Operation Break Up

. . .

A few hours ago…

"We'll choose you as the models for this summit… but on one condition," a man in his forties said, facing the two rising stars.

Miss Amelace smiled, "Name your deal."

He grabbed a newspaper placed on the top of his table before flicking the pages—going for the front page. There was a banner photo with CF&H and ZA International's logos. He hovered his finger before tapping Zeirenne and Jin's picture, "Be sure to break these two up."

Mister Clarence grabbed the newspaper to gaze into their targets better.

"Well, this is not a bad condition at all." He said, tapping on Zeirenne's picture with a smirk plastered on his face.

Miss Amelace crossed her arms in front before, crossing her legs, "Are they even dating for real? I heard that everything's for show."

The forty-three-year-old man grinned. He fixed himself on the sofa before lighting a cigarette.

"Well, that's for you to find out," he said, "If you can bring me some great news, I'll let the higher ups reward you greatly."

A mischievous laughter filled the room with unpleasantries.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Mr. Gancho. No woman has ever resisted my charms before… right Miss Amelace?"

* * *

"OMG! Look!"

As Jin and Zeirenne started walking inside the mall, everyone had their eyes on them. For most people who didn't read the news, they thought they were seeing Hollywood celebrities. But for those who were updated about gossips and stuff, these two were no strangers.

Shrugging the attention off, they headed for their agenda. The arcade.

"What do we play first?"

They found themselves playing countless games. With a different stake each.

On the other hand, people were starting to flock around the entrance.

"You're right. This is them." One lady said while holding her phone up to compare a photo with its live version in front of her very eyes.

After a few minutes, a loud wave of footstep sounded the entrance of the arcade. Flashes started illuminating the whole place as dozens of people flooded in.

"Miss Lin, Mister Young! Are you doing this for publicity stunt?" A reporter from the far side of the room yelled and the crowd went silent.

The two gamers however, gave him no mind as they burned with competitiveness, completely forgetting why they even went on a date on the first place.

Zeirenne parted her lips and the spectators, expecting to hear something from her, tilted their heads to the right as she swerved the steering wheel.

"This…"

The crowd furrowed their brows, repeating her word, "This?"

"This game is awesome."

Within a few seconds, the whole arcade turned into a sports stadium. People around started watching their game, cheering for their own contender.

"OHHHH RIGHT YEAH SWERVE MORE TO THE LEFT!"

"THERE GOES THE FINISH LINE! GO! GO! GO!"

The race ended, and the crowd cheered. Even the paparazzies became so engrossed with the game, they stopped asking questions halfway.

When they finally stood up from their game pods, they were flocked in an instance.

"Miss Lin! How do you feel about winning?!" one of the reporters asked.

"Mister Young, did you let Miss Lin win on purpose?" another one asked and Zeirenne almost killed him with her stares.

She didn't need to speak, her eyes screamed everything, "What do you mean 'let me win' I literally won fair and square."

"Waahhh! Miss Lin you're so pretty! Can we take a picture with you?!" A high school student still wearing her uniform screamed.

Zeirenne had to force a smile out before nodding unsure, "Ahh yeah. Sure, I guess."

The paparazzies hoarding the place almost dropped their cameras after getting shoved around as many other people stepped forward for a photograph with the two. Everything was doing well until one of the girls started hugging Jin.

Zeirenne almost choked on her own.

"That's brave of you, really," she said unmindfully, wondering how people could possibly try and approach Jin. It was too late before she realized that everyone had their eyes set on her. Even Jin who was ticked off, waited for her next move.

"Uhmm..." recalling all the melodramatic romance movies her mom forced her into watching, a cliché cover entered her head. She took on the role of a possessive girlfriend, "That's brave of you, really. Putting your arms around my man."

The crowd erupted into squeals, "Yiiiiiiiiieeeee!"

Jin who was ready to glare on the lady who hugged him, ended up patting her head. Well thanks to her, he gets to hear something heart-fluttering.

* * *

Later that afternoon, all the issues have been cleared. The PR Department finally had a break, they didn't need to do anything because countless people were sharing their testimonies.

Numerous news sites also published articles about their date. They even made it into the Sports Page, as avid gamers found their match otherworldly.

"So what do you want me to do?" Jin asked, talking about the bet they agreed on. They're currently eating on one of the local fast food chains.

She met his gaze bearing every hint of seriousness. He had to stop eating.

"If I get kidnapped or anything... can you promise that you won't come and save me?"

His eyebrows furrowed, his face flushed with irritation, "What in the world are you trying to say?"

She took one bite from her burger before avoiding his furious glares, "This relationship thingy is risky... you know that. They'll dig everything, do everything. The worst thing they can do is use one of us against the other. And I'm sure that I will be that person. I will be the bait."

His nails almost punctured the table. He knew where the conversation was heading, but he surely didn't like it.

"How can I possibly leave you alone? Do you think I'll let you get hurt just because of this summit? Don't say things like that."

Zeirenne brought her gaze up, trying to connect with him despite his anger, "This is all a series of mind games, Jin. If you show them how much you care about me, I'll get targeted more. Don't you think so?"

He furrowed his brows, and she continued.

"The more you try to protect someone, the more harm you're tossing their way. I know you, and I know me. It's hard to admit... but I am your greatest flaw—your weakness. So before that cycle starts again... please promise me this. Or else I'll have to leave again."

. . .