The 6th HUPE in Storyland competition Ranking

It all started on the day Gabriela Avanzini met the man she never knew would be the love of her life, the day they met was the day that changed everything. Gabriela is a 25 year old woman born in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. She applied to a new job in Italy, a country that was foreign to her. Little did she know, the renowned Italian CEO going by the name of Lorenzo Tarantelli worked in the Fiorenza Couture fashion comapny in Venice, Italy. She booked a flight to Venice a few days after her job application got accepted so she could attend the interview held by the CEO. After her excruciatingly long 12 hour flight, she at last arrived in Venice. Gabriela approached the tall company building of Fiorenza Couture, her black heels clicking against the concrete sidewalk. A guard by the name of Giuseppe spoke, his voice cold and calculated: "You must be Miss Avanzini." Gabriela spoke, keeping her calm composure despite her hands subtly trembling: "Yes, that is me. I'm here for a job interview with Mr. Tarantelli." The guard unlocked the gate, letting Gabriela in as he led the way: "Follow me, Miss. Mr. Tarantelli's office is on the top floor." Gabriela's heels clicked against the white marble floor as they entered the company building, her long, dark brown hair swayed slightly with her each step. She adjusted her black knee-length skirt and blazer slightly, aiming to look presentable for the interview with such a high-ranking man as they entered the elevator. The guard clicked the button for the top floor as the elevator doors closed. After a minute or two, the elevator doors opened, revealing the luxurious dark timber doors that led to Lorenzo's office at the end of the hallway. Gabriela walked to the doors, knocking once. A slightly deep, male voice with a hint of an Italian accent was heard behind the doors: "Come in." She pushed open the doors, granting access to the large office space. She spoke, her voice was slightly shaky: " Mr. Tarantelli, I'm here for a job interview." Lorenzo looked up at her from the mountain of paperwork on his desk, his dark eyes scanned her frame before he spoke: "Ah, you must be Gabriela Avanzini, if I'm not mistaken?" Gabriela spoke: "Not at all, sir. I applied as a fashion designer for your company." Lorenzo put his pen down on his desk, standing up from his leather office chair. "Very well, then. Gabriela, take a seat. We'll begin the interview shortly." She sat down on the chair in front of his desk, her posture remained impossibly straight, revealing the tension that hid beneath her usually calm demeanor. Lorenzo sat in front of her and cleared his throat as he adjusted his suit blazer. His onyx brown eyes looked as if they were almost admiring her appearance. Three years later, Gabriela was assigned to design a dress for a charity event. Yet, Lorenzo couldn't help but notice the fact that Gabriela seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. She sat in the fashion studio and worked on a dress design, her black charcoal pencil glided across the page of paper as she sketched out the dress and brought her initial idea to life. She stood up and grabbed a black silk fabric and lightly marked it with a white fabric pencil. When she finished marking where the fabric would be cut and sewn together, she brought the fabric to the sewing machine and started sewing. A few days later, she finished the dress design. The dress she designed was a black, strapless dress with a fitted corset and a draped skirt. The dress had a heart-shaped brooch pinned on the waist and a long, black train of semi-transparent fabric that trailed behind. Lorenzo soon knocked on the door of the fashion studio. She looked up from the dress and spoke: "Come in." He entered, and came to check how the dress was coming up. He spoke: "Gabriela, I came to inform you that the charity event requires the guests to have partners. I want you to accompany me as my partner during the event. The dress was supposed to be worn by another woman, yet, I have decided that you can wear it. You are the designer, after all." She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise: "Sir, are you sure I am allowed to accompany you?", despite her looking calm on the outside, she felt her stomach tighten with anxiety. Lorenzo glanced at the dress, then at her. "I assure you that you can. The charity event is tomorrow night and it's hosted by Vincenzo Russo. I need you to look your best and act your best next to me." She nodded slowly, and hid the fact that she felt anxious, she adjusted the dress a bit and spoke: "Are there requirements of any kind?" Lorenzo indicated: "There are two requirements you must follow." Gabriela looked at him and silently gestured for him to continue. He cleared his throat, "You must not leave my side, no matter what. As your partner, it is my duty to protect you. And under any circumstances, you must not talk to people who look out of place in any way, shape or form. Understood?" Gabriela nodded once, indicating that she understood his requirements. He spoke, his voice stayed professional: "Very well, then. Be ready tomorrow at 8 p.m. I'll be picking you up." "Alright.." She mumbled after a pause. Lorenzo exited the fashion studio, quietly shutting the door behind him. She sighed, muttering to herself: "How am I supposed to impress him?", she paced nervously around the room. "Do I add something shiny to my outfit? Maybe a necklace? A few bracelets? No, wait, that's too much." She exhaled in slight