CHAPTER THREE

Chelsea groaned as her alarm pierced through the air and woke her from her slumber. She felt a rush of anxiety at the thought of taking her Career Test NAE, almost wishing she had never even applied in the first place.

Technically speaking, she wouldn't have applied if she didn't need to get off the leash her family put around her. Sitting up in her bed, she saw the long list of tasks she had to do before heading out for the test.

There were workers in the Willows mansion and attendants too that could run those errands, but somehow she was always the one assigned to do those things for Emma. 

  Taking a deep breath, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed and forced herself to start her preparation. She wished she could run away again back to staying in a one-room apartment, but things weren't so simple and her mother wouldn't make the same mistake twice and let her 'tarnish the family's reputation.' 

Although it was only seven o’clock, she had to be ready in two hours, so she quickly put on some matching socks and a comfortable outfit. She grabbed her supplies and strapped on her backpack, then washed off her face and brushed her teeth.

Taking out a brush, she tried to tame the knots in her hair before putting it up in a bun. She barely had enough time to apply some lip balm before rushing downstairs.

But as soon as she walked into the kitchen, her worst fears were confirmed. Her sister, who was also supposed to participate in the Career Test NAE, was already sitting at the table, with a smug expression on her face.

“Oh, I see you got up early to try and do well on the exam,” she said sarcastically, “But we both know my parents will always put you second to me.” Chelsea sighed and tried her best to ignore her sister’s words, reaching for a box of cereal and pouring it into a bowl.

She knew her sister was just trying to rile her up before the test, but it was starting to get to her. As if it wasn’t already hard enough to prepare for the test with her lack of confidence and a severe case of nerves.

She could feel her palms starting to sweat and her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to stay calm. She was confident in her drawing and painting skills but not in the judgment of the judges.

  Trying to distract herself, she reached for the newspaper and started reading the headlines, determined not to let her sister have the last word. 

    As she ate, her mother came down the stairs slowly all dressed up to attend the NAE and watch their, more like Emma's performance. 

  "Good morning, mother." The sisters greeted at the same time. 

   " Good morning, lovelies." She said walking toward Emma and pecking her on the forehead. "You look beautiful my baby girl." She looked at Chelsea and her smile dimmed.

"Chelsea, why are you dressed like that?" She asked, moving her finger up and down and pointing at her attire in disapproval. She was afraid and thought her Mom was going to be mad at her.

   She paused and took a breath and answered.

    "Nothing. Mother." Chelsea squeezed out and gathered her things, grabbed a snack, and headed out without waiting for her mother's next words. She didn't have it in her to ride with them to the destination the test was being held that morning. It seemed an arduous journey, as getting there meant she had to take two buses at two different bus stops and trek for a while.

But she was determined to reach her destination, so she persevered, even while she felt a bundle of nerves in her stomach.

    As she got on the last bus which was going to take her to her destination, a young lady held an art magazine featuring Emma's works. Chelsea got even more nervous as she thought of the test and going up against Emma if she made it to the final round. She took deep breaths to calm her nerves.

"Are you okay?" The young lady asked.

"Uuh... Yes, yes I am very okay , Just a bit nervous." Chelsea forced a smile.

The lady caught a glimpse of the NAE candidate ID around Chelsea's neck and asked, "Is it because of the test?"

  "What?" 

  "Sorry, I sort of figured it'd be the reason for your nervousness because of the candidate ID you have there." The lady explained so as not to come off as creepy. She smiled, "I'm Vanessa." She said, stretching out a hand for a handshake. 

"Chelsea. Nice to meet you." Chelsea replied and took the outstretched hand. Vanessa looked at her with kind, cheerful eyes. Her demeanor overall had a calming effect on Chelsea. 

Chelsea moved slightly in her seat, smiling. "Well, you got it right. I have been a bit of a nervous wreck since yesterday thanks to the test." 

  Vanessa turned to look at her seriously, "Do you know Emma Willow's Monique painting?" 

"Yes," Chelsea replied unable to understand where the conversation was headed.

"Are you confident you can pull off something like that?" 

"Of course, I can." 

"Can you try to make something better than Monique?"

Chelsea hesitated, the said Monique of Emma's was Chelsea's work. Emma was talented as an artist and had the crowd on her side, but more than half of her famous works were Chelsea's. 

Chelsea smiled, more confident, "I sure can." If she could create Monique then she could do better. 

  

    As Chelsea arrived at the building the test was being held, she found a long line of fellow candidates outside. The first round of the National Assessment Evaluation career test for artists had begun. Chelsea knew exactly what she had to do: three rounds of tests, each progressively difficult. The first round was for everybody, the second round was for the top five from the first, and the final round was for the best two from the second. The winner of the final round would get a chance to further his or her career abroad and gain popularity too.

    With a confident smile, Chelsea took her place in the line and prepared to give the test her all. She couldn't help but feel a little bit excited despite the nerves, and her heart raced at the thought of conquering the challenge ahead.

Chelsea knew she was fully prepared for the first round, but would need to buckle down and try even harder if she wanted to make it through the other two rounds. 

   During the first round, the candidates were divided into two groups. In a big auditorium, with the judges sitting in front the first batch of candidates stood on stage with their parents and reporters as the audience, while the second batch waited behind the stage.

Chelsea was among the second batch she sighed in relief since she didn't have to cross paths yet with Emma who was among the first batch.

After a long wait sounds of clapping resounded in the hall. It seemed the first set of candidates were through. Chelsea took a deep breath and readied herself to be on stage.

Soon they were called in and took their places in front of a canvas with painting tools provided for them. 

 "You can do this Chelsea." She said to herself and picked up her brush. She shut her eyes and opened them, staring at the blank canvas for a while her hands began to move fluidly with absolute calm. 

   After the first round, five people were finally picked as the best during the first round which included Emma and Chelsea.

Chelsea was elated, finally, she was going to get a chance to prove her skill and maybe...just maybe get Emma off her back too. The second round of the test was to be held the very next day. 

   Early in the morning, Daryl the CEO of the multi-tech company strode confidently into the building, his assistants following closely behind him. He wore a bespoke tailored suit.

As he stepped into the lobby, he was met with the hushed murmurs of his employees, who had gathered to witness the arrival of their eye-catching leader.

   He surveyed the lobby and made his way through to the elevator. He nodded at his employees, acknowledging them as he passed by. His assistants followed him, carrying various documents and reports that he would need for the day.

  Chelsea chance getting a chance to work at the job was easier.

The CEO admired her and that didn't trigger her feelings because she wasn't ready to play love games