"Janelle, thank you!" Sara exclaimed, smacking a kiss on her cheek. "Since you're already here, could you try on this set I just finished? It was designed specifically for your figure."
"Okay," Janelle agreed.
Janelle followed Sara into the changing room to try on the outfit.
Erik and Jiang Chao met at the entrance to the studio. Seeing Jiang Chao, Erik frowned. What was he doing here? Why did this guy turn up everywhere?
Seeing Erik's expression, Jiang Chao felt even more smug. Who would have thought the Night Emperor of the Border would be jealous of him? It seemed Jiang Chao was indeed someone!
"What are you doing here?" Erik demanded bluntly.
"My junior sister called me! With a physique like mine, aren't I perfect as a model?" Jiang Chao retorted.
Erik gave Jiang Chao's figure a disdainful look. "You call this a good physique? You must have a serious misunderstanding about what 'good physique' means."
"Hah! Jealous, I see. My relationship with little junior sister is so good. Keep annoying me, and I might just complain to her!" Jiang Chao knew he had the upper hand because of Erik's feelings for Janelle.
"Why is no one here? Is this the right address?" Jiang Chao craned his neck, peering around.
Erik, however, didn't hesitate. He walked straight in.
"Hey, what if this isn't the place? You can't just barge in!" Jiang Chao protested, though he followed Erik inside anyway.
Hearing the commotion outside, Sara emerged from the changing room.
"Thank you both so much for your incredible support!" Sara gushed, laying on the praise thick. These two were her dream models! Having them here was sure to spark her inspiration.
"Don't mention it," Erik replied. How could he refuse when she was Janelle's best friend?
Jiang Chao waved his hand dismissively. "Where's Janelle? She said she was already here."
Sara didn't answer directly. Instead, she pulled back the changing room curtain.
Janelle stood there in a long red gown. Sara's theme this time was Chinese style, so the top half of the dress incorporated many traditional elements.
The cheongsam collar elegantly wrapped around Janelle's slender, pale neck, making her resemble a beautiful white swan. The cinched waist perfectly accentuated her curves – the alluring swell of her breasts and hips was captivating. The high slit parted with her movement, offering tantalizing glimpses of her long, pale legs.
Seeing the change in Erik's eyes, Sara knew the dress design was a knockout. Even the worldly Mr. Lorenz was stunned speechless.
Erik moved directly in front of Jiang Chao. Standing half a head taller, he effectively blocked Jiang Chao's view. He was possessive; Janelle was his, and he didn't want other men staring.
Erik's gaze was so intense, Janelle felt her skin burning where his eyes lingered. There was an undeniable, subtle chemistry between them after what they'd shared.
"Erik! What are you doing? You're blocking me!" Jiang Chao complained, highly displeased. Shouldn't beautiful things be admired by all? Why was this man so stingy?
Erik couldn't be bothered to respond to him.
"Well?" Sara asked proudly. She truly was the person who understood Janelle best. The dress she designed for her naturally complemented her aura perfectly.
"Janelle, could you be my model? If you model for me, I'm sure I'll become an instant sensation! Janelle, please be my model! I'm begging you!" Her dream had always been to establish her own brand. She desperately wanted to succeed.
"No." Erik flatly refused before Janelle could even speak.
"Why not? Janelle, can you bear to see my dream shattered before it even begins?"
"I said no." He didn't want other men seeing Janelle looking this stunning. If she modeled, how many more rivals would he attract?
Janelle wasn't interested in modeling either, but seeing Sara's pitiful look, she couldn't bring herself to refuse outright. "If you really can't find a model when the time comes, I'll step in to support you."
"Perfect!" Sara threw her arms around Janelle. "Does it fit perfectly? If anything needs adjusting, I can fix it." It was tailored to Janelle's measurements, but she seemed to have lost a little weight recently.
"I think it's perfect. Okay, I'll go change out of it." It was a precious, handmade gown after all.
Janelle went back into the changing room.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chao suddenly felt unwell. Sara took him to the restroom.
Inside the changing room, Janelle struggled to reach the zipper at her back.
"Sara, could you come help me?" The dress was beautiful but tricky to get in and out of.
Sara wasn't there. Erik went in to help.
Seeing it was Erik, Janelle frowned. "I'm changing! What are you doing in here?" Besides, Sara and Jiang Chao were outside.
"Sara took Jiang Chao to the restroom. You needed help, right? What's wrong? Let me help." Erik moved closer.
Seeing her dressed like this was incredibly alluring. Erik wanted to pin her down and... But since it was Sara's studio, he restrained himself.
"Oh, help me with the zipper." She genuinely couldn't reach it.
"Okay." Erik stepped behind her. The image of them standing so close, one in front of the other, was intensely provocative.
When he didn't move immediately, Janelle frowned. "Erik!"
"I want to make you cry." Seeing her like this gave him that impulse.
"..."
Erik slowly pulled down the zipper. The elegant curve of her shoulder blades came into view. Erik leaned down and pressed a kiss against one.
Janelle flinched. Her back was sensitive. Then, he deliberately flicked his tongue against the spot.
Janelle spun around and pushed him out of the changing room. While there was an undeniable ambiguity between them, and she wasn't afraid of Sara or Jiang Chao knowing, she didn't want him acting out like that in front of them.
Erik let himself be pushed out, unbothered. The tips of the girl's ears were flushed crimson. Janelle wasn't someone who blushed easily; when she was shy or flustered, her ears would turn red and feel hot.
Erik found a sofa and sat down. He'd barely settled when Sara and Jiang Chao returned. Sara poured them each a glass of water.
"Wait a moment, I'll go check if Janelle's done. That dress is hard to get out of alone." Runway gowns were like that – stunning but often requiring assistance.
Sara entered the changing room to find Janelle already back in her own clothes. She went to hang up the dress. "You got out of it yourself? That's impressive!" She knew the zipper was unreachable.
"Did Erik come in?" Sara guessed. It made sense. That man looked at Janelle like a wolf spotting a lamb, practically drooling to pounce on her.