Shawn was so into Rose's brand it felt as if a k-pop fan finally got to meet his idol. His eyes sparkled with genuine admiration as he praised the brand's latest collection.

"Your designs this season, they're simply mesmerising. I've been following your brand for a while now, and I must say, I'm captivated. I'd love nothing more than to work with you in the future."

Feeling elated by Shawn's interest, Rose couldn't help but be amazed. "I'm thrilled to hear that you appreciate my brand so much. I would feel honoured to work together."

Their conversation flowed smoothly as they dived into the nuances of design and the creative process. Just as Rose was enjoying this moment, a sudden chill crept down her spine.

Elle's presence halted the conversation like a sharp needle on a vinyl record, bringing back the dusty memories of the time long forgotten.

Elle, the best friend of Rose's victim from three years ago, stood before them.

As Elle started walking in her direction, Rose's pulse quickened. But when she embraced Shawn instead, as if one had found her long-lost friend. Rose's poised facade slowly shattered.

Then her eyes locked onto Rose's, and when she leaned towards her gently, what appeared to be a heartfelt hug carried a silent tension, an exchange of secret animosity between them.

Shawn gave Elle a warm greeting, but was surprised to discover that she had a close relationship with Rose.

"Elle! You know Rose? But how?" Shawn inquired, trying to piece together the puzzle.

Elle's gaze fixated on Rose, as the air surrounding them became a winter breeze. She acknowledged Shawn's query before turning her attention back to Rose.

Memories came rushing back. Rose first ran into Kate in the guise of a friendly coincidence. It was only because of Kate's help and guidance that Rose charmed her way through the social circles of the fashion industry. Playing field like a skilled puppeteer.

But the harmony of their friendship withered just within a year. She recalled their argument that night, the night which became Kate's last.

Rose was the kind of person to take huge risks head on, but a fashion industry is another feat and people here knows it way to well. When she suggested a gamble in the name of business expansion, Kate practically begged her to take it slow but Rose was never the one to be held back by the fears and emotions of someone or anyone. Rose's heartless ambitions crushed Kate's spirit, leaving her protests to be nothing more than silent screams.

Days later, the news of Kate's untimely death sent shockwaves through their social circle. Rose still remembered it as if it was yesterday, how she stood there at Kate's funeral, as a silent figure amidst the grieving crowd.

"We've also crossed paths before, at unfortunate events," Elle stated, her voice tinged with a hint of accusation.

Rose's breath caught in her throat, her composure slowly slipping away as the memories of their shared history played through her mind.

Shawn was confused, unaware of the tension brewing between the two women.

"Yes, it's been a long time," Rose admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She tried so hard to mask her discomfort, but with Elle right in front of her, it wasn't easy.

The tension between them kept rising like the temperature in summers. What should've been a pleasant conversation now turned into a gloomy silence, all because of an unspoken truth and the buried past.

Shawn, sensing the unease, made a light joke to brighten the mood, but the heaviness in the air stayed the same, making his plans to fall apart.

As the evening grew into the night, Rose found herself torn between excitement and discomfort. This game of dilemma was an unexpected addition to these encounters, and she never signed up for it.

Rose's body temperature spiked, a surge of fresh blood coursed through her veins, like a hand tightening around her neck, suffocating her. Annoyance crept into her eyes, growing into frustration.

She grabbed Elle by the hair and smacked her face against the cocktail table before them, tossing the glasses filled with drinks and a vase to clatter.

Lips curled up in a sinister grin. To Rose, the blood dripping through Elle's forehead appeared like a sight to behold, bringing her a sweet pleasure, as if witnessing an artful piece. But soon enough Rose was pulled out of her fantasies, when she felt Shawn's shoulder brush against her.

Straightening herself, she brushed a hand through her hairs, pushing a few strands behind her ears. Every minute passing seemed to provoke her, making her further anxious. What if this perfect game comes to shambles before it even begins? It deepened her uncertainty about what this reunion may reveal.

***

The next morning, the city lights dimmed behind the closed blinds of Rose's office, casting a faint shadow all over the space. Her clenched jaw and furrowed brows hinted at a storm brewing within. Her demeanour, polished like her designs, today was on the edge of cracking.

The moment Alice stepped into the office, she sensed an unease in the atmosphere and understood that even a small misstep could bring chaos today.

The party last night was an exciting affair, but not in the way Rose had expected.

The sight of Shawn, his eyes which were filled with admiration for her, had sent her pulse racing, but then the unexpected encounter with Elle, their victim's confidante, awakened her with a fury she struggled to contain.

Infuriated, Rose ringed Vincent's number. Her voice, usually calm and composed, spat fire as she instructed him to meet at their hideout tonight.

Just then, as if the mishap was waiting for this very day. In the dressing room, a commotion erupted as Sera, a popular celebrity, expressed her displeasure with the dress tailored by one of Rose's designers.

Sera was so frustrated that her disappointment spread through the lounge like a wildfire, causing anxiety among the staff. She complained that the dress emphasised her figure in all the wrong ways. The commotion kept escalating every minute.

Alice felt as if she might not make it through the day. Standing outside the office, she hesitated a little before stepping in to inform Rose about the commotion.

"Ms. Lawrence, w-we," Alice cleared her throat before continuing, "We have a problem. S-Sera's causing a scene. She's not happy with the dress fitting."

Rose, whose mask of composure was already on the edge of slipping off, gave Alice a death stare. "If you can't even handle that, then tell me... what use do you have?" She frowned, her chilling voice cutting Alice's lifespan short.

"I-I'm s-sorry! I-I-I'll go and d-deal with it." Alice, on the brink of bursting into tears.

"Why bother coming here, then?" Rose raged. Then letting out a deep sigh, "Forget it, bunch of useless morons, I'll handle it," she replied, her voice a steady over the storm within.

In the dressing room, Sera's dissatisfaction echoed off the walls. "Do you see how this makes me look? Bloated! I can't wear this. It's ridiculous!"

Her voice rang with frustration, causing ripples of unease among the staff.

Rose glided into the room with the grace of a swan but the determination of a lioness.

"What seems to be the issue here?" Her voice, soft yet commanding, cut through the tension. "Sera, darling, let's see what we can do to make this perfect for you." Rose intervened smoothly. Her calmness was a stark contrast to Sera's storm.

As Rose altered the dress, her fingers worked magic, transforming the fabric to suit Sera's preferences.

"There, how about that?" Rose's voice was a soothing melody in the chaos, trying to calm down Sera's anger.

But once Sera left, satisfied and smiling, Rose's expressions changed. Her eyes turned steely as she turned to face the designer responsible for the dress.

"This isn't just about a garment, Mark. This is about our brand's reputation." Rose maintained control over her voice, but the heaviness of her disappointment filled the room.

"Ms Lawrence, I'm sorry, I tried..." Mark's defence was feeble against Rose's relentless pursuit of perfection.

"You represent my vision, Mark. This kind of discrepancy is something I won't tolerate!" Rose's unwavering tone echoed through the room, pointing at the standards she demanded.

Soon enough, Rose lost her composure as her disappointment transformed into a storm of anger that unleashed upon everyone present. "You're all part of this brand, and this isn't how we operate! It's unacceptable!"

Her words were like sharp daggers, sparing no one from her wrath. "If you people can't even handle such silly tantrums, don't bother setting a foot here from tomorrow onwards!"

The dressing room fell silent in the wake of Rose's outburst, a stark reminder that behind the glamour and finesse of the fashion world lay an uncompromising pursuit of perfection, one that demanded excellence from every individual associated with the brand.