*From the last scene, we readers now jump into another where Emily and Phari cast the spell to bring Iris, Lily, Muisa and Marilyn into the present era. The 4 girls fall out of the magical mirror, onto each other*

Muisa: Ouch! Lily get off me, my hair! It took a lot of time to fix it.

Lily: Here I am struggling to get up and you care about your hair?

*Two of the besties bicker*

Marilyn: No wonder why you two are besties, your friendship has been going strong since centuries.

Iris: Who thought that you two will be introduced in such way to the story?

Emily: Wait, are Muisa and Lily also a part of the past royal flashback.

Iris: you got that, right!

Marilyn: there's still 1 hour left, you made us leave before the Dragon Dance Festival took place...

Phari: Yah! We all are a part of the flashback, don't you think we all should go together?

Look what happened! We missed the introduction of Muisa and Lily's characters You two have tell us everything.

Muisa: We will!

Lily: I wish I could stay longer, we finally knew what our characters were...

Iris: Except mine-

Marilyn: I am sure your character is important and will be introduced in climax.

Iris: Honestly, I have a good gut feeling about my role.

Phari: tomorrow, we will be leaving for our hometown, how will we come here and watch the rest of the story?

I think it's gonna be long...

Marilyn: We need to find a way, otherwise we will miss the story.

We need to find why we are being reminded of it at present, there is surely an ulterior motive as if us coming here and finding this mirror was written in our fate.

Iris: Where's Sofi?

Emily: Sofi was tired after the date with Aiden, she's sleeping in her room.

Phari: Leave that aside but what Marilyn said, has a point too...

Muisa: I have some relatives here. The distance between our hometown and inaijju is not long. It will take 2 hours to come by car...We will need 2 cars for all of us to travel.

Emily: Ethan has a car, half of the members can come with me. He won't mind.

Lily: I have an old car too... others can come with me.

Iris: Let's choose two days to come here. What about Saturday and Sunday? Will yall be free?

Marilyn: Even if there will be work, I am ready to leave it behind to know about the story.

Everyone: Us too...

Emily: For now, let's head back to our rooms, Phari told me that the Director expects us to organize an annual festival since our house won last year.

Phari: He really expects us to make Mr. Eric Florence attend it.

Marilyn: Mr. Eric? Didn't Aiden tell us a way to lure him?

Phari: Exactly, let's use his idea! But that would mean-

Marilyn: mean what?

Muisa: You and me *marilyn* will have to play a major role in bringing Mr. Eric to our University-

Marilyn: Are you thinking about us going for the internship programme in FLOir Alliance?

Muisa: Exactly! Won't it help our career as well our University?

Marilyn: Makes sense

Phari: Let's go! I am tired as hell

All of em: Yeah

*The girls go back into the hotel to sleep early for tomorrow's bus journey*

*Morning! Morning! A new day, a new step to make... Marilyn and her friends are enjoying the journey back to their hometown*

Sofi: Marilyn, eat this! It's so tasty! Aiden bought it for me, I took some for mom too.

Marilyn: and I guess you didn't leave him empty handed?

Sofi: Of Course not! I bought him a couple bracelet!

*Elsewhere, we have a man with a stern voice scolding someone over the phone*

Man: If I lose anything, I will make you pay tenfold.

Aiden: Relax! Everything will go smoothly...Eric-

*Yup, the man is Eric Florence, only heir to FLOir Alliance who had no one to call his own family*

Eric *irritated* : These damn people are screwed if anything goes wrong

Aiden: I can understand your frustration

*Eric comes near and sits on a One seater couch*

Eric: By the way, I never thought you like these type of tacky bracelets.

Aiden: *confused* Huh? Oh this? My girlfriend gifted me the bracelet because I gifted her some desserts.

She wouldn't let me go home until she bought one of these.

Eric: You got a girlfriend?

Who's the lucky girl?

Aiden: Not lucky girl, she's a crazy girl...

Eric: You look like a crazy Aiden too while smiling like that

Aiden: Do I?

