CHAPTER 1 -  THE MORNING AFTER

That morning, covered with shaky nerves and sunshine, in front of the mirror in my tiny apartment, I applied concealer under my eyes to create the illusion of a well-rested face. My stomach tightened, my head pounded hard, and every blink brought flashes of last night: the neon lights, the laughter, the man. I shook it off. New city. New life. No space for regrets.

Orientation for freshers at the fashion institute would begin in two hours. I had waited for this all my life. I wasn't going to allow a silly one-night stand to spoil it. In a white blouse and tailored brown trousers, I looked professional; nothing like the girl from last night. I wore red lipstick and felt ready.

The campus looked like heaven. The air mixed with perfume and ambition. Students walked like they were on runways. Every corner screamed elegance; from the glass walls, shiny floors, to the banners reading THE KATHERINE KNIGHT COUTURE  ACADEMY.

Reading her name made my heart flutter. Katherine Knight, the inspiration behind all my sketches. The reason I was here.

A lady with a clipboard gave me a student badge. "Rain Hart," she read. "Welcome to the academy. Your class is in Studio C."

Studio C looked unreal. Sewing machines glittered under chandeliers, mannequins stood elegantly, and huge inspiration boards covered the walls. Students were showing off their drawings and fabric selections.

I sat near the window, clutching my sketchbook. A petite redhead leaned over. "Nervous?"

"Afraid," I said with a small smile.

She grinned. "Same. I'm Lucy. From London."

"Rain. From, uh, nowhere special."

Before she could reply, the room went dead. Every head and eye turned toward the door.

She was here.

Katherine Knight entered like a slow-motion movie scene. Her presence filled the room. She wore a shiny black dress, her blond hair in a perfect bun. Her heels hit the marble floor like punctuation marks of power.

"Welcome, designers," her tone was calm but commanding. "You've earned your spot here. Let's see if you can keep it."

A ripple of nervous laughter swept through the room. Katherine smiled, but it wasn't warm. It was precise. Controlled. The type of smile that knew exactly how much power it wielded. She went to each desk, going through sketchbooks, murmuring comments. When she got to mine, my throat tightened. 

I held my breath as she turned the pages of my portfolio. Her expression was unreadable. Then she looked at me. "Rain Hart," she said softly. "You sketch emotions. I can feel the story in your drawings."

My heart shook. "Thank you, ma'am."

She studied me curiously, "Where did you learn to sketch like this?"

"I practiced by drawing people in the streets back home."

Katherine smiled faintly. "Interesting. You capture the soul, not just the style. Fashion needs more of that."

She hovered for a few more seconds, then left. But I could still feel her eyes on me, like a bright light.

By the end of the session, my nerves were calm. Maybe I really did belong here. Maybe last night doesn't count.

Then Katherine spoke again, "I'll be taking one student as my personal assistant, to work closely with me, attend my meetings, and master the industry from the inside."

Every student straightened.

Katherine's eyes met mine. "Miss Hart, I would like that to be you."

I blinked. "Me?"

She nodded, smiling in that poised manner. "Your designs are deep. Consider it a challenge."

The class was staring, some with envy, others with curiosity.

"Thank you, ma'am," I stammered. "I won't disappoint you."

"I hope not," she said, turning toward the door. "My driver will bring you to my home this evening. We begin early tomorrow."

When she left, Lucy hugged me. "Rain! This is big!"

I smiled, dazed. "I can't believe it."

But as we left the class, an uneasy feeling crept into my mind.

Later that evening, the driver arrived, a tall man in a dark suit who barely spoke as he led me into a black car. The ride was quiet aside from the hum of the engine and my own thoughts spinning faster than the tires.

When we pulled up to the Knights' mansion, I froze. The place looked like a palace of gems, on a mountaintop. Every inch of it oozed wealth and power.

The front doors opened before I even reached them. Katherine stood inside, flawless as always, a glass of wine in her hand. "Welcome, Rain," she said smoothly. The smell of roses and luxury greeted my nose.

Katherine turned to me. "You'll stay in the east wing. My husband will be home shortly. I would like you to meet him before dinner. He is our school's major investor."

I nodded, still overwhelmed. "Of course, ma'am."

As we entered the grand living room, a deep masculine voice sent shivers down my spine.

Katherine smiled and turned toward it. "There he is."

A tall figure in a navy suit walked in, wearing the kind of presence that made everything stand still. I got dizzy.

It was him.

The man from the hotel room.

The stranger whose touch I still felt on my skin.

I couldn't move. My mouth was dry. He froze too, recognizing me, before sliding into practiced calm.

Katherine kissed him on the lips. "Darling, meet my new protégé," she said brightly. "Rain Hart."

He looked at me, eyes dangerously controlled. "Rain," he said, softly. "A pleasure."

I forced a smile, my heart beating so loudly I was sure they could hear it. "Likewise."

Our gazes locked. Something silent lingered between us, sweet and forbidden.

Katherine, unaware, turned to pour wine. "Rain will be a great fit."

"I'm sure she will," he whispered, still looking at me.

I swallowed hard, suddenly knowing how close I was to catastrophe. The air felt thick.

