The next day.
The sun shines brightly, and the air is filled with the sweet sounds of birds chirping. Inside the office, Sebastian Vanderbilt is uncharacteristically not seated in front of his computer. Instead, he is hunched over a desk, furiously scribbling notes and deeply engrossed in a stack of thick professional books, almost as if they are about to swallow him whole.
Nearby, a massive couch stands in stark contrast to the otherwise austere office decor. It looks incredibly comfortable, almost out of place in the serious setting. Jessica Lewandov, dressed in a chic combo of a short t-shirt and hot pants, lounges on it. Her long, beautiful legs are stretched out, and this time, her feet aren't bare but clad in white cotton socks. Sunlight bathes her, making her skin glow with a healthy sheen. She sucks on a lollipop and fiddles with her phone, her pink earbuds plugged in, seemingly to avoid disturbing Sebastian as he studies.
The room is peaceful and natural, punctuated only by the sound of a pen gliding across paper.
After a long while, Sebastian finally stretches and stands up, breaking the silence.
"Ugh, my neck is killing me," he mumbles, rubbing his sore neck.
"Finished studying?" Jessica asks tentatively, removing one earbud.
"Not really systematic study, just some light prep before the new semester starts," Sebastian replies. "School starts in less than a week; I can't go in unprepared."
"Sure, I mean are you done for today?" Jessica asks, clearly uninterested in the academic details.
"Yeah, I'm done for today," Sebastian nods.
In an instant, Jessica tosses her earbuds aside with a cheer. "Yay, you have no idea how uncomfortable it was to keep these in my ears!"
"Hey, I haven't even charged you for your rest time here, and you're already complaining?" Sebastian retorts, slightly annoyed.
"Who said I was complaining?" Jessica's eyes sparkle mischievously. "I really like this couch; it's way better than the stiff furniture you had before."
She kneels on the couch and pats Sebastian's shoulder with a bright smile. "Nice to see you put some effort into it."
"Who said I put any effort into it?" Sebastian counters. "It's just that our furniture supplier sent this over as part of a deal. No point in refusing free stuff."
"Sure, sure, it was free," Jessica replies, her face full of playful disbelief, "I just love to see it when you don't trust what you say yourself."
She glances at Sebastian with a peculiar look, causing him to feel slightly self-conscious.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sebastian asks, worried that something is on his face.
"Just realized you finally look like you're eighteen," Jessica says, raising her chin.
"Why?" Sebastian chuckles. "Haven't I always been young?"
"Normally, you act older than my dad—so serious and lacking any youthful energy," Jessica teases.
"And what's a young person supposed to be like?" Sebastian asks, smiling.
"Full of spirit, vibrant, naïve maybe, and chasing after what they love," Jessica pauses, then smirks. "Definitely not like you."
"And what's wrong with me?" Sebastian feigns hurt. "I'm a top student, self-employed studio owner, and while I might not have a fancy car or house yet, I am surely more than capable of those. And things could only get better in the future."
"Let's not talk about the future; what's for lunch?" Jessica rubs her tummy and pouts. "I'm starving."
"Dirt." Sebastian replies, feeling like he's talking to a wall.
"Yesterday, you spent money like it was nothing, and today we're eating dirt?" Jessica laughs. "You change so quickly!"
"Yesterday you complained it was too expensive, and today you don't want to save me any money?" Sebastian shoots back.
"Cheapskate," Jessica mutters just loud enough for him to hear, intentionally.
"I'm cheap?" Sebastian asks, incredulous.
"Boss," Secretary Chelsea enters, looking awkward as she takes in the scene.
"Something came up?" Sebastian asks, lowering the pillow he had been about to throw.
Jessica giggles behind her hand.
"It's about the endorsement for the new high heels. The artist from SE has arrived," Secretary Chelsea explains, glancing at Jessica.
"Alright, send them in," Sebastian nods, recalling the morning's notice.
After Secretary Chelsea leaves, Jessica smirks. "High heels? An artist from CBS?"
"We invited Victoria, remember?" Sebastian replies, unfazed. "I wasn't going to, but since you're friends..."
"My influence is that big?" Jessica scoffs. "Why don't you sign all of Pretty Generation for different campaigns?"
"I actually could, but..." Sebastian lets the sentence hang, drawing Jessica's attention. When she looks curious, he smirks and throws a pillow at her.
"Hey, you jerk!" Jessica shrieks, retaliating by throwing her sock at Sebastian's face. As she is about to throw the other one, he quickly stops her.
"Hold on, someone's here," Sebastian says, spotting the visitors at the door and quickly stuffs the sock into his pocket.
Jessica shoots a sharp glance at Sebastian, feeling slightly wronged. With a huff, she flops back onto the couch, plotting her revenge. Before long, Secretary Chelsea reappears, leading Victoria into the office.
"Ah, Jess!" Victoria's face lights up as she sees Jessica lounging on the couch. However, her joy is quickly tempered by the sight of Jessica's slightly disheveled hair and one sock-clad foot, a strange unease bubbling up inside her.
"Vicky!" Jessica beams, motioning for Victoria to sit beside her. She props herself up on one elbow and drapes an arm over Victoria's shoulder. "I heard that Sebastian's been giving you a hard time while I was away," she teases, flashing a playful smile. "Anything you want to share? I'll make sure he pays for it."
"Listen to you, making me out to be some kind of villain," Sebastian retorts, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Mr. Vanderbilt's been pretty good, actually. He just handed out a big contract," Victoria explains with a smile. But when she turns her head back to Jessica, she is met with a pair of sparkling eyes that seem to see right through her.