Beneath Possession

*Adrian's POV:*

As I gazed at the vision before me, I was taken aback. She was wearing a stunning pink dress that perfectly complemented her jade-like skin. For a moment, I forgot myself, zoning out like a smitten schoolboy. Federick's discreet cough brought me back to reality.

I cleared my throat, attempting to compose myself. Federick began explaining the judges, and I listened intently, my mind occasionally drifting toward the captivating woman.

As we made our way to the judges' room, I exchanged brief greetings with the esteemed panel. The judges were an impressive lineup: Mr. Christopher Williams, a well-renowned fashion designer known for designing transitional attire for both males and females, as well as modern clothes and jewelry. He's known for being strict and has only two direct disciples. Mr. Emmanuel Clinton is a well-renowned fashion designer who's well-versed in anything fashion that's trending; he's the best at it. Mrs. Alexandra Cooper is the wife of Mr. Cooper and is the talent that has helped the Cooper family this far. To make the competition fair, she was brought in as the only female judge present. Mr. Cornwell Stones is known for scouting fashion designing talents all over the world; he's extremely well-versed about fashion designing. Lastly, Mr. Griffin Gluck is the heir to the Gluck family's business empire, he's very promising, and the pride of the Gluck's; the only downcast is that he loves women.

After the introductions, I delivered a brief opening speech. The commentator then took over, explaining the competition rules to the contestants. "There are 4,756 contestants competing today," he announced. "You will have thirty minutes to create a digital design. Only the top fifty designs will move on to the next round. If you are found cheating, you will be disqualified immediately."

I listened as the commentator's words sank in, and the contestants prepared to begin. The stakes were high, and I was eager to see the contestants' creations...

*Stella's POV:*

As I stepped into the grand hall, I was immediately swept up in a sea of eager contestants. The room was abuzz with excitement, the air thick with anticipation. I wove through the crowd, my heels clicking on the polished marble floor, until I spotted my allocated number and took a seat.

The hall itself was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with soaring ceilings and crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a kaleidoscope of colors. The walls were adorned with sleek, silver panels, giving the space a futuristic feel. At the front of the room, a massive screen dominated the wall, displaying the competition's logo in bold, pulsing letters.

I couldn't help but regret wearing this gown; the attention I was receiving was overwhelming. But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Master Adrian took the stage, his authoritative presence commanding attention. He stood confidently at the podium, surveying the crowd with an air of quiet confidence. His brief speech was followed by the commentator's explanation of the competition rules. I felt a flicker of uncertainty when she mentioned that the first round would be digital – it wasn't my forte. But I reminded myself, I'm Stella Hornwell. I may not be an expert in digital drawing, but I'm capable of learning.

Glancing around the room, I felt a twinge of intimidation. The competition was fierce, with 4,756 contestants vying for just fifty spots. And we had only thirty minutes to complete our designs. But I steeled myself, recalling my plans for the future. If I let a little challenge like this hold me back, how would I achieve my goals?

With renewed determination, I dove into my design. My fingers flew across the screen as I brought my vision to life – a complex yet elegant dress. Time seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, I was submitting my design with just one minute to spare.

As I breathed a sigh of relief, I realized we had an hour-long break before the results would be announced. I could only hope that my design would be enough to secure me a spot in the next round...