After hearing Estrella Berrocal’s design concept, the older gentleman smiled and nodded with a hint of admiration in his smile, and teased, “Miss Estrella, I’m surprised your husband didn’t tell you to lose weight and instead encouraged you to design a plus size wedding dress, there’s something interesting about this man.”
Estrella Berrocal did not expect the old gentleman to suddenly mention it, and she blushed slightly: “My husband and I are very close. Today, my husband is also here.”
“Oh? Your husband is…?”
Estrella Berrocal pointed a little away and said to the older man, “That’s my husband.”
The old man looked away, always smiling and nodding, and concluded, “Costume design and haute couture are not synonymous with being flashy and need young designers like you who are not in a hurry and don’t forget their beginnings. Perform well and I hope to see you in the final.”
“Thank you.”
When the old man had left, Estrella Berrocal ran to Adán Rouco and Paulita.
Adán Rouco asks, “How did it go, did anyone like your design?”
“Designing this thing, sure there are people who like it and people who don’t, but it doesn’t matter, an older gentleman right now seemed to especially appreciate my design, even if I don’t end up in the final, I’m still happy.”
Adán Rouco opened with a slight smile, “It doesn’t matter if you make it to the final, as long as you like it, I can help you open a design studio and then anyone who likes your designs can come to you.”
“Really?”
Suddenly, Estrella Berrocal thought it was a good offer and a viable plan.
“Of course it’s true, when the time comes there will be so many people who like Ms. Estrella’s designs that it’s certain that Ms. Estrella will be in short supply.”
“It’s not as dramatic as you make it out to be, so don’t make a joke if no one asks for it then.”
Besides, it’s not a small amount of money to open a studio, and with a grant from Adán Rouco, he would feel guilty if he lost money.
On the other hand, it looks more and more like Adán Rouco was making a decent living and she was seriously losing money, and how bad it would be if people knew that.
Shortly thereafter, on the stage of the venue, the judges’ representatives came up to announce the results of the final.
Estrella Berrocal took the stage, not without some nervousness, and shook hands with Adán Rouco.
Many names have been announced and Estrella Berrocal has learned that Ricardo Prats’ entry has also made it to the finals, but it has taken her a while to hear his name.
Estrella Berrocal looked at Adán Rouco with some loss: “Will I be eliminated?”
“Relax, isn’t the announcement of the results pending?”
The jury representative on stage left the stage with the list of finalists, and just when Estrella Berrocal thought she was really out of the final, the voice on stage returned.
“Hello everyone, this time I am the head of the jury, the finalists have just been announced by Judge Zhang, I would like to congratulate the designers who have reached the final, but I have one more list to announce here, the only innovative design breakthrough list in this design competition.”
Estrella Berrocal looked at the stage and at the head of the jury, who turned out to be the same older gentleman who had just congratulated her.
The elderly gentleman stood on the stage and searched the floor for a moment before his eyes finally settled on Estrella Berrocal and smiled, “Congratulations to Miss Estrella, for winning the innovative promotion spot in this pageant.”
Estrella Berrocal happily hugged Adán Rouco: “Adán, I’m in the final!
Paulita also applauded excitedly: “Estrella is so good!
“Ms. Estrella, am I right in my view, when I say it can be done, it can be done.”
Estrella Berrocal was jumping for joy when the elderly gentleman from the jury, who had passed by the stage, approached Estrella Berrocal.
“Miss Star, I have something to tell you, is it convenient to…. to lend a hand?”
Estrella Berrocal looked at Adán Rouco, who nodded slightly: “Go ahead”.
After receiving the go-ahead from Adán Rouco, Estrella Berrocal followed the more senior members of the jury to a somewhat clearer area of the venue to talk.
“How may I address you, old man?”
“Call me Theodore.”
“Oh, Referee Theodore, may I ask what you wanted to see me about?”
Mr. Theodore looked at her and said, “Miss Star, the thing is like this, there is a rule for this rematch, and it is a kind of benefit for the young designers, the designers who get the innovative promotion place in the rematch, we can provide the qualification to go to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts for further study, and the tuition and visa, it is not necessary that You also have the opportunity to exchange and learn with the Royal designers.”
“But…”
She is married and has two children.
“Miss Star, this is a rare opportunity, think carefully before answering me, there is no need to reject me in a hurry.”
Estrella Berrocal nodded, “Yes, thank you Referee Teodoro. “