SWNOVELS Chapter 0421
ASHANTI'S POV.
"Congratulations to the top 5 contestants of today's phase of the competition. You all created outstanding designs and deserve to be at the top. Let's give a round of applause to these magnificent design teams." The hall erupts with applause from the other contestants and I can't help but smile proudly as I clap along. My team came first today and to say I'm proud would be an understatement. These little wins are important for boosting my esteem and determination to win this contest. The designs we had to create today were quite tricky, but we nailed them and even the live models we hired to model for us did and outstanding job.
My eyes spot Mr. James, the male judge. He doesn't look impressed at all by what's going on. The man seems to be allergic to giving people compliments. Even seeing others do it irritates him. If it were up to him, no words of encouragement should be given to us the contestants and even the final winner should not be given an award. He's such a killjoy. It must suck being his wife or child or friend at the very least.
I tear my gaze away from his depressing figure and look back at the sweet judge who's showering us with compliments we deserve. The applause has stopped and the hall is back to its quiet and tranquil state. All eyes are on Mrs. Johan once again. It seems she has more to say.
"Also, I want to formally announce that there will be a one month break in the competition. During this month, you contestants are advised to stay back and practise more because the next phase after this will be more tedious and competitive as it will be the start of the knock-out stages whereby the design team which takes last position will be disqualified."
My heart misses a bit even though I know under normal circumstances, my team will never come last.
"That's cold." Ryan whispers and I lean into him and whisper in his ear.
"That's why it's called a competition, love." He shoots me a scorn as I withdraw from him, grinning from molar to molar knowing I just annoyed him. He hates it when people get too close to him.
"So, use this break to do more research, practice like you've never done before and arm yourselves because the next round of this competition will not be an easy one. That said, have a nice day, you all and see you in a month's time." With a beaming smile on her face, she steps down from the podium and we all rise to our feet as the three judges exit the hall in a straight line. Once they are out of the door, chitchatting commences and I release the breath I was holding.
I swear I wasn't expecting that.
One month break?
I'm definitely going to have a blast getting ready for the next round of the competition.
I congratulate and hug my team members before leaving the hall as well. After all the work I did today, all I want to do right now is go home, fall on my bed and sleep for the rest of the day.
"Ashanti." A very familiar voice calls from behind, stopping me in my tracks. Calmly, slowly, I turn around to see who it is and my eyes widen in shock when I see Leonard, standing before me in all his glory and smiling cheerfully like he always does. As usual, he's flamboyantly dressed like the designer he is and as he draws closer, the sweet smell of his cologne nearly knocks me off my feet.
Why does he always smell so good!
"Leonard!" I called, shocked." Hi. What a pleasant surprise." He stops in front of me and shoves both hands in his trouser pockets.
"Hello Ashanti, it's good to see you
too." He greets in that low baritone voice of his that would have had the ability to make me melt like butter if Alpha Reagan had not already stolen my heart.
All of it.
There's no space left in it for any man. Not even if the man was almighty Leonard who was a genius designer with an amazing fashion sense and who always smells very nice.