Eric: Perhaps both of you suit each other... Two Crazy will make a good crazy nephew for me.

So tell me about my future sister in law?

Aiden: we haven't decided to get married bro. It's too soon to even think about that.

Eric: Judging by your behaviour when you speak of her, I doubt you are going to marry someone else.

So, Where is my sister in law from?

*Aiden carefully tells Eric about specific details without revealing the whole info*

Eric: I am surprised your father agreed...

Aiden: of course, it was not easy, he ran a background on her. Her family is kind of rich too besides she didn't know my identity before asking me out for date.

Eric: A woman who proposes to a man, that's a gender switch of traditions I see...

And you said, she didn't know your identity?

Aiden: I was a random stranger who helped her to fight the goons.

Eric: Random enough to ask you out?

Aiden: That's the part which is bugging me. Everything feels ok but this thing... my mind is telling me to believe her words.

Eric: What words?

Aiden: When she saw me, it's like she recognized me or something and hit me saying "I waited for centuries to get you back and you are asking who am I ?"

Eric: Did she mistaken you with someone she used to know.

Aiden: She used the word centuries

Eric: Might be just a hyperbole

Aiden: Do you think I should ask this to her?

Eric: If You want to remove every doubt from your relationship and keep it strong, I believe you must.

Aiden: You are right, maybe I can visit her after class in University.

Eric: Which one?

Aiden: Global RESSAT

Eric: The one my company sponsors?

Aiden: Yes

Eric: That's new

*Another man comes in*

Man: Sir, the company needs your sign to go on with the construction work for the new building in our headquarters.

Eric: Leave it on my table...

Man: What about the internship plans, Sir?

Eric: After 5 days, announce selection for interns and give out the application forms.

Run some background check and invite only those who have a clean background.

Man: Noted, sir.

*Scene shifts to Marilyn and Muisa who are practicing for internship selection*

Muisa: Wow Marilyn! It looks so good.

Marilyn: I feel I got back my abilities as Lu Xia so it feels natural to make designs out of the book

Muisa: you were a natural in your past...

Marilyn: Yeah! What about yours? *sees muisa's designs*

Woah, yours one looks awesome.

Muisa: Not as much as yours...

Marilyn: It doesn't needs to be like mine... my art depicts my nature

Your art depicts your nature. That's what keeps differentiating artists and designers.

If everyone had to draw the same, it would be boring

Muisa: Do you think it's enough for FLOir Alliance internship?

Marilyn: To be honest, I don't have any idea about Mr. Eric's taste in designs but judging from his company designs issued last year, he values both ancient and modern designs.

I am planning to practice ancient design. What about you?

Muisa: Modern-

Marilyn: Great! Let's make sure both of us get in.

Muisa: Yup!

Marilyn: I got some previous top designs from designers in a book, I think you might get inspiration for your modern design there...

*Hands over the book*

Here you go

Muisa: Woah, this is surely gonna help me.

What about you though? Have you bought a book for ancient designs?

Marilyn: What's the need of a book when we have visited a civilization with one of the best ancient arts.

Muisa: you are going to use your old skills?

Marilyn: Yes and I might alter it to make a fusion of modern and ancient to make it more elegant.

Whatever designs were published by FLOir Alliance, almost all of them had a feel of elegance.

Muisa: That's right.
We need to get in, for our annual festival and for the university.

Director Sir wants publicity among fashion aspirants and is also actively forming some types of scholarship for it.

Marilyn: Things are gonna get competitive...

*5 days go by... The application forms are given out for internship interview from FLOir Alliance, Muisa and Marilyn fill up the forms and submit it... based on their Qualifications, they were selected for interview. Elsewhere Aiden visits Sofi*

Aiden: Hey, Can I ask you something?

Sofi: Hmm?

Aiden: Are you sure you have not mistaken me with someone else?

Sofi *hits him at the back of his head* : I can never mistake you as someone else

I have known you enough. You love Strawberries and You have allergy from seafood.

Aiden: Wait, how did you know I have allergy. Very few people know about that.

