As any designer knows, the hour before a public performance is the most sacred moment.
There is always a mixture of prayers, fear, anxiousness and tons of caffeine. For me, this was a moment of 'Just don't die before millions.'
I stood in my prep room under a single operating lamp. The phoenix gown was now draped across my shoulders like an armor. It felt heavier than a confession but the seams were past perfection.
The gold veins I had hand stitched sat exactly where I wanted them to. I wanted them to catch light in the most perfect way possible.
'Host your pre performance diagnosis show that you are lethal and ready to go.'
"Shut up Nova. You will talk later." I answered back as I tucked a stray thread and forced my hands to remain steady.
Nova's joking voice and atmosphere has always amused me but today, even the smallest words from him felt like a life vest.
"Boss?" Rumei, my assistant, peeked in, all polite and happy.
"Everything will be starting soon. Should I call the team to touch up your makeup?"
"I'm good," I lied blantly. "Make sure you are close."
"And do keep a keen eye on the backstage cables. You know we can't afford drama tonight."
I instructed her, as I folded the gown back to it's hanger.
Rumei's eyes widened as if she had forgotten a key matter."Yes, boss."
As she left, I closed my eyes, running a quick mental checklist. Do not trip on the hem, make sure the interview is concise and sharp, and...
I was midway through my checklist when Nova spoke.
'Host, there is a suspicious delivery made, seen by your pr tracker.'
"Okay. Thank you for the information." I grabbed my sewing kit like a weapon, trying to calm myself down as much as possible.
I had a very simple plan. I wanted to look flawless, stay calm, and let my designs speak so loudly that the gossip will be drowned in them.
But I had to keep in mind that simple doesn't easily survive when power and spite are involved.
The decorated Award Hall smelled of polished wood, carefully rehearsed events and expensive perfume.
Jiang Ning glided along the VIP carpet in a dress that cost more than her penthouse, wearing a smug smile as if she already had the victory in her name.
Tsk!
From my balcony, I interestingly watched her take every step to appear triumphant and unbroken.
Her laughter was way too loud, all for a joke not worth it. The way her hand lingered possessively near her PR manager's shoulder showed how hard she tried to hide the strike that already hit her.
"Hmm..." I rubbed my fingers together, feeling the fine callouses forming at my fingertips every second.
I patiently waited, listening as the hosts went through names, sponsors recognizing each other, and then finally the presenter called for the Fashion spark category.
Backstage was a corridor of chaos as there were shouts of last minute fittings, different dresses, and a little girl with an idiotic smile carrying a plate of something sticky.
I met Lu Jinghao's gaze from across the crowd for half a second.
He looked unreadable, calm and imposing as akways. He gave me a simple nod, as if he was marking a register.
He didn't have to know, but that simple movement steadied me more than any pep talk Nova could give me.
'Eeh. Host, if you continue staring at him, he might compile your face into a spreadsheet and have your emotions in record.'
I had less than five minutes left.
I tucked the gown as I adjusted the support wires, smoothening the silk. Rumei zipped me up, whispering, "Boss you look amazing...just like a legend."
As much as I wanted to believe her words, it was the same as wanting to believe any of the good things people said about me on social media.
"Miss Jiang, you have 20 seconds!"
The stage manager's raspy voice barked. He sounded like someone who hadn't slept properly since fashion week started. But hey. Who had? I took a deep breath as I steadied myself.
I walked out under the stage lights, you would think I had rehearsed this motion a thousand times before.
Took the left foot, then a long stride, with my shoulders back. The front row of the room was blurred into a sea of camera flashes. So blinding!
Great heavens!
My phoenix gown caught light and exploded dazzlingly, causing a ripple of gasps from the crowd. The applause that followed was thunderous and hungry.
Halfway down the runway, I felt a tiny flinch of heat licking the gold embroidery at my hip. A smolder of adhesive catching in the wrong place.
In a pulse, I felt my stomach drop. Someone had sabotaged me again!
There was an overlay glued to cause a small melting under the hot lights.
