Xo Novel
Where is the fun in that
“Welcome to the Paris fashion show of the year!” The host announced and cheers erupted through the hall as the audience clapped with enthusiasm.Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.
“As you all know, this event is held once every year ranging from three days to one month and this year we have something more exciting to add!” he added and the audience cheered even more.
“Alright! This year we’ve seen a lot of business growth fashionistas we are proud to announce to you that seven companies are participating in this event this year. Each company with a representative for both senior and junior segments!”
“These are the list of the companies participating in this year’s fashion show! First, we have our three big sponsors, Gefine, Lam and Brianz. And then there is Apil, Maxi, Gaven’s and PeenPii…”
“Huh! I always hate the introduction part of these events. It’s always so boring and too long. I would not have attended this part if it weren’t for Mrs Williams insisting” Avon complained while making a disgruntled face.
“Shhh.. It will soon be over and the main event will start” Celina chipped in while gesturing for Avon to keep quiet. Lily on the other hand watched with rapt attention as the host continued to introduce the important guest.
“Ladies and gentlemen, listen up,” he announced, his tone taking on a more serious note. “I’m not going to mince words. Each company will have four representatives in a team, and your team treatment will depend on your performance in each segment. The companies that bring in the most business during this time will enjoy the best perks, while those who underperform will find themselves at the bottom of the food chain.” he explained
“Although it may sound complicated, it is simple. Your merit is determined by the number of people who like your product during each segment. There are going to be accumulative scores and there are also deductions for punishment for breaking a rule, so be careful not to bring your team down. With that said, let a representative from each team step up to pick up a number tag”
“This tag will be used for the first segment of the show. Your number will represent when your team get to present during the show. Once you’ve picked the number you are free to return to your designated accommodation and the show will officially begin tomorrow”
“We are number four” Celina grinned as she showed her team the number card. “Just right in the middle,” she added.
“I don’t have a complaint, the numbers will be reshuffled next week” Avon shrugged as a guide began to lead them to their accommodation.
As they pulled up to the hotel, they saw a crowd of people milling about the lobby. It was clear that many of them were contestants, dressed in a wide variety of outfits that ranged from casual to formal. Some of them were chatting animatedly, while others stood stoically, their faces betraying nothing of their thoughts.
As Celina scanned the crowd, her eyes landed on a girl who seemed to stand out from the rest. She was poised and elegant, her clothing and demeanour befitting a young woman of high class. Celina’s scowled as she noticed it was Evie Thompson. Avon followed her line of sight and also noticed the lady standing by her lonesome self, looking elegant and lonely, while people chatted and animated around her, “Oh the pretentious young miss here this year.” Avon snickered.
“Who?” Lily asked curiously, “That’s Evie Thompson. She’s the daughter of the main family of the Thompson group. She’s my senior. We attend the same fashion school, although she looks cool and gentle on the outside, she is a devil who always sees herself as better than others, when she barely cut the mark” Avon sneered.
“If she’s here as a representative, I do think she cut the mark.” Lily said and Avon chuckled, “Don’t worry, you’ll see what we mean in the next few days. Every of her talent points has been invested into arrogance and looking pure”
“Are you guys team number four?” a guide walked up to them and asked “Yes we are” Celina replied politely
“Please put down your names and come with me. The females are assigned a room and the males are assigned the room next to it. After the first segment you will be assigned a house based on your merit points” the guide explained as she led them to their rooms.
“A house? Why not an ensuite instead?” Celina asked curiously. “Every segment of the show would be recorded and the audience would like to see the daily lives of the participants, so having a house is more convenient”
“Thanks for clarifying. Hint has already been placed in your room, you and your team have to work together to find it and create the best work that matches the hint. I wish you good luck” The guide bowed and left.
As the group entered their rooms, they eagerly looked around for the hint card, but it was nowhere to be found. They searched all around, but the card was seemingly missing. “I can’t find any hint cards in here, do you think they placed it in the boy’s room?” Celina asked she flopped on the bed with an exasperated sigh.
“Let’s call them to see” Lily suggested and Celina made a call through to Avon who picked on the second ring. “Did you guys find anything?” she asked immediately after he picked up.
“Nope, there is no hint card. We will keep looking and let you know when we find something useful.” Avon replied
“What if it’s not a hint card? She never specifically said it was a card, did she?” Lily asked and Celina’s eyes brightened with a smile. “Why didn’t I think about it? It doesn’t have to be a card, they could place things around that hint at what the designs would be!” She exclaimed.
“Alright, let’s start looking for odd things” she interacted and got back up to searching.
{All this would have been easy if you asked for my help, you know?}
“Where is the fun in that? Isn’t the essence of competing to have fun?”
{It’s actually to win. But I ain’t arguing with you.}
“I found something!” Celina exclaimed as she raised. “It’s a plastic flower under the bed” She raised the plastic rose with a triumphant smile.
“A flower?” Lily asked and then hummed, “There are lots of things that could be designed using a flower, as the base, that’s too wild of a hint” she pointed out with a thoughtful appearance.
“We found a lemonade recipe and a bold written ‘Lot of fun’ Do you think it is part of the hint?” Ian asked curiously as he cross-checked the recipe.
“And then there is an apple and an orange in the bathroom” Lily added with a chuckle as she noticed the red and green apples sitting on the bathroom counter.
“So the hint is, Fruits, flowers, lemonade and lots of fun? What comes to mind when you hear all those words together?” Celina asked
“Summer” the other three echoed.
“Too general, if you ask me, but we are dealing with a summer theme,” Lily pointed out calmly.
The room fell silent as they all thought about what the hint could represent, after several minutes of silence Avon exclaimed, “It’s a summer garden party!”