Chapter 106 Audrey

My jaw was practically dragging across the floor as I stepped into the design department. Rows of pristine glass drafting tables lined the entire space, each one occupied by a designer who was bent over their work.

The air was filled with the soft scratch of pencils on paper and the click of computer mice, the soft hum of conversation the only sound breaking the peaceful quiet. The walls were adorned with mood boards and fabric swatches, a group of designers huddled around a mannequin at one end of the room.

"I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this is where the real magic happens," Leo said with a playful wink, grinning at our awestruck expressions. "And this is where you two will be spending your summer." I could barely contain my excitement. My heart raced, and I had to resist the urge to pinch myself. This was it-my dream come true. I was standing in the heart of Brooks Designs, surrounded by some of the most talented designers in the industry.

"This is... incredible," I breathed, unable to hide the childlike awe in

my

voice.

Leo chuckled. "Mr. Brooks mentioned that you'd fit in well here.

Without meaning to, I snapped my gaze first over to Leo, who now had his back turned as he rifled through a nearby file cabinet. And then I looked at Linda.

Her eyes were gleaming with an intensity that made me uneasy

"Mr. Brooks must know you well," she purred.

I swallowed hard and looked away. "I was his teaching assistant for the first half of the semester."

"Right," Linda said, c**king her head to the side. "I almost forgot. What happened to that?"

It took every muscle and every drop of willpower in my body to not show my discomfort. Thankfully, Leo had turned back around with two bundles of papers in his hands. "Alright, let's get you two set up," he said, leading us to a pair of empty desks by the window. "These will be your workstations for the summer. Take good care of them."

I ran my hand over the smooth glass surface of the desk, taking in the high-end computer and array of design tools laid out in front of me. It was perfect. As I perched on the swiveling stool, I could already picture myself spending my summer days sitting here-and looking out at the cityscape below which, if I was honest, was just as spectacular as the rest of the department.

"Now, for your first assignment," Leo said, handing us each a leather bound folder. "This will help us gauge your abilities. We want to see your creative process, your technical skills, and how you approach a design challenge. There are no rules with his assignment; just take your time, be creative, and show us what you've got."

As I settled into my station, I noticed Linda taking the desk directly across from mine. Our eyes met briefly, and

I'd be staring at

get under my skin, especially not on my first day. So, I ducked my head and got to work. 09:40 Wed, Sep

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could do. The assignment, as Leo explained, had no rules; just a basic outline explaining that we were

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had all but emptied out for the hour. Even Linda was gone

I entered. I quickly grabbed a meal and began searching for a place to sit. As I wandered the cafeteria, I made my way toward a corner table where the other interns were sitting. They all glanced up at me as I

began to eat. Disappointing, but I was used to this-being the only human often meant being ostracized. I didn't expect them to make room for me. "Hey, you're Audrey,

from my chicken caesar salad to see another intern standing by my table with a curious expression on her face. She was tall and

dabbing at my mouth with

voice conspiratorially. "Is it true what they're saying? That you got this internship by sleeping with Mr. Brooks? What

slapped, and the food in my mouth quickly turned to ash. "What? No, of

one thinks a human could get a position like this without... you know. It's

I could respond, a familiar voice cut in. "Wow. That's

delicately holding an energy drink while the other rested on her hip. She quirked an eyebrow at the other

get in by sleeping with the boss," Linda continued before the other girl could speak, her voice sharp. "She got in on her own merits. Even if she is human, she's an amazing designer and a hard worker.

an apology and scurried away, leaving me alone with Linda. I was stunned into silence by her unexpected defense, my mind reeling

into the seat across from me, a smile

swallowed hard. "I think she was just nosy," I managed,

as I ate, carefully sipping her energy

I asked,

**d her head. "Do you believe me now when

suspended in midair. There had to be more to this than met the eye. Linda's sudden kindness felt 09:40 Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 106

to be sprung. "Please don't start anything with me,

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