Chapter 4

"Aria Sinclair, come out for a minute."

Ms. Young had barely left when Yasmin came knocking.

"What is it?" I followed Yasmin to her bright, spacious workstation.

"Aria, did you know that for the first month at the company, we're both on probation? Only one person can stay in this position, so there will be fair competition."

Yasmin crossed her arms and lifted her chin, smiling strangely. "Although they say it's fair competition, we all know how things really work... My family may not be as powerful as the Harts, but we're still one of the top families in New York. So I don't need to spell out which of us will stay, right?"

"You mean I'll be the one to leave?" I smiled too.

But my smile angered Yasmin. "What's that supposed to mean? You think it'll be me? I'm just giving you fair warning so you don't cry too hard when the time comes!"

"I believe Blue Zenith is a fair company that will keep the person who's most qualified for the job." I replied calmly.

"Qualified? Ms. Young showed me your resume - you're just some poor student who had to drop out after one year at the Paris College of Art! I studied properly in the US for three years. How can you compare to me?"

Thinking of my unfinished studies, I lowered my eyes, feeling a moment of sadness.

But then I remembered how my French professor Léo always said: "Aria, you have such talent. It's as if you were born for art."

"Not necessarily. I don't think I'll necessarily lose to you." I took a deep breath and said quietly.

"Don't push your luck!" Yasmin flared up.

"Since that's how it is, next week we're co-hosting a fashion show with a French design company. You two will represent Blue Zenith. I want to see what skills you really have!" Ms. Young had just come over to bring Yasmin coffee and overheard our conversation.

"One week..." I murmured.

"What's wrong? Scared? Listen up, if your design isn't chosen by the French side, forget one month - I'll kick you out of the company immediately!" Ms. Young said contemptuously.

"I was going to say that one week is plenty of time." I smiled, leaving the two fuming women behind as I walked away.