EMILY'S POVThe hotel hallway suddenly became quiet after the knock. My soul has frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs when I heard Chloe's voice from outside.I was resting on the door, unsure of my next line of action,my thoughts racing faster than a cheetahMy entire body tensed at the idea of her walking in and discovering me here, in Ethan’s suite. The last thing I wanted was for her to put two and two together.I held my breath for a few more moments, counting the seconds in my head as I waited for her footsteps to fade down the hallway. When the silence was absolute, I dared to open the door slightly, just enough to peek out. My heart still raced, but thankfully, the hallway was empty.That was too close.I closed the door quietly behind me, taking a deep, steadying breath. I needed to leave. I needed to get out of here before anything else happened, before Chloe came back or someone else discovered me. Ethan had given me access to his suite, but that didn’t mean I was supp
EMILY'S POVI froze, my phone pressed harder against my ears as Ethan's voice Ethan echoed in my head.For a moment I didn't know how to respond. I hoped they didn't hear his voice or know who I was talking to.My tongue felt heavy, my heart pounding loudly. I stared at Victoria, who was watching me closely with a smug expression on her face."I'll take my leave now," I said, turning my back at her as I clutched onto my bag and phone tighter. I got outside and reduced my pace."Emily," Ethan called again, his voice raspy.I walked out of the building, stepping on a pavement to wait for a cab."Yes," I finally answered, my voice low and steady.There was a brief silence on the other end before Ethan talked again. "You're ignoring me calls and kept my text messages on read. I guess that was deliberate," He said, frustration hinting in his voice mI swallowed hard, gripping my tote bag tighter against my side. "I was busy, and I needed some space for myself," I said, keeping my voice ste
EMILY’S POVI couldn't shake her words off my mind. They echoed in my head for minutes after I watch her leave to attend to other guest. Her calm but calculative voice played again and again in my head."You should be careful.""You know, sometimes people get a little... possessive about things.""If I were you, I wouldn’t be too quick to trust people easily before of their nice gestures. You never know who’s playing you.""Just don’t get too comfortable, Emily. People like you don’t always get the luxury of staying comfortable."Those words replayed in my head over and over countless times.Was that a warning? Or was it a cryptic code that I have to decode.I stood in front of the designs displayed, trying to focus on the clothes, the stitching, the fabrics bu
EMILY’S POVTwo invitations. Same day. Same night.And one of them came from the man who had kissed me like he meant it, but still hadn’t said how he truly felt.I read the message again.Then again.I didn’t know what I would say. I didn’t know what I would choose.When I see Ethan's text, asking me out for dinner on Saturday night, my stomach twisted.Two invitations. Same day. Same night.I picked up my phone and responded to the text. "What do you think of Friday night,""If it's fine by you," He texted back."Then I'd love that," I texted back, grimacing.Friday night arrived quicker than I had imagined. I wore a simple outfit....a deep navy dress that hugged my body frame, with a soft makeup, and my hair curled. I dressed to l
EMILY’S POVI felt relieved when Mara introduced herself. Her presence felt like a gift to me. After she had introduced herself as one of the designers for Vera label, her contagious smile and bubble attitude made me realize that she's not a nervous newcomer.With her around, my time at Vera label won't be boring.An hour later, the designers were ushered into a meeting room. There were mannequins in the room and I gaze at it as I looked at the fabrics worn on itLiana, Vera label's brand lead stepped into the room and everyone stared at her, curiosity shining in the eyes."Thank you all for coming tonight," Liana began, her eyes darting at each of us. "We have seen your portfolio and I would say we are very impressed. Now we are ready to move onto the next agenda,"She paused, taking her lower lips in, and we waited patiently for her to spill the full
EMILY’S POVThe next day, my pencil swung as I sat on the floor. The television was on and music was playing. Papers were littered on the floor.I adjusted the pencil that held and gazed at my sketching. The sketching outline of a coat inspired by the theme of reinvention. The challenge brought out a new side and I'm happy a double mind with Victoria being my instructor.I told Olivia about it and she wasn't expecting a development. I let her know that I wasn't aware that Victoria was a fashion designer. I had thought she was just a digital influencer and maybe a CEO of a big industry not knowing she's a fashion designer.Olivia laughed at me as she told him to always stay updated.As I was shading the lapel, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen to see a message from Camille."Hey Emily, I was wondering if we could meet today. I have something I'd l
