An unexpected victory, and an incredible actor

Ashley’s POV

Someone grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me so violently that my teeth clatter together, and then the person hugs me tightly, snapping me back to reality. It is Janet who’s hugging me, and she’s screaming very loudly.

“You won! You won, girl! I told you that price was yours! Jeff Wilson just mentioned your name as the winner! Oh, my goodness!” She screams at me, while I stare at her dumbfounded as she continues to scream.

Aurora, too, is clapping excitedly and pulling on my dress. The other people in the audience are also clapping, and all eyes are on me.

It is then that the last sentence Jeff said registers in my head, and I realize that yes, he did mention my name at the end of his little speech, but I was still too disturbed by his presence here to fully process what that meant.

Suddenly, a spotlight shines over me, illuminating me, and people with cameras appear in front of me seemingly out of nowhere, with their cameras flashing as they click away, taking pictures and videos of me.

I sit there wide-eyed in stunned disbelief, not knowing what to do with myself. I’ve never found myself in this sort of situation, so I'm at a loss as to what to do.

“Smile, Ashley! Smile! What the hell is wrong with you? There are cameras on you. Smile and wave a little.” Janet whispers urgently, nudging me quite hard, and finally it sinks in for good this time around.

As though on autopilot, I do as she asks, forcing a smile onto my face, but I'm sure that the smile looks forced and unnatural.

“Can Ms. Ashley stand up so the audience can see her?” Jeff requests.

I stand up on shaky legs and smile again, but this time around, the smile feels more genuine. I won the grand prize!

I was the best over several well-known fashion designers, some of whom have even won some smaller contests before; meanwhile, I've never participated in or won anything in my entire life!

I am now a hundred thousand dollars richer, whereas just minutes before, I was in debt, but even better than that, I’m going to get immediate employment, with mouthwatering benefits.

The only problem with this is that my new boss is the same man who shattered my heart to pieces. The same man whom I prayed never to have to see in my life ever again … the same man who was the reason why I left this city years ago in the first instance.

This and many more are what are on my mind as the ceremony continues. The more I think about it, the more I regret participating in the competition.

If only I had thought to find out who this mysterious CEO was before now, but then, even if I knew it was Jeff, would I have allowed the opportunity of a lifetime to pass me by, just because of that? I don’t know the answer to that.

Finally, it is time for me to receive the award and the check, and Jeff comes on stage again. My heart, which has settled down, begins to beat fast again, because I'm going to have to walk up to that stage, shake hands with him, and collect my award. Oh, God!

“Earlier this evening, we announced the winner of the grand prize for this event. Now, it is time to officially present the award. Please join me to welcome back to the spotlight with a round of applause, our winner, Ms. Ashley Hunt.” Jeff says in that voice that I remember so well … that voice that has haunted my sleep for years, and still continues to do so.

I rise mechanically and walk to the stage as people clap and music plays softly in the background. Would Jeff be sorry for what he did to me, or will he pretend that it never happened?

Hell, would he even recognize me when I get up close and we're face-to-face? This was sure as hell not the way I was imagining that we would reunite if we ever met again.

What if he recognizes me when I go on stage, gets pissed that I’m the winner of the contest, regrets giving me the first position, and decides to humiliate me in front of everyone?

He has shown me how callous and unfeeling he can be, as well as how much he hates me, years ago, after all. I begin to hope fervently that he won't recognize me.

I’ll take my prize and leave this city, never to be seen again. I’ll even forfeit the employment that comes with the award, and instead, use the prize money to establish myself, so I don’t have to endure this asshole’s smugness.

Finally, I reach the stage, and then everything happens so quickly. Jeff smiles at me and stretches forth his hands for a handshake, but his eyes remain blank, as though I’m someone he’s just meeting for the first time this evening.

He doesn’t recognize me! I nearly sag from relief, but I comport myself, smile back at him, and graciously accept my reward. I'm feeling bolder and more confident now.

“Congratulations, ma’am.” He tells me pleasantly.

He's no longer with the microphone, because he has stepped away from the podium to take pictures with me, so his congratulations are for my ears only.

“Thank you, sir. I’m very honored to have received this award.” I reply.

I’m proud of myself to find that my voice is strong. The photographers continue to take photos of us, and I smile, but inwardly, I can't wait for this to be over so Jeff can release my hand, which he’s still shaking for the pictures, and I can go back to my seat.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, it’s time for me to take my leave and go back to my seat so the ceremony can round off.

Jeff releases my hand, gives me one last smile, and as he does so, I suddenly realize that I’ve been deluding myself this whole time, or perhaps, he’s just a really good actor.

Just as I make to turn to leave, he winks at me, opens his mouth, and utters five words that cause me to stumble, and my heart, which had calmed down, immediately starts pounding again.

“Long time, no see, Ashley.” He says softly.