One Night

Chapter 105

Audrey

I took a deep breath, smoothing down my skirt one last time before paying my fare and stepping out of the taxi. This was it: the first day of my internship. The first day of the rest of my suminer, and quite a summer it would be.

The Brooks Designs building loomed ahead of me, all gleaming glass and harsh steel reaching toward the sky. It was even more impressive in person than in the photographs I had seen online. The morning sun glinted off the windows, almost blinding me as I craned my neck to take it all in. I imagined that on hazy days, you couldn’t even see the top of it.

And to think that Edwin very well may have been inside that building, maybe even watching me through one of the vast windows, and I could have no idea…

I hoped that wasn’t the case. I hoped, beyond all hope, that he would remain holed up in whatever office he liked to hide in and that he wouldn’t catch so much as a glimpse of me.

“Well, here goes nothing,” I muttered to myself, squaring my shoulders and walking through the revolving doors.

The lobby was a bustling hive of activity. Sleek couches and expensive modern art pieces decorated the space, while well- dressed professionals hurried about their day. The click of heels on marble floors and the soft murmur of conversations filled the air, which was oddly scented like lemongra**

I made my way to the reception desk, where a friendly-looking woman greeted me with a warm smile. Behind her desk was a large display case containing an archival piece-a sleek tailored suit.

“That was Brooks Design’s first piece,” the receptionist, noticing my stare, said around a mouthful of gum. “How can I help you?”

I swallowed hard and snapped my attention back to her, trying to calm my nerves. “Hi, I’m Audrey Thatcher. I’m here for the summer internship program.”

0

The receptionist’s face lit up. “Oh, wonderful! We’ve been expecting you. Let’s get you signed in and set up with your ID badge, and then the tour guide will take you upstairs to join the others.”

After a quick photo and some paperwork, I was handed a shiny new ID card. As I clipped it to my blouse, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement that made my palms itch. This was really happening. I was here, at Brooks Designs, ready to start my internship.

Just as I was admiring my new badge, a young man approached with a warm smile. He was tall and lean, with kind brown eyes and a mop of curly hair that was dyed green.

“Audrey? I’m Leo, your tour guide for today. Ready to see what Brooks Designs is all about?”

I nodded, following him to the elevators. As we stepped inside and waited for the floors to ding upwards-which took a considerable amount of time given how tall this building was-I turned to him.

I couldn’t help it. I had to ask. I had to know. Safety first, right?

“So, um, will Mr. Brooks be working with the interns at all?” I tried to keep my voice casual, but my heart was pounding,

Ochuckled and shook his head. “Mr. Brooks? Hardly. He’s rarely even in the building these days. Too busy with other projects, I guess. Most of us haven’t seen him in months.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, so strong it made me dizzy for a moment. The last thing I needed was to run into Edwin

09:40 Wed, Sep 18 GB.

Chapter 105

on my first day.

“I see,” I said, hoping he couldn’t see the relief written across my face. “I was just curious.”

95%

“Afraid to run into the big, intimidating boss, huh?” he asked with a laugh. “Don’t worry, you probably won’t even catch a glimpse of him all summer. But if it’s any consolation, Mr. Brooks is a very kind man, despite his… p***ly exterior. Just don’t get on his bad side, and you’ll be fine.”

I almost snorted at that. If only you knew, I thought to myself.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, revealing a sp**us lobby where a group of other interns was gathered. I stepped out, ready to introduce myself, but then felt my blood run cold.

There, standing at the forefront of the group, was a familiar face: Linda.

She turned, her predatory eyes locking onto mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of… something in her Surprise? Anger? But then she was smiling, extending her hand towards me.

“Audrey! What a surprise. Truce?” Her voice was light, almost friendly. Too friendly.

gaze.

I hesitated, my mind racing. How had Linda gotten this internship? Surely Edwin wouldn’t have allowed it after everything that had happened. Unless…

Linda caught my hand before I could step back, yanking me closer and shaking it firmly. Her grip was strong, almost painful. Her smile never wavered as she spoke, her voice sickeningly sweet.

“Hearned a lot during my school suspension,” she said, leaning in close and dropping her voice to a whisper. “I want to be better, to make amends. I’m sorry for how I treated you before. What do you say? Can we start over?”

I searched her face for any sign of deception, but found none. Could she really have changed? Or was this just another act? I was leaning toward the latter.

“I… appreciate that, Linda,” I managed, carefully tugging my hand free from her iron grip. “It’s… unexpected to see you here.”

Did your daddy bribe Edwin? I wanted to ask.

Linda’s smile widened. “I know, right? But I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I promise, I’m not the same person I was before.”

Yeah, right, I thought to myself. But before I could dwell on it further, Leo clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Alright, interns! Let’s start our tour of Brooks Designs. You’re about to see why we’re the leading fashion house in the country.”

As we moved through the building, my shock over Linda’s presence quickly dissipated into pure awe. Every floor was a testament to modern luxury and efficiency. We passed through photography studios with high-tech equipment, textile labs filled with fabrics in every color imaginable, and marketing departments filled with employees flitting around like bees in a

hive.

Linda sidled up next to me as we wandered the gleaming hallways, her voice low. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I can’t believe we get

to work here all summer.”

I stiffened a bit at her presence. We? I thought. I’ll give her two weeks before she does something crazy and gets kicked out. “Uh, yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “It is.”

+5

BB

09:40 Wed, Sep 18 BG

Chapter 105

But despite my smile, my chest was filled with acid. Of course Linda would be here, the one place I never expected-or hoped-for her to be. Of course I wouldn’t get a reprieve.

93%

Had Edwin really allowed her into the program himself? Had he accepted a bribe? Or perhaps he had never truly been on my side to begin with, and this was all a game for him, a way to torment his little human plaything?

The thought made me feel sick. I had trusted him, believed in him, and for what? To be tossed right out of the frying pan and into the fire?

“Audrey? You okay?” Linda’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “You look a little… pale.”

I forced another smile and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. Thankfully, Leo’s voice saved me from further conversation.

45

“Alright, everyone! Time to split you up into your departments. Follow me, and I’ll show you where you’ll be working for the summer.”

We moved through the building once more, Leo dropping off pairs of interns at various departments. Marketing, PR, production—with each stop, our group grew smaller. I kept hoping to see Linda get whisked away into one of the departments, but she never did.

And soon, it was just Linda and me left. My stomach churned with anxiety. Surely we wouldn’t be working side by side all summer, right?

Finally, Leo stopped in front of a set of double doors with frosted glass. He turned to us with a grin, gripping the metal handles.

“And you two will be working in…” He flung the doors open, and I felt my jaw drop. “…The design department.”

0

魚