You know that kind of silence that is followed with chaos? The kind that hums in your ears right before something explodes?
Well, mine came as early as 7:00am! My doorbell was being rang you'd think there was a creditor outside.
'Host your invitation is here. Seems a bit eager though. Should I perhaps activate absent mode?'
"No need for that Nova," I muttered, grabbing the nearest robe.
When I opened the door, a delivery man stood there, all pale and panting. He looked as if he had survived a hunger game.
"Uhm... Miss Jiang Rui?"
"Yes?"
He handed me a sleek, matte black envelope, sealed with a golden emblem.
THE VELVET FASHION GALA...
"This...this is for me?" The envelope looked so inviting and beautiful.
"Yes, ma'am. Please sign ma'am."
I took the pen,signed, shut the door, and leaned against it for a second.
"How did you get this so fast Nova?"
'A magician never reveals his secrets darling.'
"Yeah yeah... whatever."
'Anyway Cinderella, congratulations. Your invitation to the royal 'ball' has arrived.'
"Yeeiy! I Can't wait," I replied dryly, tearing it open.
The interior was Elegant and a bit dramatic.
"Phantom is hereby invited to the Velvet Fashion gala. Attendance is mandatory."
" Hold on, if the invitation reads Phantom, then how is it delivered in my real name?"
'I arranged it that way. Just focus on the gala.'
" Awesome. Thank you darling."
'Please don't darling me. You'll make me nauseous.'
I ignored Nova's remarks as my fingers lingered on the writing.
"Remember that dress we designed for my lovely sister Nova? Time to drop it at the mansion."
I quietly placed the letter on the table as I grabbed my sketchbook.
On a specific page lay a sketch, one that I had already completed in the system Ateliar.
Not long ago, I had been lying in a hospital bed.
My dreams were in ashes, my bones shattered, heart broken and dignity shamed. But now, the same people that spat on me were about to roll a red carpet for me.
'And I'll be with you in every step host. Every single destruction.'
"Thanks buddy. Their destruction is already on a strict schedule."
Mid conversation, my phone buzzed with a new message.
That damned girl.
(Good morning SISTER. Have you perhaps seen the news? It's okay if you haven't. I'll tell you anyway. Apparently, Phantom's identity is causing a new stir as some claim she used to work for me...)
( You wouldn't happen to know her, right sister?)
I quietly stared at the screen, my lips curving into a sharp smile.
'Host she's testing you.'
(Oh sister, I hear she's quite a fine ghost. Hard to pin down.)
'Hehe... You are petty host. I love it.'
"She just wants to fish for fear Nova. Too bad I have all the time in the world to feed her mystery instead."
By mid day, the entire fashion circle had gone feral, as some were trying hard to link their fashion houses to me.
Different social media feeds were flooded with conspiracy theories. But who cares? More traffic for me anyway.
'Host, should we perhaps throw some hints on you being phantom?'
Nova didn't even wait for my response as he manipulated the threads, creating little but interesting links to me.
'Quite an interesting public obsession there is host.'
" And this is just the start. They'll do more than Google," I muttered. "They'll painfully choke."
That afternoon, I quietly slipped into the Jiang mansion, located my room...or what was left of it.
I could see sketches rummaged through, a clear indication that my room was always being searched. New sketches I suppose.
They say once someone tastes lazy power, they'll try their level best to maintain it.
I took out the gown and placed it in a hidden not so hidden location. The box harbouring the gown had a layer of dust on top, illusion of course.
"Let's wait for our little thief Nova. I know her senses are tingling right now."
The same way I came into the mansion was the same way I left. Un noticed. Not that anyone could tell I was around.
That night, I sat cross-legged on my studio floor, the system surveillance footage open, as I watched my lovely sister.
IN THE JIANG MANSION.
"Mom... I have three days. The sketches I took last time will be my presentation at the upcoming gala. But what about my gown?"
"Honey we can commission a ready made one...or..."
"I have a feeling that that wench's room might have something."
"Ningning...you've been there hundreds of times. We have searchedeverywhere...We..."
"Doesn't hurt to try again mom..."
I watched as the pair of mother and daughter slipped into my room, my sketchpad in hand, threads scattered on the floor and constant laughter and remarks from Nova.
'Our little cat took the bait! How cocky. She is determined that the gown is meant for her.'
"Technically, it is."
'I can't wait for the show. Oh and Reminder host. The Gala is in three days and you will need an earth shattering masterpiece.'
"I already have one in mind, plus the others designed in the space." I smoothly replied, focusing on my gliding pencil across the sketchpad.
"Best believe it is something that will make lovely Jiang Ning wish she had just stayed in her lane."
