Way Back Into Love (Essie)

On the way back, Essie's excitement faded. She felt like she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Mandy told her that she had both good and bad news, but in Essie's mind, she didn't hear any good news at all.

'Oh my gosh. No, no, no. I'm so doomed!' Essie realized she was holding her breath and found herself holding her face in frustration.

She continued to have a monologue in her thoughts. 'Why did Hanson have to be one of the judges in this show? Why would I have to see him this way?

And why does Sunny even have to be in the same competition as me?

Her family is already so wealthy. She doesn't need this, so why did she have to join? Ugh, it's not going to be a competition anymore. It's decided, right? I guess this will be like a walk in the park for her.

Hanson will obviously favor Sunny and give her the best scores while I'll try so hard and it might not even matter!' Essie let out a heavy sigh. She felt exasperated at the thought that she couldn't stop patting her face.

Leaning back in her seat, she groaned and looked frustrated.

The car stopped at the intersection and waited for the green light. Zac turned to her and asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen at the contract signing?" "Zac!" Essie pouted, trying to suppress her distress. "I'll be knocked out in the first round!" She had an urge to burst into tears in his arms, but he was driving.

He was stunned and raised his eyebrows. "Why? What happened in there?" His voice sounded concerned.

Essie started telling him about the news Mandy had told her earlier.

He nodded as she spoke, with a faint smile at the corners of his mouth. Despite her anxiety, he looked quite relaxed.

He had known about it long before.

Since Bella was the official sponsor of the show, it was definite that Hanson would judge and Sunny would be participating.

Zac didn't really mind.

However, he knew this was a big deal for Essie. It would be a heavy blow for her if she found out that Hanson would actually be partial to her fiancée. Zac knew that that way she would give up all hope. And that would be a good news to him.

But if Hanson would be fair and objective or partial to Essie, she would feel encouraged. For the moment, Zac didn't want to think about Hanson and Essie being together after that. He was never a petty person that he'd think about something so insignificant at the moment when Essie was in distress. Instead, he focused on how he could help Essie achieve the success she wanted.

"Don't you feel reassured to have Hanson around?" Zac asked deliberately. He wasn't sure he really wanted to know the answer, but he tried to fish for some of Essie's thoughts.

"I have nothing to do with him. After all, Sunny is his fiancée, and they'd be great together. If she wins the competition, Bella would be so proud to have her," Essie sighed. "He would probably be overjoyed." When she finished talking, she lowered her head which cast a gloomy shadow on her eyes.

Looking back to when she was still a senior college student, she applied for Istituto Marangoni in order to find Hanson in Italy. Not only was she admitted, but also granted a full scholarship. However, he unexpectedly returned home.

He had studied in Italy for three years and she was worried that other girls might get closer to him and she would totally miss her chance with him. Right then, she gave Italy up and made up her mind-she would follow Hanson to Yang City and join Bella. It was true that her reasons were quite silly, but it wasn't going to keep her from trying to reach him. Despite struggling to survive in the city, the mere thought of getting closer to Hanson was enough reason for her to stay.

However, the closer she got to him, the more she ached-like a moth to a flame.

Zac found comfort in her words. He thought that she might have suffered too much from what happened at the opening ceremony of the fashion week that her love for Hanson subsided, even just a little. He gently touched her head and said, "Do what you should do. Don't let them affect you. You need to be recognized by the audience and let them see your best design."

He looked at her intently, and his voice was full of encouragement. Essie nodded in agreement, her eyes slightly glimmered as he spoke.

According to the rules of Beauty on Runway, a designer and a star would pair up-the star would draw lots to decide which designer they would be working with, and the designer would then sketch and craft a dress based on the choices and materials provided by the program. Participants would compete for both the judges' and audience's approval, and the bottom two would contend in a live PK, where they would revise their original work. Their final creation would be the basis for who would stay or leave the competition.

Earlier on, PK wasn't in the show's original plan. The idea was proposed by the senior executive of Emperor's board, who was the major shareholder that was none other than Zac himself. This idea would be a challenge for the participants since it required inspiration and exceptional improvisation abilities. This twist would also add to the fun and thrill that could also help increase its TV ratings. Not only that, but it would also measure the flexibility and adaptability of the designers, and that was important.

Zac had considered everything, that even if Essie had any trouble, she could still fight for a chance to stay using the final PK.

The shooting for the first round would last for two days. Eight contestants would be gathered in a large studio, where they would create their designs that had never been shown on any domestic fashion show before.

As the sun came up early in the morning, Zac went with Essie to drop her off at the TV station.

While waiting, they overheard that four of the contestants were from a foreign design school that was quite famous throughout the country. They looked so stylish and glamorous and were followed along by their teams.

However, this competition required the designer to work alone without the help of their respective teams, since they were not allowed to enter the studio. Only the stars they would be paired with were allowed to help them during the challenge. This was-yet again-one of the Emperor's suggestions. Zac knew this was going to put them to the test. The more famous the designer was, the more unfamiliar their hands were. Once they were through with the sketches, they would let their team do the needlework. Meanwhile, Essie was everyone she needed to compete in the show. She could both sketch and do the needlework all by herself.

She felt so nervous that her palms were sweating.

Zac noticed this and teased her to ease her tension. "Win quickly and go home, okay? The house would be so quiet without you there. I'd be so bored these couple of days," he sighed deliberately. Essie wrinkled her nose.

'Liar. Why would you be bored when you can spend time with Leila?' she snorted.

Essie thought Leila would go back to Dragon City this week, but she didn't expect Leila would actually extend her stay in Yang City.

Ever since that mischievous trick Leila played on Essie, she couldn't brush off Leila's evil face from her mind. Essie finally saw her true colors and believed in her heart that she was not worthy to have Zac by her side.

She feared that if Zac and Leila got married in the future, he might only be taken advantage of and live a miserable life. Essie shuddered at the thought that she felt willing to sacrifice herself-she would remain his wife until he found out Leila's true self behind her sweet façade.