EMILY’S POVI stood in front of the room in my bedroom, adjusting the sleeve of blue blouse. I paired it with a baggy jeans and minimal makeup. I dressed well because I didn't want to give Victoria any reason to say any cryptic word at me.Victoria had texted me last night, asking me to come to her office to go over my ideas for the new design project.I wasn't expecting a project nor Vera label to collaborate with high profile fashion figures. I didn't even know that Victoria was a fashion designer, I never imagined her to be one.I stepped inside her office, and the interiors were screaming, class, elegance and power. Clean white walls, Glass shelves filled with awards, neatly arranged sketches on corkboard. A large window over looked the street below.Victoria stood from her desk when I entered. She wore a black silk blouse tucked into a fitted pencil skirt, her ha
EMILY’S POVThe ride to my home was silent, the busy light in the streets passed by like a film I couldn't focus on.My thoughts replayed my encounter in Victoria's office. Her cold eyes, her words cutting through my confidence and the sight of her kissing and hugging Ethan in front of me felt as if my world had turned upside down.When I reached home, I settled the driver and went inside my apartment. I dropped my tote bag on the table as I sank on the couch. I pulled out my sketchbook and clip through the pages. My designs that once felt like a dream come true, a hope now looks like an evidence of a testament of failure.The way she began crossing out some of the sketches. Big, bold X’s across the designs I had spent all night perfecting made my stomach to tightened and the energy in me died instantly.I need a fresh air, I need to clear my mind. I grabb
EMILY’S POVThe ride to my home was silent, the busy light in the streets passed by like a film I couldn't focus on.My thoughts replayed my encounter in Victoria's office. Her cold eyes, her words cutting through my confidence and the sight of her kissing and hugging Ethan in front of me felt as if my world had turned upside down.When I reached home, I settled the driver and went inside my apartment. I dropped my tote bag on the table as I sank on the couch. I pulled out my sketchbook and clip through the pages. My designs that once felt like a dream come true, a hope now looks like an evidence of a testament of failure.The way she began crossing out some of the sketches. Big, bold X’s across the designs I had spent all night perfecting made my stomach to tightened and the energy in me died instantly.I need a fresh air, I need to clear my mind. I grabb
EMILY’S POVI stood in front of the room in my bedroom, adjusting the sleeve of blue blouse. I paired it with a baggy jeans and minimal makeup. I dressed well because I didn't want to give Victoria any reason to say any cryptic word at me.Victoria had texted me last night, asking me to come to her office to go over my ideas for the new design project.I wasn't expecting a project nor Vera label to collaborate with high profile fashion figures. I didn't even know that Victoria was a fashion designer, I never imagined her to be one.I stepped inside her office, and the interiors were screaming, class, elegance and power. Clean white walls, Glass shelves filled with awards, neatly arranged sketches on corkboard. A large window over looked the street below.Victoria stood from her desk when I entered. She wore a black silk blouse tucked into a fitted pencil skirt, her ha
EMILY’S POVThe next day, my pencil swung as I sat on the floor. The television was on and music was playing. Papers were littered on the floor.I adjusted the pencil that held and gazed at my sketching. The sketching outline of a coat inspired by the theme of reinvention. The challenge brought out a new side and I'm happy a double mind with Victoria being my instructor.I told Olivia about it and she wasn't expecting a development. I let her know that I wasn't aware that Victoria was a fashion designer. I had thought she was just a digital influencer and maybe a CEO of a big industry not knowing she's a fashion designer.Olivia laughed at me as she told him to always stay updated.As I was shading the lapel, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen to see a message from Camille."Hey Emily, I was wondering if we could meet today. I have something I'd l
