The morning after the gala, Gold sat in Virelle's high-
rise apartment, sipping a latte she didn't like and
staring at the city skyline. Her reflection in the window
made her pause.
"System," she muttered, "how do I even begin to fix…
this?"
➢[Recommendation: Analyze past decisions of
Virelle and identify emotional triggers for Male
Lead.]
"Analyze? You mean, dig through her sins like a
forensic psychologist?" Gold groaned. "Because I
don't have a PhD in ex-boyfriend anger management."
➢[Humor detected. Emotional intelligence
application approved.]
Gold's mind raced. Virelle had left Alistair years ago
because of her parents' cruel condition — if they
wanted him to succeed, she had to leave him. She
hadn't lied out of malice; she'd been trapped. But
Alistair had felt betrayed, and now, years later, he was
in love with Selindra.
"Step one," Gold whispered, scribbling notes in
Virelle's leather planner, "don't make him hate me
more than he already does. Step two… hmm, step two
is tricky. Don't accidentally fall for him, maybe?"
➢[Caution: Host emotional stability may decrease
with male lead proximity.]
Gold's phone buzzed. A notification: Alistair was
heading to a meeting nearby. Perfect. She groaned.
"System, remind me: do I wave politely, hide under a
table, or run screaming?"
➢[Recommendation: Engage minimally, observe
reactions, maintain composure.]
Minutes later, Alistair entered the co-working space
where Gold (as Virelle) had a "chance encounter"
planned. Their eyes met instantly, tension thick
enough to choke on
"Virelle," he said softly, his voice carrying years of
unspoken anger and longing.
Gold forced a neutral expression, inwardly screaming.
Okay, breathe. Charm and subtle honesty… charm and
subtle honesty…
➢[Alert: Male Lead emotional baseline elevated.
Potential for residual attraction detected.]
She smiled lightly. "Alistair. Good to see… that you're
thriving."
He arched a brow. "Flattery? Or apology?"
Gold smirked slightly. "Maybe a little of both… in
Virelle's style."
➢[System advisory: Host humor detected. Male
Lead reaction unpredictable.]
Alistair didn't answer immediately. He studied her —
every movement, every nuance. Gold realized that
even years later, the old rhythm of their interactions
still existed, buried beneath layers of anger, betrayal,
and unspoken love.
Later, she reflected on the encounter. Residual errors,
she muttered. All these emotions from the past… if I
don't handle them carefully, he'll either hate me
forever or… something worse..
➢[Recommendation: Continue observing, avoid
emotional overload, strategically deploy charm.]
Gold slumped back in the chair. "System, I don't think I
signed up for emotional warfare. I signed up for…
what? Surviving a corporate gala?"
➢[Correct. Emotional stabilization recommended
before next male lead encounter.]
Outside, Alistair stared at the city from his office
window, conflicted. Something about her… it's not the
same Virelle. But the feeling is there. That ache, that
pull
Gold clenched her hands. Step one: survive. Step two:
navigate betrayal. Step three: maybe… help him heal
too?
➢[System note: Emotional mission complexity
increasing. Host performance acceptable.]
And somewhere deep in her chest, Gold realized that
she was already entangled in this delicate web of old
love, new love, and the painful echoes of choices
made long ago.
…