As I finished my design, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. Every other person's design was impressive, but I was confident in my work. I had poured my heart and soul into it, and it showed. I scored 39 points, just one point shy of Shawn's winning score of 40. I couldn't help but wonder if the judges had been impressed or simply marvelled by our designs.
The congratulations and celebrations that followed were a blur. I was on cloud nine, basking in the praise and admiration of my peers. But as the excitement began to die down, I noticed a bouncer approaching me. He was massive, with arms as thick as tree trunks and a stern expression that made me feel uneasy.
"Excuse me," he said, his deep voice commanding attention. "My boss wants to see you."
I racked my brain, trying to figure out who could be calling for me. I had only met Master Adrian, who was accompanied by two bodyguards. Assuming it might be someone scouting for talent, I confidently made my way to the meeting.
As I walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Who was this mysterious person, and what did they want with me? I pushed aside my doubts and focused on the task at hand.
When I arrived at the meeting room, I was disappointed to see Griffin Gluck waiting for me. He was dressed impeccably, his suit tailored to perfection. But his smile was what caught my attention - it was charming, yet sinister.
"Well, well, well," he said, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of charm and malice. "Look what we have here. The talented Stella, who got to the top through her own efforts."
I greeted him professionally, asking how I could be of help. Griffin smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Master Adrian has taken a liking to you, Stella," he said. "But be warned, he's a devil. He'll use you for his own gain and discard you when he's done. Why don't you come work for me instead? I'll treat you like a queen, beauty."
I felt a wave of disgust wash over me, but I shouldn't have been surprised. Griffin Gluck was notorious for his womanizing ways. I politely declined his offer, trying to keep my tone neutral.
"I appreciate your concern, Master Griffin," I said. "But I can take care of myself."
Griffin's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "Very well, Stella. But remember, I warned you. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
I nodded politely and turned to leave, but Griffin's parting shot stopped me in my tracks. "You'd be better off working for me, Stella. I'll treat you like a queen."
I felt a surge of anger at his audacity, but I kept my cool. I walked away, leaving Griffin and his bouncers behind.
As I walked down the hallway, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. But it was short-lived. I heard the clicking of heels behind me, growing louder with each step. I turned to see the girl who had made it to the last round, but came in fifth. She was dressed in a stunning outfit, her hair styled perfectly.
"Hey," she said, her voice cold.
I replied politely, "Hello."
She walked closer, her eyes locked on mine. I stood tall, maintaining eye contact despite her intimidating gaze. She was shorter than me, but she carried herself with confidence.
"What brings you here?" I asked, my tone neutral.
"Oh, wow, she's got guts," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm here to warn you: since you'll be working with 'my' Adrian, make sure you reject his offer and work with someone else."
I felt a surge of anger at her possessiveness, but I replied calmly, "I'm not interested in your Adrian. You can keep him; he's of no use to me."
Her face reddened with anger, and she spat out a venomous retort: "Who do you think you are? I wanted my brother to keep you as a plaything, but now you don't deserve to be close to anyone from the Gluck family. You're just a lowly slut."
I stood my ground, my voice firm. "I think you're the one blinded by your own foolishness. Why would anyone be interested in your Gluck family? I'd rather chase Adrian than someone from your family."
She shouted back, her anger boiling over. "I'll teach you a lesson!" Before storming off, she turned back to glare at me.
As I watched her go, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. But it was short-lived. I raised my head, meeting the gaze of Master Adrian. It felt like he had been watching me for a long time, his eyes piercing through me.
I stood frozen, unsure of what to do next. Master Adrian's gaze was unnerving, making me feel like he could see right through me.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.....