SHATTERED ILLUSION

Chapter four

Everything was ruined.

I knelt there, staring at my ruined dress, silent tears streaming down my face in waves.

“What the hell…..” Rob exclaimed from behind me. He rushes towards me, gently helping me stand up. “What happened?”

“I don’t know, I came back from looking for the models, and I found my dress like this. Who could be so cruel to do something like this to me.” I wailed out.

“Okay, you are not going to let this stop anything. The team is beautiful elegance. Luckily whoever did this was in a hurry, so they didn’t destroy the top of the dress just the down. short gown can also be elegant too,” Rob says, inspecting my ruined dress.

He turned towards me, crouching down. “Look at me Susan. You worked hard to be here, are you going to let some stupid jealous brat destroy everything? I doubt it. Now wipe your tears and think. They are currently at number 6 if I am not mistaken. You have enough time to work something out ok.”

I stared at Rob, at the determined expression on his face.

Nodding my head, I wiped my tears, turning to stare at my dress.

He was right. Whoever did this didn’t destroy the upper part, I could work with that.

Standing up, I walked towards the dummy, tearing the lower part of the dress completely.

“What number are you?” I asked Rob.

“Number 20. I am sorry, I have to leave you. Don’t give up ok? After all this is done we are going to report this incident to Mrs Catherine. The model, were you able to get anyone?”

“No, but don’t worry I have it all figured out. Thanks for checking up on me, I needed the push.”

Rob nodded, before running out of the hall.

Quickly I got to work. I did some touch ups, adding a few different coloured materials at the edges of my now short dress to give it that chic elegant look.

I checked my watch, biting my lips at the time.

I packed my hair up, applied a little concealer and lipstick, before putting on my dress.

The dress fit me to perfection, hugging my curves perfectly. It wasn’t as grand as my first dress, but still it was perfect.

I walked out of the hall, my head raised high.

Whoever destroyed my dress had another thing coming if they thought this was the end for me.

Number 56 please step forward Mrs Catherine announces, while students murmur at the sight of me.

“Wow, you clean up nice.” Rob teased, walking towards me.

“Thank you. How was your presentation?” I asked nervously.

“Simple and straightforward. But I must warn you since you are your own model. Don’t look at the crowd, keep your head high, ignore the flashing light.”

I nodded my head, running my hands nervously down my dress.

Soon enough my number was called.

I walked towards the entrance, breathing out slowly while also preparing myself like Rob had advised.

With boldness, I stepped forward, almost faltering at the crowd and blinding light.

With a soft smile on my face, I walked through the podium, my eyes straight.

I reached the end, paused, giving everyone enough time to properly see my design, and then I walked back.

Mrs Catherine motioned for me to wait, making my heart beat fast.

Had I broken the rules?

“Where is the designer?” She asked me quietly.

“I am the designer. I couldn’t find any model.”

Mrs Catherine smiled, nodding her head.

She handed the mic to me. “Please introduce yourself and your design.”

I took the mic shakily, my eyes wandering through the room, before finally landing on him.

Joseph Crown.

He was seated elegantly amidst two beautiful ladies, dressed in a blue tight fitting suit.

His dark hair was slicked back, showing his high cheekbones, his sharp blue eyes contributing to his sexy appearance.

I gulped, blinking fast.

“My name is Susan Jackson. I am the designer of this dress. The team was beautiful elegance, and while this wasn’t my first design, this dress was what I felt most comfortable in. Which also made me realize elegance is being comfortable in the cloth you find yourself in, and how you wear it. I hope wearing my design makes you comfortable and beautiful with yourself.”

After my little on the spot made up speech, applause rang out through the crowd.

I smiled, giving back the mic to Mrs Catherine.

“If I may ask, why those colors?” A thick deep voice spoke out through the crowd, commanding sudden quietness.

I turned towards where Mr Joseph was sitting, his blue eyes staring intently at me.

“Honestly, I was in a hurry. But moreover, the color caught my attention.”

Laughter rang out through the crowd, and my legs shook slightly from embarrassment.

I shouldn’t have just blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. Now I sounded like a fool, a designer that doesn’t think before marching colors.

Mr Joseph nodded his head, dismissing me. And with the silent nod from Mrs Catherine, I was out of there, almost tripping in my haste.

“Geez, I can't believe Mr Joseph took his time to ask you a question," Amelia says, stopping in front of me. “What, did you finally beg my daddy to use his connections?”

I rolled my eyes, sidestepping her but Amelia blocked my path again. “So, I am right. I knew you and your mother were the same, money hungry mongrels. I know you are only here because of my daddy connection. And with what I just saw, you wouldn’t last a week here. If you know what’s good for you, then you better quit.”

“Hey Susan. What’s going on?” Rob asked, breaking the staring match between me and Amelia.

“Nothing.” I say, smiling to hide how upset I was.

Before I could move away from her, Amelia leaned forward, whispering in my ear.

“If you tell anyone that I am related in any way to you, then this world will be a terrible place for you to exist in.”

She smiled sweetly at Rob, before walking off.

“Who was that?” Rob asked, staring at Amelia's retreating figure.

“Nobody, forget about it. Anyways, why didn’t you tell me they were going to ask questions, especially Mr Joseph.” I joked, lightly hitting Rob’s arm.

Rob shrugged. “The questions were simple. But as for Mr Joseph, you were the only one he asked a question.”

“What!! Really?”

Rob nodded, walking back towards the main hall.

I followed behind him, my mind in turmoil.

I know I had specifically asked Mr Richard not to use his connections.

But still, could he have done it behind my back, a way to make up for Amelia’s actions?

I looked down at my dress, Amelia’s words twisting maliciously inside my brain, wiping whatever happiness I had felt earlier.