I walked for a long time, feeling the faint hum of traffic mixing with my thoughts.
I could get a taxi if I wanted to. But not today. I wanted to enjoy this moment.
No one could recognize me anyway. I was masked up.
My ruined studio wasn't far from my new one and for the first time in a long time, my heart wasn't heavy with grief. It was pumped up with purpose.
'Host. You are scaring me. You're smiling like someone about to commit a grave sin.'
"Because I am Nova."
The wreckage of my studio still stood silent when I passed by it. I didn't bother looking at it much because any treasure in that studio was in my space.
Further across was my new studio. Decorated and ready for me.
I sat on the lone stool in the middle of the studio, as I pulled out my sketchbook, and with utmost focus, started drawing.
The lines sketched flowed easier than before. Every movement felt easily guided, as if deliberate. When I finally lifted the pen, the ink shimmered faintly with some metallic gold.
'Host. You are now using the soul stitch feature. Anything you create will carry emotional resonance. Be it your anger, your passion, happiness,love or revenge.'
"Hmm...So if I sew a dress in a bad mood then..."
'Someone might literally faint wearing it.'
"Perfect. I like it."
I stood up and grinned.
"We are going to start small, Nova. Anonymous. I'll upload one design online and we are going to see how sharp the world is."
'Got it host. Uploading... under alias Phantom.'
"You're too dramatic."
'So are you hun.'
Minutes later, I watched my intended design, a black gown with golden tears cascading down one side, officially hit the fashion world forum.
I patiently waited.
Ten minutes.
Fifteen.
By the twentieth minute, my laptop screen exploded with notifications.
"Unknown Designer releases a Heavenly Piece! Could This Be Jiang Ning's Secret Partner?"
I snorted at the title, deeply offended.
"Of course their brainwashed selves will credit her."
'I can hack the system and add your name host.'
"No. Let them speculate. The louder they get, the harder they will fall."
I sat back down as I looked at my new studio, this one had hope and maybe, a little madness.
"Hmm...how about we design some Karma couture for my sister?"
"We'll sneek into the mansion and place it there. I know her snoopy nose will be looking for any designs to counter phantom."
'That's wicked. I like it.'
'Host's intention detected: Activating system.'
The air suddenly shimmered as my veins burned with gold light for a brief moment, then dimmed.
The moment I opened my eyes, everything around me looked sharper.
I could feel deceit now. I watched as my hands moved skillfully, sketching a design for my lovely sister.
By midnight, Phantom was the most searched term on fashion boards.
And by morning, one of Jiang Ning's models was whispering on social media that the original designer behind the ethereal collection wasn't Jiang Ning at all.
I loved the chaos.
It spread like wildfire.
I grinned, as I sipped my coffee from a SpongeBob mug.
"And we're just getting started."
Suddenly there was an email.
A private one. How did they even find me?
I almost didn't open it, until I decided to.
"Hello Phantom, this is the Velvet Fashion Gala. We'd like to personally invite you to submit under the alias 'phantom. Your vision impressed the chairman himself."
My hand froze.
Chairman?
'That's a scam host.'
"Oh. Okay."
What I didn't know was that Nova had lied to me. He just didn't want me to get involved with them.
Still relaxing in my studio, I watched my stepsister's latest press clip play on my phone, trying not to laugh as she tried to sound calm.
"Why won't I admire Phantom's designs? she said, flashing her perfect PR smile.
"He or she must've been inspired by my own work. Not that I'm complaining but many newcomers are."
'Host, your sister's ego level can feed a whole town.'
"I would be surprised if you had told me otherwise."
It had been three days since my mind-blowing upload.
Three days since the internet decided "Phantom" was either Jiang Ning's hidden collaborator or her mortal enemy.
I didn't bother correcting them. Why would I even spoil the fun?
The comments were flooding in like champagne foam.
"Whoever Phantom is, they understands emotion through fabric!"
"Guys, I think Jiang's losing her touch. Look at her new designs, they feel so soulless."
"Maybe she isn't the real visionary."
