Saving Face

The morning sunlight spilled lazily across the narrow street outside Isabella’s apartment, washing the cracked pavements in a pale golden glow.

It was one of those rare peaceful mornings.

No filming.

No insults.

Just quiet.

Isabella stretched her stiff shoulders as she stepped out of her building, locking the door behind her. After the brutal filming from yesterday, her entire body ached as if she had truly been beaten by an angry mob.

“Coffee,” she muttered to herself. “I deserve good coffee.”

There was a small local café at the corner of the street, an unimpressive little shop squeezed between a laundromat and a convenience store. The signboard was slightly faded, and the plastic chairs outside didn’t exactly scream luxury.

But the coffee?

Heavenly.

The rich aroma hit her the moment she pushed open the glass door.

And then she froze.

Her eyes landed on a familiar figure seated by the window.

Broad shoulders.

Long legs.

An aura that did not belong in this neighborhood.

Alexander Sterling.

He sat there in a simple dark sweater instead of his usual sharp suit, one long leg crossed over the other. The morning light outlined his profile, making him look almost unreal.

Isabella blinked.

Once.

Twice.

What was a world-class CEO doing in a shabby coffee shop in her area?

Had she walked into the wrong café?

As if sensing her gaze, Alexander lifted his eyes.

Their eyes met.

There was no surprise in his expression.

Almost as if he had expected her.

Isabella’s first instinct was to turn around and walk out.

Her second instinct was to pretend she hadn’t seen him.

Unfortunately, her legs betrayed her.

“Mr… Sterling?” she called cautiously.

A faint curve tugged at his lips.

“Miss Isabella.”

Her heart skipped.

So he did know her name.

She quickly walked over, trying not to look flustered. “You… come here often?” The words slipped out before she could stop them.

What kind of stupid question was that?

Alexander glanced around the modest shop and then back at her. “Is it illegal for me to drink coffee?”

“No! I mean… of course not. I just…” She lowered her voice. “This isn’t exactly Platinum Palace.”

A low chuckle escaped him.

“It’s quiet here,” he said calmly. “And the coffee is good.”

She hesitated for a second before he gestured to the empty seat opposite him.

“Sit.”

It wasn’t a command.

But it wasn’t exactly a request either.

She sat.

The owner came over, clearly confused but too polite to ask questions. Isabella ordered her usual, while Alexander had already been served a simple black coffee.

For a brief moment, silence settled between them.

It wasn’t as suffocating as the night at her apartment.

But it wasn’t comfortable either.

Isabella cleared her throat.

“I saw the news last night.”

Alexander lifted a brow slightly.

“You’re… the Alexander Sterling,” she continued. “CEO of Sterling Corporation. International contracts. European expansion. Stock value doubled.” She forced a small smile. “I guess I should apologize for how casually I treated you the other night.”

He looked at her steadily.

“For offering me soup?”

“For making you sit on that tiny sofa. And feeding you… low-class spicy chicken soup.” 

She winced at the memory of his comment.

A faint amusement flickered in his eyes.

“Miss Hartley,” he said evenly, “I am also human. I eat food. I sit on sofas.”

She stared at him.

Why did he make simple sentences sound so… dangerous?

Her coffee arrived.

She wrapped both hands around the cup, using the warmth to steady herself.

“Still,” she said softly, “I didn’t know who you were.”

“Would it have changed anything?” he asked.

She paused.

Probably.

She might have panicked more.

Or tried too hard.

Or not invite him in at all.

“I don’t know,” she admitted honestly.

Alexander studied her expression for a moment, as if trying to read something deeper beneath her casual answers.

Then—

Her phone rang.

The sudden vibration shattered the quiet morning.

Isabella glanced at the screen.

Lilian.

Her expression shifted instantly.

Alexander noticed.

“Work?” he asked.

She nodded, already bracing herself before answering the call.

And the peaceful morning atmosphere cracked—

Did she arrange another small role for her? “Hello, Lilian.” 

“Bella, Land Under Heaven is holding an opening ceremony at the Oriental Hotel at 12pm, don’t be late.” 

“What? 12pm? 12pm today?”

 “Yes, today.”

“Lilian, why didn’t you inform me earlier? It’s already almost 11am!” 

“What do you mean I didn’t inform you earlier, I'm telling you an hour in advance?” 

“An hour isn't even enough for me to travel there, furthermore I have to dress and do my makeup…” 

“That's your problem, don’t piss me off, I’m very busy now, goodbye.” 

Having finished her words, she hung up immediately. 

Lilian! Fuck you!” Bella threw her phone on the table. 

Alex was stunned. 

Isabella wiped her mouth, hating that she couldn’t dig a hole to bury herself in. 

A trace of humour flashed across Alex's eyes as he asked, “What happened?” 

