He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 216

Chapter 17

The afternoon sun streamed through the training camp’s floor–to–ceiling windows, casting a pattern of light and shadow on the floor.

Seraphina frowned at the design draft on her desk, the tip of her pen hovering over the paper, hesitant to fall.

he kept feeling that the curve of the necklace’s pendant was missing something. Then, she heard the footsteps of her mentor, Professor Sterling, at the door.

Sera, can I have ten minutes of your time?” Professor Sterling clutched a yellowed business card, his eyes behind his glasses showing a clear urgency.

eraphina immediately put down her pen, stood up, and neatened the scattered sketches. “Is there something you need?”

‘rofessor Sterling walked briskly to the desk and pushed the business card in front of her. Its edges were slightly worn, and the name “Aline Bennett” was rinted in gold foil.

Do you recognize this name?”

eeing Seraphina nod, he continued, “This veteran Italian designer is back in town. I hear she’s leaving next week. The jewelry design techniques she ossesses–no more than five people in all of Europe have mastered them. You need to find a way to meet her.”

eraphina’s breath caught in an instant.

he had known Aline Bennett’s name since college. The master’s jeweled brooch, exhibited in Paris two years ago, was still a saved image on her computer.

But… would a master like her be willing to see a junior like me?” Her fingertips, clutching the card, turned a little white, her anticipation mixed with anxiety.

How will you know if you don’t try?” Professor Sterling tapped the address on the card. “She’s in Milan for the next few days, organizing her collection at her rivate studio. Take your portfolio. You don’t have to ask her to take you as a student. Even watching her demonstrate a technique once would be a huge help to

our career.”

ist as he was speaking, a light knock came from the door, and Ellis walked in, carrying a stack of design yearbooks.

What are you two talking about?” Ellis’s gaze swept over the business card on the table, his pupils narrowing slightly. “Aline Bennett? Is Sera going to see her?”

eraphina nodded and briefly recounted what Professor Sterling had said.

lis put down the yearbooks, walked over to her, and picked up the card. His finger paused on the address. “Her studio is in Milan’s old town, the streets there re hard to navigate. I don’t have classes tomorrow, so I’ll go with you.”

But your design drafts…” Seraphina remembered that Ellis was working on a new collection and had been in the studio until late every night.

ut Ellis just smiled and ruffled her hair, the gesture natural and affectionate, “The drafts can wall. An opportunity like this, once missed, is gone forever. esides…

le looked at Professor Sterling, his tone confident. “I spoke with Aline at Rome Design Week last year. Maybe I can help put in a good word

eeing this, a relieved smile appeared on Professor Sterling’s face. “With Ellis going with you, I em rest a bit easter Remember, when you meet her, disat be ervous, just explain your designs in detail. That will be more effective than any amount of flattery

he next morning, the cobblestone streets of Milas old town were still damp with dew

eraphina wore an off white dress, holding a carefully bound design portfolio that contained the three works she was not proud of from the past six mogitia,

lis walked beside her, occasionally reminding her to avoid the puddles. The sound of their footstepa echoed softly in the narrow alley

Nervous?” Ellis turned his head to look at her and noticed her fingertips were tremolding slightly

eraphina bit her lip and nodded honestly A little I’m afraid my work won’t be good enough for a master’s eyes.”

12:02

He Gave Her strawberries Gave Me Mums LG Them

hapter 17

It will be.” Ellis stopped and looked at her seriously. “The ingenuity in your designs is excellent. Aline appreciates talent like yours the most.”

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