SHATTERED ILLUSION

Chapter three

I slam into a thick object, my notes and bag flying from my hands.

I breathe out, thankful that the bag containing my dress for my first test wasn’t damaged.

Before I could bend down, strong muscled hands were already helping me pick up my belongings.

“Oh my, thank you very much.” i gushed out, looking up and freezing at the sight of the handsome blonde haired man standing in front of me.

I swallowed, beads of sweat rolling down my back.

“It’s fine, I wasn’t looking at where I was going. Here,” he says, giving me my stuffs. “You seem to be in a hurry.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, blushing as I collected my stuffs from him.

“No problem.” He says.

I turned, walking fast to catch up with the already closing elevator.

“Hey…, hold on.” I shouted, waving at the lady inside the elevator. She pressed it thankfully, allowing me inside, along with the blonde guy from before.

I checked my wrist watch, sighing out in relief.

I was 10 minutes early. Which was way more better than being late for my first day of school or learning whichever.

I stare at the bag of clothes in my hand, wondering if the design I had chosen as my first introduction to my physical work was best.

The email stated that we would be showcasing our designs, and I was beyond nervous.

I tap my foot repeatedly, urging the elevator to go faster.

“Which floor?” the blonde boy asked, leaning towards me a bit.

“Hummm. Floor 5.”

“Really, me too. Are you here for the Beautyspy program?”

“Yea, are you?” I asked back.

“Yea.” he says, chuckling. “My name is Robert, but you can call me Rob.”

“My name is Susan. Just Susan.”

Finally, we got to the 5th floor. A lady was sitting behind a desk, a computer in front of her.

I walked up to her, Rob behind me.

“Hello, my name is Susan Jackson. I am here for the Beautyspy program.”

She stares up at me. “Submit your printed application, and then walk through the door by your right.”

Me and Rob did as told, before entering through the door at our right.

And dare I say it, it was beautiful.

Different students were mingling about, some discussing whith friends and so on.

I quickly took my seat, smiling at Rob as he also sat beside me.

It’s too early to say, but I might have made my first friend.

“Where is your design?” I asked Rob.

“Yea, about that. I don’t have one. I am just going to skip this stage.”

“Isn’t that like against the rules or something?” I asked him, frowning a bit.

“We will see.” he says simply, just as loud laughter rang out in front of me.

I looked towards the direction, raising my eyebrows slightly at the sight of Amelia and some groups of girls peeking at their designs then laughing at something Amelia says.

Looking at her, she really looked like a delicate doll.

Too bad she was a spoiled, nasty brat.

A woman walked towards the stage, lightly tapping the mic in front of her,

Quickly, everyone took their seat, the hall suddenly quiet.

“Welcome everyone. My name is Catherine Wolf. Today officially begins the beginning of a new era and opportunities at Beautyspy. Courtesy of our CEO, the top twelve students will be given automatic entry into our company.”

“Through this program, we want to give you the opportunity to showcase your talent, prove why you want to work with us. During this program, opportunities will be presented to audition for other fashion shows our company will be hosting, and of course the winner get to work with brands, celebrities and win prizes.”

“Now, each of you will be assigned a model, you have two hours to redesign, do and undo whatever you feel doesn’t align with your design. And then, the show start.”

“Less I forgot, today our CEO will be attending this fashion show, so do your best. Good luck”

Immediately she got off stage, murmuring filled the hall, different students mingling about.

I turned towards Rob. “Did you know something like this was going to happen? Is that why you didn’t bring any design?”

“I didn’t know, thankfully I could create something in two hours. Let’s go, I wanna choose my model.”

I follow Rob, walking towards a door different students had been going through.

Inside was another hall, only this one was way way bigger, with tiny stalls for each of us to do our thing.

Different models were standing around, waiting to be chosen.

I took the stall closest to me, dropping my stuff. I rubbed my arms, checking out the stall. It had a golden dummy, with different materials and everything else i needed to make a quick, simple, but eye catching dress.

According to the rules and the instructions. It didn’t necessarily need to be a full dress, especially since we were not given enough time. But it should match the team for this week. “Beautiful elegance”

I sat down on the chair, bringing out everything I needed. My design was one I already had, and had prepared a long time ago.

I snatched it up immediately I read the email, since it fits the team.

But now, I could properly go over the design again, retouch it a bit, especially since Joseph Crown himself would be at the event.

Carefully, I brought out my dress, wearing it on the dummy.

And then, without trying to be obvious, I silently looked at other’s designs.

They were beautiful, the colors mixture, everything.

I stared at my dress, suddenly finding fault with everything, anxiety almost choking me.

I got to work, cutting and rearranging my design.

I don’t know how long I worked, but Rob’s voice made me finally lift my head up.

“That is absolutely beautiful.” Rob mutters from behind me.

I blushed, staring at my design. I don’t want to be pompous or anything of that sort, but I honestly agreed with him. I had done my absolute best.

“Thank you. Where is your stall?” I asked him, looking around.

Rob pointed to the stall a bit off from mine.

I nodded, stretching my back a bit. “Are you done with your design?”

“Yea, it wasn’t anything too hard, I mean the team is pretty simple. Have you chose your model? I heard the models left are already going back.”

“Oh my Goodness.” I cried out, straining my neck towards the now empty spot where the models were clustered before.

“What am I going to do?” I mutter, running my hands through my hair.

“If you run now, you might catch a few of them. We have 20 minutes before the show starts.”

“Thanks Rob.” i shout, running out from my stall, towards the direction Rob pointed at.

I searched everywhere, but I was too late. The models were gone already. I had been too engrossed in redesigning and perfecting my work, I had completely forgotten about selecting the model to actually showcase the said work.

All designers, the event will be starting in two minutes. I hope everyone of you is thoroughly prepared. If you are done, kindly move to the awaiting area with your selected model.

Each of you will be called out according to your application number.

I turned around, staring at the speaker announcing the same message over and over again.

According to the application, it didn’t say anything about me being my own model. Luckily, my dress was made with my size.

I turned, running back towards the hall where my dress was.

By the time I got there, after losing my way two times, long story.

The hall was already empty.

Thankfully according to my application number, I was number 58.

I walked towards my stall, smiling at my phone, the congratulatory message from my mother blaring on my screen.

I tucked my phone back into my pocket, freezing at the horrifying sight in front of me.

My dress, my beautiful dress I had spent hours working on was torn from different angles.

I ran towards the dummy, falling to my knees in despair as I picked up pieces of what once once my beautiful dress.

I raised my head up, looking around at the now empty hall.

Who could have done something this malicious?