My Sister Is The Best...

Alex was staring at her, his eyes filled with an emotion Elara couldn't quite identify.

Elara raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

Alex blinked as if he had just been pulled from a trance. Then, without warning, he burst into laughter. Trying to regain his composure, he stammered between chuckles, "Wh... at... you have taught me of? Ahh, do you think I’d fall for this kind of joke? Come on, Elara, I’m not that dumb."

Elara didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she smiled, her gaze softening. But inside, she whispered to herself, You are dumb, Alex, for not believing my words.

By the time they reached the office, the familiar buzz of workplace chatter surrounded them. Whispers and knowing glances followed their steps. News of Alex and Elara’s relationship had spread like wildfire, fueling envy among their colleagues. Their names were on everyone's lips—part admiration, part jealousy.

Elara quickly settled into her tasks, immersing herself in work to avoid the stares and whispered speculations. As she scanned through a report, a voice broke through her concentration.

"Good morning, ma'am."

Elara turned to see a young woman standing at her desk. She blinked, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. "You...?"

Before she could say more, their manager approached, his tone brisk but polite. "Ms. Elara, this is Ava Thornfield. She’ll be your new intern. I trust you’ll show her the ropes." He paused as if to let the name sink in. "Oh, and I almost forgot to mention—Ms. Ava Thornfield is the second daughter of the Thornfield family."

Elara’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her desk. The Thornfields. A name that carried weight, power, and an air of mystery. Just mentioning them could make heads turn.

Forcing a calm demeanor, Elara nodded. "Of course, I’ll take care of her."

The manager smiled, wished them both a good day and left.

As soon as he disappeared, Elara gathered a few files and turned to Ava, her tone professional but firm. "Ms. Thornfield, here are the files on the new projects the company is taking on. Review them thoroughly; we’ll discuss them later."

Ava nodded silently, her expression unreadable, and sat down to begin flipping through the documents.

Elara watched her for a moment, unease prickling at the back of her mind.

Shaking the thought away, Elara returned to her work.

After some time, Ava approached her. "Sorry to disturb you..."

Elara saw her face, turned back to her computer, and asked, "What?"

Ava hesitated, her brow furrowed as she pointed to the design on the blueprint in front of her. "I don’t understand this point. The space seems very small, and if we use this type of interior design, won’t it feel cramped? Wouldn’t another approach be better?"

Elara took a deep breath, glancing at the design Ava was referring to. She leaned closer, tracing a few lines on the blueprint with her finger.

"This room," Elara began patiently, "is designed for two kids. It serves dual purposes—a study area and a space for video games or recreational activities. While the space is compact, the design optimizes it efficiently to balance both privacy and functionality."

She pointed to the dividing line that split the room into two distinct sections. "Look here. This dividing partition ensures privacy. Each child gets their own designated space, preventing distractions while studying. It's not a full wall—it’s more like a functional divider. This way, light and air circulate freely while still offering a sense of separation."

She then moved her finger to the lower section of the blueprint. "For video games, the lower area is designed as a shared zone. This creates a collaborative space where they can unwind together. Notice how the furniture is modular and built-in? It saves floor space. For example, these pull-out chairs and foldable desks can be stowed away when not in use, making the room versatile for both activities."

Ava listened intently as Elara continued.

"Now, the doors. There are three, which might seem excessive at first glance, but they serve specific purposes. The first door leads directly to the boys’ room. This makes it easy for them to move between spaces without disturbing anyone else. The second door is the main entrance to the room from the hallway, ensuring easy access. And the third connects to the shared play area—this makes it easier for the kids to transition between the room and a larger recreational space without having to go around the house."

She paused and gestured at the color-coded design elements. "The colors and materials chosen here are kid-friendly—durable yet vibrant. The study area uses light, calming shades to improve focus, while the game zone features bright accents to inspire energy and creativity. The flooring is anti-slip vinyl, safe for kids, and easy to clean. The built-in shelves make storage manageable, keeping the space organized and clutter-free."

Elara leaned back and smiled. "Do you see now? This design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about functionality, ease of use, and creating an environment that supports both learning and play."

Ava looked at the blueprint again, her expression shifting to one of realization. "I get it now. The way the spaces flow into one another and the multi-purpose design do make the most of the small area. It’s quite clever."

Elara nodded, satisfied. "Exactly. Interior design isn’t just about how a room looks. It’s about how it works for the people using it."

Ava " I know that my sister is best."

Elara gave her a death look.