*Stella's pov:"
As Shawn dropped me off, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. The one person I least wanted to see was standing right in front of the door, his imposing figure radiating an aura of command. I thought he had multiple offices scattered across the city, so why did he choose to come here today?
The memory of our kiss flashed through my mind, but I quickly pushed it aside. Not now, brain. Focus. I took a deep breath, smoothed my expression, and walked towards them with professional poise. "Good morning, Master Adrian and Federick."
Federick returned my greeting with a polite "Morning." But all I got from Adrian was a fleeting glance before he continued talking with Federick, his expression unreadable. I felt belittled, a slight pang pricking at my heart. Acting like I didn't care about his response, I told myself I truly didn't. But the sting of his indifference lingered.
Pushing the encounter to the back of my mind, I made my way to my office, determined to focus on my work and leave the awkwardness with Adrian behind...
As I strode towards the Managing Director's office, my heels clicking on the polished marble floor, I couldn't help but steal a glance at David, the MD. He was surprisingly young and handsome, with broad shoulders that seemed chiseled from granite, and piercing blue eyes that sparkled with warmth. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored suit accentuated his athletic build. After exchanging brief greetings, I dropped my resume on his desk, feeling a sense of nervousness wash over me. But his warm smile and soothing voice put me at ease, making our interaction a pleasant one. With a friendly goodbye, I left for my office as directed by David, feeling grateful to have connected with someone amidst the sea of serious faces.
I made my way to my new office, my eyes scanning the elegant space. The walls were painted a soothing shade of cream, and the large windows offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The room was filled with natural light, illuminating the sleek, modern furniture and the vibrant colors of the fashion designs that adorned the walls.
As I sat in my chair, I felt a sense of ease wash over me. My office was a fashion designer's paradise, with racks of exquisite fabrics, shelves lined with fashion books and magazines, and a large, wooden desk in the center of the room, covered in sketches, patterns, and designs. There was a vintage sewing machine in the corner, and a mannequin stood tall, dressed in a stunning evening gown. The walls were adorned with inspirational quotes, fashion photographs, and colorful textiles.
But my mind began to wander, drifting back to Master Adrian and our encounter. Was he trying to pretend the kiss and everything that happened at the competition meant nothing to him? Or was I overthinking it? Maybe it truly meant nothing to him. After all, he didn't seem like someone who'd care about someone like me. I thought about his chiseled features, his piercing eyes, and his strong jawline. I remembered the way he'd kissed me, with a passion and intensity that had left me breathless.
I pushed the thoughts aside, deciding to forget the whole ordeal and act like it never happened. Just then, a loud knock on my door snapped me back to reality. "Come in!" I called out, a bit louder than intended. A lady with a stack of papers in her hands entered, her expression professional. "Good morning, Miss Hornwell. Mr. Huston asked me to drop off these files on your desk. They need to be submitted today before evening, ma'am.".....
After making her statement, the lady left hurriedly, leaving me wondering if I was being picked on. I shook off the feeling and dived into the files, which contained rough sketches of designs, mainly female wear. My task was to create more defined and polished sketches from the descriptions and rough drafts. I got to work, carefully noting down the materials needed and other details. Time flew by as I became immersed in my work.
Just as I was making progress, I heard a knock on my door. It was David, the MD, who had come to ask me out to lunch. I declined, feeling a bit overwhelmed with my new responsibilities. David looked disappointed, but I promised to make it up to him soon.
Before I knew it, the lady who had brought the files earlier returned to inform me that Master Adrian was waiting for my work. I still had two designs to complete, and my heart began to race as I frantically worked to finish them. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the office, I finally gathered my papers and headed towards Master Adrian's office, my heels clicking on the polished floor.
The evening air was filled with the sound of rustling papers and the distant hum of computers shutting down. The office was quiet, with only a few stragglers remaining. I felt a sense of urgency as I made my way to Master Adrian's office, the clock on the wall ticking away.
On my way, I bumped into David, who apologized and helped me pick up my scattered files. He insisted on assisting me, and we walked together to Master Adrian's office. As we approached the door, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. David seemed to sense my nervousness and gave me a reassuring smile.
We knocked on the door, and Master Adrian's low, commanding voice bade us enter. As we stepped inside, I felt a chill run down my spine. Master Adrian's piercing gaze seemed to bore into my soul, and his chiseled features appeared even more formidable in the dimly lit room.
The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the desk lamp, casting a warm glow over Master Adrian's face. He looked up at us, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in our presence.
"Any problem?" he asked, his brows arched up in inquiry, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at David. David shook his head, trying not to stutter. I quickly took the remaining papers from David. "Thanks for your help, David. I can take it from here."
David smiled and bid Master Adrian goodbye before leaving us alone. I cleared my throat, trying to composed myself. "Here are the completed designs," I said, trying to sound confident, but my voice trembled slightly.
Master Adrian ignored my question and walked towards me, his eyes locked on mine. He moved with a fluid grace, his broad shoulders rolling with each step. I felt my heart skip a beat as he approached me, his presence overwhelming.
"You guys are already on a first-name basis, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with amusement, his eyes glinting with a hint of mockery. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized he was referring to David.
"We just met," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice came out a bit too high. Master Adrian raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical.
"I see," he said, his voice low and husky. "Well, I suppose it's good that you're making friends quickly." His eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I met his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest....