Friday arrived with a restless kind of energy, the sort that humd beneath the skin and made the city feel awake before the sun had fully settled into the day.
The executive van slowed as it neared the TV station that housed the main studio for MusicFest Tonight. Even before the building ca fully into view, the noise hit them first. Waves of cheers, shrieks, and chanting surged through the tinted windows like an approaching tide.
At the very back of the van, Elena leaned comfortably against Jin Di's chest, his arm wrapped around her as if it belonged there. Simon occupied the seat in front of them, thumbs flying across his phone as he kept Cai Jun updated in real ti. Song Yuqing sat calmly in the front passenger seat beside the driver, eyes sharp and posture alert. Behind them, another vehicle followed closely, carrying Jin Di's subordinates for added security.
When the van finally stopped, Simon craned his neck toward the window and nearly bounced in his seat. "Look! Look!" he exclaid, pressing his face close to the glass. "It's the Suits! The Black Stars! Boss, your fans are unreal. Suits in this weather, banners and all. Absolute legends!"
Elena smiled softly, her gaze lingering on the sight outside. Through the glass, she could see them clearly now. A neat, disciplined group dressed in dark suits, holding banners and printed photos of her, standing patiently despite the cold. The sight ward her chest in a way that fa never quite managed to do on its own.
"Do you want to go in with you?" Jin Di asked quietly, his voice low and close to her ear.
"Of course I want you to," she replied honestly, then laughed under her breath. "But if Jin Corporation's President-CEO suddenly shows up, the focus will shift completely. You'll steal the spotlight from all the artists tonight."
He chuckled, brushing his lips against her temple. "You'll never be outshone by anyone, love."
She giggled, and Simon dramatically fanned himself from the front seat. "Kyaaaaah. I swear, watching you two flirt should be a paid experience."
"I'll wear a mask," Jin Di said after a mont of thought. "I'll blend in as your bodyguard."
She glanced at him sideways. "What about work? Grandpa Lu has been complaining nonstop. He said he's done stepping in for you."
"I already told you," he replied without hesitation, "you're more important than anything. Including Jin Corporation. I want to be with you. Okay?"
She studied his face for a second, then nodded. "Okay."
She tilted her head toward him, silently asking. He understood imdiately and leaned down, kissing her slowly and thoroughly. Simon covered his eyes with both hands, peeking through his fingers anyway, grinning like an idiot.
Outside, Jin Di's subordinates exited the second car and quickly ford a protective periter. Song Yuqing and Simon got out first, instantly recognized by the fans.
"Aaaaah! Boss Elena is here!"
"It's Boss Elena!"
Monts later, a tall man wearing a mask and dark shades stepped out, turning back to offer his hand. A delicately gloved hand appeared, resting in his palm.
The mont Elena stepped out of the van, the atmosphere exploded.
"Boss Elena! We missed you so much!"
"Welco back, Boss Elena!"
"You're even more beautiful than before!"
So fans cried openly, others shouted until their voices cracked. Elena was quickly surrounded, Jin Di and Song Yuqing flanking her protectively while Simon led the way forward.
She waved, smiled, signed autographs, and even recognized a few familiar faces among the Black Stars, chatting briefly as if no ti had passed at all. Caras flashed wildly, and questions were hurled at her from every direction.
"Elena, where have you been?"
"Is it true you were hospitalized in a ntal institution abroad?"
"How did you feel when you found out Bai Lu was behind the car accident?"
"Are you dating Enrique Valdez? Or Maestro De Luca? Or both?"
Jin Di went rigid. His hand twitched, rage flashing through his eyes. Elena felt it instantly and tightened her grip on his arm, shaking her head just slightly. He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay still. That paparazzo would regret those words later, but not here. Not now.
Another voice cut through the noise. "Did you kidnap and torture Bai Lu and the Z Girls?"
Elena went pale, her body reacting before her mind could stop it. Cold mories clawed at the edges of her thoughts, but she forced them down, smoothing her expression into calm neutrality. Almost no one noticed.
Almost.
Jin Di did.
He slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer under the guise of protection. To everyone else, he was just a vigilant bodyguard. To her, he was an anchor.
