One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 55 Audrey

I held my breath as the judges raised their scorecards. Time seemed to slow down as I watched the numbers appear, one by

one.

9... 9.5... 10!

A perfect score!

For a moment, I couldn't believe my eyes. Then, the reality sank in, and I felt a surge of joy and disbelief wash over me.

"Congratulations, Team Audrey!" the announcer's voice boomed through the microphone. "You have nearly received top marks from our judges! How do you feel?"

I could barely breathe. "I... I feel..." I couldn't even speak. Only one word seemed capable of escaping my lips: "Amazing!"

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. My friends, too, erupted into cheers around me, hugging each other and jumping up and down. I could only stand there, stunned, until Tina threw her arms around me and jolted me out of my reverie. "We did it, Audrey!" she squealed. "We actually did it! I can't believe it!"

I hugged her back, laughing and crying at the same time. As we celebrated, I caught Edwin's eye. Even with the mask on, I could see the pride shining in his gaze. I wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him as well, but before I could, the cheers died down and my team turned back to face the judges.

"Audrey," one of the judges called out, bringing me back to the present. "We would love to hear more about your inspiration for this collection. Can you tell us a bit about that?"

I took a deep breath, stepping forward and taking the proffered microphone from the announcer.

"Of course," I began, my voice trembling ever so slightly with a combination of excitement and nervousness. "My inspiration came from a variety of sources, but primarily from some of the fashion icons I've always admired."

I went on to talk about a few designers who had influenced my work, describing how their innovative approaches had

my inspired me to push boundaries in my own designs. I started off as a bundle of nerves, but the more I talked about passions, the more I found myself relaxing.

"But most of all," I continued, my eyes flickering briefly to Edwin, "My biggest inspiration has always been Brooks Designs. The way they blend classic elegance with modern, edgy details is just... incredible. I've admired their work for years, and I think you can see some of that influence in our collection today.

work, I couldn't help but gush a little. Unbeknownst to him, he was one of my greatest

I glanced at Edwin again, I noticed his eyes had softened behind his mask. There was something in his gaze that. made my heart skip a beat, but before I could dwell on it, the judges were

is evident. Now, we have one more question. Who

rising in my chest. I couldn't

said, thinking quickly, "I actually wanted the focus to be on the clothes themselves, not on the models' faces or identities. That's why both of our models are wearing masks. It was a

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Chapter 55

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one of them exclaimed. "Putting the focus entirely on the designs themselves rather than the models- that is a bold choice, and I must

let out a sigh of relief, smiling gratefully at the judges. "Thank you so much. We're honored that you appreciate

of sight of the audience, my friends erupted into cheers again. I was swarmed by a sea of arms and smiles, practically lost in the middle of a massive group hug. "Audrey, you spoke so well out there!" Avis squealed, bouncing on

marks!" Betty added, her eyes wide

the high of our victory.

Edwin slipping away toward a private room. I followed him, glancing over my shoulder to see if anyone else was looking-but they were all too

his mask with a heavy sigh as he peered into a nearby mirror. I watched him for a moment as he ran a hand through his dark hair, disheveling it slightly as he did so, and then undid the top

took a step forward, shutting the door behind

"Hey."

color still hidden behind his brown contacts-momentarily roving over me. He cleared his throat and muttered, "Congratulations. Your team deserved those

pink at his words. There was a tense silence for a few beats before I took another step closer and said, "I meant

brow a bit. "I thought Claudia was your biggest inspiration," he said. "But it seems like I was

anyway, no matter how hard I tried. I just knew

couldn't contain myself anymore. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him, hugging

I whispered, my breath brushing his ear. "For

a moment, Edwin stood frozen, and I started to become worried that I had overstepped-yet again. But then his arms were wrapping around me, and suddenly I was being lifted

help the giggle that escaped me. When he set me down, we were both a little breathless, although I wondered if his head was reeling as much as mine