FATED TO BE STITCHED

"Jaxon, are you ready?" Gabriella's voice cut through Jaxon's thoughts as he stood by the judges' table. "We're about to start the final round."

Jaxon blinked, tearing his gaze away from Tori's designs. "Yes, just... give me a moment." His voice was distracted.

Gabriella's brow furrowed. "You seem preoccupied. Is everything okay?"

"It's nothing," Jaxon said, shaking his head. "Just a little tired."

Gabriella eyed him warily but let it go. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."

As the lights dimmed and the models began their final walk, Tori's collection dazzled under the spotlight. Jaxon's eyes were locked on her designs. "Look at this," he murmured to himself. "This is something special."

"Jaxon, what's with the intense focus?" Gabriella asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I just have a feeling," Jaxon said, barely registering her words. "Something about her work... it's more than just skill."

Across the room, Tori's best friend Aria watched from the audience. "You're doing great, Tori," she whispered, clapping as the models paraded Tori's designs. "Just keep it together. This is your moment."

Tori, her eyes fixed on the runway, barely noticed Aria's support. "I'm trying," she muttered. "I just hope it's enough."

Nearby, Katie, Tori's boss, was busy with her own drama. "This is the last thing I need," Katie grumbled to her assistant. "I can't believe I have to be here, dealing with this fashion nonsense."

Her assistant, trying to stay positive, replied, "It's important for the company. Tori's work is getting a lot of attention."

"Yeah, and it's giving me a headache," Katie snapped. "I need to make sure she doesn't mess this up. She's too ambitious for her own good."

Aria, overhearing Katie, clenched her fists. "She's not messing anything up. She's pouring her heart into this. If you can't support her, just stay out of her way."

Katie shot Aria a sharp look. "And who do you think you are, talking to me like that?"

Aria's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm her friend, and I'm here to make sure she succeeds. Maybe you should try being supportive for once."

Katie's face reddened with irritation, but she chose to ignore Aria's outburst. "Whatever. Just keep an eye on her. I don't want any surprises."

Meanwhile, Caleb, sitting next to Jaxon, leaned in and whispered, "Have you seen the way you're looking at her? You're not being subtle."

Jaxon frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Your gaze," Caleb said. "There's something about her. She seems familiar, but I can't quite place it."

Jaxon shook his head. "I don't know. It's just a feeling. Something about her work... it's personal."

"Personal?" Caleb echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me you're emotionally involved?"

"I don't know," Jaxon admitted, rubbing his temples. "But there's something more here. I need to figure out what it is."

Caleb sighed. "Alright. But if this gets out of hand, it could be a problem. We need to be careful."

Tori's focus was unwavering as her final design made its way down the runway. She was practically holding her breath, praying that her hard work would pay off. "Come on, please," she whispered to herself. "Just a little longer."

Victor and Violet sat with Aria, their eyes wide with admiration. "Mommy's the best!" Violet exclaimed.

Victor nodded vigorously. "Yeah, she's amazing!"

Aria smiled at them, her heart swelling with pride. "Yes, she is. She's worked so hard for this."

Back at the judges' table, Jaxon's thoughts were interrupted by Gabriella's voice. "Jaxon, are you sure everything's alright? You've been awfully distracted."

"I'm fine," Jaxon said, his gaze still fixed on Tori. "I just can't get this feeling out of my head."

Gabriella frowned. "Well, focus. We need to make a decision soon."

Katie, now standing closer to the judges' table, took note of Tori's growing prominence. "If she wins, it'll be a nightmare," she muttered to herself. "I'll have to deal with her arrogance and the spotlight she'll bring."

Aria overheard Katie's muttering and glared at her. "Do you always have to be so negative? Can't you see how hard she's worked?"

Katie smirked. "It's not about hard work. It's about how much trouble she's going to be."

Aria's patience snapped. "You're impossible. Why don't you just step back and let her shine?"

Katie's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone, Aria. I'm still her boss, and I have to think about what's best for the company."

Aria shook her head in disbelief. "The company should be proud of her, not trying to undermine her achievements."

As the final models walked the runway, Jaxon's attention was still riveted on Tori. "I have to find out more about her," he said to himself. "Something about her is too familiar to ignore."

Caleb, sensing Jaxon's determination, decided to take action. "I'll look into her background," he said quietly. "If there's something here, we need to know before it becomes a problem."

"Thanks," Jaxon replied. "I just hope I'm not imagining things."

The final presentation ended, and the judges began their deliberations. Tori, exhausted and nervous, waited anxiously with Aria and her children. "What if they don't like it?" she said, her voice trembling.

"They'll love it," Aria reassured her. "You've done an incredible job."

Victor tugged at Tori's sleeve. "Mommy, are we going to win?"

Tori smiled, though her anxiety was palpable. "I don't know yet, sweetheart. But we did our best."

The judges' panel was deep in discussion. "Her designs are exceptional," Gabriella said, her voice filled with admiration. "But there's something about the way Jaxon is reacting..."

Caleb nodded. "I've noticed it too. We need to be cautious."

Jaxon, lost in thought, glanced over at Tori, his mind racing. "This can't just be a coincidence," he murmured. "There's something more here."

As the judges prepared to announce their decision, the tension in the room was palpable. Tori held her breath, her heart pounding. "Please," she whispered. "Let this be the moment we've been waiting for."

Gabriella took the microphone. "Thank you all for your patience. After much consideration, we're ready to announce the winner."

Jaxon's eyes were locked on Tori, his heart pounding in sync with hers. "Please," he thought. "Let this be the breakthrough she deserves."

The crowd fell silent, waiting for the announcement that would change someone's life.