“Besides, you two have already made things clear. He promised he wouldn’t cross the line, so there’s nothing you should worry about,” said Lianne.
I shook my head. The uneasiness in my heart still didn’t subside.
“Maybe,” I said. “But I feel like he isn’t the kind of person who would give up easily.”
I frowned. The doubt and uneasiness still lingered after so long. Glimpses of the past resurfaced in my mind, and I remembered how cold and indifferent he was toward me back then. I couldn’t help but feel bitter inside. Was he deserving of my trust once again?
As the thought clouded my mind, I heard quick raps on the door. The sound pulled me back from my daze.
“Who is it?” Lianne asked, annoyed.
“It’s me, Carlos,” the person behind the door answered with a tinge of arrogance. “Is Evelyn in there?”
The looks on our faces changed instantly at his name. Carlos was a conceited and vain jerk. Why would he come here to see me?
Lianne glanced at me as if to ask for my opinion. I gritted my teeth and nodded.
“What’s the matter, Carlos?” I asked coldly after opening the door.
Carlos stood at the door in his branded suit and luxury gold watch that glinted in the light. He tilted his chin upward a little, looking as full of himself as always.
“Evelyn, I heard that you wanted to collaborate with Grayson Group,” he said. “Is it true?”
“That’s right.” I looked up at him as I replied. “This is between me and Ethan Grayson. It’s one of your business.”
Carlos sneered, “Don’t get ahead of
yourself. It’s just a tiny studio. I’ll
make you go bankrupt if I say the word. Don’t you dare think that you can act all high and mighty just because you won a prize. You’re still a newbie in the fashion industry!”
Suppressing my anger, I refused to argue with him. Kevin saw how dark my face had become and came to ease the situation.
I
“Carlos, just get straight to the point,” said Kevin, to which Carlos glanced at him and sniggered.
“I’m here to give Evelyn a warning,” Carlos laughed. “I have the say here in the fashion industry. You won’t be able to bear the consequences if you get on my bad side.”
He stepped closer to me. “You haven’t paid for what you’ve done last time. If you make a mistake again this time, I’ll make sure that you’ll pay dearly for your actions!” “Is that a threat?” I hissed, trying my best to suppress my wrath.
“I was simply reminding you to know your place,” said Carlos, gripping my chin. “You’re just a girl. You better listen to me and follow what I say.”
“You” I spat as I swatted his hand away. “Carlos, you’re too full of yourself! What makes you think you can act all high and mighty like this?”
“What did you say?” Carlos burst out
laughing. “Listen up. My dad’s the
president of the Erudian Design Association, and my mom’s a supermodel! I’ve been through more than the three of you combined! More than half of the people in the fashion industry work under my parents.”
He continued, “I show up at all the fashion shows in Melando, Parleo, and Forshire. Ethan’s studio is nothing to me.”
The longer he spoke, the prouder he became of himself. “You people are nobodies. How dare you go against me? You’re all outrageous! You’re peasants! Do you really think you can make a name for yourself in the fashion industry just because you won an award?”
He continued, “Listen to me. If I don’t give you the green light, you won’t even get to head to Melando for any fashion shows at all!”
He blabbered on with his sharp tongue, insulting Kevin, Lianne, and me. How could the three of us compare to someone who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?