The morning sun poured into the conference room,
glinting off polished surfaces and sharp business
suits. Gold adjusted Virelle's blazer, smoothed her
hair, and muttered, "System, remind me again why my
first corporate mission involves Alistair breathing the
same air as me?"
➢[Host emotional stability: 68%. Male Lead
proximity detected. Increased caution advised.]
"Because, Host Gold," System 009 replied, its usual
sarcastic tone humming in her earpiece, "nothing says
survival like walking straight into a volcano and
expecting no lava."
Gold groaned. "I swear, one day I'm going to unplug
you mid-transmission."
➢[Caution: Humor acknowledged. Emotional
defense mechanism detected.]
The boardroom door opened. Alistair stepped in,
impeccably dressed, exuding authority and the
faintest trace of residual anger that lingered from years
ago. He froze for a split second when he saw Virelle —
or rather, Gold inhabiting her body.
Gold swallowed. Okay, focus. Charm. Subtle honesty.
Minimal explosions.
"Alistair," she said smoothly, extending a hand. "Good
morning. Ready for the presentation?"
He took her hand briefly, then released it, tension
rolling off him in waves. "Always," he said, his tone
clipped but polite. That one word carried years of
history Gold could feel like an electric shock.
➢[System advisory: Host emotional engagement
detected. Male Lead baseline: fluctuating.]
During the presentation, Gold noticed subtle glances
Alistair shot her way — analytical, careful, and
strangely… personal. She gritted her teeth. Don't fall
for it, don't fall for it.
➢[Warning: Male Lead attraction potential
increasing.]
"System," she whispered under her breath, "how do I
survive the rest of this meeting without accidentally
confessing I'm actually a soul in control of her body?"
➢[Recommendation: Minimal emotional leakage.
Maintain professional façade.]
Gold flipped through Virelle's reports, nodding politely
at her own analysis. Her fingers itched to write a note
explaining everything to him, but she knew that would
break the fragile balance of his heart.
Meanwhile, Alistair was observing her every word,
every gesture. He noticed the difference — Virelle
wasn't the same girl who had left him. She was
sharper, more composed, with a quiet confidence he
hadn't expected.
➢[System note: Male Lead attention focused. Host
performance adequate.]
After the meeting, as everyone filed out, Gold lingered
by the table. Alistair approached, holding a tablet. "I
need clarification on this projection," he said.
Gold's heart skipped — not hers, Virelle's, but she
could feel the tension echoing in the body. "Of course,"
she said, stepping closer. They bent over the same
tablet, shoulders almost touching, the air between
them charged with unspoken emotions.
➢[System alert: Host proximity to Male Lead
exceeds safe parameters. Emotional spike
detected.]
Gold muttered under her breath, "System, remind me
again why proximity is always dangerous?"
➢[Because you're in a love triangle with residual
betrayal, Host Gold. Obvious.]
Alistair looked up, eyes meeting hers for a long, silent
moment. "Virelle," he said softly, a mixture of curiosity
and caution, "you've… changed."
Gold swallowed, careful to control the thrill in Virelle's
chest. "People grow," she said, keeping her tone
neutral. "Even those who've made mistakes in the
past."
That night, Gold collapsed onto Virelle's sofa.
"System," she said, rubbing her temples, "step one:
survive the gala. Step two: survive professional
proximity. Step three… what exactly happens in step
three?"
➢[Step three: emotional damage control. Proceed
carefully.]
Gold sighed. Mission accepted. With luck, I won't ruin
everyone's hearts before the first week is over.