One Night

Chapter 106

Audrey

My jaw was practically dragging across the floor as I stepped into the design department. Rows of pristine glass drafting tables lined the entire space, each one occupied by a designer who was bent over their work.

The air was filled with the soft scratch of pencils on paper and the click of computer mice, the soft hum of conversation the only sound breaking the peaceful quiet. The walls were adorned with mood boards and fabric swatches, a group of designers huddled around a mannequin at one end of the room.

“I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but this is where the real magic happens,” Leo said with a playful wink, grinning at our awestruck expressions. “And this is where you two will be spending your summer.”

I could barely contain my excitement. My heart raced, and I had to resist the urge to pinch myself. This was it-my dream come true. I was standing in the heart of Brooks Designs, surrounded by some of the most talented designers in the industry.

“This is… incredible,” I breathed, unable to hide the childlike awe in

my

voice.

Leo chuckled. “Mr. Brooks mentioned that you’d fit in well here.

Without meaning to, I snapped my gaze first over to Leo, who now had his back turned as he rifled through a nearby file cabinet. And then I looked at Linda.

Her eyes were gleaming with an intensity that made me uneasy

“Mr. Brooks must know you well,” she purred.

I swallowed hard and looked away. “I was his teaching assistant for the first half of the semester.”

“Right,” Linda said, c**king her head to the side. “I almost forgot. What happened to that?”

It took every muscle and every drop of willpower in my body to not show my discomfort. Thankfully, Leo had turned back around with two bundles of papers in his hands.

“Alright, let’s get you two set up,” he said, leading us to a pair of empty desks by the window. “These will be your workstations for the summer. Take good care of them.”

I ran my hand over the smooth glass surface of the desk, taking in the high-end computer and array of design tools laid out in front of me. It was perfect. As I perched on the swiveling stool, I could already picture myself spending my summer days sitting here-and looking out at the cityscape below which, if I was honest, was just as spectacular as the rest of the department.

“Now, for your first assignment,” Leo said, handing us each a leather bound folder. “This will help us gauge your abilities. We want to see your creative process, your technical skills, and how you approach a design challenge. There are no rules with his assignment; just take your time, be creative, and show us what you’ve got.”

I nodded eagerly, already itching to get started. As I settled into my station, I noticed Linda taking the desk directly across from mine. Our eyes met briefly, and I quickly looked away, hoping she couldn’t see the disdain on my face.

Great. I’d be staring at her all summer.

But I wasn’t going to let her get under my skin, especially not on my first day. So, I ducked my head and got to work.

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Chapter 106

ཎྛ 、 ཀྵུ 93%J

The morning flew by as Host myself in the assignment. I wanted it to be perfect, a showcase of everything I could do. The assignment, as Leo explained, had no rules; just a basic outline explaining that we were to create a design for a three-piece outfit, compléte with one accessory.

+5

Before I knew it, lunchtime had come around and the design department had all but emptied out for the hour. Even Linda was gone when I looked up, and it was only then that I noticed the aching pit in my stomach.

I made my way to the cafeteria, grabbing a tray and finding an empty table. The room, lined with sleek tables, was bustling as I entered. I quickly grabbed a meal and began searching for a place to sit.

As I wandered the cafeteria, I made my way toward a corner table where the other interns were sitting. They all glanced up at me as I approached, and their cold looks and subtle adjustments of bags and jackets to cover up the one remaining seat made me choose to pass by rather than sit with them.

I pursed my lips as I found a spot at another table and began to eat. Disappointing, but I was used to this-being the only human often meant being ostracized. I didn’t expect them to make room for me.

“Hey, you’re Audrey, right?”

I looked up from my chicken caesar salad to see another intern standing by my table with a curious expression on her face. She was tall and lithe, with perfectly manicured nails and an expensive-looking watch on her wrist.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I replied cautiously, dabbing at my mouth with my napkin.

She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Is it true what they’re saying? That you got this internship by sleeping with Mr. Brooks? What was it like?”

