Swiping for More

Lex was leaning against a display rack at the boutique, watching Rose as she turned slowly in front of the mirror. The burgundy silk dress caught the light in ripples, framing her figure perfectly. Gregory was fussing over details—adjusting the hem, tweaking the neckline—but Lex's thoughts were already a step ahead.

His phone buzzed, breaking the moment. Jason's name lit up the screen. Lex swiped to answer, his tone casual. "Jason. What's up?"

Jason's voice burst through like a shot of adrenaline. "Lex, are you sitting down? Silent Cross is blowing up. The soundtrack just charted, man—Rose is on the Billboard Top 100."

Lex straightened, his grip tightening on the phone. "Top 100?"

"Number eighty-four as of this morning," Jason confirmed, his excitement palpable. "And it's climbing fast. People are losing it over her voice—streaming, playlists, clips from the movie. She's everywhere."

Lex's smirk grew, but Jason's tone shifted, becoming urgent. "But we've got a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"No music video," Jason said quickly. "We need a visual, Lex. Something people can share, repost, talk about. If we don't capitalize on this now, it'll fade."

Lex paced toward the boutique's window, staring out at the bustling street below. "Alright. What's the concept?"

Jason hesitated. "Something dynamic. Rose doing what she does best—singing, performing. But we need energy. A party vibe. Maybe some cuts of her in the studio for contrast."

Lex was already piecing it together. "A bar. Dancing, live energy, people connecting. Then we layer in studio shots—raw, real."

Jason hummed thoughtfully. "Yeah, that could work. But a bar? Do you have one ready?"

Lex smirked. "I own a jazz club—Smore Jazz & Supper Club. If we shoot there, it's free, and it doubles as advertising for one of my other projects, we'll make money."

Jason didn't hesitate. "That's perfect. Locked it down. Rose needs this kind of push."

"Consider it done," Lex said, ending the call.

Lex dialed Adam Lee, the founder of Rizz, as he leaned against the boutique's counter. The phone rang twice before Adam picked up.

"Lex?" Adam's voice was curious. "Didn't expect to hear from you this soon."

"Good timing," Lex said, cutting straight to the point. "Remember when we talked about making Rizz memorable? Well, I've got your first play."

Adam's tone sharpened with interest. "What's the angle?"

"Rose Russo," Lex said smoothly. "She's on the Billboard Top 100. Her voice is everywhere right now, and we're about to shoot a music video. You tie Rizz to her name, even subtly, and you're positioning yourself as the app for exclusive connections. We can host private meetups at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club—think live events, intimate performances, and curated experiences. It's natural exposure with an edge."

Adam exhaled sharply, his intrigue clear. "Rose Russo, huh? The girl you just sent me photos of?"

Lex smiled faintly. "That's the one. She's got the look, the voice, and now the momentum. This is the perfect introduction. I want Rose to be a lifetime ambassador for Rizz—on-brand, natural, exclusive. She'll do this first project for free, but I want her compensated long-term. Two percent stock options."

Adam chuckled softly. "You don't waste time, do you?"

"I don't have time to waste," Lex countered. "This works for both of us. Rizz gets a face that resonates with your target audience, and Rose gets to grow her platform organically. Plus, the bar idea gives you an angle to approach other businesses. Think Tuesday and Wednesday nights—when bars are dead. You make them money, and they'll line up to work with you."

Adam was silent for a moment, then laughed. "You really know how to sell, Lex. Fine. Two percent stock options, lifetime ambassador. We're in."

Lex grinned. "Smart choice. Now let's make it happen. I'll send you the details for the shoot."

"Done. And Lex?"

"Yeah?"

Adam's tone was lighter now. "If this works, I'm sending you a gift basket or something. You're making me look good."

Lex smirked. "Just wait until you see the results."

Lex slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned to see Gregory admiring Rose, who was still standing by the mirror.

"She's a vision," Gregory said dramatically. "I mean, just look at her. That dress is practically begging for a camera."

Rose turned toward Lex, her expression a mix of curiosity and cautious hope. "What's going on? You've been pacing and making calls like a madman."

Lex crossed the room, stopping just a few steps away from her. "Silent Cross's soundtrack charted. You're on the Billboard Top 100."

Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. "Wait… what?"

"You're number eighty-four," Lex said, his smirk softening. "And climbing fast."

Rose looked overwhelmed, her hands brushing over the dress. "I don't even know what to say."

"Say yes to shooting a music video," Lex replied. "Jason's already on board. We've got the location, the concept, and a team ready to move."

Gregory clapped his hands together. "Oh, this is divine! A music video for Rose Russo? She'll be a household name in no time."

Rose hesitated, her gaze flicking between Lex and Gregory. "A video… like, now?"

Lex nodded. "Tomorrow, actually. Twelve hours. It's tight, but the timing couldn't be better."

Her brow furrowed. "Lex, I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of attention."

"You're more than ready," Lex said firmly. "This isn't just about the song. It's about showing people who you are—giving them a reason to remember you."

Gregory stepped forward, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Trust him, darling. You've got everything you need to own this moment. Let the world see it."

Rose took a deep breath, her hands steadying as she met Lex's gaze. "Alright. Let's do it."

Lex smiled. It was one of the better moves he was making on the board.