The Rise of the White Lotus

When Lexi arrived at the River Lounge Bar where they would hang out; Rika, Elliot Gong, Gael, and other casts of the movie Taming Hearts were already there— partying. With the duration of their filming, Lexi did not only befriended Rika and Elliot but also, the other leads from the said movie.

To her knowledge, they came from promoting the movie and Rika, the ever promotor into this encouraged them to ease their stress by partying. After all, when they wrapped up the filming, everyone only had a few days rest before they started promoting the movie. Especially, now that there was another movie that was also directed by a promising director just like Arnold Shen. Therefore, everyone was tensed since both directors had been a tough competitor of each other all these years.

"Best--!" Seeing the fine, confident lady on her red, bullseye maxi dress that has a slimline silhouette with a cowl through the neckline and back, thin strap, and a large slit up to her upper right leg— displaying every curve of her body and too much skin; not to mention, her cleavage made Rika bulge her eyes.

Lexi's hair was arranged into a loose bun that has a few strands of hair dangling down. Still, it was not enough to cover her slender, work of art neck. She strode towards the long table where Rika and a few other colleagues perched.

Scanning their faces that have their eyes locked on her, Lexi raised her brows as she was slightly confused with their odd stare.

"Umm, hello?" Awkwardly snapping them back despite the loud music bombing the whole place, it was somewhat effective as Rika reacted first and welcomed her with arms spread wide.

"Bestie?! Gosh! Are you trying to set the place on fire?!" Although Rika was wearing a black bodycon dress that made her an eye-candy— Lexi set the standard on a different level with her demeanor and how she carried the revealing dress with pride and dignity.

"Huh?" Puzzled at her friend's exaggeration, Lexi quickly glanced down at her outfit before returning them back to Rika's magnetizing eyes. "Do I look weird?" She asked. She could not understand why Rika was surprised as the entertainment industry was filled with gorgeous, sexy ladies.

In retrospect, ever since Lexi became friends with Rika, she always wore conservative dresses just because she's in the mood to wear so. However, that didn't mean she doesn't wear a revealing dress as well. After all, Lexi was a huge fan of different fashion and would wear a different one based on her mood.

"Don't worry, Mr. Darcy, I will protect your darling." Murmuring, Rika's determination reached its zenith knowing Ethan Lu wasn't around and his wifey was on the loose.

"Haha," Chuckling at how adorable her friend was acting, thinking about Ethan Lu at this time— she was in awe of her loyalty. "Such a lucky guy to have support like you." 

"Huh! How I wish Mr. Main Task is here~!" Churu who was invisible to everyone but to Lexi commented. She was also wearing a matching dress like Lexi's with red lace gloves added to her elegance. She then flew towards Elliot Gong and sat on his broad shoulder.

"Lexi! Woah! Now I regret not including you to the promotion." Arnold Shen approached the two gorgeous ladies with a dejected look plastered across his face. However, the sound of his voice contained insincerity as he knew that Lexi's absence to the promotion would add curiosity to the audience.

"Hehe, Director Shen," Lexi slightly bowed her head with a smile as she knew that Arnold Shen didn't mean what he said because she fully understood his cause.

"Take a seat, you ladies should sit first." Back to his cheerfulness, Arnold Shen didn't dwell on his so-called regrets as he gestured them to take a seat.

"How's everyone?" Greeting them, Lexi slightly bowed her head to the people around the table. Just as she asked about their well being, a petite, tall man in a loose v-neck black blouse stood and bowed his head across her.

"Miss Yang, good to see you doing well." Gael Ho, the main male lead of the movie Taming Hearts greeted as he offered his hand. However, just as Lexi was about to accept his hand for an odd handshake, Elliot Gong beside Gael reached for her hand first.

"Lexi! Haha! Good to see you!" Awkwardly laughing as if he was the happiest person to see her, Elliot Gong greeted. Turning to Gael Ho's on his side, he grinned and whispered to him. "I handshake her for you. Thank me later." 

Lexi arched her brows to Elliot Gong's unusual acting yet, she shrugged it off and she only smiled. Elliot Gong then courteously gestured them to take their seat like a good attendant which made Rika looked at him suspiciously.

When every one of them was on their respective seats, they've talked about random things and as usual, shared some good laughs with each other. More tens of minutes had passed, and few of the cast decided to run wild and danced on the dance floor. 

Therefore, only a few were left on the table: Lexi, Rika, Elliot Gong, Gael, and Arnold Shen enjoying their drinks.

"Miss Yang, how have you been?" Smiling gently, Gael Ho's handsome face turned to Lexi as he started a conversation with her.

"I'm doing well, thank you. The promotion must have been tiring, I'm sorry for being absent." Lexi had already sensed that Gael Ho treated her quite different from usual. However, she didn't mind his sudden friendliness— as long as he would not harass her or would keep his distance, Lexi would keep her cool and civilly talked to him.

"It is tiring, but it's good that you get to rest. Don't worry, we don't mind." Gael Ho smiled, revealing his cute dimples that his fans were dying to have a closer look.

"Yes! We don't really mind doing all the labor because Lexi deserved to rest!" Chiming in, Elliot Gong patted his chest with pride.

Still keeping her smile, yet, her brows could not her but twitch when Lexi shot the proud Elliot Gong a glance. 'Am I the only one that thinks he's acting really weird?' 

"Nope, he is weird today." Shaking her head as she stared at Elliot Gong, Churu noted in a matter of factly tone. She already guessed why he was acting like this as it was too obvious that he was deliberately sabotaging Gael Ho's advances.

"Bestie, let's dance!" Suddenly, Rika stood from her seat beside Lexi and without her consent, she dragged Lexi's hand.

****

When Lexi and Rika left the table, Elliot Gong glared at Gael Ho who was also looking at him in confusion. 

"Do you like Miss Yang?" Picking up a cocktail drink, Gael Ho raised his brows as he inquired. He wasn't dense enough not to sense that Elliot Gong was guarding Lexi as if a protective boyfriend.

"Nonsense! I'm paying a huge debt which I didn't know I had in the first place!" Retorting back with dismay, Elliot Gong growled at his colleague as he just received a friendly message which sounded like a death threat earlier.

"Dear, you're doing a good job— here's a kiss as a reward!" Churu smiled brightly as she presumed that this was the reason behind his action. Hence, with that said note, she showered Elliot Gong with kisses.

On the other hand, Gael Ho only nodded his head as he continued to savor his drink while looking at Lexi and Rika having fun on the dance floor.