A few months ago, if anyone would have told me that my fabrics could breathe, I would have called them crazy.
But now, my pieces were literally calling me crazy. It all started small, until Lu Jinghao saw part of my hidden world.
From then on, I would wake up to find my designs rearranged on my worktable. The sketches were not scattered, they were re arranged.
Most of the gowns I had abandoned half way out of fatigue and frustration would finish themselves. All draped beautifully on the mannequins I didn't remember preparing.
And the worst part of this whole situation? Everything was too good to critique.
'Rise and shine sleeping beauty. The fashion goblins have just clocked out after doing your night shift.'
"Nova," I groaned in frustration,rubbing my aching temples.
"Did I perhaps...sleepwalk?"
'I can choose to tell you that you did,but that would be a lie. But you did droll on that chiffon swatch you got last week.'
Nova's words made me freeze as I glanced at the corner of my desk. True to his words, there was a faint mark on my chiffon swatch. But...that didn't look like drool...
"Dumbass, that's coffee not drool."
'Oh, my mistake then.'
I rolled my eyes at his not so apologetic remarks, but I couldn't suppress the small smile that was forming.
For the past month or so, my studio had been...alive. The air would hum anytime I worked, the threads would glow under my fingertips...and Lu Jinghao's...and my mother's shadow? It had a way of appearing, whether I thought of her or not.
This space wasn't just magic, it was also memory.
Because I had a meeting with Lu Jinghao, I slipped into one of my new pieces before heading to the office.
The dress was a cream silk piece, with faint silver embroidery that rippled anytime I moved. My hair was pinned up, with my makeup minimal but commanding.
When I stepped out, my own Nova wolf whistled in delight.
'Ooou! I see your confidence level is at a lethal level. You might make heart rates drop anytime they come into contact with you.'
"Hmm, good," I replied,smirking at my reflection. "Just let them choke."
'You have spoken like a true petty queen.'
By the time I got to Lu group, the company lobby was chaos, which kind of shocked me.
There were photographers, reporters, and hundreds of cameras enough to stimulate anyone. From their words, Lu Jinghao's decision to make an announcement had 'leaked.'
"Miss Jiang!"
"Phantom, is it true?"
"Are you merging AUREA ATELIAR with Lu Group?"
I paused mid step. Merging my Ateliar with Lu Group? How creative were reporters nowadays? These were two different brands and empires.
He hadn't told me what today was going to be about, but his eyes had hinted that it was something that was going to cause some chaos for some time.
I clutched my bag, as my grip on my sketch folder didn't losen, my head held high, and I kept walking, ignoring all the comments and questions.
The conference room was already full the moment I entered. Huang Zeming enthusiastically waved me over, his wide grin suggesting that he had ulterior motives for the call.
"Rui...you might want to brace yourself. Buckle your belt if you can."
"Uhh, what for?" I asked warily, because that grin on his face was far from innocent. He didn't answer me but just tilted his head towards the stage.
Lu Jinghao stood there, looking all composed and immaculate, his tailored black suit making every other man in the room look underdressed. I just love how his presence alone was able to shut the noisy reporters.
He 'patiently' waited until the murmuring faded and everyone settled down before speaking into the mic.
"Good morning and thank you all for your presence today. Lu Group has always believed in integrity, innovation and individuality. Because of that, from this day forward, we are welcoming a new face that is a representation of all three."
His line of sight turned to me and he smiled gently.
"Jiang Rui," he said. "Phantom. My very own personal designer and the official creative director of our upcoming collections."
Flashes went off like fireworks as the room exploded. There were questions overlapping as the voices rose in disbelief.
"What did he just say???"
"What?!"
"Personal designer? Creative director??"
"Wait, thee Phantom?"
My whole body froze, as I felt the world tilt slightly. I knew we had already started behind the scene but now, the whole world knows.
His personal designer. Personal as in every single outfit he wore, every public appearance he would make, every campaign... All that will be my responsibility. Mine...
Nova's sarcastic remarks didn't take long to log in.
'Oh host! You are now a designer and a mini deity. Please remain calm as the mortals implode.'
I blinked at Lu Jinghao, trying so hard to maintain my composure, but the smugness in his faint smirk didn't help. How did he even look so calm?
