Chapter 2The 'Hate-Ship' Playlist: When Your Ex Is Your Muse

Making Jax miserable always makes me happy.

I slept until noon.

My agent, Deb, called, saying I had to attend a red-carpet gala.

Deb gave me a warning beforehand:

"I heard Jax is going to be there, too."

"If you don't want to buy an annual subscription to the trending list, just be mature, say hello, and at least pretend to be civil."

I thought Deb was overreacting.

With so many artists there, we probably wouldn't even cross paths.

I was wrong.

The organizers, sent from hell, seated me right next to Jax!

The moment I sat down, a figure quickly dropped into the seat beside me.

He wore a dark blue bespoke suit, emphasizing his broad shoulders and long legs. His sculpted face looked, well, decent.

Seeing the cameras flash in the distance and remembering Deb’s urgent plea, I forced a smile.

Just pretend to be friendly?

I can be the friendliest person here.

"Good evening, Mr. Muse."

"Well, look who it is, Miss Rhyme-Time," Jax smirked. "What, did you suddenly learn to be human? You're actually saying hello to me?"

See?

You can't give this guy an inch!

The event was being live-streamed.

As the camera swept over us, the comments section went ballistic:

[Mr. Muse and Miss Rhyme-Time are in the same frame! Please lock the camera on them!] [Dark blue suit paired with a deep blue gown. What a beautiful couple.] [Please, Jax and Lena, date again! Just do it for my entertainment.]

Truth be told, people in the industry are the biggest gossips.

Since I walked in, several people had already subtly asked me what the deal was between Jax and me.

Right now, I could feel countless eyes boring into us.

Jax was uncomfortable under the scrutiny, too.

He turned his head slightly, his ear tips turning red.

I silently looked down—

Wow, this table is so... table-y.

Hahaha...

In the comments, my fans and Jax's fans were already locked in a fierce battle.

But a strange new sentiment was starting to emerge.

[Don't you guys think Jax and Lena look like they're just cold-shouldering each other out of hate?] [What is hate? Hate is just love that couldn't handle the pressure.] [I feel like all their hatred is just them hating that the other person didn't love them enough.] [A healthy relationship is nice, but a messed-up one has a certain flavor. Those who don't get it are missing out!]