Later that night, as I stood in my apartment scrolling through drafts in my tablet, an alert came through.
Jiang Ning had just posted: "When they steal your light but you simply burn brighter! #Watchthispace."
'She is about to launch a public attack host.'
I sighed, clearly tired of her antics. "What is she up to this time?"
Nova didn't delay and projected a trending headline.
"Trusted sources claim Phantom isn't the real designer behind AUREA ATELIAR."
My stomach dropped and hardened for a second. Classic Jiang Ning.
'Host, I recommend an elegant counterattack.'
I muttered back a reply before opening my laptop.
I was typing faster than my thoughts, because if Jiang Ning wanted war, she for sure would get one.
But this one will be clean, no one would even realize I was drawing blood until she was properly bleeding.
I glanced at my reflection in the window, my blouse glowing under the city lights, with my lips curved in quiet defiance.
Meanwhile, somewhere across town, Jiang Ning stood in her office, her eyes blazing as she threw her tablet aside.
Her assistant flinched but tried to advice her.
"President Jiang, maybe we should..."
"Quiet! " Ning snapped. "You have no idea what it takes to deal with that parasite. If she wants war, I will give her one."
She turned to the mirror, touching up her mismatched lipstick with trembling fingers.
"She really thinks that she is untouchable just because she is famous. But I know her well... I know her weakness..."
Her assistant hesitated. She really had an evil boss."....what weakness?"
Her lips curved in a cold smile. "Poor thing thinks talent will protect her. But it won't."
Back in my apartment, I was finally done and hit send on the post I was working on.
"And when ghosts are accused of stealing, the world should remember that we were the ones running the runway first. #Phantomtruth #Stayoriginal."
As expected, it went viral within minutes.
'Host your Counterattack is successful because her public favourability has dropped by 60%"
I grinned in reply, closing my laptop. "Hmm..that will do for tonight."
The city lights reflected in my wine glass, alive, just like I was.
And somewhere out there, I knew Lu Jinghao was watching, probably smiling and calculating.
Morning came and the world outside was still chaotic but inside?
It was quiet, too quiet for a woman who had just turned over the industry once again.
I took a deliberate step back, admiring the gown I had just draped on the mannequin.
Burnt orange, hand beaded bodice, and a slit that whispered sweetness into everyone's ears. Perfection!
'Such a beautiful Masterpiece you have here.'
A smirk curved my lips. "Why thank you Nova.I like it when my beauty comes with a little distraction. "
I turned to the mirror, tugging a loose strand of hair into place. Today, my outfit screamed power disguised as mininalism.
My heels were sharp enough to draw blood, just how I like it. This was the kind of outfit that made silence give a standing ovation.
I was busy sketching out a new silhouette when a knock came on my private studio.
The moment I gave an answer, the studio door opened.
"I see you are busy conquering the world again."
Of course, Huang Zeming. This guy seemed to think we are best friends. I just don't get his appearance every where I am.
His voice carried that disarming humor, so casual and relaxed.
"I brought you double espresso," he spoke, setting it down beside me. "No sugar. Just like your soul Rui."
I smiled faintly. "Careful, what you wish for Zeming."
He chuckled, leaning on my cutting table.
"Ohh, such words from the queen herself?I am so marking today in my calendar."
I chuckled. This was a light, effortless moment between us.
But the truth sat quietly between us. And it cut deep, because this developing friendship, is the one where you never really know who is observing who.
'Hehe host. I recommend keeping a distance from Mr charm lest he swallows you whole. 2 meters is just fine.'
I ignored Nova, as I sipped my coffee, focusing on my design.
"I see you are really busy, maybe I came at the wrong time."
" Makes me wonder when you even work. You are everywhere apart from your work station."
Zeming laughed, a hearty one at that, but before he could reply, my phone buzzed.
An unknown number. I almost ignored it, until I zoomed in on the message.
Wei Han.
(Are you still busy to talk to me RuiRui? I miss you.)
My stomach turned cold. Why was this man looking for me?
He had watched me fall apart and decided I wasn't worth his attention and now he wants mine? Son of a...
I exhaled before locking the screen and placed the phone face down.
"Everything okay Rui?" Zeming suddenly asked.
"Yeah, just spam," I replied too quickly.
But of course, the phone buzzed again.
(You have really changed Rui. The whole country is talking about you. A beautiful and successful woman...it makes me wonder if I was a fool to let you go...)
