The next morning, Noah woke up to a thousand notifications.
Again.
He rubbed his eyes, picked up his phone — and froze.
Front page of every business blog and gossip site:
> "Former Rivals Spotted Sharing Coffee in the Rain
"Enemies to Lovers? Lance Wilder and Ethan Reid Caught on 'Secret Date'!"
"Wilder's Smile Melts the Ice King CEO — Netizens React."
There was even a slow-motion video of them drinking coffee, edited with romantic music and heart emojis.
Noah's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me!"
> SYSTEM: "Plot instability rising. Reality at 59%."
"Yeah, no kidding!" Noah snapped. "They're literally shipping us!"
> SYSTEM: "Correction: You started the ship."
Noah threw a pillow at nothing. "I did not!"
The system beeped. "You said — quote — 'if we weren't mortal enemies, this would almost feel like a date.' End quote."
Noah groaned. "That was a joke!"
> SYSTEM: "Reality disagrees."
Ethan walked into the office to find his assistant standing stiffly, holding a tablet like it was radioactive.
> "Sir… the internet thinks you're in a relationship with Lance Wilder."
Ethan stopped mid-step. "What?"
> "It's trending worldwide. #ReiDer is the top tag."
Ethan took the tablet, brows furrowing as he saw the pictures: him and Noah standing close, laughing, eyes meeting like a scene from a drama.
He exhaled slowly. "Who took these?"
> "Probably Wilder's PR team?"
But Ethan shook his head. "No. He looked… surprised."
Still, his phone buzzed with a message from his board director:
> 'If you're dating your rival, please at least make it a profitable partnership.'
Ethan sighed. "Wonderful."
Noah was dying. Emotionally. Socially. Spiritually.
His secretary peeked in nervously.
> "Sir, um, people are calling you and Mr. Reid… the power couple of the year."
"I'M TRYING TO FIX THE STORY, NOT STAR IN A ROM-COM!" Noah yelled.
> "Also… Mr. Reid just called. He wants to see you."
Noah froze. "Right now?"
"Yes, sir. He sounded… calm. Which is worse
Noah walked in like a man approaching a firing squad. Ethan was behind his desk, scrolling through his phone.
> "So," Ethan said without looking up. "Apparently we're dating."
Noah laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, wild internet, huh?"
Ethan finally looked up, eyes sharp.
> "You didn't plan this?"
"No! I swear! I didn't even know the camera was there—"
> "You mean you didn't know it was raining cameras?" Ethan interrupted dryly.
Noah sighed. "Okay, maybe I should have noticed."
Silence. Then Ethan stood and walked toward him, slow and deliberate.
> "This mess is affecting both our companies," he said. "So, we'll issue a joint statement."
"Sure," Noah said quickly. "Totally. Statement. Serious. Business. Nothing romantic."
Ethan stopped right in front of him — close enough for Noah to smell the faint cedar cologne again.
> "Exactly."
Noah looked up. "Why are you standing so close if we're being professional?"
Ethan's lips curved slightly.
> "Practice. For the next time the cameras find us."
Noah blinked. "Wait—what—"
A click.
Someone had opened the door. Reporters. Cameras flashing.
And there it was — Ethan, standing dangerously close, one hand casually braced on the wall behind Noah like a scene straight out of a romance drama.
The room erupted.
> "Are you two confirming the rumors?"
"Mr. Wilder, are you officially partners?"
Noah's brain crashed. "WE'RE—BUSINESS PARTNERS!"
Ethan calmly added, "...For now."
The reporters went wild.
Noah collapsed on his couch, covering his face. "I can't live like this. I'm one hashtag away from a nervous breakdown."
> SYSTEM: "Reality at 55%. Emotional instability detected."
"Yeah, you don't say."
Then his phone buzzed. Message from Ethan:
> Ethan: "Tomorrow, 9 AM. Press conference. We'll clear this up."
Ethan (next message): "And wear something decent this time."
Noah stared at the screen.
"...Is he flirting with me?"
> SYSTEM: "Probability: 83%."
"Oh no," Noah whispered. "I'm doomed."