The world outside Vale Studio did not calm down.
If anything, it grew louder.
By the time Lian, Rian, and Jun stepped into the private elevator leading to the upper conference rooms, the pressure had a physical weight to it — like the air itself was made of vibrating strings pulled too tight.
The moment the elevator doors slid shut, Lian exhaled shakily.
He didn't even realize he'd been holding his breath.
Rian stood right beside him, close enough that Lian could feel the faint brush of his sleeve against his. Jun was tapping away furiously at his phone, muttering to himself about appointment slots and journalists and "who the hell added a meeting with a producer right now?!"
Lian stared at the shifting floor numbers as they climbed.
His pulse beat in his throat.
Every level felt like another layer of responsibility, rising higher and higher.
"Are you okay?" Rian asked quietly, not taking his eyes off him.
Lian nodded. Then shook his head. Then gave up on both answers.
