Backstage Butterflies and Hidden Glances

Next morning at work, as Tiana stood backstage staring at the long row of models lining up in their newly designed autumn line, she blinked.

"Alright… how did I end up here again?"

The hall buzzed with stylists, photographers, and interns. Today was a major showcase for the company, unveiling their autumn collection—and somehow, she was back here instead of sketching at her desk.

"Alright, I only wish you admirers could help."

Her thoughts screamed as she noticed the glances on her and the muttering.

"Because at any moment I'll be visibly shaken."

Not only was this her first time doing this, she had no idea why she was chosen.

"You look zoned out. Everything alright?"

Jaden asked as he leaned behind her.

Tiana flashed a beaming smile. "Of course I'm fine!"

But internally?

"Of course not! This was a last-minute thing for me thanks to that damn Madison."

She cursed silently.

"Seems like this event isn't your strongest suit,"

Jaden added, fixing his camera.

"Guess I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone."

She took a clipboard from a passing staffer with feigned grace.

"Professionalism, Tiana. Just pretend you're in charge."

Madison had smugly assigned her to "assist backstage coordination" after what she called "a brief dip in focus."

"Dip in focus?"

Tiana scoffed to herself.

"Sorry I lost sleep trying to impress your precious CEO, and practically begged to give my rejected revision another chance."

Just then, she noticed Jaden was still around, smiling brightly at her. And not only was he looking—others were too. She caught a few side-eyes.

"Please don't tell me I said that out loud."

She thought, looking away, embarrassed.

Jaden's brow lifted, amused. "You mumble a lot, you know."

Not only did she mask her embarrassment with a smile, she confidently said, "Runs in the family, you know."

"What kind of excuse is that, Tiana!"

Her thoughts screamed as she died of embarrassment.

"Tiana, right? Thanks for filling in on such short notice,"

a lady said as she extended her hand.

"I heard quite great things about you from someone, actually…"

"It's fine. After all, we're all one big family,"

she said beamingly as she tucked her hair in.

"Wait—what?"

She thought as the last part finally settled in.

"From someone?"

"Anyway, sorry for my late introduction. My name's Diana."

"Diana?!"

She said in shock.

Not only was she one of the event judges, she was also an award-winning model known for her beauty—and famous on Instagram.

"Of course, ma'am. Sorry for my rudeness,"

she said confidently, masking her nervousness.

As Diana walked off, her stride was effortless, her beauty camera-ready even under the harsh backstage lights—now talking to other models and event planners.

"That was Diana?"

She thought dramatically.

"Heard about me? That's just amazing."

"But wait, why is she at the backstage?"

She muttered suspiciously.

"You didn't mention you were famous,"

Jaden teased, positioning his camera to take her picture.

"I guess you could say that."

She smiled genuinely at his camera.

"Besides, my dream is to be a famous designer—if not one of the top in the world and history."

Jaden's heart thumped as he looked at his absolute favorite female, taking in her beautiful appearance that drove him crazy.

"I'll be here if you ever need my help,"

he smiled, taking her perfect picture.

"Thanks, really appreciate that. By the way, please send that."

She beamed excitedly at him.

"Sure,"

Jaden said, watching her walk off.

Not only was the saying of her beauty true from the first day he heard of her joining the designer department in the empire, but everything they said about her appearance was also true.

"She's truly a happy butterfly, with a striking appearance,"

Jaden thought, smiling as he watched her.

"Hey, lover boy! When will you have the courage, bro?"

Ray whispered.

"Or do you need me to make you jealous before you move?"

Jaden pushed Ray off.

"Get ready. The event will be taking place shortly."

Ray smiled as he noticed Jaden's red ears.

"I'd advise you to try. Besides, she seems nicer to you and communicates more than with others."

Not only was Tiana friendly to people like a happy butterfly, she also had her guard up around some—especially men.

Meanwhile, as Tiana moved toward the side curtain, her gaze scanned the crowd of invited press and VIPs walking in. Then her eyes landed on someone entering.

Ethan.

Cool. Detached. And perfectly unbothered in a black tailored suit.

"Of course he's here," she thought, forcing herself to look away.

"Probably here to enjoy the show... or make sure I don't trip and ruin it."

"But still..."

A mischievous smirk played on her lips.

"You're looking absolutely handsome today, boss, and I strongly believe the event was specially made for you. You're the star of this event, not the new lines... but too bad you rejected my revised work. So I'm not in the mood to compliment you as you truly deserve."

She immediately sent the email with a grin.

"Mister 'my email is meant for professional purposes,'"

She mocked internally giggling.

Just then, an announcement came from behind the stage.

"Alright, everyone, change of plans."

Immediately, Tiana, who was watching Ethan's secretary showing him something, turned her attention toward the backstage.

"I wish I could see his face," she thought, smiling with her phone near her lips.

"You seem in a good mood again—that's nice."

Jaden commented, glancing at her.

"Absolutely refreshing."

With that, she walked toward the head of the event planner.

"Uhh?"

Tiana thought, looking at Linda smiling at her.

"She's the face of this season?"

Not only was she embarrassed after the food exchange saga, but she also beamed a smile back at her.

"No way, she's an upcoming model?"

She turned back, emphasizing her surprise.

After the introduction, as she moved toward the curtain to see Ethan,

"I have a feeling she's come for me. But anyway, let's see." My email is meant for professional purposes."

Sticking her head out from backstage, across the room, Ethan's eyes flicked up from his phone. Not only was Ethan looking at her, but his gaze was telling something different.

"Oh no... he's mad!"

She yanked her head back like a guilty child caught stealing cookies.

"Uhh?"

She blinked in surprise at the person suddenly in front of her—Linda.

"Nice to meet you again," Linda said smoothly, offering her hand with a curious smile. "Didn't know you were friends with Hannah?"

Tiana plastered on a grin and shook her hand.

"Oh yeah, Hannah…" she said a bit too brightly. "Wait—how'd you know about that?"

"I saw an old Instagram post of hers. You popped up. Small world, huh?" Linda tilted her head, studying her carefully.

"So… you're a designer here?"

"Oh, just average. Really average." Tiana gave a humble laugh, inwardly dying.

A voice called Linda's name from the stage area.

"Good luck!" Tiana beamed with her eyes closed, giving a friendly wave. Once Linda turned, Tiana's smile dropped.

"Alright. I'm screwed."

Not only had she stumbled into this whole setup last minute, but now Linda—the girl from the most awkward food mishap of her life—was the face of the Empire's new collection.

And Ethan… Ethan saw her.

And his gaze wasn't just unreadable—it was something else entirely.

"I think I overdid it."

She thought as they locked eyes.

As the event began, people were packed like a convention, with top-tier judges there—but to her shock, her favorite fashion designer Grey Thomas was among them. Elegant. Cheerful. Handsome.

That was the only way she could describe him.

"That's a long line to go through,"

she thought, looking at the models in line.

"Need a break."

She walked out, tired.

"He's probably having a great time,"

she thought, grabbing her soda from a vending machine.

"Let me email him again. I'll keep harassing him till he changes his mind."

She thought mischievously, popping her soda.

"Slacking on your job."

"Slacking? Excuse m—"

Only to be shocked as she choked on her soda.

Not only was Ethan glaring at her at the edge of the empty hallway, his gaze was quite telling.

"Follow me!"

With that, he walked off, as Tiana looked around hoping it wasn't her.

"Cooked!"