Chapter 6 .

ARIA

I stepped into the hallway, my heart raced as I replayed every moment of my presentation. Had I said enough? Did I defend my choices well? Was the dress bold enough for Isabella Langford?

I didn't get far in my spiraling thoughts before the red-haired woman, Claudia, or so I'd heard her introduce herself, stepped closer.

"If you know what's good for you," she began, her voice low but biting, "you'll just run along now."

I blinked at her, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

She tilted her head, the corner of her lips curling into a condescending smirk. "I'm saying you should save yourself the embarrassment. Walk away before they make the decision official."

I frowned, straightening my back. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She let out a soft laugh, "Your gown. It's... basic. Boring, really. I mean, it's fine for someone's second wedding at a rustic barn, but for Isabella Langford?" She shook her head as though the thought physically pained her.

Heat rose in my cheeks, a mixture of anger and disbelief as she continued to speak, "And th presentation I found it to be foolish," she said with a shrug. "You sounded like a nervous intern trying to defend a class project. This isn't some amateur design competition, sweetheart. This is Blackthorne Atelier. You have to own the room."

I stared at her, my pulse quickening as her words sunk in. She was trying to get in my head, trying to rattle me before the decision was made.

But instead of backing down, I squared my shoulders.

"You might think my dress is boring, and you're entitled to your opinion," I said, my voice steady despite the anger simmering just beneath the surface. "But the only opinion that matters right now is Isabella Langford's. So, if you're done wasting your breath, maybe you should focus on hoping she picks your design."

Claudia's smirk faltered for a split second before returning, sharper this time. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.

"You're in over your head. But hey, don't take it too hard when you lose. Some people just don't belong here."

I didn't respond. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing me crack.

Instead, I turned my focus away from her. I wasn't about to let her intimidate me, not after everything I'd done to get to this moment.

The door to the conference room loomed just a few feet away, its heavy frame practically vibrating with the weight of the decision being made on the other side.

And as much as I hated to admit it, a small voice in the back of my mind echoed Claudia's words. What if they don't pick me? What if she's right?

But I silenced it just as quickly.

You've done everything you could, Aria. Now it's up to them.

Claudia shifted her weight, crossing her arms as we both waited in tense silence. The seconds stretched into minutes, the air between us thick with unspoken competition.

The conference room door creaked open, and Elliot stepped out, followed by Isabella Langford and the two other panelists. They looked composed, their expressions revealing nothing of the decision they'd made. My heart raced, and I could feel the tension rolling off Claudia beside me.

The panel exchanged polite goodbyes, shaking hands with Elliot before walking down the hall. Isabella glanced at me briefly, offering the faintest of smiles before disappearing around the corner. That one small gesture made my heart skip. Did it mean what I hoped it did?

Elliot turned to face us, his sharp gaze sweeping over both Claudia and me. For a moment, his face was unreadable, his piercing eyes giving away nothing.

"Ms. Vale," he said, his voice steady and calm. "Please come inside the conference room. You've been selected."

I blinked, certain I'd misheard him. "I-what?"

"You've been selected," he repeated, more firmly this time. His tone left no room for doubt.

Claudia gasped audibly beside me. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice sharp and disbelieving. "You're choosing her?"

Elliot's expression didn't waver. He turned to Claudia with the same composed demeanor he always wore. "Thank you for your time and effort, Ms. Bennett. You may leave."

Claudia's face flushed crimson, her composed facade cracking under the weight of her shock and indignation. "This has to be a mistake," she snapped, her voice rising. "My design was flawless, innovative, glamorous. Hers is a glorified nightgown!"

Elliot raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor cutting through her outburst. "The decision has been made. Ms. Langford has chosen Ms. Vale's design."

Claudia opened her mouth to argue further but seemed to think better of it. With a huff, she spun on her heel and stormed down the hall, her heels clicking angrily against the polished floor.

I stood frozen, trying to process what had just happened. My legs felt like jelly, and my hands trembled slightly. Elliot's eyes were on me now, assessing, waiting.

"Well?" he said, breaking the silence. "Are you coming, Ms. Vale?"

I swallowed hard and nodded. My feet felt like lead as I walked into the conference room. The space was eerily quiet now, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. The tension that had gripped me earlier was replaced by a new wave of disbelief and anticipation.

Elliot closed the door behind us, walking past me to stand by the long table where the panel had sat. He turned to face me, his expression unreadable but somehow less intimidating than before.

"Congratulations," he said simply. "You've earned it."

I blinked, my mouth dry. "Thank you," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I-I don't know what to say."

"You don't need to say anything," he replied, his tone softening just slightly. "Your work spoke for itself. Ms. Langford was impressed."

Elliot folded his arms and leaned slightly against the table, his gaze locked onto mine with a mix of appraisal and authority. "This opportunity doesn't come often, Ms. Vale," he said, his tone clipped but calm. "So let me explain what happens next."

I nodded quickly, my heart racing as I tried to process everything.