That's Julian."
"That doesn't explain ANYTHING."
She shrugged.
"He's honest."
Daniel stared at her.
"…Are you blushing?"
Aria blinked.
"No."
"You ARE."
"I have chili oil in my mouth."
"That's not— Aria, oh my god—"
She placed the bowl down and stared at Julian's frozen face on screen.
His eyes looked… concerned.
Focused.
Familiar.
Dangerously familiar.
Daniel kept ranting, but Aria wasn't listening anymore.
Because she remembered something:
Julian had looked at her that way once before—
the day she saved him from the falling rig.
Not with shock.
With recognition.
Like he'd seen that kind of movement somewhere long before she ever did it.
Far Away… Someone Else Sees It Too
The man who'd been following her story watched Julian's interview in a dim café.
He didn't react until the final line.
"She inspires it."
He exhaled slowly.
"…So she saved your life too," he murmured.
Jealousy flickered across his expression—
not romantic, but protective.
Possessive in the way soldiers felt toward the one commander who could always bring them home alive.
"You noticed her reflexes," he whispered.
"Which means you'll notice me too."
He stood.
It was time.
He would find her.
Aria's Final Thought That Night
Later, when Daniel finally passed out from stress, Aria sat in the dark living room, phone glowing faintly in her hand.
Julian's interview replayed again and again.
She neither smiled nor frowned.
She whispered one small sentence:
"…You shouldn't have said that."
Not because she disliked it.
Because it would draw the wrong eyes.
And it already had.