One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 277

Audrey

The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos.

I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with clothes, models and stylists bustling about, and all I could think about was how one tiny thing going wrong would ruin everything.

A misplaced hem. The wrong lighting. A dress out of line. Every possibility spun through my head, tangling up in knots. And the fact that I’d hardly slept last night didn’t help any.

I was somewhere between the back dressing room and the main area when my mother appeared out of nowhere in a rush of blonde hair and sweet perfume. She stepped in my way, physically blocking me from rushing past her.

“Audrey.” She put a gentle hand on my arm and stopped me in my tracks. “You need to breathe.”

“I am breathing,” I said, but it came out shaky, and I could tell that she knew I was lying.

She just shook her head and wrapped her arms around me, tugging me close. The smell of her perfume and the soft silk of her blouse enveloped me, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“You’ve done everything you can, sweetheart,” she murmured, stroking my hair. “It’s all going to be wonderful. Just like we planned.”

I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into her embrace for just a moment. “It just feels like… if one thing goes wrong…”

“It will be perfect, Audrey. Don’t worry.” She pulled back, giving me a reassuring smile. “I panicked before my first show, too. Every designer does. But you’re not doing this just for yourself, honey. This show is about something much bigger. It’s about making a difference. And that’s what people will remember.”

right–this was about helping others, not about making a name for myself. It wasn’t like the Paris fashion show all over again, back when I was a

small smile pulling at her lips. “Now go on and take a moment

could be done now. The models were getting dressed, the staff was handling the lighting, and the audience was steadily flowing into their seats. Now, all

I made my way backstage, looking around for Edwin. I ducked into a small, quieter hallway just off

wall, looking ridiculously handsome in his fitted suit. He had that familiar smirk on his face, the one that always made my ‘ heart stutter, and

said, pushing away from the wall and striding up to me. “The brilliant designer in the flesh.

I replied with a shaky laugh as I walked into his open arms.

He held me for a moment, kissing the top

followed him down the hall and into a small room tucked away from the main bustle of everything. He glanced around, closing the door behind us before turning back

small, crinkled package from his pocket, handing it to me with a sheepish smile. “Don’t look at me like that. Just open

+5

soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade–there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline

over the wool. “Did you… did you

almost embarrassed. “Yeah. Thought it could match the one you made for me back

it and inhaling the scent of him that

didn’t give him a chance to reply before I was in his arms, holding him tightly, feeling his heartbeat steady and solid against mine. He hugged me back,

sure you

into his chest. “I

back slightly, his hands slipping under the scarf, and took it from me. His fingers brushed against my collarbone as he adjusted it around my neck. “You know,” he murmured,

in a rush. How could I forget? “When I pulled you closer with it

gentle tug, drawing me toward him until there was nothing between us but our clothes. That’s one of my favorite memories, you know,” he whispered, his voice