Contrasting views

Stella's POV:

As I walked away from Adrian, I couldn't shake off the feeling of weakness in my knees. That brief interaction had left me breathless, and I couldn't believe I'd managed to stammer out a coherent response. But I refused to let fear get the better of me. I'd come too far, and I knew I had what it took to win this competition.

I approached the secretary, determined to fill out the registration form without any further awkward encounters. But as I began to write, I felt a chill run down my spine. Adrian's piercing gaze seemed to be watching me, even though I knew he'd already walked away. It took every ounce of willpower to focus on the form and complete it without any mistakes.

As I handed the form back to the secretary, I couldn't help but wonder what Adrian had thought of me. Had I made a complete fool of myself? Or had I somehow managed to impress him? The uncertainty gnawed at my mind, making me feel like I was walking on eggshells.

I thought back to my childhood, growing up in a low-income household with parents who worked multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I remembered the countless times I'd been told I wasn't good enough, that I'd never amount to anything. But I'd always refused to listen, using those doubts as fuel to drive me forward.

Now, as I stood in the opulent lobby of Adrian Fashion and Store Limited, I felt like I was staring my doubts straight in the face. Adrian Huston, the billionaire fashion mogul, seemed to embody everything I'd ever been told I wasn't: wealthy, influential, and impossibly out of reach.

But I refused to back down. I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I turned to face the secretary. "What's the next step?" I asked, my voice firm.

The secretary smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You'll receive an email with the competition details and schedule. In the meantime, I recommend you start working on your designs. The competition is going to be fierce."

I nodded, a surge of determination coursing through my veins. Bring it on, I thought, a fierce grin spreading across my face...

Adrian's POV

I watched Stella from afar, intrigued by her confidence. She was undeniably beautiful, with curves in all the right places. But there was something about her that didn't quite add up. She seemed...low-class. Not the usual caliber of women I associated with.

And yet, I found myself drawn to her. Her response to my question had been bold, unapologetic. It was a quality I admired, even if it was rare in someone like her. I made a mental note to keep an eye on her during the competition. She might just prove to be more interesting than I'd initially thought.

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Stella to her registration form. But my mind lingered on her, wondering what other surprises she might have in store...