EMILY’S POVI felt relieved when Mara introduced herself. Her presence felt like a gift to me. After she had introduced herself as one of the designers for Vera label, her contagious smile and bubble attitude made me realize that she's not a nervous newcomer.With her around, my time at Vera label won't be boring.An hour later, the designers were ushered into a meeting room. There were mannequins in the room and I gaze at it as I looked at the fabrics worn on itLiana, Vera label's brand lead stepped into the room and everyone stared at her, curiosity shining in the eyes."Thank you all for coming tonight," Liana began, her eyes darting at each of us. "We have seen your portfolio and I would say we are very impressed. Now we are ready to move onto the next agenda,"She paused, taking her lower lips in, and we waited patiently for her to spill the full
EMILY’S POVTwo invitations. Same day. Same night.And one of them came from the man who had kissed me like he meant it, but still hadn’t said how he truly felt.I read the message again.Then again.I didn’t know what I would say. I didn’t know what I would choose.When I see Ethan's text, asking me out for dinner on Saturday night, my stomach twisted.Two invitations. Same day. Same night.I picked up my phone and responded to the text. "What do you think of Friday night,""If it's fine by you," He texted back."Then I'd love that," I texted back, grimacing.Friday night arrived quicker than I had imagined. I wore a simple outfit....a deep navy dress that hugged my body frame, with a soft makeup, and my hair curled. I dressed to l
EMILY’S POVI couldn't shake her words off my mind. They echoed in my head for minutes after I watch her leave to attend to other guest. Her calm but calculative voice played again and again in my head."You should be careful.""You know, sometimes people get a little... possessive about things.""If I were you, I wouldn’t be too quick to trust people easily before of their nice gestures. You never know who’s playing you.""Just don’t get too comfortable, Emily. People like you don’t always get the luxury of staying comfortable."Those words replayed in my head over and over countless times.Was that a warning? Or was it a cryptic code that I have to decode.I stood in front of the designs displayed, trying to focus on the clothes, the stitching, the fabrics bu
EMILY'S POVI froze, my phone pressed harder against my ears as Ethan's voice Ethan echoed in my head.For a moment I didn't know how to respond. I hoped they didn't hear his voice or know who I was talking to.My tongue felt heavy, my heart pounding loudly. I stared at Victoria, who was watching me closely with a smug expression on her face."I'll take my leave now," I said, turning my back at her as I clutched onto my bag and phone tighter. I got outside and reduced my pace."Emily," Ethan called again, his voice raspy.I walked out of the building, stepping on a pavement to wait for a cab."Yes," I finally answered, my voice low and steady.There was a brief silence on the other end before Ethan talked again. "You're ignoring me calls and kept my text messages on read. I guess that was deliberate," He said, frustration hinting in his voice mI swallowed hard, gripping my tote bag tighter against my side. "I was busy, and I needed some space for myself," I said, keeping my voice ste
EMILY'S POVThe hotel hallway suddenly became quiet after the knock. My soul has frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs when I heard Chloe's voice from outside.I was resting on the door, unsure of my next line of action,my thoughts racing faster than a cheetahMy entire body tensed at the idea of her walking in and discovering me here, in Ethan’s suite. The last thing I wanted was for her to put two and two together.I held my breath for a few more moments, counting the seconds in my head as I waited for her footsteps to fade down the hallway. When the silence was absolute, I dared to open the door slightly, just enough to peek out. My heart still raced, but thankfully, the hallway was empty.That was too close.I closed the door quietly behind me, taking a deep, steadying breath. I needed to leave. I needed to get out of here before anything else happened, before Chloe came back or someone else discovered me. Ethan had given me access to his suite, but that didn’t mean I was supp
EMILY'S POVThe morning light filtered in softly through the curtains, casting reflection across the room. My eyes flickered open, blinking multiple times as I stretched my soul and body. I could feel Ethan's arm around my chest, his chest rising and falling in rhythm. The faint scent of his cologne still lingered in the air as his arms made me feel safe, comfortable.....secured, almost like we are the only one on earth.I shifted and turned to face him. His dark hair tousled from sleep. I smiled softly, taking in the sight of him. He looks so at peace, vulnerable in a way that he didn't let anyone see. My fingers trace the contours of his face.Ethan stirred, blinking his eyes as it met mine. There was that look in his eyes, something deep and unspoken, like there was so much he wanted to say but for some reason he didn't."Good morning," I whispered, my voice thick with sleep."Morning," He replied, his voice low and rough. He reached out, pulling me closer as his lips find it way o