Isabella gritted her teeth, “The opening ceremony for Land Under Heaven starts today at 12pm. It’s almost 11am but my manager only called to inform me just now. It takes at least 50 minutes to reach Oriental Hotel from here, don’t tell me I need to appear on camera without makeup?” 

“Why not? Your bare face is enough.” 

Bella was stunned for a moment, she had not expected that the man would actually be this smooth. She scratched her head, coughing once in embarrassment, “Thanks for the compliment, Mr Sterling… but it’s considered rude if I don’t put on basic makeup at the very least at these kinds of events. Most importantly, I don’t have any appropriate clothes at the moment and there’ll be so many media outlets there. Ahhhhh shit! This is so frustrating…” 

“Wait for a moment.” Alexander raised his hand and indicated for her to stay calm, then took his phone to the courtyard to make a call. 

Ten minutes later, someone arrived, panting out of breath. 

“CEO Sterling, I’ve brought all the stuff you wanted, are we starting right now?” The newcomer was wearing jeans with holes and a grey cotton jacket, and had a striking dark blue earring on his left ear. 

Bella was surprised to find that he was actually a familiar face. 

Of course, a familiar face meaning that Bella recognised him, but he did not recognise her at all. He was a makeup artist known as “The Godly Hand” under Longster Entertainment and the personal makeup artist of the famous actress, Graclyn Swat, Arthur. 

He was someone famous that someone small and shabby like her could only gaze at from afar!.

“This is?” Bella’s face was full of suspicion. 

“You don’t recognise him?” Alex asked. 

“Of course I recognise the famous Arthur! But what did you call him over for…” 

To style you, naturally.” Alexander said as if it was a matter of course. 

Isabella’s head was full of black lines momentarily, she moved closer to Alexander's ear and said softly, “You… you’re actually making someone from Longster Entertainment style me? Are you sure? ! Don’t you know that I’m under Starlight Entertainment? Longster and Starlight are dead rivals, okay!” 

So what?” Alexander replied like the domineering CEO he was. 

Isabella choked, feeling speechless, “Sir, do your employees know that you’re using your company’s people to help artistes from rival companies?” 

They evidently did not.

Longster Entertainment was one of the subsidiaries of the Sterling Group at the very least!.

Although Julian Sterling was managing Longster now, the boss behind the scenes was the Sterling group Alexander. 

The Sterling Group began to get involved with the entertainment industry five years ago and bought over Longster Entertainment, creating an entertainment empire. They were even able to compete directly with the oldest, leading company in the industry, Starlight Entertainment. 

From this, you could see how fierce the competition was between the two companies, their employees- from artistes to managers to assistants, makeup artists and stylists- could never mix. If there were artistes from both companies present on the same set, there would definitely be some sparks flying. 

Alex looked at his watch, “The minivan is at the door, you can do your makeup and styling on the way there and you’ll make it in time. It’s up to you whether you want to go or not.” 

Isabella was so conflicted, but she still gritted her teeth, “I’m going!”.

Since he wasn’t bothered about it, then she wouldn’t care about it either!.

Seeing that Alex had followed along, she was surprised, “You’re going too?” 

“Who else is going to drive?” He was using that matter-of-fact tone again, as if whatever he said was truth and she was only asking silly questions. 

He didn’t even change out of his clothes, driving in his casual homewear while Bella and Arthur sat in the back.

Arthur carefully looked over her once, his gaze showing great appreciation, “This lady has perfect features and amazing skin, I don’t need to do much. I’ll just put on some light makeup. What occasion are you going to today, miss? I need to choose the right clothes for you.” 

“Uh, it’s just an opening ceremony for a movie…” she said cautiously hoping he doesn’t ask any more questions.

Luckily, Arthur didn’t ask much, he only nodded to show that he understood and continued to do her makeup. 

When they were close to the location of the opening ceremony, Bella had been fully made up from top to toe, they had grasped the timing very well.

Alexander stopped the car, then turned to look at the woman behind, with his arm on the back of his seat. 

“How is it?” She asked, a little nervous. 

“Not bad.” He said plainly.

It wasn’t easy to get such a compliment from someone as taciturn as him. 

Isabella closed her eyes as she took in multiple deep breaths “thank you soo much Mr Sterling, you're a career saver I owe you one”. “Wish me luck”

“Goodluck” he smiled at her.

Since Isabella had left, the driver’s position was naturally left to Arthur. 

Arthur could no longer hold back his nosiness and carefully asked as he drove, “Boss, who was that lady just now? Is she one of the new recruits of our company? How come I haven’t seen her before?” 

Damn! Their big boss actually had a woman at his side, this was mind blowing news! 

What about miss Graclyn? He thought but brushed it off immediately.

Alexander supported his chin, answering leisurely “An artiste from Starlight.” 

“ WHAT?!!!” he let out a shriek then composed himself quickly.

Why is our boss working for the other side! 

Even our Boss Julian doesn’t date anyone from Starlight.