THE HOSPITAL HANDSHAKE
The "official" debut was not under the bright lights of a fancy ballroom.
Instead, it happened in the quiet, sunny lobby of Sterling Hospital. There was no red carpet. There were only a few medical staff and some quiet photographers. The air smelled like flowers and cleaning supplies, not expensive perfume.
Kei arrived wearing a simple navy blazer. She looked powerful but kept her voice low to respect the patients. Fay stood next to her in her white doctor's coat. She kept her stethoscope around her neck to show everyone she was still a serious surgeon, not just a "girlfriend."
THE SMALL MOMENT
As Kei signed the papers to give the hospital $60 million, a photographer caught a special moment. Kei leaned in to whisper a question about the new building.
Without thinking, Fay tilted her head toward Kei and smiled just a little bit.
It wasn't a big kiss or a movie scene. It was just the way Kei held the pen for Fay and how their hands almost touched on the table. People watching the live video online loved it.
They thought the "Professional Power Couple" looked perfect.
Top Comment: "The way they look at each other is so sweet! Kei is totally in love with Dr. Fay. They are so cute together!"
THE FATHER'S PLAN
After the cameras left, Fay's father, Arthur Sterling, called them into his office. He wasn't happy with just a handshake.
He saw that the hospital was becoming famous because of the romance rumors, and he wanted more.
"The public wants to see more of you two,"
Arthur said, dropping a travel book on his desk.
"A hospital is too boring. People want to see you actually having fun together. They want to see the 'real' romance."
Fay frowned.
"I have work to do, Dad. I have three surgeries tomorrow."
"I already found other doctors to do them,"
Arthur said.
"The Luz Group has a private house on a beautiful beach in Batangas. I've set up a four-day trip for you both. If some photos of you two on a private beach 'leak' to the news, the hospital will stay famous for months. We need to do this now while everyone is watching."
"You want us to go on a fake vacation?"
Kei asked. She felt a mix of hope and worry.
"I want you to make the fans happy,"
Arthur replied.
"The more people love your romance, the more money the hospital gets. Go. Relax. Give the cameras something to talk about."
THE PUBLIC HYPE
By the time they walked out of the office, the news of the "Private Beach Trip" was already all over the internet. The fans were celebrating.
The Fan Theories: People were already guessing that Kei would propose on the beach.
The Shipping: Thousands of people were posting about #BeachBridge and #KeiFaybatangas.
The public didn't just like the couple anymore they were obsessed.
To the fans, it was a fairy tale.
For Fay, it was a forced trip with the woman who broke her heart.
For Kei, it was a chance to finally be alone with Fay in paradise.
"Pack your bags, kei," Fay said as they walked to the cars. Her voice sounded tired. "It looks like we have a romance to sell."