Chapter 1810
When Love Comes Late
Introducing them, Doreen said, âProfessor Perez, this is Stella Anderson, the woman I work for, founder of our studio.
â
Then, turning to Stella, she added, âAnd this is Alissa Perez, my professor.
â
Stella extended a polite greeting to Alissa.
The woman who stood before her was in her forties, exuding a mature charm and an elegant grace that seemed to illuminate her surroundings.
However, Stella couldnât help but notice Alissaâs lingering gaze.
Feeling a twinge of self-consciousness, she wondered if her face was smeared with dirt and subconsciously brushed her cheek with her hand.
Observing Stella, Alissa explained, âIâm sorry, but you look incredibly familiar.
Itâs so startling that I find myself unable to look away.
My apologies for staring.
â
Stella lowered her hand and offered a forgiving smile, responding lightly, âItâs no problem at all.
â
Alissa continued to gaze at Stella, curiosity piqued, and inquired, âYour last name isnât common around Seamarsh.
Are you from here, Ms.
Anderson?â
Shaking her head, Stella replied, âNo, I grew up in Bysea with my grandfather.
I moved here after I got married.
â
Alissaâs surprise was evident as she continued, âDid you just mention you had a grandfather?â
The question seemed unusual, and Stella, bewildered, nodded.
âYes, he raised me.
â
As Stella responded, she noticed a strange look on Alissaâs face and asked, puzzled, âIs something wrong?â
Alissa quickly dismissed her concern.
âOh, no, itâs nothing.
I might have confused you with someone else.
â
Brushing aside any lingering awkwardness, Stella got straight to the point.
âProfessor Perez, Iâve come to seek your help.
Iâm currently working on a project that requires embroidery.
Youâve seen the pattern earlier.
Though Iâm not skilled in embroidery myself, Iâm hoping you could assist me.
â
As she spoke, Stella unfolded a design draft and pointed to a specific pattern.
âThe previous embroiderer said it would take two days to complete this pattern, but she had to attend to an emergency and couldnât finish.
We need this dress completed by tomorrow.
Could you help us meet this tight deadline and ensure the work is up to standard?â
Alissa didnât respond right away.
Stella worried she had reservations and blurted out, âWeâll do everything we can to meet your needs, whatever they are.
â
Alissa shook her head.
âI donât need anything,â she said.
âThe pattern isnât too hard, but itâll take at least a day.
I have classes tomorrow morning, so I canât start until the afternoon.
â
Stellaâs heart sank.
According to Bella, Margery needed the dress finished by tomorrow.
If Alissa started embroidering in the afternoon, it would definitely go past the deadline.
âIs there any way to shorten the timeframe?â Stella asked anxiously.
âOr could you recommend someone? Iâm open to anything as long as they can finish it on time.
â
Alissa sighed.
âMs.
Anderson, itâs not that Iâm unwilling to help, but this is how long it takes.
I canât change that.
I do have a talented student, but sheâs currently studying abroad.
â
Stella felt a surge of disappointment.