Falling For Director Lee

The sound of running water echoed faintly through the men’s restroom, mingling with the distant buzz of voices and footsteps outside. Noah Reid stood at the sink, sleeves rolled up, letting cold water trickle over his hands. The disguise — a cap pulled low, sunglasses, and a mask — usually kept him invisible in public. Today, it was just another shield from the noise of the world. He was about to leave when a voice caught his attention. Deep, composed, and familiar. It came from one of the stalls, carried softly over the hum of the dryers. > “Yeah, I’m done here… heading out now.” Noah’s head tilted slightly. The tone was casual, but the voice stirred something faint — recognition? Memory? He couldn’t tell. > “Don’t start again,” the man chuckled. “You worry too much, Adrian.” Noah froze. He knows who's voice it is His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag. The voice lowered, gentler now — intimate. > “Alright… I love you too, Adrian.” The words hung in the air like smoke, dissolving into silence as the toilet flushed and the stall door creaked open. Instinctively, Noah turned toward the mirror, pretending to fix his cap. The man stepped out — tall, well-dressed, his reflection sliding briefly into view. A face Noah recognized. Not someone close, not someone he spoke to — but familiar enough to make his stomach tighten with unease. The man washed his hands, murmuring into his phone again as he walked toward the door. > “Adrian Lee, will you stop bugging me? Okay, I gotta go. Love you. Take care.” The call ended. He slipped the phone into his pocket and disappeared down the corridor, his figure swallowed by the crowd beyond the restroom. Noah remained where he was, staring at the reflection of the empty doorway. The sound of that name — Adrian Lee — echoed in his mind, looping over itself until it no longer felt like words, but a riddle he couldn’t solve. He finally pushed the door open, stepping into the brightness of the mall’s main hall. The air outside felt heavier somehow — too bright, too loud. People passed him by, laughing, talking, living their normal lives, while Noah moved through them like a ghost lost in thought. The Cold Director The soft click of heels echoed through the wide marble hallway of Eden Global’s headquarters — a symphony of order and authority. The design department on the 21st floor was already alive, but the moment Adrian Lee stepped out of the elevator, silence rippled across the open space. He walked with measured precision, his black suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. Staff members straightened in their seats; the hum of chatter faded instantly. The only sound left was the steady rhythm of Adrian’s footsteps and the soft rustle of papers as employees pretended to be busier than they were. > “Morning, Director Lee,” one of the junior designers greeted, voice cautious. “Morning,” Adrian replied simply, his tone neither warm nor cold — just neutral, like a line drawn with a ruler. He moved toward his office — a glass-walled space overlooking the entire department — and closed the door behind him. The faint sound of the city below filled the silence. Inside, everything was arranged to perfection: sketches stacked by color, files aligned at precise angles, even the coffee cup positioned at the exact corner of the desk. Adrian set down his tablet, slipped off his watch, and sat with quiet composure, eyes flicking through the day’s schedule. 7:30 a.m. — Design review with marketing. 9:00 a.m. — Presentation for Eden’s spring collection. 11:00 a.m. — Meeting with the board. Every minute accounted for. Every task predictable. Just how he liked it. > “Director Lee,” his assistant, Mina, said as she entered after a soft knock. “The marketing department has finalized the celebrity shortlists for the brand campaign. Would you like to take a look?” Adrian nodded slightly. “Leave it on the desk.” She hesitated. “There’s… one name the board seems very interested in.” Adrian looked up briefly, one eyebrow arching. > “And that is?” > “Noah Reid.” A faint flicker crossed his eyes — so faint it was gone before Mina could name it. He leaned back in his chair, scanning the photos and profiles neatly clipped in the folder. The familiar face stared back at him: the actor with the golden smile that every brand wanted. Adrian’s thumb brushed the edge of Noah’s photo, his expression calm as always. But beneath that calm, a quiet thought surfaced — a memory of a magazine cover years ago, back when Noah was still just starting out. He had that same look then — bright, unreachable, untouchable. Adrian shut the folder. > “He’s too expensive,” he said flatly. “Find someone else.” Mina blinked. “Sir? The board is—” > “If they want a pretty face, they can choose anyone. We need someone who fits the design’s story, not someone who overshadows it.” His tone ended the conversation. Mina nodded quickly and left. Once the door closed, Adrian sat back again, eyes lingering on the closed folder. His reflection stared back at him from the glass wall — perfect posture, calm face, and eyes that gave away nothing. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. > Noah Reid… The name sounded distant — harmless. Yet, somewhere deep inside, Adrian felt something shift, like the faint crack of ice before it breaks. --- The Meeting Room The boardroom of Eden Global gleamed with polished glass and chrome — the kind of space that demanded silence and obedience. Outside, the city pulsed with life, but in here, everything was measured, rehearsed, and under control. Adrian entered precisely on time. He took his seat beside the CEO, Richard Han, a man in his fifties with silver hair and a smile that never quite reached his eyes. > “Director Lee,” Richard greeted smoothly, “good morning.” > “Good morning, Mr. Han.” The other board members exchanged quiet greetings, papers rustling as the meeting began. Charts, projections, and sales figures filled the screens. The topic was the same as always — the brand’s next big campaign. Finally, the head of marketing stood. > “Our team has finalized the proposals for the ambassador. After reviewing public impact, reputation, and reach, the strongest candidate remains… Noah Reid.” A ripple of approval moved across the room. Adrian’s expression didn’t change. He flipped through the printed materials without a word, the sound of turning pages the only sign of life from him. > “Director Lee,” one board member ventured carefully, “your department’s designs are the centerpiece of this launch. If Noah Reid represents it, we could see record engagement.” > “I disagree,” Adrian said, tone calm but firm. “Noah Reid’s image doesn’t align with Eden’s design philosophy. He draws attention to himself, not the art.” A brief silence followed. Someone cleared their throat. Richard leaned back in his chair, studying Adrian with mild curiosity. > “You’ve always valued balance over popularity, Adrian. But sometimes, perception sells more than perfection.” > “Perception fades,” Adrian replied. “Design endures.” The words hung in the air — quiet, sharp, and deliberate. A younger executive whispered something to another, earning a quick warning glance from Richard. The CEO gave a slow, measured smile. > “You always speak like an artist in a room full of businessmen. That’s what makes you valuable — and difficult.” Adrian said nothing. Richard turned his attention back to the marketing head. > “Proceed with the offer. Send it to Noah Reid’s management by today. If he accepts, we’ll handle the rest.” Murmurs of agreement followed. Adrian closed the folder quietly, his gaze fixed on the logo embossed on its cover — Eden Global: Where Vision Meets the Future. > “Understood,” he said simply. But as the meeting moved on, his mind lingered — not on the projections or deadlines, but on the name that wouldn’t leave him. Noah Reid. It was nothing more than a business decision — a name on a list — yet it stayed with him long after the meeting ended. By the time the others began packing their notes, Adrian was still staring at the empty screen, lost in thought. > “Adrian,” Richard said, his voice quiet but firm. “Try to see the bigger picture this time.” > “I always do, sir,” Adrian replied without looking up. Richard smiled faintly, not convinced. > “Then perhaps you’ll see why this one might matter more than you think.” Adrian looked up at him then — his eyes calm, but something faint flickered behind them. > “I doubt it.” Richard only chuckled. “We’ll see.” --- Adrian left the meeting room in silence, the echo of his footsteps following him down the hall. He didn’t notice that, just then, a message had been sent out from the marketing department — an official proposal heading straight to Noah Reid’s team. And with it, a connection neither man knew was already written in motion. -