To everyone watching, It would look like some material failure, deeming the designer unfit.
What a neat way to humiliate someone!
Jiang Ning's smile blossomed, as if she had just performed a rare act of kindness.
'Host I am activating the tactical patch now.'
"Thanks buddy." I muttered, my fingers moving under the gown.
The harmless motion looked like a line adjustment.
I cut a hidden thread, comfortably placing it under the gold vein, and with practiced breath, I wove a tiny seam so that the melted edge can fold into a deliberate texture.
To the audience watching, I gave the impression of a stylish comback. But to Jiang Ning, that was a well timed, painful kick in the groins.
I calmly finished my walk, wearing a practiced smile fixed like a mask, as the cameras followed me all the way.
As was the ritual, the host fumbled with the cards, and asked some perfunctory questions.
And just like that, the interview was done. I left the podium, feeling the applause hitting me like a wave hitting the shore.
Backstage, a stagehand whispered to me as I was removing the gown.
"Miss Jiang, someone has fixed the spot. A thermal shield was found taped under the stage. Seems like someone was eager to see you fail."
Jiang Ning wanted the sabotage to look like an accident but she was also clever to remove the shield fast enough to avoid accountability.
'Host, I have detected a small moment of CCTV pings near the prop access. A specific individual from the catering crew took an unusual route today.'
"Who is that Nova?" I whispered.
'The catering girl with the delivery ID 3714. She has Connections with the Jiang mansion kitchen service.'
'Looks like she has had grudges with you in the past.'
"Ohh, such a small, guilty and loud thing.' I smirked.
I kept the information to myself as I watched my worried assistant.
"But, who would want to sabotage us like that?" she asked.
"Someone insignificantly small and bitter," I replied. "Lucky for you, your boss is excellent at fixing wardrobe malfunctions."
In the VIP lounge later on, glasses were tinkling as the industry murmured around us.
My phone was busy buzzing with congratulatory messages and threats disguised as congratulations.
Beneath the noise, Jiang Ning's PR team was in a quiet battle after many more tabloid posts changed the narrative from a simple assistant controversy, to my ability to stand up when cornered.
I quietly found a corner and let the applause wash past me. I was too tired but still steady.
Of course, Lu Jinghao would find me. The guy had a way of appearing quietly, scary if you ask me.
"You really can adapt under pressure no matter the environment," he said, directly and clinical.
"I take public tests as entertainment." I said smoothly.
He looked at my hands for a second. "I have noticed that you cut with your right, and sew with your left."
"Quite observant Mr President."
He fixed me a look before swallowing his remaining words and leaving.
That night, after the hall emptied and the city finally relaxed, I sat at my table with a cup of tea.
The glow of success was still warming in me but if not careful then it was going to scald me hot.
I watched the feed I had created. The thousand tiny online threads.
#Phantom was trending again, but this time, with unforseen respect.
Rumei flopped beside me, looking all exhausted but elated.
"Boss you really owned the mess."
" Look at this headline!" She turned the tablet to me and the bold headline made me laugh.
'Phantom turns sabotage into a fashion statement.'
"Rumei the press has the attention span of a model in a long gown. We will get used to it."
She lightly giggled as her face softened, looking so proud.
"You really did it, boss. I am glad I work for you."
I looked at my hands,before replying. "Correction. We did it."
She blushed for a moment before changing the topic.
"By the way boss..."
"Some of the catering crew were suddenly fired. The head chef gave intel that someone among them admitted to taking money to carry out 'a favor.' The Jiang mansion was mentioned."
My smile thinned, cold and icy. "Hmm...just small people with big payoffs. How classic."
'Host. Be careful. Your sister's options are shrinking. She might probably escalate her next trick.'
"Let her," I said. "When insignificant people panic, they make big mistakes...my favourite."
Outside the window, the skyline beautifully glittered. Past the lights, Jiang Ning schemed and paced, desperate to widen her circle. Lu Jinghao was carefully cataloging my moves and I?
I was balanced somewhere between art and vengeance, writing new lines that would remake everyone's fate.