When the people had processed that much and the noise finally settled, he generously added.
"Jiang Rui's work is a definition of what fashion should mean. Together with her, we will be showcasing life, emotion and story... because we all know, Miss Rui doesn't just create clothes, she creates meaning."
I would've clapped for myself if not for the sudden annoying voice that followed right after Lu Jinghao.
"Mr Lu, those are some bold words for someone who didn't design her own debut collection."
Jiang Ning. I just love how she never learns a lesson.
She smugly stepped forward from the crowd, dressed in a blood red piece, putting on the smile of a woman desperate for attention. Any attention. The cameras turned to her instantly.
"Don't nail me. I am just saying," she continued, her gaze on me like a knife, "isn't it funny how phantom will always pop up randomly? Mostly after a scandal?"
I smiled sweetly at her. "I think you are right Ning. Things are convenient this way. I don't have to hide my talent behind stinky shadows and can pop up anytime I want to."
Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Jiang Rui, watch your mouth. I fucking made you."
"Oh, please Ning," My smile was still composed and elegant as I spoke. "Save yourself the shame. You couldn't and still can't make a seam without crying around for help. On the contrary, you should be thanking me. I saved your dead career."
The reporters gasped as Huang Zeming choked on his coffee. Lu Jinghao's mouth twitched, visibly showing how he was fighting a grin.
Jiang Ning's face turned red. "You! So you think you are untouchable because Lu Jinghao favors you?"
"And that's where you are wrong Ning. Favor has nothing to do with this," I replied smoothly. "This is called competency. I understand you don't know because you lack it, but I recommend you try it out sometime."
'Oh host! That Burn level is intense!'
"Security," Lu Jinghao calmly called, and within seconds one guard appeared and escorted her out, as flashes popped all over her.
When the conference ended, the headlines were already exploding online.
I ignored them because what mattered wasn't what they thought of me, but how my name was standing on it's own.
Despite this, a quiet unease still tugged at me. The glow in my studio has been getting stronger since Lu Jinghao made that announcement. It was almost like it was...aware.
That night, as I cleared some of my fabrics, I accidentally brushed my hands on one piece and suddenly, my fingers felt warm.
The air shimmered and a soft golden door appeared at the right corner of my studio.
I felt my body freeze all over but I held courage and took a cautious step forward. The more steps I took, the faster the lights pulsed.
"Xiao Rui."
A soft, gentle voice suddenly sounded and my heart beat fastened.
My mother. Lin Yue.
"Mom?" My voice cracked in reply."But...how?"
She turned slightly, smiling, allowing me to see the sketch book in her hand."My beautiful, little moon. You finally found it."
The glow brightened at her words, wrapping me in warmth.
"Baby I left this for you," she spoke, voice slightly trembling. "Do keep in mind that the world will try breaking you, but you will always be powerful. Don't let them hurt you."
The door began to fade, making me desparetly lunge forward at it.
"Mom! Wait!What really is this system? And why me?!"
Her lips moved with a small smile before she vanished."Because little one, this was always yours."
Everything fell silent again, as my knees gave out, causing me to fall on the floor, shaking violently.
'...host?'
Silence.
'...Rui?'
"I saw her Nova. I heard her. But she left."
'She might have left but what she left behind isn't gone.'
I felt tears sting my eyes but tried forcing them back with a weak smile. "Mom would hate that I'm crying in her beautiful space."
'Then host you'd better design something ethereal enough to hide your tears.'
I slowly stood up, brushing off my dress. "Let's get to work buddy."
The next morning, a half worried, half annoyed Lu Jinghao called me.
"You didn't reply back, I was scared."
"I was busy working." I replied.
There was a pause, followed by a softer tone. "Are you okay? Should I maybe come over?"
" No need. I'm fine."
He didn't press, and that's one thing I have always liked about him.
"All right. In that case, I'll be sending some food to your studio. Don't argue."
I casually replied before ending the call. My reflection on the mirror reminded me of yesterday's ordeal and my lips couldn't help but curve upward. I looked nothing like the girl who'd once been betrayed and crushed. I wss sure that my mother was proud of me.