Elena's heart wouldn't stop racing.
She stared at her screen, the message glowing like a small sun in the darkness of her room.
Ares_Lee_Official: "Did you make that edit?"
Her fingers trembled.
Her mind froze.
Her breath locked inside her chest.
She had spent years admiring this man from a distance—an international superstar with millions of fans. Someone untouchable. Someone she only loved secretly through videos, songs, and quiet dreams.
But now…
He was talking to her?
"No… this can't be real," she whispered, pressing her hand to her forehead. "Maybe his account got hacked. Maybe it's AI. Maybe I'm dreaming."
The phone vibrated again.
Ares_Lee_Official: "Hello? Are you there?"
Elena gasped out loud.
Her knees weakened. She sank to the edge of her bed, staring at the second message. Ares Lee… waiting for her reply? That alone felt like her soul was leaving her body.
She typed… deleted… typed again.
"Yes… I made it."
She hesitated. Her thumb floated over the send button.
What if she sounded stupid? What if he didn't like it?
What if this truly was the real him?
The phone buzzed once more before she even replied.
Ares_Lee_Official:
"It was amazing. I've never seen someone capture me like that. How long have you been editing?"
Elena's jaw dropped.
Compliment?
From him?
From him him?
She finally typed back with shaking hands.
"Th-three days. I was just… inspired."
Send.
She covered her face. "Oh my God, I sound like a child."
But the next reply came fast.
Ares_Lee_Official:
"You're talented. Very talented. Could you make one more for me?"
Elena froze.
Was he… requesting work from her?
Her heart hammered louder than her thoughts. The superstar she admired in secret was now asking her for something.
Why her?
Why now?
Why out of all the millions of fans?
She swallowed hard.
"Yes… I can."
A pause. Then:
Ares_Lee_Official:
"Thank you, Elena."
She blinked rapidly.
He knew her name.
She didn't tell him.
How did he know?
A sudden chill ran down her spine.
Something wasn't normal about this.
But before she could think too deeply, the screen lit up again:
Ares_L
ee_Official:
"Can I call you?"
Elena's heart stopped.
Her entire world… changed again.