"Rain, breathe," I told myself. 

Deep down, I knew that the night I thought I could forget had just followed me home.

CHAPTER 2 -  THE MANSION OF MIRRORS

The driver had dropped my suitcase on the porch, leaving me alone in the biggest house I have ever seen. I went outside to pick it up.

Katherine Knight's voice cut through my thoughts, "Come, let me show you around."

We went through corridors decorated with portraits and gowns like a museum. My shoes sank into the posh white carpet. The Knight mansion felt alive. The shiny floors reflected the lights like water. My reflection on the mirrors that lined the hallways seemed to whisper, "You don't belong here." My simple dress looked embarrassingly off compared to the world of luxury around me.

As Katherine walked me through the mansion, I admired the books sorted by color, and even the air felt customized.

"Working closely with me needs discretion and discipline," she said as we passed a long aisle lined with art on the walls, "The fashion world isn't all glitter and glamour. It's a battlefield of ideas, and I like to stay on top."

I nodded, trying not to gape at a life-sized portrait of her wearing a crown of black feathers and a dazzling, long black dress. "I understand, ma'am."

She smiled slightly. "Good. No place for weakness. I reward loyalty."

Her words were heavy, like a promise and a warning entwined.

My room was twice the size of my old apartment, with white curtains that glittered in the soft light and a balcony displaying a beautiful aerial view of the city. A small mannequin stood in the corner, as if begging for my sketches.

"It's perfect," I said, my voice shaking.

"I'm glad you like it. Dinner will be ready soon. Freshen up and join us downstairs."

When she left, I sat on the bed, my heart spinning. How did I end up here? Yesterday I was just Rain from nowhere. Today I was living under the same roof as the most powerful fashion icon... and her billionaire husband.

The memory of him hit me like a wave. Adrian Knight. The man from the hotel. The man whose touch refused to leave my skin, no matter how hard I scrubbed.

I tried to steady my breathing. This was my dream, I reminded myself of what I was there to achieve under the wings of Katherine Knight. Nothing else counted. Whatever happened last night was a mistake; a secret buried deep under city lights.

But secrets have a way of following you.

When I entered the dining hall, the glow from the chandeliers beautified the crystal glasses. Katherine was already seated at the head of the table, elegant as ever. Adrian sat beside her, looking effortlessly magnetic in a tailored black suit.

His eyes found mine the second I walked in. For a moment, the world was reduced to just the two of us. His gaze wasn't soft or apologetic. It was electric, like we both remembered too much.

Katherine gestured gracefully. "Rain, come, sit."

I forced a smile and sat across from them, praying my shaking hands wouldn't betray me.

Dinner was amazing and terrifying. Katherine talked about fashion events coming up, celebrity clients, and an upcoming partnership with a Paris brand. Adrian barely spoke, but I could feel his attention on me every time I looked up.

"So, Rain," Katherine said suddenly. "What was your inspiration?"

I swallowed, "I grew up making clothes from scraps. It was the only thing that made me feel in charge of my world."

Her eyes softened briefly. "Good answer. Passion and pain often make the best designers."

Adrian finally spoke, his voice low and calm. "Katherine, you sure know how to pick them."

She smiled at him, but he wasn't looking at her. He was looking at me. My pulse was fast. The air between us was thick with something dangerous, something neither of us could name.

After dinner, Katherine's phone rang and interrupted my thoughts. She excused herself to take the call. "Rain, feel free to explore the gallery on the first floor," she said, "Adrian will show you the way."

My stomach tightened.

We walked through a dimly lit passageway, our footsteps echoing. The gallery was filled with images of Katherine on the runways, Katherine with presidents, Katherine at flashy events with Adrian, and Katherine holding award plaques.

"She likes to see herself everywhere," Adrian murmured.

I was startled. "She's... impressive."

"She is many things," he said, his eyes on one of the mirrors.

Then came the awkward silence. His voice softened. "You left without saying goodbye."

My heart stopped. "It was for the best. What happened was a mistake."

"Was it?" He came closer, "Because it is stuck in my head."

I stepped back, my vision getting blurry. "You're married."

He nodded slowly. "I know."

There was something in his expression: regret, desire, or maybe something darker.

"Let's forget it ever happened, please," I whispered.

He came close enough for me to feel his breath on my skin. "I've tried."

Before I could respond, Katherine's voice echoed from upstairs. "Adrian, darling, have you seen my tablet?"

He stepped back immediately, his face returning to calm perfection. "In your studio, I think."

I pretended to be admiring a painting, looking composed, but my heart was in turmoil.

A brightly smiling and elegant Katherine appeared minutes later, "Ah, found it! Rain, I hope you're settling in well. Feel at home."

"Yes, ma'am. It's... alluring here."

"Good." She slipped her hand into Adrian's arm, her diamond ring catching the light. "You'll start tomorrow at eight. Sleep well, Rain."

They walked away together, but Adrian looked back once, his eyes meeting mine in a mirror nearby. It was only for a second, but it was enough to take my breath away. As they disappeared down the hall, I stood alone, swallowed by a truth that I couldn't face yet. Because deep down, I already knew. In this house of glass and glory, nothing was as flawless as it appeared. And sooner or later, something was going to crack.

