EPISODE 4
1339 Words
Testing Boundaries
The next day, the shoot resumed with the same precision as before. Noah moved seamlessly between outfits — tailored suits, flowing silk tunics, and intricate jewelry pieces — each change handled with effortless grace. Adrian supervised from the sidelines, clipboard in hand, issuing crisp, clear directions to ensure the lighting, angles, and poses highlighted every design perfectly.
Noah seemed to notice Adrian’s steady gaze more than usual today, his eyes flicking toward him as he adjusted cuffs or tilted his head for the camera. Occasionally, he’d offer a subtle, playful comment, careful not to break the professional rhythm of the set.
> “Director Lee, does this angle make the necklace look better?” Noah asked as he posed with a delicate chain around his neck.
> “Yes. Slightly higher, just a touch,” Adrian replied, voice calm and neutral, though his pulse betrayed him.
Noah’s lips curved in the faintest of smiles. “Good to know my admirer is approving,” he said softly, just barely audible over the hum of the studio. Adrian’s eyes flicked up sharply, only to return to the monitors. Professional. Stay professional.
Throughout the day, the subtle tension lingered — Noah moving confidently through the shoot, Adrian’s eyes tracking him, maintaining control, giving direction, while internally feeling every small spark that passed between them.
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After the shoot, Noah’s manager made sure all of Noah’s things were packed as the day’s work was finished. Noah settled into the back seat of the company van — a van assigned exclusively for him — waiting patiently.
When Adrian finally walked out of the company into the parking lot, he noticed Noah sitting there and wondered why he was still around.
Noah called out as Adrian approached.
> “Hey, Director Lee.”
Adrian glanced at him, surprised.
> “Didn’t know you were still here.”
Noah stepped out of the van, walking toward him with a casual, easy confidence.
> “Yeah, I was just checking on something. Say… would you like to have dinner some day after we finish work?”
Adrian was stunned for a moment before responding.
> “I don’t think that would be a good idea. If we’re seen together somewhere, stories could pop up, and that might interfere with our work.”
Noah’s eyes twinkled slightly.
> “Don’t worry about that. Dinner will be at my place — that is, if you don’t mind.”
Adrian realized Noah wasn’t taking no for an answer. He gave a measured reply.
> “I’ll think about it,” he said, nodding slightly, and started to say goodbye.
Before he could leave, his phone rang. Adrian picked it up.
> “Hello, Chen,” he answered.
Noah, hearing the name, froze in place, staring at Adrian. Adrian, still on the call, waved a quiet goodbye in Noah’s direction before heading toward his car.
Noah watched Adrian’s retreating back for a long moment, his face motionless. Then, finally, he walked back into his van seat, and the driver started the vehicle, pulling away.
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Weeks of Work and Growing Comfort
Over the course of the next week, Adrian and Noah settled into a rhythm at Eden Global. Each day was filled with wardrobe fittings, jewelry shoots, photoshoots, and meticulous planning sessions for the upcoming campaign. Noah moved effortlessly through each set, changing outfits and jewelry with ease, while Adrian oversaw the process from a professional distance — clipboard in hand, notes precise, instructions crisp.
Despite Adrian’s efforts to maintain professionalism, he began noticing small things: the way Noah’s eyes crinkled when he smiled, the quiet charm in his subtle remarks, the way he naturally drew attention without trying. Noah, of course, didn’t hold back entirely; during any moments alone — a brief pause between sets, a hallway walk, or waiting for a wardrobe change — he would drop small, playful comments or teasing glances at Adrian. Adrian found himself catching feelings he hadn’t expected, though, surprisingly, he didn’t dislike the sensation.
Still, Adrian hadn’t yet given an answer to Noah’s dinner invitation, mentally weighing the complications that could arise from being seen with a celebrity.
By the end of the week, the two had grown comfortable with each other. Noah’s teasing had become lighter, and Adrian’s supervision sharper but tinged with a faint warmth he couldn’t entirely hide. The unspoken tension between them had softened into a kind of mutual understanding — admiration, subtle attraction, and quiet trust — even if nothing had been explicitly said.
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Saturday finally arrived, and with it, Adrian’s cousin, Chen Wei, returned from his long business trip in Japan. Chen Wei had been out of the country for an important business deal, leaving Adrian to handle the apartment alone for weeks.
As soon as Chen Wei entered the apartment, Adrian hugged him tightly, as if he couldn’t let go — relief, joy, and familiarity all mingling in that single embrace.
The apartment was spacious: a parlour, a dining room, two bedrooms each with its own internal toilet, a general toilet in the corridor, a kitchen, a storage room, and a beautiful backyard. Adrian and Chen Wei stepped inside, and once settled, they spent the whole day catching up on the weeks apart. Laughter, stories, and shared meals filled the day, though in between, Adrian responded to Noah’s chats, careful not to let Chen Wei notice how much attention he gave them.
Eventually, Adrian opened up to his cousin.
> “Chen… I think I’m falling for Noah.”
Chen Wei raised an eyebrow, teasing yet serious.
> “Can you handle it if he actually feels the same? Remember, he’s a celebrity. A relationship like that… if made public, it could bring a lot of unwanted attention. Fans might not take it well.”
Adrian leaned back, thoughtful.
> “I don’t know. I’ll have to think it through before I ever confess… if that day ever comes.”
Chen Wei nodded, a small smile on his lips.
> “Just be careful. But I know you, Adrian — if you feel it, you feel it.”
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Sunday passed quietly, with Adrian reflecting on his growing feelings for Noah and the subtle tension that had become part of his daily routine.
Monday arrived quickly. Chen Wei headed to his company, Longhua Industries, and was met with a small surprise welcome party. His coworkers, subordinates, and even the company’s VP were present to greet him after his long trip. The atmosphere was lively yet professional, a mix of celebration and casual camaraderie.
After the small party, everyone returned to their respective offices and cabinets, resuming their normal work routines. Chen Wei settled back into the flow of his own life, while Adrian continued navigating his complicated, quietly thrilling connection with Noah.
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Chen Wei’s Unexpected Encounter
Chen Wei was about to head out for his lunch break when he ran into Liang Chen — a love he had once let go. He had always loved Liang Chen, and he still did.
After Liang Chen became the face of their company, a threat to ruin Liang Chen’s career had surfaced. Chen had received intimate photos of them together from an anonymous source — some from their getaway trips, some from the balcony of his former house, and others from their favorite hideouts. Fear gripped him. Liang Chen was just beginning to shine, and Chen couldn’t bear to be the cause of his downfall. Out of that fear, he ended the relationship, leaving a thread of strain between them that lingered to this day.
Seeing Liang Chen now, Chen’s chest tightened. He called out softly,
> “Liang Chen… how have you been?”
Liang Chen halted mid-step but didn’t respond. He looked past Chen, as if he didn’t know him, and continued walking.
Chen felt the familiar ache in his chest. It hurt to be ignored, but he preferred this pain to being the reason the person he loved might be ruined.
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- Writer
