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Chapter 46 - chapter 46

Ella:

Mr. Mah asked me to.

(small pause)

Rey:

Okay… take care.

Rey gently closes the door. As it clicks shut, Ella's smile fades. She turns back to her desk. It's covered in crumpled, wet tissues. Her eyes land on the globe Damian gave her. She picks it up slowly and stands .

[Scene Cuts to: Damian's Car – Inside a Heavy Silence]

The silence is so thick, even a pin drop would sound like a bomb. Damian sits beside Mr. Mah in the backseat.

Mr. Mah:

We're heading to an interview first. I've already prepared answers for the article. Please don't improvise. (hands Damian a paper)

Damian takes it with a tired sigh and starts reading.

Q1: What do you want to say about the recent article involving you and your PA?

A: It's all fake. She's just my personal assistant. The article has no truth to it. So to all my fans — don't worry, I'm still yours.

Damian's eyes fall. His expression breaks. He doesn't read any further.

Damian closes his tablet and looks out the car window, watching the trees rush by.]

Damian (in his mind):

"I don't even know what I left behind... how can I desire to get it back?"

---

[Scene changes to the interview set. Damian is sitting on a single-seater sofa, dressed well with a soft, bright smile. The interview begins with questions about his success and future plans.]

Interviewer:

So, what are you planning for the future?

Damian:

Right now, I'm working on a reincarnation drama.

Interviewer:

Oh, the one written by your personal assistant?

Damian:

Yeah.

---

[Backstage. Mr. Mah watches nervously.]

Mr. Mah:

I told him to avoid this topic. Why is he bringing it up? What is he up to?

---

[Back to the interview stage.]

Interviewer:

So can I ask—why are you helping a personal assistant? I heard you even invested in the project?

Damian:

Am I not allowed to? I just liked the story. I want my fans to see me in a role I've never performed before. Is that wrong?

Interviewer:

But as far as we know, in the past you rejected all ancient dramas.

Damian:

That was because I was working on other projects at the time.

Just because I rejected them twice or thrice doesn't mean I'm not interested in such roles—sometimes the circumstances don't allow it.

Interviewer:

Wow, that's a great point of view. But what about the recent article? Is it true?

(leans in)

Damian (leaning in slightly, with a calm smile):

What do you think?

Interviewer (sits back nervously):

Uh... I don't think it's true. But only you know, right?

Damian:

Bingo. You're right. It's fake.

My true fans know me well—they trust me. We're just friends, and have a professional relationship. Nothing more.

Interviewer (with a teasing smile):

So... you're saying your PA is your friend?

Damian (smiling gently):

Can't I have friends?

Interviewer: I mean... she's your personal assistant. I've never really heard of an assistant being a close friend to someone as big as you. It's a bit unusual.

Damian (leans back, adjusts his jacket, and sits confidently): Can I ask you something?

Interviewer: Sure.

Damian: Do you have any friends? I mean... real, true friends?

Interviewer: Yeah, of course.

Damian: Do all of them work as interviewers?

Interviewer (confused): No...

Damian: Exactly. A profession doesn't define friendship. Personality does.

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