Chapter 5: Assistant? More like soulmate.

Her eyebrows shot up, forming a high arch of astonishment. It was a written blog. About her.

She closed her eyes for a second and breathed through her mouth, and opened her instagram to read it again for the third time.

‘CEO CHAOS: CEO Turned Heartbreaker says “No” To Fiancé, Then Tongue-Tangles with Her Assistant on Stage?!’

Posted by velvet vine/ Verified Mess since 2020

'Last night’s Lin & Co. gala wasn’t just about launching a new jewelry line… it was about launching one poor man into humiliation orbit. In a scene straight out of a soap opera, Adrian Wu dropped to one knee in front of hundreds of guests, expecting a yes. What he got? A devastating no… and a front-row seat to Aria’s fireworks-level passion for her Assistant, Ethan Luo.'

The photo embedded in the article was unforgiving… Adrian on one knee, frozen in shock, ring box still opened… while she had her hands tangled up in Ethan’s collar like something out of a damn romance novel.

She scrolled down, her heart racing.

‘Sources say the affair had been going on for months. Could the polished CEO have been playing the perfect girlfriend while sneaking kisses in office corners? One thing’s for sure… if Aria Lin wanted a rebrand, she just went viral.’

What’s next for Aria Lin?

Damage control? A resignation? A rebrand?

Stay tuned… because we’re not looking away.

She tugged at the collar of her night dress, the fabric feeling constricted against her clammy skin. She paced her room, while she gripped the hair at the back of her head with one of her hand.

The post was already at 10million views and about 5million comments.

She should turn off her phone. Burn it or bury it in a grave six feet deep. But, like the masochist that she apparently was, she clicked on the comments sections.

COMMENTS SECTION:

@PRPrincess: ‘This is what happens when you hire your fantasies.’ Sighs dramatically.

@HeartbrokenForAdrian: ‘He deserved better. She humiliated him in front of everyone. Cold.

@GirlBossEnergy: ‘Not her walking into HER villain era with red lip and zero regrets. We Stan.’

She wanted to stop reading the comments, but it was as if the more she reads, the more she wants to continue. She clutched the hem of her night dress tightly, the fabric bunching in her hands, as she reads on.

@businessbabe88: ‘She just tanked her image. Can’t wait for the apology tour.

@AriaThelcon: ‘People mad because she choose passion over PR. Let the woman live her truth.’

@TeamEthan: ‘Assistant? More like soulmate. I’ve never seen Aria look that alive.’

@OfficeAffiarsAreGross: ‘Sleeping with your assistant? Major HR violation and major yikes.’

She dropped the phone on her bed, like it burned her. She squeezed her eyes shut.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream, cry, or go back in time and throw a glass of champagne in her own face.

Instead she chuckled and muttered to herself, “well… at least we made headlines.”

She turned sharply when she heard the sound of glass breaking from downstairs, followed by her father’s barked command.

She hurriedly went downstairs and the sight made her gasps. Her father smashed his phone and pieces of what she assumed was once a mug at the wall.

Her mother was trying to get him to calm down from his rage, but it seems it’s an impossible tasks. She had never seen her father this mad in her life.

"How dare they post all does stuff about my princess? I’m going to destroy them all.” He thundered.

Aria rushed down the stairs, and met her parents in the center of the room, with some of the servants peeping, trying to see what all the commotion was all about.

"Dad, please calm down. That’s the exact reaction they want us to have.” She said, while squeezing his arm.

“But what they posted isn’t fair Aria.” Her mother muttered.

"And I know just how to handle them. So don’t worry too much. I just hope it hasn’t affected the company.” She asked, her forehead furrowed.

Her parents exchanged looks between themselves.

"Well.” Her father started. “It did dear. The company’s stock has plummeted drastically.”

She stood unblinking, trying to process what her father just said to her.

"What?” she asked, as if she hadn’t heard what had just been said.

"It’s nothing new dear. It happens all the time, so don’t you dare think it was your fault. Because it isn’t.” her father said, while patting her hand gently.

"I promise to fix it dad. I’m the CEO now. Many people will be counting on me to make this right. And I will.” She stated.

Her father smiled at her. “And that is why I said you are the perfect candidate for the CEO position. Go show them how the Lin family deals with whoever messes with us.” He exclaimed.

Her whole face lit with certainty. “Of course. I’m Aria Lin after all.” She teased.

She left her parents downstairs and went to her room to get ready for work.

The morning sun hit the Lin Corporation tower like a spotlight.

She stepped out of the back seat of the sleek black sedan, sunglasses shielding her eyes, her heels clicking confidently against the polished stone of the private parking level.

Her white pantsuit was crisps, elegant, and calculated… clean lines, high collar, and no room for interpretation.

She could see Ethan already waiting by the elevator. Well, standing might’ve been generous.

He leaned against the wall, his suit rumpled, tie loose and eyes bloodshot. He didn’t even look up right away, probably didn’t even hear her footsteps.

When he finally did, it was like watching someone force themselves into autopilot.

"Morning.” He said his voice low and sandpaper-rough.

He straightened up and pressed the elevator button with more force than necessary, which made her pause.

She tilted her head slightly. “You look like hell.” She commented.

"I slept great.” He said flatly, while rubbing his temple.

She blinked slowly at him, but the elevator opened before she could say more.

“I assumed you’ve reviewed the updated numbers?” she asked, already changing the subject.

Just because she felt sorry for him, that doesn’t mean she had to show any weakness. Most especially in front of him.

"Yeah. Forecast is stable. The partnership with Duwari & Sons is going to need a three week delay, but legal’s on it. I sent you the preliminary this morning.” Ethan replied.

"Good.” She muttered without turning to look at him.

It was as though the air had become solid around them, making each breath feel like an intrusion into the silence.

Aria cleared her throat. “For what it’s worth, I didn’t plan any of that. The kiss.”

His gaze finally shifted to her. “And yet you still went ahead and did it anyways.”

Silence hung over the elevator like a suffocating blanket, at his reply.