Two months vanished in a blur.
Sebastian's strict regimen transformed me.
I felt stronger than I had in years.
My body finally gained some much-needed weight.
He reached out and pinched my waist.
"Still too thin," he declared.
I pushed his hand away impatiently.
"I measured forty-nine kilos this morning."
He shook his head dismissively.
"You're five-foot-six, Alayna. You need more weight."
Without another word, he summoned the chef.
Another dessert order followed.
I sighed but didn't protest.
That afternoon, we boarded his private jet.
Sebastian never did anything by halves.
We flew directly to his European design headquarters.
He escorted me into a gleaming conference room.
Polished executives and designers filled the space.
He didn't waste any time with introductions.
"Everyone, meet your new design director."
The room fell into complete silence.
"Alayna Prescott."
I felt the chill before I saw its source.
My eyes found her across the room.
A statuesque blonde with golden waves.
Piercing blue eyes and magazine-cover features.
Sebastian noticed my attention.
"This is Miss Natalia, deputy design director."
I extended my hand politely.
She glanced at it and turned away.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Need I remind you of the chain of command?"
His voice held clear warning.
Natalia remained unmoved.
I shot Sebastian a sharp look.
This wasn't his fight to start.
Everyone knew I came from nowhere.
My sudden appointment would naturally cause resentment.
Sebastian defending me would only make it worse.
He understood my silent message.
The meeting continued as if nothing happened.
But Natalia's hostility ran deeper than professional jealousy.
She cornered me later by the espresso machine.
"So. You're Sebastian's new interest."
Her directness caught me off guard.
"Excuse me?"
Her eyes traveled over me slowly.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"You have the look, I'll admit. I see the appeal."
"You're in love with him," I stated bluntly.
"I've pursued him for five years," she confessed.
"He always said there was someone else. Now I understand."
She stepped closer, voice dropping.
"But I don't surrender easily."
Her declaration hung between us.
"You're declaring war?" I asked.
"Precisely." Her smile turned sharp.
"The International Design Competition is next month. We both enter. Winner stays. Loser leaves. Agreed?"
I'd planned to enter anyway.
This was my chance to prove my worth.
To earn respect beyond Sebastian's influence.
Now she'd raised the stakes.
"Agreed." I shook her hand.
Her smile became genuinely pleased.
"I look forward to this, Alayna."
That evening, Sebastian drove me home.
When I mentioned the competition, the atmosphere shifted.
"Don't lose," he said flatly.
Tension threaded through his words.
"Worried I'll cost you your deputy?" I teased.
He shook his head. "I'm worried you'll win and still leave."
I let the subject drop.
I wasn't ready to navigate our emotional complexities.
This competition was about my career, not our unresolved feelings.
Still, Sebastian hovered constantly.
He watched over my sketches.
He demanded progress reports.
His desire for my victory was unmistakable.
When preliminaries arrived, I submitted my necklace design.
I advanced to the finals.
Sebastian released a deep breath.
A familiar grin touched his lips.
"Congratulations. One step closer to winning me."
I rolled my eyes dramatically.
Some things never changed.