Sofi: See I told you, I have known you for a long time.

Aiden: But how?

Sofi: I can't tell you, otherwise you will call me crazy.

Aiden: you being crazy is not something new but regardless of that, I want you to tell me how you know all of these facts about me.

Sofi: For that, we need to go to your hometown.

Aiden: Then let's go? Your department has a holiday today, right?

Sofi: You sure, you won't regret?

Aiden *With a smile* : Sure.

Sofi: But I will need someone except you by my side.

Phari: Take me.

*Aiden and Sofi jump out of the bench*

Phari: I know what you are planning, Sofi!

Sofi *yells* : What are you doing here?

Phari *Stern as always* : As a family, I am supposed to take care of you and Ethan.

Aiden: Wait? Family?
Ethan and you *Sofi* are brother and sister?

I felt that kind of bond during the 1st meet. I knew something was iffy

Sofi *confused* : Yes, I mean Nooo... Not in this life

Aiden *more confused* : This life?

*Phari trying to scare Aiden*

Phari : Look, we will tell you everything but if you open your mouth and tell anyone about it, then you are dead.

*Aiden Scared*

Aiden: Did I do something to offend you?

Phari *pretends to remember* : Let's see... No, I don't think so...

Aiden *curious* : Then why are you behaving like this with me as if I am gonna kidnap Sofi or something.

Phari: I-

*Sofi interrupts*

Sofi *doing damage control* : She has always been like this but nevermind...
You wanna know the truth or not?

Aiden: I do

Phari: Then let's go to your hometown. You have your car?

Aiden: Yes

*Aiden, Sofi and Phari get into the car and drive away to Inaijju. Marilyn and Muisa get ready for the interview and visit the office*

*Marilyn's outfit*



*Muisa's outfit*



Muisa *anxious* : Is my tie alright?

Marilyn: Yes

Muisa: I don't look messy, right?

Marilyn *reassures Muisa* : Muisa, Relax! Everything's gonna be fine. Just be confident, I know you have a good eye in fashion.

Muisa: My stomach is hurting because of anxiety!

*A person comes into the room where applicants are sitting*

Assistant *in a professional tone* : Today, instead of the interviewer, our CEO has shown up to test the ability of applicants because he wants to ensure that only the best ones get in.

Please be modest and concentrate on your work. Most of you will be more anxious but if you have the caliber, you will certainly get in.

All the best!

Now I invite 6 applicants, Mr. ---- , Miss ----, Miss ---- and...

into the interview room for the selection process

*The room bursts into whispers coming from all the corners*

Applicant 1: Oh Heavens! I heard the CEO is very brutal and rude if he doesn't gets what he wants!

Applicant 2: and isn't he very short tempered?

Applicant 3: Apparently, he fired 5 designers on spot because they failed to deliver upto the quality

Applicant 1: He is so hard to impress! I wish the luck is on my side-

Muisa *panics* : You heard that-

Marilyn: Just relax! Look at me!

*Marilyn stares into Muisa's eyes and all of a sudden, Muisa's feeling of panic reduces*

Muisa: Wait... How did you do that?

Marilyn: a bit of ancient knowledge and modern psychology *winks*

Muisa: I didn't understand but You are the best!!

*Suddenly, we hear a loud crash! As if someone threw something and a girl runs out while crying*

Muisa: What was that?

*In a comical way, we see the previous assistant yelling the lady's name*

Assistant: Miss, you dropped your purse, Miss!

Atleast take your purse and then run out as you wish.

*people in the room start laughing except a few*

Marilyn: My gut feeling is telling me that Mr. CEO didn't like her sample work and smashed it?

Muisa: But that's not good, is it?

You can reject a work but atleast one should not be agressive.

Mr. Eric is so fearful in that case... how does his staff manage to keep up with his demands?

Marilyn: Probably, that's the thing which is keeping the company on top.

It's kind of a grey thingy! Not where everything is black and white.

A company might be at the top but that must include some harshness in the work so that people don't lay back. It's like there is both plus and minus.

However, I agree that smashing things is way too much!

