Emmy calmly waited for the time to pass, and when she was sure that James must have left, she carried her bag and snuck out of the mansion.
Upon reaching the street, she stopped a cab and boarded it, unaware that James, who was in hiding, started his car and followed her at a safe distance.
When Emmy was a short distance away from O Rock School For All, she exited the cab, paid the fare, and began to walk towards the school.
James also exited his car and looked suspiciously at Emmy heading towards the school. "What is her business here?" he murmured to himself. When he saw her approaching the school, a thought crossed his mind, "Is it possible that she is sponsoring her boyfriend to school?" Shocked, he widened his eyes and thought, "What a joke! She is sponsoring her boyfriend to school and lied that he was hospitalized. What the heck is this?" James followed Emmy, thinking to himself, "What a shameless boyfriend, allowing his girlfriend to sponsor him. He is not fit to be called a man at all." He cursed inwardly and continued to follow Emmy.
As Emmy reached the entrance of the school and was about to take a few more steps forward, she suddenly felt her head spinning, a feeling of wanting to vomit blood, her heart racing, and uneasiness creeping in. "Seems like the poison is still inside my body," she thought. "I should check how fast it occupies my body and how long I can live. I don't want my children to be motherless yet." She glanced at the food in her hand. "If I go in now, they will probably suspect something. I better treat myself first," she said before taking a left turn.
James was dumbfounded. "Where is she going now?" he wondered but decided to follow her.
Emmy went to the nearby hospital, complained of her symptoms to the doctor, underwent some tests, and was told to come back for the results in a week.
She thanked the doctor and left, knowing that her children might notice something abnormal about her. She decided not to visit them for the time being, at least until she was aware of her condition, so she sent a teacher to deliver food to them instead.
James did not follow Emmy after she left the hospital. Instead, he entered the hospital and asked about the person she met, but the doctor informed him that it was her first visit to the hospital and no relatives of hers were admitted there.
Shocked, James wondered, "Did she notice me following her?" He shook his head immediately, thinking, "It's not possible. Perhaps this is just a coincidence." He was not convinced and decided, "I must check the school."
Leaving the hospital, James made his way to the school, unaware of a black-faced, moldy-haired lady staring at him with a strange gaze.
---
It was another morning, in designer Class, Class A.
Miss Bella entered the class with excitement. "Good morning, class," she greeted.
"Good morning, Miss Bella," the entire class replied, founding miss Bella a little strange.
Miss Bella's smile widened as she fixed her gaze on Sonia. "Sonia, will you invite your sister here tomorrow?" she asked.
Sonia frowned, questioning, "For what reason?" She was aware that Miss Bella was referring to her mother, Emmy.
Miss Bella explained, "Nothing much, just to inform her of the competition you have been selected for." She spoke with a bright smile.
The class erupted in excitement:
"She was selected for the competition!"
"She is just too cool!"
"Her design must be superb!"
Sonia wasn't impressed and simply stared at Miss Bella. "Isn't the competition today? Why bother her?" she asked.
Miss Bella smiled and replied, "Indeed, but tomorrow is the winner announcement. We just want to invite her as our honored guest." She seemed confident that Sonia would win the prize.
"I see," Sonia said, "she is not around". She replied in a sour mood, She had sensed that Emmy didn't want to appear in front of them for the time being. Sonia didn't feel abandoned and the feelings she was having was not the feelings that 'Emmy wants to abandon them' she understood that Emmy was hiding something from them and didn't want to trouble them. Though she was Curious, she decided not to worry her mother by asking questions.
Miss Bella nodded in understanding, assuming Emmy had gone abroad since the whole family didn't look poor,they look more like a foreigner. Emmy must have been a busy lady. "That's not a big deal," she said with a beautiful smile.
Sonia didn't make any comment, she didn't have a change of expression as well.
Miss Bella instructed the class, "Alright, the competition will start in half an hour. Let's go to the hall."
---
The competition took place in the school's hall. Each side was lined with six chairs and tables, three on each side, with three middle-aged men occupying the center seats. The left seats were taken by Class B students, while the right seat remained empty.
As Miss Bella's group entered, the audience buzzed with excitement, They couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves, praising Sonia's beauty and elegance as she prepared for the competition.
"She truly is a sight to behold," one person remarked,
another person added, "I've never seen anyone quite like her before, she's captivating."
I heard she was chosen to represent the school. This means our school will upgrade to a new level if she wins in the name of our school, right?
You are right
She is incredibly beautiful! I wish I was in Class A too.
Not only is she beautiful, but she is also incredibly talented. I admire her a lot.
The admiration for Sonia echoed throughout the hall, with many expressing their admiration and awe for her stunning presence. It was clear that Sonia had left a lasting impression on everyone around her, leaving them in anticipation of what she would create during the competition.
___
"We're sorry for keeping you waiting, elders. We were not aware that the competition would begin earlier than scheduled," Miss Bella bowed in apology, not paying attention to the comments from the audience.
The middle-aged men nodded, their focus captured by Sonia who remained expressionless, surprising them. They couldn't help but admired the air that surround her, her beauty was even beyond words.
Miss Bella lifted her gaze and noticed the shocked expressions on the elders' faces. She couldn't help but feel proud of being Sonia's teacher. "These are the best students in our Class A," she said proudly.
The elders snapped out of their surprise. "Alright, now that you are all here, let's begin the competition," one of the men said after clearing his throat, causing the hall to fall silent.
The three students took their seats at the empty chairs.
A young man appeared and distributed drawing paper, colors, pencils, and erasers to the students, placing them on the table. Once he was finished, he left the stage.
"You are to draw a couple's bracelet in different and attractive styles. Also, you must choose a fitting color for it. If you draw it beautifully but color it in an ugly color, it will be considered a failure. Likewise, if you color it beautifully but the drawing itself is poor, you will be disqualified. There is no negotiation, understood?" one of the men stated.
Everyone nodded, and the audience was fully attentive to the stage.
"Then let's begin now."