CHAPTER 3 – BEHIND THE VELVET WALLS

Morning in the Knight mansion was a different kind of morning that I wasn't familiar with. The air smelled of glossy wood and gardenia, and sun rays gleaming through crystal windows made the house look like it had been chiseled from light itself.

I hurriedly had my shower and dressed quickly in black pencil trousers and a silk blouse before heading downstairs. My first official day as Katherine Knight's assistant. The very thought made my heart quaver.

Katherine was already in her studio, a very large room filled with several mannequins, rolls of various fabrics, and sketches attached in perfect sequence to the wall. She stood by the window, holding a cup of coffee, her reflection piercing through the glass like a queen inspecting her empire.

"Good morning, Rain," she said without looking up. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, ma'am. The room is beautiful."

"Good. Let's begin."

She handed me a pile of folders thicker than my courage. "These are some ideas for the new couture line. Sort them by fabric type and color, then email me a weekly programme of meetings with the production guys. Also, I need a new plan for Paris on my desk before midday."

I blinked. "Paris?"

"We're presenting our next collection at Palais Galliera next month. If you want to witness the real fashion warfare, you'll come."

My heart jumped. Paris. The dream of every designer. "I'd love that."

Her lips curved a bit. "Ambition suits you."

For the next few hours, I worked like my entire existence depended on it. The studio buzzed with the quiet yet intense sounds of creation; tailors whispering over dresses, the soft hum of multiple sewing machines, the "scroop" sound of silk, and the swishing sound of tulle filled my ears.

Katherine was everywhere; decisive, elegant, terrifyingly brilliant. She didn't just make dresses; she sculpted emotion out of every piece of fabric she touched.

By noon, I was worn out but thrilled. I stepped into the corridor to catch my breath. That's when I saw him.

Adrian.

He stood in a corner, looking dashing in a charcoal suit, making a call. His tone was sharp, commanding; the voice of a man used to giving orders that people hastily obeyed.

When he saw me, his expression softened. He ended the call and walked over.

"You survived your first morning," he said.

"Somehow," I smiled, despite myself.

He studied me for a while. "You look different during the day."

I raised an eyebrow. "Less mysterious?"

"More dangerous."

My heart shook. "You know you shouldn't say things like that."

He tilted his head. "Why shouldn't I?"

"Because your wife may hear you."

He smiled faintly, but there was something dark behind it. "You will learn one or two things about Katherine soon. She doesn't see people... she owns and uses them."

Before I could say anything, her voice floated out of the studio. "Rain!"

I turned, startled. When I looked back, Adrian had disappeared.

The rest of the day went by slowly, spun into a whirl of fabrics, phone calls, and struggling to meet up with Katherine's impossible deadlines. I had never seen anyone work like Katherine. She moved with purpose and unimaginable energy, her commands precise and absolute.

By evening, she dismissed the staff and called me into her private office. It was the only room that didn't feel alive with beauty. Instead, it had control written all over it. Dark velvet walls, vintage furniture, heirlooms, a massive mirror behind her desk reflecting everything and everyone.

She gestured to me to sit. "How have you found the mansion so far?"

"It's... magnificent."

She crossed her legs gracefully, smiling. "You'll get used to it. This house has its moods. Some say it watches your back."

I tried to laugh, but for some weird reason, the laughter stuck in my throat.

She studied me for a while. "You're a fast learner. I like that. But there's something about you I can't figure out yet."

I forced a polite smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Do," she said lightly. "I see potential in you, Rain. But potential can be disastrous if not well controlled. You understand what I mean?"

I nodded, though I wasn't sure I did.

Her eyes flicked toward the mirror behind me. "Good. Now, before you go, a word of advice. The Knights are always watched. By investors, competitors, the press... even by enemies. Discretion is not a choice; it's survival."

I felt her words hang in the air like perfume long after I left her office.

That night, I relaxed on my balcony, the well-lit city looking like fallen stars. The mansion was quiet, too quiet. My mind drifted to Adrian; his words, his gaze that gave me chills, the heap of unsaid things between us. I had noticed earlier, when I saw him signing a document for Katherine at the studio, that he was left-handed. A discovery that strangely excited me and made me feel more of what I couldn't explain.

I giggled.

Then I saw a shadow downstairs.

A tall figure, moving with precision, slipped into the garden. It was Adrian. He walked towards the fountain, his phone pressed to his left ear. Out of mere curiosity, I guess, I eavesdropped.

"Tonight?" His voice was tense and low. "No. I don't want her to know yet."

I froze.

Was he talking about Katherine? Me?

He looked back suddenly, as if feeling my eyes on him. I hid behind the railing, my heart pounding loudly in my chest, breathing hard. When I dared to bring up my head, he was gone.

The curtains behind me danced with the wind, and for a second, when I saw my reflection on the glass window, the woman who stared back at me was torn between fear and fascination.

I realized I wasn't just residing in the Knight mansion anymore.

I was sinking into it.

And it would swallow me whole if I wasn't careful.