One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 84 Audrey

The morning sun was shining brightly through the window as I stepped into my studio, eager to put the finishing touches on my masquerade gown. The excitement that had been building for weeks was reaching its peak-tomorrow night was the big event, and I couldn't wait to attend the masquerade with Tina and dance the night away in my new ensemble. But as soon as I opened the door, my heart plummeted into the floor beneath my feet.

The window was wide open, letting in a cool breeze that made the tattered remains of my gown flutter pathetically on the mannequin. Dozens of small white moths were swarming around it, their tiny wings beating furiously as they continued to feast on my hard work.

"No, no, no," I whispered, dropping my bag and rushing over to the mannequin.

Hot tears pricked at the backs of my eyes as I quickly shooed away the moths and gathered the ruined fabric in my hands. Tiny holes were peppered across the delicate material, destroying the intricate pattern that I had spent weeks perfecting. and the fabric that I had to evade Max for had practically disintegrated already.

My knees instantly went weak and I sank to the floor, clutching the ruined pieces of fabric to my chest. All that work, all those late nights gone.

And the masquerade was tomorrow night. What was I going to do?

Suddenly, the sound of a knock on the studio door interrupted my spiraling. "Audrey? Are you in there?" It was Betty's voice. Before I could answer, Gavin's voice added, "We saw your bag in the hallway. Everything okay?"

I sniffled, quickly wiping the tears from my eyes before calling out, "You can come in."

The door creaked open, and my friends' faces went from concerned to shocked as they took in the scene. Betty and Gavin stood at the forefront, holding cups of coffee, and Avis and Tina stood behind them with their eyes as wide as saucers.

"What happened?" Tina asked, rushing over and kneeling beside me.

"Moths," I said as I held up the tattered fabric between trembling fingers. I pointed at the window. "I must have left the window open overnight, and they.. they ate through everything

Avis frowned, examining the damage. "That's strange. Moths don't usually cause this much destruction overnight. Are you sure it wasn't open longer?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm usually pretty good about opening it before I leave. I don't understand how this happened so quickly, but it did."

"Well, regardless of how it happened, we need to fix this," Tina said as she ran her fingers along the mannequin. The masquerade is tomorrow night"

I should even go at this

"But you're supposed to be

help-maybe if we all work at the same

Chapter 84

back over the mannequin. "I don't know, guys. I can't take more fabric

wear-Gavin began, only to be quickly silenced by sharp looks from all three of us. Betty's eyes lit up suddenly. "I have

turned to

want to keep all the good stuff for myself, but..." She grinned at me. "This is an emergency, and

together excitedly.

too," Avis sighed dreamily. "I haven't gone

I breathed. "You would really show us

can't let you miss the masquerade. You've been talking about it for weeks." Gavin

T

pushing open the door to a tiny, cluttered shop tucked away on a side street downtown-honestly, I was surprised I had never noticed it before. The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as we

said, spreading her arms wide as we stepped

the store, I rifled through racks of dresses, my fingers sifting through beaded

about this one?" Gavin called out, holding up

"I don't think that's quite masquerade

it back on the rack. "Just checking if you

we searched side-by-side, shaking her head. "It's almost like

somewhere far away, staying with her parents for the remainder of the

about it.

happens," I finally said, offering Tina a tight smile. "It's better not to

show. Some were hilariously bad-like the purple sequined jumpsuit that made me look like a disco ball-while others were almost perfect but

Sep 16

Chapter 84

after what felt like the hundredth dress, I slipped on a gown that made me gasp as I looked in the mirror. It was at sage green color, with foxglove and calla lilies embroidered up the sleeves. The bodice hugged my curves