MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

As Crystal sat down, Serenity's eyes slowly opened. She smiled when she saw what Crystal was wearing and said, "It's so hot out today. Why are you wearing a long-sleeved shirt?"

Crystal shrugged, and after pulling her sleeves down, she said, "I don't want to get a sunburn." She was ashamed of what had happened, and she wanted to keep it a secret, even from her best friend.

Serenity had seen Crystal pull down her sleeve, though, and it made her suspicious. "What are you covering up?" she asked. She reached over to grab her friend's sleeve.

Crystal pulled her arm away and said, "Nothing. Leave me alone, okay!"

Serenity smiled mischievously and said, "You have rope burn on your wrists, don't you? What kind of sex games do you and Professor Davis play?"

Crystal playfully punched Serenity in the arm and said, "Up yours!"

Serenity chuckled and said, "I think you've been reading 50 Shades Of Grey.. Am I right?"

Crystal huffed and punched Serenity a second time, and then she began to scratch her friend's arms. Serenity immediately started begging for mercy, and she promised to quit asking questions about Crystal's sex life and her long sleeve shirt.

"Have you received the notice for the written test?" Serenity asked, changing the subject.

Crystal: "What written test?"

Serenity: "The written test for the Assistant Host position!"

"I didn't receive any notification," Crystal said. "I'll check to see if one came in, though." She pulled out her phone and checked her email, but she hadn't received notice. She shook her head. "There's nothing here..."

"That's impossible!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Every applicant was notified. It doesn't make sense. You should ask about it."

Suddenly, someone shouted Crystal's name, and both girls looked up. It was Tiffany, and she was standing expectantly in the doorway with a bag in her hand. Crystal got up and walked over to the teacher. Tiffany handed her the bag when she got there and said, "Here are the books I promised. I hope that they help."

Crystal peeked into the bag and said, "Thank you, Miss Ford. I was going to come looking for you."

Tiffany: "Huh? For what? Is it urgent?" 

Crystal: "About the Assistant Host position. I heard that every applicant received a notification to take the written test, but I haven't. Do you know anything about that?"

Tiffany: "You didn't receive one? That's strange. We submitted the application forms to the TV station, and then they did a preliminary screening. Of course, your notice could still come, but it is also possible that you were eliminated from the competition... Try not to get your hopes up, okay. You knew from the start that there were only two positions available."

"I know." Crystal sighed sadly and said, "Thank you for your honesty. If I don't get the notice, can I pass your books on to one of my classmates?"

Tiffany: "Of course."

Crystal thanked Tiffany again and returned to her seat with the books, and with her back to the teacher, she didn't see the smug expression that had appeared on her face.

The more Crystal thought about what Tiffany had said, the weirder she felt. Finally, she picked up her backpack and turned to Serenity. She said, "Serenity, I've got to go. I'm going to the TV station." If she had been eliminated from the competition, she felt she deserved to know why.

***

When Crystal arrived at the TV station, the receptionist took one look at her and said, "Hello, may I help you?"

Suddenly, Crystal felt like a deer stuck in the headlights of an oncoming car. She didn't know what to say, and she knew that she wouldn't be allowed in if she said the wrong thing. So she looked around frantically, with her eyes finally landing on a poster of Amy Fowler. She smiled and said, "I'm here to see Amy Fowler."

"You and everyone else." The receptionist chuckled and said, "I assume you have an appointment..." Crystal admitted that she didn't and was quickly told that she wouldn't be allowed in without an appointment.

As soon as the receptionist finished speaking, she took out a nail polish bottle and began to paint her nails. Crystal tapped lightly on the desk to get the woman's attention, "Could you please give her a call?" she asked. "You can tell her that Crystal Smith is looking for her. She knows me."

"Sure, sure," the receptionist sneered.

"And I'm the Duchess of Wales!" Crystal frowned. What does Camilla Bowles have to do with anything? - she wondered. "What are you implying?" she asked sincerely.

The receptionist laughed and said, "You give me your name as if it should mean something to me. That's hilarious. People are dying to see Amy, and you think you'll be the lucky one to get through. Ha! There was one guy who threatened us to jump off a building if he didn't see her, and he died unsatisfied!"

Crystal was shocked. She wanted to see Amy, but not that bad.

The receptionist returned to her nails, but Crystal wasn't prepared to let her off the hook that easily. Instead, she pulled her phone from her pocket, knocked on the desk to get the woman's attention, and played the first video on her phone. Then, when it was over, she said, "I originally wanted to give Amy an exclusive interview. But if this is the way this station is going to treat me, forget it!"

The receptionist was shocked. Have I made a huge mistake? - she wondered. "Have you made an appointment with Amy for an interview?" she asked.

Crystal ignored the question, and as she began to walk away, she put her phone to the side of her head and pretended to make a call.

"Hello," she said. "Is this Worldwide Entertainment? My name is Crystal Smith, and I have a story for you."

The receptionist's face turned white.

"Wait!" she shouted. "Please, hang up. There's been a mistake. I'll get you in to see Ms. Fowler right away."