Muisa: It's scaring me.
What If the same happens with us?

Marilyn: That's truly something to be worried about! Our friends are counting on us.

We can't fail them, besides this is our dream company. We will have to adjust and learn the best.

*After a few minutes, Muisa and Marilyn's names are called together along with four more applicants*

Marilyn: Phew! Thank God, both of our names start from M, atleast We can support each other silently in sign language!

Muisa: *takes a deep breathe*

Let's go!

*The first four applicants go inside followed by Muisa and Marilyn but halfway through, Muisa's face drops*

Marilyn: Move forward, Muisa
*Sees Muisa's face*

What's wrong? *looks at the direction*
Oh Shoot!

*And here, I welcome you guys to one of the most mysterious character, Eric Florence Aka Crown Prince Chang Lin of the Lyjas Era*



Muisa: Tell me I am not dreaming!

Marilyn: him- I- how-
*scared*
I am getting out of here...

*Muisa grabs Marilyn*

Muisa: Where are you going? I am not going to do this alone! *Panics*

Marilyn: Then, We both can get out of here. *Comical panic*

Muisa *Insists* : C'mon Marilyn, we can't disappoint our friends!

Marilyn: Well, I think they will understand why we won't give the interview!

Muisa: But THIS was our dream company!

Marilyn *panics* : Heck Company! I can't face him, I ain't even ready!

Muisa: It's about our career, Marilyn!

Marilyn: *panics more* I can't.  It's giving me the ick! I don't think it's a good idea.

Assistant: Ladies! Move forward! Don't you want to give the interview?

Marilyn: I don't!
Please let me go-

Assistant: What's wrong?

Marilyn: I changed my mind. I want to go home. Please!

Assistant: Let me talk with Mr. Eric

Muisa: wait-

*The Assistant goes towards the CEO who is studying some designs and informs him that an applicant wants to drop the interview...At first, Eric gestures him to let Marilyn go but as the assistant moves, he stops him*

Eric: Wait!

Assistant: Yes Sire?

Assistant: Which applicant wants to drop the interview?

*Assistant points at Marilyn and Eric looks at the direction to see Marilyn*



*Marilyn notices him seeing her and hides behind Muisa*

Muisa *whispers* : What are you doing?

Marilyn *whispers back* : He's looking at me.

Eric *to assistant* : Why is she hiding herself from me? Am I a monster or something?

Assistant: *whispers to himself* perhaps

Eric: What did you say?

Assistant: I mean I don't know? She suddenly said she wants to drop the interview.

Eric *curious* : Bring her to me

Assistant: What Sire?

Eric *nonchalant* : Nevermind

*Being curious, Eric walks upto Marilyn... Seeing him approaching, she further moves behind Muisa to hide her face*

Eric: Excuse me, I heard you want to drop the interview? Why?

Marilyn: I just gave up on the idea so now I want to go home.

Eric *to Muisa* : She's your friend?

Muisa: Yes Sire!

Eric * To Marilyn * : You can atleast try and go home instead of giving up, can't you?

You will regret your decision later

Marilyn: I am pretty sure I won't...

Eric: Look at me in the eye and tell me the same.

Marilyn: What if I don't?

Eric: You won't be allowed to leave

Marilyn: But you can't make me give the interview if I don't want to?

Eric: while filling out your application form, there was a clause that an applicant can't leave the interview room once entered unless I give the permission, isn't it? Terris?

Assistant Terris: Is it really there?

*Eric gestures him to pretend*

Assistant: Oh Yes! Yes! It is there. You can't leave the room unless allowed to... That's why I went to Mr. Eric for permission...

Eric: If You leave  regardless of it, then... You will have to pay a hefty fine.

Marilyn *still hiding* : But I didn't know that! And... I can't pay such a hefty fine. Are you being serious?

Eric *poker face* : Do I look like I am joking?

Muisa: Just look in his eyes and say that you don't want to. That's it... it's simple!

Marilyn: Is it?

Muisa: try!

Marilyn: Okay!