'Duh! Of course he was.'
I nearly snorted out loud. "You really have no idea," I whispered.
Zeming wanted to ask me something when his own phone went off. Mid call, he stood up, patted my shoulder and left in a hurry.
Thank God! But it seemed as if heavens was playing a joke on me today.
Barely an hour after Zeming left, someone else came.
Lu Jinghao.
He looked immaculate in a dark gray suit, sleeves rolled up, as if he had just thrown an entire empire into submission.
I didn't smile when he walked in, but just a observed him as he looked at me slowly and deliberately, taking in every inch of my body and every detail of my outfit.
"The mighty emperor has just visited my humble studio, what an honor," he said.
A hint of amusement tugged at his lips. "And are you really honored?"
"Oh Please," I scoffed, ushering him to the seat opposite mine.
He chuckled quietly, as an assistant came in with a drink for him.
"So," he said once we were alone again,
"You have been trending for seventy two hours. That midnight blue gown you wore at the gala has already been replicated seven times by lesser designers."
"Tragic," I replied. "But you can't be imitated if you are not relevant."
His gaze lingered at me for some time.
"And your ex is suddenly giving interviews. He seems eager to remind the world he once mentored you."
I felt my jaw tighten as irritation took the best of me. "Mentored? Him? Mentor me?"
"His words, not mine."
"The only way he mentored me is by hollowing me, akin to termites mentoring a house."
'Ohh host, I am saving that quote for the future.'
Jinghao's mouth twitched in response. "You have really got quite the tongue."
"Oh you would be amazed once you find out what it can really do."
His eyes darkened as his gaze became even more intense. Huh?
'Uh oh host...do you know what you have just said?'
I didn't get time to answer Nova when he spoke.
"I am waiting to see what that tounge can do but that aside, I really meant what I wrote in that proposal."
" I really want you as my personal designer, and as I said yesterday, you will have full creative control. No company board interference."
"Such a tempting offer you have," I said, stirring my coffee. "But are you ready for bloodshed and fallouts? Working with me means actively inheriting my enemies."
He leaned forward slightly, voice dangerously low. "Let them dare. I do love interesting wars."
I laughed, unable to stop myself. "You are really ridiculous!"
"And yet," he replied softly, "you are here considering it."
I didn't answer. Because he was right. And I didn't hate the thought of him being right.
"So, do we have a deal?" He asked.
"I suppose so. You don't seem like the type to easily get rid of, so I'll just save myself the trouble."
He chuckled before we proceeded to discuss our second partnership.
There were other things that required us to visit his office and just like that, the day I had set for myself changed courses.
When I returned to my studio, I felt something wasn't right.
My workers were avoiding eye contact, as some seemed to want to say something but couldn't. And then I saw him.
Wei Han. Sitting in my chairs like he owned the place.
He stood, smiled softly and with practiced ease, and spoke.
"RuiRui… you look incredible."
"Don't you dare call me that."
He raised his hands in fake surrender.
"Fine. Jiang Rui, then. I just wanted to see you so that I can congratulate you. I see you have done good... unexceptionally well."
"Done it without you, you mean?"
His smile didn't falter, instead, it widened.
"Maybe. But imagine what we can do together now. You and I..."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't have to fight alone anymore Rui. I can protect you. Let me protect you this time."
'Host his words are full of fake sincerity. He just wants to manipulate you.'
My lips curved. "Protect me? Wei Han, you are the reason I need that protection in the first place."
His jaw twitched in annoyance. "You have changed."
"Thank God!"
The silence between us stretched tight as the atmosphere tensed. He sighed, as his disgusting hands wanted to reach out for my sketches.
I swatted his hands away before he could reach them.
"I am still obsessed with your art. You know that is what I love most about you."
"Get out," I said fiercely.
He blinked, surprised. "Ruirui..."
"I said get out of my studio. And next time I see you use my name for clout, I will sue you."
He froze, jaw slightly ticked, then, for the first time, laughed. "Still fierce..."
When he finally left, the air in the studio felt lighter. I exhaled slowly, staring at my reflection in the glass, my sharp eyes had really learned how to burn.
Hours later, I had finally completed phase one and sent Lu Jinghao my final designs.
I watched as the lines on my design sketches shimmered, they looked so dangerously beautiful, just like the one about to own them.