It took Jessie a few seconds to gather her thoughts. Once she snapped out of bewilderment, she answered with a smile, “I’ll see you again very soon!”
“Sure!”
As Jessie turned around and marched into the hotel ahead of Natalie, Natalie stopped forcing a smile and lost herself in a train of thoughts.
What is it about her that feels so familiar to me? All this while, I thought Jessie was Jasmine, but it turns my speculation has missed the mark.
Jasmine wasn’t as tall as Jessie. On top of that, they’re of slightly different builds. Thus, it’s safe to assume Jessie isn’t Jasmine. With that being said, what’s with this awfully familiar sensation I have?
As she couldn’t recall their encounter, she thought she had run into Jessie on the streets when she was still abroad. In the end, she decided to keep an eye on Jessie.
She had an inkling that Jessie was up to no good against her. However, she couldn’t be sure of the thing the mysterious woman was up to.
Nonetheless, she knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down against someone with such a strong hostile intent against her.
She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts for one last time before making her way into the hotel for her upcoming interview session.
The interview session was conducted with Natalie and Jessie sitting next to one another on a couch opposite the journalist.
It was a relatively straightforward interview session. The topic that had been touched on were Natalie and Jessie’s inspirations for their designs and their upcoming plan.
To Natalie’s surprise, Jessie had a similar vision of establishing her own label, tapping into the niche market of haute couture.
The journalist queried with a smile, “Well, I guess you guys are destined to be one another’s rival, huh? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you guys are participating in an upcoming competition, representing different countries, no?”
When Natalie heard the journalist’s question, she arched her brows in confusion.
I have always wondered the reason Jessie is able to take part in the competition when I’m nominated to represent the country. It turns out she’s representing another country.
“I have to accept the offer because I can’t wait to have a showdown with Ms. Smith. When I was abroad, I had heard all sorts of tales about Ms. Smith. I’m also aware she’s Ms. Mackenzie’s disciple.”
Halfway through her orated speech, Jessie looked at Natalie in the eyes and added, “One way or another, the opportunity to represent our neighboring country has done me a favor.”
“I see!” The journalist nodded and directed her upcoming question at Natalie, asking in a calm and collected manner, “Ms. Smith, how do you feel being deemed a worthy rival by Ms. Syke over here?”
“I guess it’s an honor? I can’t wait as well!” Natalie beamed her reply in a courteous manner.
The journalist had long figured out there was something odd about the duo. Initially, she thought she could get her hands on some juicy insider news, but her effort was to no avail.
She got up from her seat and wrapped up the session with a smile. “Alright, I guess that’s all for today! All the best to both of you in the upcoming competition!”
Similarly, the duo got up from their seats and expressed their gratitude for the time and opportunity given.
A few minutes later, Natalie and Jessie were the only ones left in the private room after the journalist’s departure.
Jessie recalled something and handed over her name card to Natalie. “Ms. Smith, here’s my name card! Please drop by my studio if you’re free!”
As soon as Natalie took over the name card, she took a peek at it. Her eyes narrowed to a slit when she saw the address of Jessie’s studio.
It’s really Jasmine’s studio! I think Joyce’s intel is spot on for once—Jessie has acquired Jasmine’s studio!
Jessie’s eyes glinted when she caught Natalie losing herself in a train of thoughts while staring at the name card. Grinning, she asked, “Ms. Smith, is something bothering you?”
Natalie shrugged everything off her mind and answered, “Oh! It’s nothing! I just find your studio familiar!”
“I guess it’s because it used to be your sister’s studio! I had acquired the studio since I needed a place with the equipment for the upcoming competition. As the studio had been left inhabited after your sister’s passing, I got in touch with her mother and persuaded her to sell it off.”