I felt like I had been slapped, and the food in my mouth quickly turned to ash. “What? No, of course not!” I sputtered, nearly choking on my salad.

“Come on,” she pressed, sliding onto the bench beside me. “No one thinks a human could get a position like this without… you know. It’s okay, you can tell me. We’re all friends here.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in. “Wow. That’s incredibly rude and cruel to assume, isn’t it?”

I turned to see Linda standing there, one hand delicately holding an energy drink while the other rested on her hip. She quirked an eyebrow at the other intern and sipped her drink.

“Of course Audrey didn’t get in by sleeping with the boss,” Linda continued before the other girl could speak, her voice sharp. “She got in on her own merits. Even if she is human, she’s an amazing designer and a hard worker. You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading such rumors.”

The other intern’s face flushed red. She mumbled an apology and scurried away, leaving me alone with Linda. I was stunned into silence by her unexpected defense, my mind reeling from the sudden change in behavior.

Linda slid into the seat across from me, a smile playing on her lips. “Man. What a b**h.”

I swallowed hard. “I think she was just nosy,” I managed, stabbing a piece of chicken with my fork”

Linda watched me for a moment as I ate, carefully sipping her energy drink. Clearly, she wasn’t eating. So why was she here?

“Did you need something?” I asked, trying not to sound too condescending.

She **d her head. “Do you believe me now when I say I’ve changed?”

Feyed her warily, my fork suspended in midair. There had to be more to this than met the eye. Linda’s sudden kindness felt

09:40 Wed, Sep 18 B G

Chapter 106

like a trap waiting to be sprung. “Please don’t start anything with me, Linda,” I said.

3

93%1

Her smile faltered, a flicker of something-hurt? frustration?-crossing her face. “Not even a shred of gratitude, huh?” she asked, clicking her tongue. “And to think that I thought we could be friends after that.”

“I appreciate what you just did,” I said begrudgingly, setting down my fork. The food had lost its appeal. “But we’re not friends. Not after the way you’ve treated me.”

Linda’s eyes flashed, confirming my suspicions. So this was a ploy-likely she was just trying to get on my good side so she could get something out of me.

I stood up abruptly, suddenly not feeling very hungry. “I should get back to work,” I muttered, excusing myself.

But Linda wasn’t done. She followed me out into the hallway, her heels clicking rapidly behind me.

“Audrey, wait,” she called, her sing-song voice echoing in the empty corridor. “I’m genuinely trying to be better. I want us to be friends.”

I shook my head, ignoring her as I walked down the hallway. But she caught up to me despite my best efforts, cornering me inside the elevator. I considered bolting out and taking the stairs, but the doors had already closed, so all I could do was press the button to my floor and hope she’d get bored and give up.

“I didn’t think you were so heartless,” she said, her voice soft but just as conniving as I remembered. “You should be glad to have a familiar face around here. We should have each other’s backs.”

I scoffed, the sound echoing in the empty elevator. “I don’t think you want to have my back, Linda. I think you want something.”

Linda smirked. “Do you have anything to offer?” She checked her nails, humming under her breath. “Maybe you can help me get close to the boss-since, you know, you have a…” Her eyes flicked up and down my body- “…personal relationship.”

I’d had enough. Anger bubbled up inside of me, hot and fierce, at the mention of my ‘relationship’ with Edwin. If only she knew.

I whirled on her, my teeth bared in a snarl. “You don’t know anything about my personal life,” I hisse my voice low and dangerous. “And I know you’re up to something. Your rich daddy probably bribed someone to get you in here. Just leave me alone.”

Linda looked stunned, her eyes widening as they flicked to my mouth. “Audrey, are those…” she started, her voice trailing off in shock.

But before she could finish, a throat clearing suddenly cut through the tension. I turned, my eyes widening, and realized that that little display-or the tail end of it, at least-had an audience. I wasn’t sure how long the doors had been open on our floor, but several employees were watching with slack jaws.

And Leo was at the forefront, his face red with fury.

“Audrey. My office. Now.”