Chapter 5 ~ Surprise Surprise

"Mom, please let me come with you!” Jasmine’s small hands clung to her arm, eyes teary as she pleaded. 

“Sweetheart, we talked about this. It’s better if Aunt Aria stays with you today. I’ll be back soon,” Scarlet replied gently, brushing a stray curl from her daughter's forehead. 

Jasmine pouted making Scarlet’s heart shred into pieces. She also wanted her daughter to tag along but she couldn’t.

What if she didn’t win and they were thrown out of the building? She had stayed up the previous night thinking of all possible scenarios and none of them ended with her walking out with a smile on her face.

‘Then why are you going?’ An annoying voice taunted her.

‘Because I’m desperate and I can’t mooch off Aria forever!’ She snapped.

“Mama?” Jasmine’s melodic voice voice pulled her back. 

“Yes, honey.”

“Are you going to wear that makeup, Mama? You look beautiful, but it has changed your face!” Jasmine pointed out, making Aria laugh so loudly that she choked on her coffee.

“Mama just wanted to try something a little different, Don’t you like it?”  

Jasmine smiled, showing her gaps where her front teeth were missing, “I do, you look so pretty!” 

“All the best girlfriend. I know you’ve got this!” Aria walked forward and hugged her before picking up Jasmine.

“Thanks, Babe, Are you sure this makeup has given me a new look?” Scarlet asked.

“Well, you heard it from the little angel. We would walk right past you at the mall!” Aria responded making Scarlet smile as she sighed in relief.

The last thing she wanted was for an old friend or worse, anyone from the Black Enterprise to recognize her!

With one last hug, she pulled away and left, she had settled for a simple black dress with cute pumps that she had kept for a special occasion. The makeup was a disguise that would feel like an armor and seeing Jasmine’s reaction, she must have delivered!

---

At the competition venue, Scarlet stood in the back, not wanting to attract any attention as she held onto her small bag like it was her lifeline. 

She swept her eyes over the room and noticed that the others were mingling and chatting away without a care in the world.

‘Am I the only one here because of the pressure I have?’ The thought crossed her.

The rest seemed too carefree to depend on the prize as their lifeline but again, people were pretenders and you never truly knew. 

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Amanda’s voice came through the speakers, pulling her out of her thoughts “Today is a special day! We have been searching for new faces to work with and we’ve seen such incredible works from you all. We appreciate your interest but unfortunately, only one of you can walk away with the first prize, However, we still have some prizes for those who showed the most potential!”

Rounds of applause could be heard as cheers went on before Amanda continued, “ Without wasting anyone’s time, we are glad to announce that the new face of Black Enterprise who will walk away with a one-year contract and $300,000 is…..”  She paused and studied the faces as suspense music played in the background. 

Scarlet held her breath, her fingers clenched tight around the strap of her bag. The room was silent, each heartbeat echoing in her ears.

“Number 1020, Scarlet Frost!!”

A collective gasp filled the room, followed by applause. It took her a second to realize that she was “Scarlet Frost” But before she could make her way up, the security guy blocked her way.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He hissed.

Scarlet took out her ID and waved it in his face, “To get my award of course!” She brushed past him leaving the girls who mocked her even more furious!

How could someone who looked like her design something so beautiful?

Behind Amanda, was a huge screen of what Scarlet had designed and everyone gasped. 

Amanda saw Scarlet walk up the stage with hesitation. 

It wasn’t what she was expecting but no one would have entered the hall unless they were verified. 

Slowly, Scarlet made her way to the stage, keeping her head down.

As she walked up the stairs she could hear whispers, “Who’s that?” 

“She doesn’t look like a designer,” another voice murmured.

But she ignored them, her knees felt weak and she was still unable to believe she had won such an amount of money. It would change their lives forever and maybe she could finally move here and open her own little shop. 

With a pounding heart, she walked over to where Amanda was waiting while the board had made a line for her to shake their hands before finally collecting the prize. 

“Just take the award and leave. No one recognizes you. No one has to recognize you.” She chanted in her mind. 

But before Amanda could speak to her, Kai walked over the stage quickly and whispered something in her ear. 

Amanda nodded as they asked Scarlet to stand where she was. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have exciting news! The CEO himself, Mr. Black will be presenting the first Prize!”

A loud applause roared as Scarlet felt her breath hitch as she braced herself, thinking she was finally going to meet the famous Micheal. The eldest son of the Black family.

But her heart jumped to her throat as her eyes landed on Ocean blue eyes that walked on stage.

Perfectly combed hair with a few locks on his face. Well fitted suit that showed his defined muscles and a face to die for. High cheekbones, sharp jawlines, and beautiful eyebrows that she loved so much.

It wasn’t Micheal who walked on stage, It was Easton!

She must have zoned out because he was suddenly in front of her, his voice was flat as he spoke, “Congratulations, Miss Frost.” 

Scarlet blinked, as she realized he didn’t remember her. 

She should have been relieved, but she only felt her heart squeez painfully.

Had she meant nothing to him?

“Miss Frost?” Amanda called out making her snap back to reality, 

“Oh..uhm.. Sorry. Thank you.” She shook his hand.

The moment their hands touched it felt like she had been electrocuted and pulled back fast. Her heart was pounding and sweat was on her forehead as she leveled her breathing.

Amanda guided her to where the rest stood and she had to fight the urge to look back so she could look at Easton one last time as she wondered when things changed and when he became the CEO because she knew better than anyone how much he hated that position.

A few minutes later, she stepped into the elevator so she could go home. The building felt like it was sucking all the air out of her lungs and it was getting harder to breathe. 

She was about to press the button when a hand passed through the space and the door opened... 

Scarlet's eyes shot up, and there he was. 

Easton.

He was now looking even taller now that they were standing so close. 

She breathed in and shrank behind in a corner thinking he was just going down like she was.

It was his building after all.

But her heart stopped when his deep voice finally broke the silence.

“Long time, no see, Scarlet.”