Simon, however, snapped.
"I'm recording everything!" he shouted, holding up his phone. "Keep talking if you want to be sued for libel! Every Black Star here will testify to your slander!"
"We will!" fans shouted back.
"Slippers Army, assemble!"
That was enough. Several paparazzi backed off, while the Black Stars ford a human barrier, scolding and blocking the rest.
"Please don't fight," Elena called out gently. "And don't stay out here too long. It's cold."
That was all it took. Hearts lted. The fans parted, creating a clear path for her.
"Thank you," she said warmly. "I'll give you my best performance tonight. I'm back."
Inside the building, the noise faded. A staff mber led them to her private dressing room, where a makeup artist and stylist were already waiting. They imdiately got to work.
Cai Jun was busy with Pandemonium in another room and promised to check in later. Elena didn't mind. She knew the drill.
While brushes swept across her face and her hair was styled, Jin Di quietly snapped photos of her from every angle, never removing his mask or shades. The stylists exchanged curious glances but said nothing.
Just as they were finishing, Simon gasped.
"What?" Elena asked.
"Trouble," he said grimly. "Big Sis Jun is panicking. Eros scalded his hands with boiling water. Badly. They're saying he might not be able to play. If they can't find a substitute lead guitarist, Pandemonium's performance might be canceled."
Elena stood imdiately. "Take to them."
Their dressing room was crowded with staff and onlookers, but people stepped aside the mont they saw her. Eros sat with first aid responders tending to his hands, his left hand especially red and blistering.
Cai Jun was arguing with staff about replacents.
"I'll play tonight," Eros insisted through clenched teeth.
"You're going to the hospital," Cai Jun snapped back.
"We won't play with a stranger," Blaze said firmly. Night and Thunder nodded.
"I'll play lead guitar," Elena said calmly.
The room fell silent.
She t their stunned gazes without hesitation. "Or," she added evenly, "do you consider a stranger too?"
"Elena, what are you saying?" Cai Jun stared at her in disbelief. "You still have your own performance tonight. This isn't a small thing."
Elena t her manager's gaze calmly, her voice steady and reassuring. "Don't worry, Elder Sister Jun. My performance isn't until the latter half of the show. There's enough ti." She glanced at the band mbers, her expression softening. "They're my juniors. If I can help them, then why wouldn't I?"
Night was the first to respond. He stepped forward, his sharp eyes fixed on her, serious and cautious. "We've never played together before," he said. "And there's no ti to rehearse."
"I can coordinate," Elena replied without hesitation. "I've listened to your music these past few days. I know your songs." Then she turned toward Eros. "May I borrow your guitar? If that's inconvenient, I can use one from the show."
Eros blinked, montarily stunned, before smiling faintly. "You can borrow mine," he said, his voice smooth even through the pain. "But it's a left-handed guitar."
"No problem," Elena said lightly. "I can play both."
Thunder nearly exploded with excitent. "For real?! Goddess, you're actually going to play with us? This is insane! I'm so pumped!"
Blaze laughed loudly, adrenaline already replacing his earlier anxiety. "At this point, I don't even care if we ss up. Having Senior Elena on stage with us tonight is already legendary." He turned eagerly to Cai Jun. "Big Sis Jun, please! Let us do this!"
Cai Jun pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a long sigh. She trusted Elena completely, but these boys were another matter altogether. In the end, reason lost to circumstance. She agreed, instructing Elena to look after her juniors, then personally escorted Eros to the hospital.
Back in her dressing room, Elena quickly changed into one of her backup dresses. Her stylist adjusted her makeup and hair, sharpening her look into sothing bolder, stronger. When a staff mber ca to call her to stand by backstage, Jin Di fell into step beside her.
She could feel it imdiately. His body was tense, his aura stiff beneath the mask and sunglasses. She leaned closer and whispered, "What's wrong?"
He paused before answering, his voice low. "Nothing. Don't worry about ." Then, softer, "Just do your best out there. I'll be watching. I know you'll be amazing, love."
She smiled at him, eyes bright. "Watch , darling."
"En."
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