Falling For Director Lee

EPISODE 6

The launch of Eden Global’s new design line had been an undeniable triumph. Media outlets were overflowing with praise; social feeds were flooded with images and clips. Every detail—the fabrics, the cuts, the jewelry, the concept—had been flawless. Adrian sat on Noah’s couch, the glow of the news broadcast painting his face in soft light. He felt a quiet satisfaction, though his heart was still restless.

Noah appeared silently beside him, sliding in close, his presence warm, grounding. Adrian stole a glance at him—Noah’s eyes glimmered, lips curved in a satisfied smile.

> “We did it,” Adrian murmured, voice low, almost hesitant to break the calm.

Noah leaned back, one arm draped over the back of the couch.

> “We,” he echoed, brushing a thumb over Adrian’s hand. “I’m proud of you. Every step, every choice, every decision… it all brought us here.”

Adrian shook his head, cheeks tinged with warmth.

> “It’s not just me, Noah. It’s all our hard work… and, honestly, you’re the one everyone’s eyes were on. Without you, none of this would have mattered.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with unsaid emotion. Noah’s gaze softened. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in, lips brushing Adrian’s. The kiss was gentle at first, exploratory—but it deepened quickly, urgent and consuming. Hands traced familiar paths, clothes loosened, and the room seemed to shrink until there was only the two of them.

Noah lifted Adrian effortlessly, carrying him toward the bedroom without breaking the kiss. The world outside ceased to exist. That night, every hesitation, every restraint melted away. They moved together as if they had always been meant to, exploring each other’s desires, whispers mingling with soft laughter, and finding solace in the intimacy that was theirs alone.

---

Scene 20: Morning Absence

Morning arrived with silence. Adrian woke to the cold emptiness of the bed, the sheets unmoved beside him. A tight knot formed in his chest, but he forced himself to rise, shower, and dress.

In the kitchen, a small sticky note caught his eye:

> “Something came up. There’s food on the table. —Noah”

His heart tightened at the familiar handwriting. He forced a deep breath, trying to push down the fluttering feeling in his chest. He ate quietly, savoring the breakfast Noah had prepared, then left for Eden Global.

The office greeted him with cheers and applause. Adrian froze briefly, surprised, before smiling at the warm congratulations from his team. Every colleague celebrated the launch, attributing part of the success to him, and by extension, to Noah’s captivating presence.

A meeting followed. After commending the design department, the CEO instructed them to organize a grand celebration, with invitations for key collaborators—and a special invitation to Noah Reid. Adrian was handed the responsibility for planning the event, a weight he accepted, masking the storm of emotions inside him.

---

After work, Adrian decided to surprise Noah with his favorite snack. He stopped by his apartment first, freshened up, and made his way to Noah’s. Entering with the known password, he found the apartment empty. His calls went unanswered. His messages, sent since morning, received no reply.

A cold worry spread through him. He placed the snack in the fridge, left the invitation on the table, and left quietly.

Returning home, Adrian found Chen Wei lounging in front of his favorite show. Adrian slouched beside him, a cloud of unease heavy on his shoulders.

> “You look troubled,” Chen remarked, noticing the tension.

Adrian explained everything—Noah’s absence that morning, the lack of response to calls or messages, the quiet apartment. Chen’s voice was calm but firm.

> “Call him again. He can’t avoid you forever. The party is this coming Saturday right—he’ll be there. Trust me.”

Adrian offered a small, faint smile, but it was more of a shield than genuine warmth.

---

In a distant penthouse, Noah stared at his phone, untouched messages from Adrian blinking on the screen. The milestone had been reached—Adrian had been won, had been made intimate with him—but the satisfaction he expected was absent.

A hollow ache lingered, a whisper of doubt and longing he couldn’t suppress. He told himself to focus on the next phase of his plan, to bury the feeling, but even as he forced his lips into a small smile, a part of him missed Adrian profoundly.

Noah shook his head, determined to push the thought away. Yet deep down, he couldn’t deny the tug of something that had already begun to root itself in his heart.

---

The Ball and the Silence Between Them

The grand ballroom of Eden Global gleamed like a jewel that night — the chandeliers casting soft golden light on glass tables adorned with white roses, crystal flutes, and rows of delicate desserts. Every corner shimmered with luxury. The design team had outdone themselves, and Adrian Lee made sure of it.

But even amid the applause, the laughter, and the soft music, Adrian’s mind was elsewhere.

