Page 50 of Sexted By a Stranger
Work.
Right, work.
Harrington had mentioned that the new seasonal haute couture collection needed some innovative elements, and besides, I still hadn't finished Isabella's assignment.
The thought was like striking a match in the darkness—weak, but it gave me direction. My nerves finally settled.
After bringing Luca fresh hot water, I was heading back to his room when I ran into Lennox near the garden.
Seeing me, he immediately approached. "Miss Stella, I'll take that." He moved to take the tray from my hands.
Luca really can't rest for even a moment.
I grumbled internally but handed over the tray anyway. As he was about to walk away, I quickly called out to him.
"Mr. Snyder, there's something I'd like to ask your help with."
"Please, Miss Stella." He immediately stopped and turned back with a smile. "Whatever you need, just tell me."
"I'd like to retrieve some work supplies—drawing tools and materials from both my office and apartment."
I carefully described the items on my desk, in the drawers, and the specific locations of several reference books on the shelves. Lennox pondered for a moment, then looked up.
"I'll have everything delivered within thirty minutes, Miss Stella."
"Thank you."
He nodded slightly and walked away.
I hoped whatever news Lennox was bringing to Luca wouldn't be something that would anger him—his wound had barely begun to heal. I couldn't help but worry.
Soon, my art supplies and design materials were delivered to me. The moment I spread out the drawing paper, my anxious mood calmed—after all, this was territory I could control.
I was just getting absorbed in my sketches when my laptop chimed with an incoming video call. Isabella's name appeared on the screen.
I quickly answered, and Isabella's elegant figure materialized on screen. She was sitting in a beautifully appointed studio, with an entire wall of trophies displayed behind her.
"Sheila, darling," she smiled warmly, "how are you feeling? Adjusting well to the new learning pace?"
"Couldn't be better, Ms. Winston. It's challenging, but I'm enjoying every minute."
"Let me see your latest work." Isabella leaned forward with interest.
I turned the camera around and held up my sketch to the lens—
In the center of the paper, a pink diamond was cut into a rose shape, its facets like tightly embraced petals, the light soft and restrained. A pair of wings curved from both sides, every feather rendered in precise detail, as if protecting that eternal bud in their embrace.
I adjusted the camera angle and held the sketch closer to get a better view for her.
"What was your inspiration?" she asked.
"Protection," I answered. "Someone once stood in front of me and took all the danger upon himself."
Thinking of Luca's silhouette in that moment, my voice couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Isabella picked up on the change in my emotion. "Sheila, the most precious quality in a designer is the ability to weave genuine feeling into their work. I can sense powerful emotional tension in this design."
"Thank you."