I really loved the sharpness of the internet. I couldn't have written a better answer even if I tried.
That morning, I'd just finished sewing a prototype piece. A beautiful a blood red satin gown. I didn't have the opportunity to continue as the system chimed.
'Incoming call host. Call from the Jiang Family Mansion.'
"Put it through Nova."
"Jiang Rui!!" My stepmother's voice was sharp enough to cut even the finest silk.
"Where are you?Where have you been? Your sister is undergoing pressure and stress.! People online are comparing her to some anonymous designer!"
"Oh my!," I said, feigning shock.
"What a terrible moment that is. Imagine being compared to someone better."
Her gasp was so loud that she rebuked me.
"Jiang Rui! Mind your tone!"
"Oh I am," I replied sweetly. "This is my polite tone mother. You wouldn't want to hear my other one."
"Your father demands to see you," she snapped, clearly irritated by my lack of cowardness. "Come to dinner tonight. And dress appropriately. Ditch those...creative outfits."
More like, wear something submissive.
"Of course," I replied, naturally planning the opposite.
By evening, I walked into the Ruan mansion wearing a sleek black dress that hugged confidence like a second skin. My figure was naturally enticing and inviting. My hair was up, my eyes lined with quiet defiance and my lips? Fiery red like the anger about to be unleashed.
Jiang Ning was already there, casually flipping through a magazine.
Her hand suddenly froze mid page the moment she saw me.
'Ding! Jealousy detected! Want to teach her a lesson?'
"And what lesson might that be Nova?"
'Manipulate her emotions. Just like last time.'
She scowled bitterly as she spoke "Look at you, dressing up like you think you're someone."
I was patiently waiting for the perfect time.
" Darling I am someone," I replied back swiftly, grabbing a grape from the fruit bowl. "You just forgot who."
My father cleared his throat from across the table. "Jiang Rui, enough theatrics. We need to discuss your future. Your sister's brand is under scrutiny and suspicion."
"As her former assistant, you need to make a statement of loyalty and defend her."
I turned to look at him and the eye contact made him freeze for a moment. Of course he would. I looked just like my mother!
I saw a strange glint in his eyes that disappeared as quick as it appeared.
"Loyalty," I echoed, chuckling lightly. "Of course. You mean like how she was loyal when she stole my work?"
The silence in the room was sharp enough to frame.
Father's gaze hardened as he tried to assert dominance. "That's unproven Jiang Rui."
My sister smugly tilted her head. "Besides sister, you were in the hospital. You can't even prove which designs were yours."
" Hmm. Maybe I can't..." I said, shrugging, "but the public seems to think Phantom can."
She froze.
"What did you just say?" she asked too quickly.
" I follow fashion news Ning," I replied, leaning back.
"Phantom's work is extraordinary. You could almost think of her as...someone reborn from someone else's ashes."
My father slammed his fork down. "Jiang Rui! Why are you so rebellious?"
I met his glare with calm amusement. "What? I don't see a problem. I'm just appreciating art."
"And rebellion?You amuse me father. Yuu wouldn't want to know how rebellion really looks like."
They all wore hard expressions, probably from the fact that they realized they really couldn't control me anymore. Refreshing!
'Perfect timing host!'
Suddenly, Jiang Ning lost her composure and started thrashing things everywhere. From the food to the table clothes...
Her curses weren't something my conservative father was expecting to hear,as his lips were pressed in thin line, hands balled in fists and eyes throwing daggers at her.
It took my stepmother a lot of effort to finally calm her down but the damage was already done.
The rest of dinner passed in complete silence. The kind that pressed more with every forced smile.
But to me, that was the most peaceful I've ever been in this house.
When I finally left the table, I caught Jiang Ning's expression. Her composure was finally cracking.
'Too much anger in one person. She's going to make a mistake soon.'
"Good," I whispered back. "Let her tug the deadly threads."
"Hey Nova."
'Yes host.'
"I want an invitation to the Velvet Fashion gala. I want a public exhibition."
'Are you sure host?'
"Yes. A little drama never hurt anyone."
'On it host.'