The sharp sound of heels clicked echoed through the polished and tinted glass hallway.
Each step carried weight of Authority. Commanding.
The polished floor reflected her silhouette as though the night itself was dimmed by her alluring aura. The light above sparkled unnaturally bright, like daylight where darkness never touched.
Alexia stride forward, her figure fitted in an asymmetrical statement of fashion and control.
A ribbed brown turtleneck clung to her undeniable sculpted body, revealing every curve of her hourglass form. The sleeves were a of dual nature half airy and puff that ended at her elbows, then continuing below as vertically lined fabric gripping her arms down to her wrists.
With every assured stride, her pants, which sat low on her hips, swayed in time. A dark belt cinched the look, grounding it with an effortless yet commanding edge.
The hallway seemed to pause just for her.
But another sound broke the rhythm— her assistant was behind racing after her with the face of urgency.
"Maam please, you can't ignore the meeting like that!"
Her assistant's voice echoed through the silence begging for her attention.
"The ambassador is waiting for your reply."
It's absolutely ridiculous to make a deal with the order like this but if you cancel this meeting, we'll seriously be in trouble—"
His advice didn't cut through her though. Her gaze was only strayed from the boardroom door no. 3 ahead.
She was completely zoned out from his voice.
The assistant swallowed his tongue as she pushed the doors open in his face.
"The ambassador is waiting for your answer. If you cancel this meeting. We will be in serious trouble—"She kept her eyes on the boardroom design and ignores his advice and entered into the rooms. The room brighten radiantly like stars as she closes the door.
Flustered and stressed to get her attention, he quickly walked inside the room behind her.
Rows of mannequins lined in train, draped in gowns that shimmered with impossible beauty and eternal fabrics. The fabrics caught the light like starlight too exquisite to be real. No matter how many times he entered the same room, the feeling was intrigue.
It wasn't just fashion as it was like stepping into a world that only Alexia understood, others could never fully touch.
His breath froze in his throat. "They really look as if you crafted them yourself, Madam.."
The words slipped out without realizing it.
"No answer." Alexia coughed bringing him back to sense.
Alexia's stride simply unwavering as she headed for the workstation. Two staff girls froze being mesmerized in presence of her sudden appearance, their bodies stiff with nervousness and spark of delight
"Why are you working up late at night? I just remembered, I had set up some rules " Her voice was flat, cold.
Fingers brushing subtly across a roll of fabric .
"O–Our apologies, Ms.," one blurted. "We wanted to finish this tonight as the atliar premiere is coming up soon so,"
"But we had Ms Woogi's permission."
Alexia's eyes narrowed slightly with sharp gaze towards them.
"Alright, Tell me then"
""Which piece among all these collections do captivates you the most?"
The staff got amazed as they didn't this type of question came up unexpectedly.
One staff mind whispered,"I thought she would comment on texture, cut, or fit—just like senior informed."
"Is it woman to woman communication."
The air thickened instantly within their zone .
Ms. Woogi just came out form the fabric storage room and got stiffened beside Alexia assistant , the same reaction reflected on him.
Don't be here, Don't be her as her eyes scanned frantically searching specific gown dominating the room.
Both the assistant and Ms. Woogi exchanged nervous glances at each other face sensing the dissatisfaction on Alexia face.
"Please keep their innocent eyes out of the corner gown" They prayed silently looking outside the zone.
One's lips parted, the icy blue gown. It's the masterpiece out of whole collection for the premiere. It has a silver embroidery glinting heavenly with lavender colored sleeves flowing like flower petals.
But then She caught a glance to Ms. Woogi, gesturing x silent warning to that choice along with the assistant.
She quickly stumble to change after getting the warming.
"Y-Yes. Mine too," the second girl echoed quickly.
A heavy silence followed.
The assistant's eyes snapped to Alexia dissatisfied face. He muttered under his breath, frustrated, "Act… didn't work…"
"It has soft yet precise cut, draped with a gravity defying elegance. "
The assistant's signed heavily.
"Act didn't work " He muttered frustrated to Ms. Woogi.
"Amidst the collection of gowns, each carefully crafted with love and dedication, this one stood apart even though none of our team made this.It didn't compete. It carried aura and unearthy perfection "
"Stop. This much is enough"
Her eyes shifting to Ms. Woogi and her assistant.
Both instantly straightened, their back up like strings pulled them.
"Ms. Woogi," Alexia asked, lifting the gown with her finger tips, "could you bring me every fabric close to this shade."
"Yes, Maam. Right away". Woogi moved quickly, opening a wide cabinet. Rows of same fabric rolls placed on one section. She saw five close to the color, picking at one time and lays them on the desk.
Alexia straightly picked up a fourth one and skimmed precisely. She hands them with her usual unreadable gaze.
"Learn to spot the differences in fabric".
Her tone was flat.
"Sorry, Maam!" Both staff members curtsied deeply, voices breaking with fear and pressure.
Alexia turned away, already dismissing the conversation and stormed off with her assistant behind.
The girls nervously fidgeted fingers across the rejected fabrics, totally bewildered.
A clap split the silence, sharp yet gentle tone.
Woogi.
"That's enough for today, leave it now," she said with a warm in her words. "Go home. Don't burden yourselves that is almost negligible."
"Are you sure?" one whispered. "Alexia, won't be angry, right?"
Woogi gave a tired but honest smile. "Trust me, It happens all the time."
Gotta make them again. As Alexia mind whispered coldly in the elevator.
Her assistant caught the flicker of her next move.. He had seen it before. He knew what she is thinking right now.
"Double work"' As his inner voice cried.
***
The city was already devoured by night with some light glistening far from the building. Their building was glowing brightly yet the sleek black car was dark blending with the darkness of night.
They walked toward the waiting car hummin softly, footsteps echoing softly with elegance against the concrete.
"Maam, It's impossible for any designer to make a custom gown for such an important events in three days," the assistant began carefully, continuing his reflection to Alexia on his advice. "But the banquet it involves half the foreign ministers. They will be there too."
Alexia still avoided him. She surveyed the dark street with dim richful light taking in some air, as the soft wind tugging at her hair.
He opened the door for her and, then paused, squeezing his eyes to distant view.
""Cancel it."
Madam, What? As he got bumped by Alexia sudden command.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Alexia eyes drifted pass assistant back as two previous staff girls were sprinting in urgency and desperation, their shirts and hair blowing in the night goofy air. Breathless. Wide-eyed yet sharp enough to spot them, at small forms.
"Bring them over" She commanded.
Wait! Is he waving at us?
"Hurry up! We'll drop you!" The assistant gave them a wave, urgency crackling in his word.
Their hearts leapt over. One gasped, lips shuddering, with a shaky smile through the fatigue and tiredness. "We're getting a ride! That looks cozy."
"'And Alexia too"
The two hurried up with a lifted glow and smile on their face.
"Run faster!"
Bang!
The crack of gunfire tore through the window. Blood spitted across the assistant's cheek. His world slowed to a crawl. The girls froze halfway through a step, their bodies rigid with terror.
A sound of body collapsed dropped his heart. Hair white as snow, stained red. Blood gushed thick and steady, soaking the ground like oil from a broken barrel.
Assistant eyes widened with fear and couldn't turn back his head to her.
"Ma'am—!" the assistant cried and voice cracked.
[System Notification]
User Detected: Alexia
Unique Talent Identified: One Talent of a Kind
System Recognition: Instant Activation
Hidden Skill Ranking: Active
System Rank: ↑Bottom → 20
Warning: Talent presence will influence system dynamics.