It had been days since he last heard from Noah. No calls. No messages. No replies.

He had told himself maybe Noah was busy — maybe he was tired — but deep down, the silence gnawed at him.

“Director Lee, everything looks perfect,” one of the junior designers said, passing by.

Adrian gave a faint smile. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”

Just then, the sound of chatter rose from the entrance. Adrian’s head instinctively turned — and his breath hitched.

At the far end of the ballroom, guests began streaming in — major investors, fashion icons, and members of the press. He spotted familiar faces: his cousin, Chen, entering with a colleague, laughing at something whispered in his ear. But his gaze didn’t stay long there — because the next person who entered stopped his heartbeat altogether.

Noah.

Elegant as ever, wearing a tailored black suit that hugged his frame perfectly, his hair slicked back just enough to show his sharp features. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a man — tall, confident, familiar somehow — leaning close as he whispered something that made Noah laugh.

That sound, once Adrian’s favorite melody, now felt like a knife twisting slowly in his chest.

He stood frozen for a moment before forcing himself to look away, pretending to adjust a wine glass on the table.

Get a grip, Adrian. Not here. Not now.

The evening continued with speeches, clinking glasses, and cheerful music. Adrian stood by the side, greeting people, nodding politely — all while his mind replayed that single image of Noah laughing with someone else.

----

The event began with a welcoming speech from the CEO, Richard Han, whose voice filled the ballroom with pride. Applause followed as he spoke about teamwork, vision, and success. Then came the presentation of the designs—flashes of light, flowing fabric, the company’s name shining brighter than ever. Once the CEO was done, the spokesperson from the design department took the stage next, voice ringing confidently through the speakers.

“Tonight, we celebrate not just the launch of our latest collection, but the people behind it — the team whose hard work brought this dream to life. And to begin, please welcome our star collaborator and inspiration — Mr. Noah Reid.”

Applause erupted as Noah rose from his seat and walked to the stage, all eyes on him. Adrian’s gaze followed despite himself.

Noah took the microphone, offering a warm smile to the audience. “Thank you. It’s been an honor being part of this incredible project with Eden Global. Every sketch, every fitting, every shoot — it’s been an experience I’ll never forget. I’m grateful to the entire design department, the models, and the production crew who made it all possible.”

He paused briefly, eyes scanning the crowd. When they met Adrian’s — for just a second — his smile faltered. His eyes were cold, unreadable.

Adrian’s chest tightened.

No warmth. No recognition. Just… distance.

“Thank you,” Noah finished simply, handing the microphone back before returning to his seat.

The spokesperson stepped forward again. “And now, before we proceed, I’d like to call on someone we all hold dear in this department. A man who has shaped, guided, and inspired us through his dedication — our Director, Mr. Adrian Lee.”

Adrian blinked, startled. Dylan Zhao nudged him lightly. “Director, that’s your cue.”

He straightened, forcing a polite smile as he made his way to the stage. The lights felt too bright. His heartbeat too loud.

“Good evening, everyone,” Adrian began, voice steady but his thoughts in turmoil. “Thank you to the entire team — you’re the reason tonight is a success. To the management, for their continued faith in us — and to every designer who put their creativity and heart into this collection. I’m proud to stand among such talent.”

His eyes flicked briefly toward Noah.

Still cold. Still silent.

“…And I promise,” Adrian added softly, almost to himself, “to continue doing my best — for all of you.”

Applause followed, loud and warm, but Adrian barely heard it. As he handed the mic back and descended the stage, his hands felt cold. What went wrong? he wondered. Why is he looking at me like I don’t even exist?

He forced a polite smile when colleagues congratulated him, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries. But his gaze kept darting toward Noah’s table — watching as Noah leaned closer to that man again, whispering, laughing quietly.

The noise of the room faded. Adrian’s world tunneled. Noah… what happened to you? What did I do?

Eventually, the speeches ended and the party eased into a more relaxed flow — soft jazz music playing as guests mingled and servers weaved through with trays of champagne.

Adrian caught sight of Noah standing, saying something to the man beside him — then walking off toward the corridor that led to the men’s room.

His pulse quickened.

This was it. His chance.

Without thinking, Adrian excused himself and followed. The hallway was quieter, dimly lit, and the sound of laughter and music from the ballroom faded into a soft hum behind him.

He stopped outside the restroom door, steadying his breath. His reflection in the glass door looked composed — but his hands trembled slightly.