*Marilyn comes forward and Mr. Eric takes a look at her face for the 1st time*

*lub dub... lub dub...lub dub...

Eric's heart starts beating...He keeps staring into Marilyn's eyes deeply. "Seeing her makes me feel flustered", he thinks *

Marilyn: I-

Eric: Time up! You can't leave the room.

Marilyn: WHAT!?

Eric: You can't leave the room, you have to give the interview. No "but"

Marilyn: But-

Eric: I said no "but"

Muisa: Sire, give me some time to convince and make her give the interview.

*Eric looks at his watch*

Eric: 5 mins.

Muisa: Okay...
*turns to Marilyn*

Marilyn, listen to me...You calmed me down when I was panicking. Just take your own advice and act on it.

*tries to encourage*

You got it! You know you do. What's the use of your talent if you don't put it to use. Besides, all you have to do is give the interview and you can leave the room.

Give it a thought!

Marilyn *tries to calm herself down* : Marilyn, Calm down! Calm down! You got it. Just 1 hour and it will be over!!!

*Marilyn and Muisa goes to take their respective seats, Eric begins the interview*

Eric: So Introduce yourself

*All of the applicants introduce themselves*

Marilyn: My name is Marilyn majoring in Fashion Design.

Eric: Your surname? *writes down applicant's info on the review marksheet for assessment*

Marilyn: I don't have a surname

Eric *Looks up* : I am sorry? I didn't get you?

Marilyn: I am an orphan. I don't know who my parents are. Hence, I don't have a surname.

Eric POV: An Orphan Like me?

Eric *stern voice* : Okay! *to applicants* Now continue with the institutions where yall study*

*Everyone does as instructed*

Muisa: I am from Global RESSAT.

Eric: Okay! I know about that institution, my company funds it and sponsors scholarship for students.

Next!

Marilyn: I am from Global RESSAT University-

Eric: You are from there too?
*remembers*
Oh yes aren't you two friends?

*to marilyn & muisa*

Marilyn: Yeah!

Eric *assuming* : You must be working a part time job or two, due to hike in fees if you study in Global RESSAT?

Marilyn: I do have a part time job but that's for my basic expenses.  I don't have to worry about my fees since I won the scholarship provided by your company.

Eric POV: ahh! The scholarship girl, the Director talked about?

*flashback in phone call*

Eric: How are studies going on?

Director: it's going smoothly. A girl recently won your scholarship, would you like to see her info to cross-check any irregularities?

Eric: No I am fine. I think you can do it so I won't like to be bothered with this menial job.

*Flashback ends*

Eric POV: Seems like i might have made a mistake. I should have asked for the info earlier. What would it cost me to take a look? She makes me feel curious about her.

I feel like I might want to know her better but what's wrong with you, Eric? Come back to your senses. Seperate professional and personal thoughts.

Marilyn: Mr. Eric?

Eric: Huhn?
Yes, sorry so...
*continues with the interview*

Eric: Look I don't want to know about useless things like your aspiration or dream and so on...

I want you all to be selected on the basis of your quality. That's why I have come up with a on-spot test.

*applicants whisper*

Muisa *To marilyn* : On spot test?

Eric *stern*: QUIET! Terris!

Terris: Yes, sir?

Eric: Bring out the canvas!

Terris: Noted!

*Some men bring canvas, tables and laptops*

Eric: Open the laptop infront of you all.

A project will be given to you on screen. Everyone got the same project so I want you all to make the best use of your ability and create something new which is unique

Your project design should also depict your style. Modern or Ancient, it's upto you.
You got 1 hour and 30 mins to sketch. After that, no second chance will be given. Your time starts now!

*Marilyn and Muisa waste no time to read what was written on the screen of the laptop. Challenge is an "eco- friendly- avant- garde" which must include sustainable materials of cloth and design. At the end of the design, every applicant is supposed to describe what kind of material they visioned using in the sketch they made*

*All the applicants start the sketching. Marilyn concentrates and thinks about all the memories she spent with Ryu Shim and all the beautiful things in the ancient era which make it so distinctive than any other civilization. Eric notices her sketching with a deep focus as if she is in a trance state.

