"It's a tie... So, what do the judges say about this?" Felicia turned to the panel of judges, who were all looking between Cassia and the other participant. Liam and Martinez exchanged glances with Mr. Alvarez, who inhaled deeply as if weighing what to say. The big hall was filled with excitement a
The participants gathered in the workshop, each holding their designs with them. Cassia set her sketch and drafted patterns on the table, her mind busy with ideas for the next phase. She stood with the other contestants, waiting for instructions, while those who had been eliminated began leaving—exc
Cassia offered a soft smile, already knowing Samantha was here to mock her—just like always. But Cassia wasn’t ready to back down. She wasn’t going to tolerate any more insults from her. "I didn’t realize the contest was looking for something... different this year," Samantha said with a pointed t
Nora's eyes returned to the designs in front of her, a slight smile forming on her lips. "What about something simple yet difficult? I'm eager to see who will actually become the face of the design world this time around," she muttered, rising to her feet. A small smile lingered on her lips as she
"It's chilly outside," his voice came through gently. "But, can you come out for a bit?" He asked, and once again, silence took over. Cassia raised a brow, wondering if he’d hit his head. The gentleness in his tone was unfamiliar. Before she could respond or break the silence, Darvan spoke again.
Felicia gave a final smile and turned to the remaining participants. "Good luck with the competition," she said warmly. "Thank you," they replied with a nod as Felicia left with Damien. Aliyah’s gaze remained fixed on the piece of paper detailing the design type, fabrics, and theme to be used. S
"I.. won?" She murmured in disbelief, blinking as if she couldn't believe her ears. Adeline’s eyes burned with fury as she glared at Cassia during the announcement of the competition results. Her expression darkened as cheers erupted from the crowd, and quiet whispers filled the room. Other contest
Cassia stood on the stage, her heart swelling with a mix of triumph and relief as the judges took turns offering their congratulations. Each word of praise felt like a warm embrace, validating not only her talent but the long, difficult journey that led to this moment. "Your innovation and craftsma
Cassia furrowed her brows at Darvan, wondering what was going through his head. Darvan, kneeling just a step away, met her gaze with desperation in his eyes. "When will it get it into your head that I’ve moved on?" Cassia asked gently, her voice steady. "What do you expect my fiancé to do? Appl
Darvan sat in the airplane, gripping his phone tightly. The video of Cassia and Martinez kissing played on repeat, again and again. "Welcome to Paris. The local time is 8:35 PM." The moment the plane landed, he grabbed his suitcase and left, heading straight to where his car was waiting. As soon
Cassia stood beside Martinez, her hand in his. Cameras flashed, and reporters shouted questions. She still felt the warmth of Martinez’s lips from the kiss. It had happened so fast, and now everyone believed they were in love. This was the second time they had shared such a passionate moment, and
Darvan clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around his phone. What was going on? Why in the world were Martinez and Cassia kissing so passionately on screen? Were they really a thing? A flood of thoughts raced through Darvan’s mind, and his irritation grew. Justin sat frozen, his phone still in h
"What should we do?" Cassia asked, moving toward the window, trying to get a glimpse of what was happening outside. "Just follow my lead, alright?" Martinez replied. Before Cassia could process his words, a sudden commotion outside the building made her heart skip a beat. Martinez’s grip on his p
"Mom—" Cassia started, but her mother cut her off, making her inhale quietly. "That amount shouldn't be hard to get, right? I promise this is the last time. My boutique just needs a few more items," her mother said. Cassia's grip tightened around the phone. She said nothing. What was she suppose
Mr. Jenkins and his wife sat in their living room that evening, watching the replayed news on their screen. The screen displayed a picture of Cassia and Martinez, from the announcement of their engagement to a photo that made it look like they were kissing. "This news has been circulating for two
He turned to Cassia, a smile playing on his lips. "Do you want this place?" Cassia blinked in shock. "What?!" What was Martinez doing? Why was he putting her on the spot like this? Ignoring her stunned expression, Martinez simply smiled before turning to Evans. "You can leave now," he said.
—THE FOLLOWING MORNING. Martinez stood outside his car, leaning against the door as he waited for Cassia. The moment she stepped out of her apartment building, he smirked. "You packed light," he said, eyeing the single suitcase she dragged behind her. "I don’t plan on staying forever," she repl