Bree bead with pride. "I knew you wouldn’t let anyone push you around," she said, looping her arm through Zara’s. "The results will be out soon—I’m so excited."
Zara couldn’t deny she felt the sa, a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation. "No matter what the outco is, I’m just thankful to have been a part of this event."
Outside the green room...
The woman stord out, cursing Zara under her breath. She was so furious that she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings and collided with Riya in her haste.
"Watch where you are going," Riya snapped, clearly irritated as she tossed her hair over her shoulder and shot the woman a cold glare.
Startled, the woman imdiately stepped back and offered an apology. "I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional—I’m just frustrated with soone else."
As she looked up at Riya, a cunning thought flashed in her head. She rembered how Riya had tried to sabotage Zara. She had sensed the animosity between them.
"That Zara... I honestly don’t get what she thinks of herself," she muttered bitterly.
At the ntion of Zara’s na, Riya’s interest sharpened. Her eyes glead with curiosity. "What about her?"
"She is arrogant," the woman continued. "She thinks she is so big deal. I don’t understand the hype. What is there to be proud of? She disappeared from the fashion scene for five years, and now she thinks she can steal the spotlight again?"
Riya narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Wait a minute. How do you know she was gone for five years? Are you familiar with her?"
The woman faltered slightly. "No, I don’t know her... I just overheard so things. Honestly, I don’t think her designs are even worthy of this competition. I wouldn’t have paid any attention to her if Shay Walsh hadn’t shown up to congratulate her."
Riya’s jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wait—what? Shay Walsh ca to her?" Clearly, this was news she hadn’t expected.
She had waited for a chance to et him, but he had never given her an appointnt. Only his assistant had ever spoken to her, passing along brief ssages that left her feeling unimportant.
She had been his model, the showstopper of his collection. Yet despite her repeated requests, he had never granted her a single eting. And now, he had shown up just to see Zara.
A surge of jealousy and resentnt curled in her stomach. Why Zara? Why not her? Hadn’t she earned even a few minutes of his ti?
She had to find him tonight. She needed to speak with him. If she played it right, she could still persuade him to sign a deal with her. Maybe she could beco his model, the face of his creations.
"Where is he?" she demanded with urgency.
"I’m not sure," the woman replied. "He stepped out a while ago. Maybe he’ll be back when they announce the results."
Riya gave a quick nod, clinging to that hope. This was her chance to finally et him.
"Thanks," she said briskly before walking away.
The announcent from the stage made everyone pause. Zara instinctively crossed her fingers, her heart thudding with a mix of anticipation and nerves.
"And the winner is... any guesses?" the host teased the crowd, drawing out the suspense.
"Shay! Shay! Shay!" The audience roared in unison, Shay Walsh’s na echoing through the grand hall. Even backstage, the buzz was electric with the sa na.
The host grinned. "Yes, you got it. Shay Walsh is this year’s winner."
Thunderous applause followed, the room erupting with admiration. Zara joined in, clapping with genuine excitent, eyes fixed on the stage, hoping for a glimpse of him. But her smile faded when his assistant stepped forward to accept the award.
"Why didn’t he co up himself?" Zara asked, visibly puzzled.
"This guy is always like that," Bree chid in, rolling her eyes. "I think he is scared of stages or sothing." She giggled behind her hand.
"Bree, be serious," Zara murmured, half scolding. "Maybe he just doesn’t like public attention."
"Still... he ca to et you, Zara," Bree emphasized with a gleam in her eyes. "And he rembered you. Isn’t that... interesting?" A mischievous glint lit up her face. "I wonder how Nathaniel would feel if he found out. I think he will be jealous."
Zara’s smile faltered. Her heart skipped a beat. Would he be jealous?
Her mind drifted to the hospital incident—how Nathaniel had coldly thrown away the food Jasper had sent her. He had brushed it off with so weak excuse, but she had sensed sothing more.
Could it have been jealousy? But then again, why would he be jealous?
He didn’t have feelings for her.
Zara shook her head, brushing the thought aside. "Don’t overthink it. You know exactly how he is."
Bree’s playful spark dimd slightly. "Yeah... like a walking block of ice. I seriously don’t know how you are going to survive another year living with him."
Zara parted her lips to respond, but the host’s voice rang out again, interrupting her and drawing her attention.
"There is one more award tonight — a special recognition. This year, the competition was incredibly tight. The judges had a hard ti picking the top three. And even after making that decision, they couldn’t shake the feeling that one designer, incredibly talented and promising, was walking away empty-handed. That just didn’t feel right."
Bree leaned in, whispering, "What special award?"
"Shh..." Zara hushed her, eyes fixed on the stage.
"After much deliberation," the host continued, pausing dramatically, "the judges have decided to present a special award to this designer."
A breathless silence fell across the hall.
"Please welco to the stage... designer Zara."
Zara’s heart stalled. For a mont, she stood rooted in place, convinced she had misheard.
"Zara!" Bree shouted, her joy erupting as she threw her arms around her. "You heard that right."
It was real.
Zara blinked, her vision blurring with the rush of emotion. She clutched Bree tightly, a wide, tearful grin spreading across her face.
"You did it," Bree whispered. "Go... Go get your award—you earned this."
Still dazed, Zara nodded and stepped forward, her legs trembling as she walked toward the stage. The lights seed brighter, the clapping louder. Her pulse throbbed in her ears.
After five long years, she was finally back on the stage. It wasn’t the best designer award, but it was sothing far more aningful.
As Nicole Cook, the chief guest, handed her the award, Zara’s hands shook.
"Thank you," she breathed, overwheld.
Nicole pulled her into a hug. "You deserve this. et after this. I’d like a word with you."
Zara’s heart thumped wildly. "Yes, Ma’am," she replied, barely keeping her voice steady.
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