Eric stares at her, the more he looks, the more familiar he feels. He stands up at a point after 45 mins and goes around every applicant noticing what they are trying to sketch

After a while, he goes near  Marilyn and what he sees, impresses him with a great zeal. Marilyn uses designs of huadian on the cloth giving an ancient touch*

For the people oblivious of Huadian designs. Below are some:



*Marilyn uses pearls to give huadian designs a more elegant and appealing look. She also finds a way to incorporate Yin- Yang with the help of using illusion technique while giving a reddish- orange- brown hue to resemble a Phoenix. In what seems like a shirt, Marilyn makes a bardot-neckline In a spiral shape which gives it an image of dragon moving in air with spirals gives a vision of fire between the waves like structure of ocean depicted below*



*At last for a lasting impression, Marilyn designs a Crown with the help of multiple "JIs"

JIs are ancient chinese hairpins, Marilyn pictures different designs of hairpin in her mind like below:



And combines them with Japanese art of "kintsugi" and "aritsugi" to develop a beautiful Crown which demands royalty.

Marilyn also makes sure that she designs a chinese ancient palace block which when opened by a model would make the dress fall from a short to a full gown. She includes the concept of 2 in 1 dress. Another 45 mins pass by*

Eric: Time up!

Submit all the Designs...

*After viewing the Designs for 10 mins, Eric announces the names of the applicants selected for internship*

Eric: The chosen applicants are Fizel, Muisa...

*Marilyn gives a congratulatory smile to Muisa while the latter beams with happiness*

Eric: *looks at Marilyn*
And Marilyn

*Marilyn froze*

Marilyn POV: Oh no! I was so focused that I forgot that I was not supposed to give my best.

Marilyn: Can I give up my internship?

Eric: No, you are not allowed to...

Marilyn *frustrated* : Why? Now don't tell me there's another contract clause in the application form cause I don't think I would have forgotten to read that!

Fizel: There isn't a clause related to it-

Eric: QUIET! Your designs are great and it is exactly what I was looking for in an ancient design.

I can't let a promising applicant leave after s/he puts on a good competition with other applicants. So, I want you to work with my company.

As simple as that, if you don't join your position, I can simply withdraw the scholarship given to you.

What's the use of scholarship if the receiver is not grateful for it and not putting it to use? Would you be willing to lose that?

*Muisa looks dumbfounded at Mr. Eric's threat. Marilyn sees no choice but to do as Eric says since the scholarship has been a great help to her academic life*

Muisa: *whispers* Is this what I think it is? Is he seriously threatening you?

*looks at marilyn and noticing her reluctance*

Marilyn, you can't give up on your scholarship. I know it's important for you. If you do the internship, it's not like you will be seeing Eric everyday! It's the best company and it's payment is the best for a reason.

You can shoot two birds with one stone. You will be able to give up on your part time job and focus on what you enjoy doing and climb your way to a dream career while saving up money for yourself.

Marilyn *hesitantly* : I will accept the offer of internship.

Eric: That's what I like to hear.

Terris, tomorrow I will assign some things to the selected applicants. You should convey it to them when they join and give them their designated desk to work, understood?

Terris: Noted Sire

Marilyn *regretting* : Where did I get myself stuck into?

I don't even know whether Lu Xia ends up with Ryu Shim or Chang Lin.

*all the applicants leave*

Eric POV: The more you try to avoid me, the more my curiosity will get better of me *smirks*

*What will happen now? Will Chang Lin's entry at present as Eric twist the story further?

Will Marilyn overcome her fear of facing the past in present?

And what is going to happen with Aiden, Sofi and Phari? Can you guess? Drop below your best prediction to get a shout out and stay tuned to watch the mystery unfold itself.

Preview: Eric talks about Marilyn with Aiden and compels him to find out more about her. Meanwhile, the friend group gets to know about Chang Lin's entry as Eric and goes back to Inaijju with a hope to resolve complex story as fast as possible