The studio had become her escape.
No expectations.
No pressure.
Just lines, fabric, and ideas.
Alicia stood in front of her designs, arms crossed.
Something was different.
She could feel it.
The way the fabric fell.
The way the shapes moved.
It wasn't just practice anymore.
It was… real.
"You've improved."
Alicia turned.
Adrian Kade stood by the door.
Of course.
"Do you ever knock?" she asked.
"I did."
"You didn't wait."
"That's optional."
Alicia shook her head slightly.
"You always show up uninvited?"
"Only when something is interesting."
His eyes moved to her sketches.
"This is interesting."
Alicia hesitated.
"It's nothing serious."
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked closer.
Studying each piece carefully.
Not casually.
Not dismissively.
"This isn't 'nothing,'" he said finally.
Alicia frowned slightly.
"It's just something I like doing."
"No," Adrian said calmly.
"It's something you're good at."
A small silence followed.
Alicia looked at her designs again.
Then away.
"I'm not ready for anything serious."
"Ready for what?"
Both of them turned.
Sophie Carter walked in, curious as ever.
"For him to criticize my work," Alicia replied quickly.
"I wasn't criticizing," Adrian said.
"I was being accurate."
Sophie moved closer, flipping through the sketches.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Alicia…"
"What?"
"Why didn't you tell me they were this good?"
Alicia looked uncomfortable.
"They're not that good."
"They are," Sophie said firmly.
Adrian leaned against the table.
"There's a competition," he said.
Alicia froze.
"A what?"
"A fashion competition. International level."
Sophie's eyes lit up immediately.
"That's perfect!"
"No," Alicia said quickly.
"No, it's not."
Both of them looked at her.
"Why not?" Sophie asked.
"Because I'm not ready," Alicia replied.
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"Or because you're afraid."
Alicia's expression hardened.
"I'm not afraid."
"Then prove it."
Sophie stepped in quickly.
"Don't listen to him," she said. "But also… maybe listen a little."
Alicia sighed.
"You're not helping."
Sophie softened slightly.
"I just don't want you to hold yourself back."
Alicia looked at her designs again.
Her fingers brushing lightly over the fabric.
Her dream.
Still there.
Still waiting.
"I'll think about it," she said quietly.
Across the room, Adrian watched her.
Carefully.
He didn't push again.
Because he didn't need to.
And somewhere outside the walls of the mansion…
Someone else was watching too.
Waiting.