'Oooh. I love your petty energy the most.'
"I thought you do love all of me."
'On certain days though...'
"Heey!"
'Anyway, what's the theme?'
"Resurrection darling. Our theme is resurrection."
I skillfully drew the outline of a gown. Of course, the color is undoubtedly black.
A black silk dress with molten gold embroidery, taking the shape of what looked like a phoenix's wings unfolding mid-flame.
In my eyes, each line I drew felt like rewriting my history with sharper ink.
I felt Nova hum with satisfaction.
'Such a strong choice host. Heavily symbolic. You're literally fashioning vengeance and I'm liking every step.'
"Thank you Nova. Every stitch is a representation of her sins."
Hours passed but my motivated hands moved without rest. By dawn, the finished gown was pinned to my wall, illuminated by the soft glow of majestic morning light.
Out of pure contempt, the Phantom collection would debut at the same event Jiang Ning's was supposed to shine.
Fate can be a twisty, messy, and dramatic playwright but we can all agree we do love some drama.
Two days later, Velvet Fashion sent a sleek car to pick me up.
The driver acted with robotic precision, zero words but full actions.
He opened the door for me and I sat in the backseat,my once chaotic heart overly steady with a razor-sharp mind.
I could also perceive Nova's eagerness that I had to let out a subtle chuckle.
As the city skyline blurred past, I saw billboards flashing images of the Jiang family's new campaign.
Jiang Ning's smile beamed down. It looked rehearsed and plastic.
But to others, I bet it looked flawless and enchanting.
Underneath every image stood the tagline 'Bringing you perfection.' My designs...They were supposed to be my perfection.
I softly laughed at my sudden thought before talking to Nova.
" Mrs. Perfection doesn't know she is about to file a complaint."
'Hehe host. Would you like me to prepare a full main character entry or a subtle dramatic entrance?'
"By full dramatic you mean the slow motion applause mode as the main character walks through?"
'Exactly host. Perfect vision!'
"Then we will decide depending on how smug my lovely sister looks."
When the car finally stopped at the gala headquarters, I was amazed.
Before the appearance of Nova and the Golden Atelier,I would have gasped at the sight before me but now...not that much.
Nevertheless,it looked beautiful. The tall building was glittering and looked untouchable. It came off as a quiet symbol of everything I once chased and lost.
I coldly stepped out, dressed in a wide-brimmed hat, dark glasses, and a tailored black trench.
Phantom incarnate.
Security ushered me inside as the cameras followed like hungry but silent vultures.
Inside, the hall was alive with color, a sharp contrast to it's exterior.
There were designers, models, critics, investors, and dozens of photographers buzzing around like moths drunk in light.
At the center of it all stood Jiang Ning, wrapped in the Emerald gown I designed, laughing beside a group of journalists.
Her line of sight suddenly shifted and she froze when she saw me.
The silence that followed was refreshing.
'Aah! There it is. My favorite flavor. Panic.'
"Let's worsen it Nova. Make it worse."
I removed my glasses and smiled in response to her stare.
"Oh! Long time no see, Senior Designer Jiang"
Her poorly painted lips twitched as she struggled to speak.
"Rui... I thought you were..."
"Washed out? Unemployed? Irrelevant?" I interrupted lightly. "Be quick with your pick and stick to it."
The journalists, sensing drama mixed with blood, turned instantly as their cameras started flashing.
'Drumroll! It's about to begin.'
She tried to recover her poise but was obviously doing a bad job. " And you are here as...?"
"A beautiful, independent designer," I replied sweetly. "PHANTOM, actually."
Dramatic gasps. Sudden murmurs. The air shifted like someone had opened a window in the sharp cold.
I saw my sister's perfect smile crack, just slightly, but enough for me to enjoy.
'Hehe host. Shall I record this as the First public slap or the warm up round?'
"Warm-up will do darling," I whispered in reply. "The hot and best slaps are yet to come."
From a calculated location, I felt the weight of a gaze one so steady, yet unreadable.
Huh?
"And who is that Nova?"
'A man curious like everyone else. This one is either intrigued or suspicious about you.'
"As long as he steers clear, I'm good."
Even though I said this, something in the way he watched me made me uneasy. It was as if he had already guessed my secret.
Looking around me,I couldn't help but put on a pleased expression. The Gala hadn't even started as the room with pulsing with a lot of tension.
My sister was furiously whispering to her assistants, as the cameras flashed in every direction, the air carrying a thick sense of speculation.
Some journalists wanted to approach me but seemed hesitant, making a calm but quiet smile rest in my lips.
Phantom was no longer a rumor. Jiang Rui was no longer a rumor.
She was here. Sharp and unafraid.