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Chapter 18

Alyson took the magazine from Tess and opened to the page Tess had read out the job description. She studied it for a moment while contemplating her decisions. it appeared that fate conspired with her mother's perspective, discouraging her from pursuing employment, as both job opportunities she discovered involved working for demanding employers.

She stuffed the Magazine into her bag and turned to head out.

"Where are you going?" Tess asked as she tightened the cap of the water bottle.

"I'm going home," Alyson replied her.

"I thought you were going to spend the night here,"

"I changed my mind. I have something to attend to."

"Is it about the job? You can leave from here to the venue, it's not very far from here."

"I don't have anything suitable to wear,"

"I can give you my clothes," Tess suggested.

"No thanks. More than half of your clothes are missing some important features." Alyson pointed out which elicited a giggle from Tess.

"Those aren't the only type of clothes I have and besides you have to look more sophisticated."

"Alright, let me see what you have," Alyson said as she walked back to the bed and sat down.

Tess walked to her closet and ransacked it, throwing clothes out till they were all over the floor.

" Anh Anh, I've got it!" Tess exclaimed. "I remember my mom bought me this dress a while back, but it's not really my style. It might work for you!"

She pulled out a knee-length black dress with a conservative silhouette. Alyson took it from her and held it up to her body.

"It's perfect!" she exclaimed. "It's professional and simple, and I think it'll look really good on me. Thank you, Tess."

"No problem," Tess said with a smile. "We'll do your hair and a little makeup for you in the morning."

"Okay no problem," Alyson said.

A knock rested on the door that interrupted them. "Come in," Tess said.

The door opened and a maid strolled in. "Dinner is ready my lady." The maid announced.

"Can you bring it up to my room? Thank you." Tess asked.

"Okay, my lady." The maid gracefully curtsied and exited the room, leaving the door ajar. Within moments, she returned, with a basket filled with freshly baked bread, exquisite cheeses, ripe fruits, and a bottle of wine. Placing the tempting assortment on a stool, she began arranging it for Tess. However, Tess interrupted, asserting, "Don't worry, I can take care of it myself." The maid courtesied again before she took her leave.

Tess grabbed a grape before she turned to Alyson and said. "Let's dig in."


"Let's do your hair and makeup next," Tess said. "You'll want to look your best for the interview," Tess said after she assisted Alyson in preparing her bath. Alyson cleaned herself up and slipped into the dress quickly.

They went into the bathroom, where Tess began to style Alyson's hair. She curled it and added a bit of product to give it some body. Then she did Alyson's makeup, choosing a classic and polished look.

"You look amazing!" Tess said when they were done. "I think you're ready to go. You're going to knock this interview out of the park."

Alyson took a deep breath and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "Thank you so much Tess. You think they'll really take me?"

"Look at you," Tess said looking at her through the reflection in the mirror. "You have more than what it takes. When you walk in there, all eyes will be on you, just remember to take deep breaths because you are going to leave every other person in the room breathless." She assured.

A broad smile adorned Alyson's face as her self-esteem received a welcome boost.


Coming to a standstill before the building, her jaw dropped in awe at the sight before her. Never had she imagined the structure would exude such ethereal beauty. As she got closer, she marveled at the intricate designs. its exterior was a symphony of architectural prowess. A seamless blend of steel and glass façade.

Stepping into the building, she held her breath in sheer anticipation. Mirrored walls and polished marble defined the vestibule, creating a pristine and elegant atmosphere.

The scent of exclusive perfumes lingered in the air, welcoming her into a world of haute couture. The grand lobby unfolded with a dramatic chandelier hanging from a double-height ceiling, its crystals refracting the daylight filtering through colossal windows.

The showroom, was a masterpiece of spatial design, revealing meticulously curated displays. Mannequins, draped in avant-garde creations, commanded attention under precisely positioned spotlights. The flooring transitioned from marble to plush carpets, guiding her through the curated exhibits. Minimalist sculptures and art installations punctuated the space, providing focal points that complemented the haute couture on display.

Alyson inhaled deeply before she walked into the reception. All eyes turned to her as she approached the reception. Her striking beauty was undeniable, and everyone in the room was captivated by her presence. Alyson exuded confidence and grace, and her smile was like a ray of sunshine.

"Hello," she said, approaching the receptionist. "I'm here for the modeling audition."

"Sorry beauty, but we're not accepting models anymore," Raymond said as he walked in.

The smile disappeared from Alyson's face.

"You're not accepting anymore?!" Alyson said in an aggravated tone. "But the ad was published just three days ago and it says you need five hundred models."

"I'm sorry. It's not really my fault, my boss said we're not hosting anymore so we don't need any more models." Raymond said.

"Diane I thought I told you to call the media and tell them to stop publishing the ad."

"I did call the media." The receptionist replied.

"Did you stop the ad spend?"

"Not yet sir. It was stated in the contract that the ad was supposed to run for a week."

"Well we don't more ladies to keep coming in so you need to stop the ad spend. Make sure you do that immediately, okay sweetheart?" Raymond said.

"Okay, sir."

He shifted his gaze to Alyson, smiling. Had it not been for the upsetting news he shared, she might have reciprocated because his smile was genuinely warm and inviting.

"I regret we won't have the opportunity to work with someone as beautiful as yourself but rest assured, we'll compensate you for your time." Raymond reached into his pocket, handing her a hundred-dollar bill. "Take this. Appreciate your time," he said with a smile, leaving Alyson bewildered as he walked out of the reception.

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