Emperor of Annihilation

FORTY THREE

The Christmas Gala is an event everyone looks forward to. Even the people who attend the event just to get high and make out with each other in the restroom.

The academy hosts one every year to showcase the amount of wealth given to them by our parents. It's tradition at this point. A tradition that will live longer than me.

"Great to see you back so soon. Missed me?"

I spin around on my heels to face the voice. Julian was standing behind me with his arms crossed, a cocky grin painted on his lips as he cocked his head at me.

I smiled. "Of course I missed you, it's been a while after all."

"That's not a surprise–"

"But I'm not here to see you."

His smile slowly faded out of existence and he released an inner huff. "Wow, go ahead and stab me in the heart with a knife, why won't you?"

"I don't have a knife on me at the moment. Maybe next week."

He shakes his head, laughing softly. "All jokes aside, why are you really here?"

The last I saw Julian was a month ago. The same goes for my aunt, who so happens to be the reason why I decided to visit. I consider myself to be an okay designer, however compared to Giselle's designs, my creations were garbage.

I wanted her to make the dress for me, or at least lend me two sets of gowns for Autumn and I.

She's creative with everything she does, something I so clearly lack no matter what. I remember seeing her designs for the first time ever as a child. To say I was enchanted would be a great understatement. I was enthralled by the beauty.

That day, I became certain that I wanted to grow up to be just like her. Inspired by something so monumental, a little girl began dreaming of it from that moment onward.

I explained my reasoning, adding a small head tilt at the end to emphasize how desperate I was for a gown in time for the gala, which was today might I add.

Was this considered to be last minute? Yes, yes it was. However I had no time with Ezekiel following me around like a lost pup for the last week. Everytime I left the dorm, he was right behind me like a stalker. It's like he could smell my very essence like a predator would his prey.

He seriously needed to grip a life and leave me alone for once in his pathetic life. I don't know how much longer I could take him following me with an agenda of attempting to win me over like I was a trophy he'd eventually put on his shelf, only to be forgotten over time.

"Madame Giselle just so happens to be in her office today." Julian spoke, lifting a hand to his cheek, pondering over the thought of allowing me access upstairs. "Is she aware that you're here?"

I shook my head slowly. "No."

"Oh, well.. I'm sure she wouldn't care anyway." He signals to the guard behind him, muttering something to him in French to which the jacked security guard nods at. His eyes slowly drift back to mine, crickling at the corners as he smiles at me. "Good luck."

I return his kind gesture with a smile of my own and follow the security guard to the elevator. The next few minutes were spent in silence, the awkward tension engulfing us both until finally we reached the 6th floor, where Giselle's office was located.

"Thank you." I say to him, stepping out of the elevator and onto the floor. There were only a few people in the office today, all working on new designs. They only became aware of my presence when I released a cough.

"Miss Monroe?" A man with a fresh haircut and a well-trimmed beard raised his thick brows in my direction, lifting his eyes from the dress he was sewing. "We weren't informed you'd be visiting today. Shall I get you anything to drink while you wait for the Madame?"