Chapter 676 - Six Hundred And Seventy-Six: The Intimacy Between Them

The third point of view:

They arrived at their mother's company in no time, however, their mother was in a meeting so they got introduced around by her assistant, Kristen.

They went down to the studio where the photographer and everyone else was waiting for them, no, he, Ailee corrected the impression. She was a tagalong and they seemed to notice that because none of them paid any attention to her. 

"Wow, when the boss told me that her son would come to participate, I never thought it would be an Adonis like you," Said the photographer who was a bald man and seemed to be in his early thirties. 

"Oh, thank you," Neon smiled politely, scratching the back of his head. He was not used to getting this much attention and he knew this photographer was not an ordinary person. 

"Hmmm," The man hummed in approval, examining his body the same way her mother had done that day, "Not bad," he nodded. 

He then stretched out his hand, "By the way I'm Micheal and it would be a thrill working with you," 

"No," Neon accepted his hand in a handshake humbly, "I'm the one honored to be working with a great photographer like you. I'm not quite knowledgeable in this field," He acknowledged the fact that he was inexperienced. 

At that comment Ailee smiled, this was the reason she liked Neon. He was humble and respectful. She didn't even want to think what Allen would have done if he modeled instead of Neon. 

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure you are a fast learner," Micheal complimented him and he smiled. 

Suddenly, Micheal turned to Ailee and the girl was startled because she was caught off guard. The man raised his brows at her questioningly, " And who is... ?"

"Oh," Neon finally remembered he hadn't introduced her to them. He gestured to her, " She's -" 

"His personal assistant and manager, Jade," Ailee lied to the man using her middle name instead of her first name that was well known by everybody. 

Neon and Kristen, her mother's assistant, turned to Ailee, dumbfounded. What the hell was that young lady talking about? However, before they could dispute her claim, Ailee had already cemented her fake identity. 

"Micheal Stewart, I'm a huge fan of your creations, sir, and I can assure you that it's a big honor to work up close with you," she grabbed his hand and flattered him, the way a fan would do. 

"Oh, is that so?" Micheal was not surprised by her action since she was a fan, "Then I hope we have a good working relationship," 

"Of course," she nodded and bowed her head to Neon and Kristen's shock. 

"For a moment there, I thought you looked familiar," the man said under his breath with his brows furrowed. Maybe he was thinking too much. 

He commanded Neon, "Get acquainted with the rest of the team," 

"Sure!" Neon answered and as soon as the man focused on his camera in his grasp, turned to Ailee - Kristen as well.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked her, unable to understand her intentions for lying about her identity.

"Why did you lie?" Kristen queried.

"I just want to use a substitute identity, what's wrong with that?" Ailee shrugged.

She had watched everything that transpired the instant Neon arrived, everyone became friendly to him while they ignored her. It was good this way because she could figure out people's intention towards Neon - people tend to look down on a commoner. Moreover, it was fun, having a secret identity.

For once Ailee was grateful for the fact that she hardly frequented her mother's company ever since she became an adult that way she wouldn't fear anyone recognizing her except on social media.

Although their mother had done her best to keep her family from public scrutiny, it was still not easy for a family like theirs. Once in a while, the reporters always found something to have a field day with - not that it bothered them anyway. Their family was built on love and trust, hence nothing could bring them down. But on the bright side, Ailee would have to put more effort into making sure her identity wasn't uncovered. Good thing, Neon and she looked nothing like siblings - they wouldn't be able to connect the dots that easily as long as Neon kept his mouth shut.

"I don't like the idea of that," Kristen said, "Some of the people here are not that nice and would try to bully you, at least your status would protect you," 

"I would take that as an experience then, it would work well on my portfolio in the future, don't you think so?" Ailee was not bothered. 

"Ailee -" Neon tried to change her mind. 

"Why would anyone bully me when you are with me?" she smiled at him and the boy sighed. She was one stubborn girl but he loved her that way. 

"Also," Ailee turned to Kristen, "It's better to be commanded around than having an enemy as a friend because of my great status," she added, "Just explain that to mom, I'm sure she would understand," 

"Fine, do whatever you want," Neon said, pulling Ailee into his arms to hug her.

"Hey, what are you doing? People are going to see and have the wrong impression of us," She struggled to get out of his arm but he didn't budge a muscle. 

"Let them see then," He buried her face into her neck, "Didn't you say you needed protection from me, this is the best form of making a statement, 'do not touch what's mine' " He chuckled. 

Kristen who stood at the side was stunned by the intimacy between the siblings. Wasn't it a little too much? She thought. But then who was she to get involved in another person's family affairs? Especially her boss? It was simply none of her business. 

Unfortunately, just as Ailee feared, seated at the corner of the studio was a young model who had her eyes on the young man, Neon as soon as he came in. She had heard that he was their boss, Reina's favorite son, and decided at that moment that he was the one for her. With her fame and his status, they would make a great couple, not to mention that it would boost her already booming career. 

However, her face distorted as soon as she saw him pull that strange girl into his arms and she felt threatened immediately. So she gestured to her assistant to come over and as soon as she did, asked, "Who is she?"