frustration, running a hand through her hair. Soon enough, the night of the charity event came surprisingly quick. Gabriela was getting ready, she had put the dress on and was doing her make-up. She did a simple make-up look and kept it natural. She grabbed her curling iron and somewhat curled her hair. Gabriela eventually put the dress on, it fit her perfectly and accentuated her silhouette. She adjusted the heart-shaped brooch on her waist and put on her black heels with pearl accents on. She turned her phone on, looking at the time. It was exactly eight in the evening. She headed downstairs from her room and didn't even have to wait before she heard the doorbell ring. She opened the door, and Lorenzo stood there in a well-tailored suit and polished black shoes. He focused on her neat appearance, before he cleared his throat and spoke, his voice sounded slightly nervous: "You look.. gorgeous." She glanced at him for a brief second, her cheeks tinted with a light shade of pink and she mumbled timidly: "Thank you.." She paused, before she continued: "You look quite.. handsome." Lorenzo looked at her and he almost smiled at her words and timid demeanor. He spoke, extending his hand towards hers: "Let's get going, then." She took his hand, and he led her to his car. He opened the door to the passenger seat and spoke, his voice held a hint of fondness: "Ladies first." Gabriela smiled sheepishly and nodded slightly, as she sat in the car. After around 15 minutes, Lorenzo parked his car in the parking lot of the building where the charity event is hosted, he exited the car and opened the door for her. When they entered the building, all eyes headed to them. The host, Vincenzo Russo, spoke on the microphone: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our newest couple, Lorenzo Tarantelli and Gabriela Avanzini!" The guests gave them a round of applause, and someone exclaimed: "Cutest couple ever!" Gabriela's cheeks tinted pink, yet no one noticed. Lorenzo chuckled, his arm wrapped around Gabriela's waist in a protective manner. A few minutes later, after Lorenzo donated money, food and basic necessities to those in need, some partners danced with each other. Lorenzo glanced at her, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable. Lorenzo, noticing she was fine, held his hand out to her and he spoke: "Would you share this dance with me, my lady?" She looked at him and smiled. She placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor, a slow song played. Lorenzo's arm slid around her waist and he pulled her closer to him as they began to sway to the music. Soon enough, the slow music came to an end. Before Gabriela walked away, Lorenzo kissed her. He spoke: "Might as well confirm the couple titles." Gabriela chuckled and she kissed him back. She never would have known that the love of her life would be a man considered too professional or cold for love, and the day she met him would change everything onward. And yet, she didn't regret meeting him at all. But Lorenzo felt a slight pang of sadness, he knew she didn't remember him as her childhood friend.

It all started on the day Gabriela Avanzini met the man she never knew would be the love of her life, the day they met was the day that changed everything. Gabriela is a 25 year old woman born in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. She applied to a new job in Italy, a country that was foreign to her. Little did she know, the renowned Italian CEO going by the name of Lorenzo Tarantelli worked in the Fiorenza Couture fashion comapny in Venice, Italy. She booked a flight to Venice a few days after her job application got accepted so she could attend the interview held by the CEO. After her excruciatingly long 12 hour flight, she at last arrived in Venice. Gabriela approached the tall company building of Fiorenza Couture, her black heels clicking against the concrete sidewalk. A guard by the name of Giuseppe spoke, his voice cold and calculated: "You must be Miss Avanzini." Gabriela spoke, keeping her calm composure despite her hands subtly trembling: "Yes, that is me. I'm here for a job interview with Mr. Tarantelli." The guard unlocked the gate, letting Gabriela in as he led the way: "Follow me, Miss. Mr. Tarantelli's office is on the top floor." Gabriela's heels clicked against the white marble floor as they entered the company building, her long, dark brown hair swayed slightly with her each step. She adjusted her black knee-length skirt and blazer slightly, aiming to look presentable for the interview with such a high-ranking man as they entered the elevator. The guard clicked the button for the top floor as the elevator doors closed. After a minute or two, the elevator doors opened, revealing the luxurious dark timber doors that led to Lorenzo's office at the end of the hallway. Gabriela walked to the doors, knocking once. A slightly deep, male voice with a hint of an Italian accent was heard behind the doors: "Come in." She pushed open the doors, granting access to the large office space. She spoke, her voice was slightly shaky: " Mr. Tarantelli, I'm here for a job interview." Lorenzo looked up at her from the mountain of paperwork on his desk, his dark eyes scanned her frame before he spoke: "Ah, you must be Gabriela Avanzini, if I'm not mistaken?" Gabriela spoke: "Not at all, sir. I applied as a fashion designer for your company." Lorenzo put his pen down on his desk, standing up from his leather office chair. "Very well, then. Gabriela, take a seat. We'll begin the interview shortly." She sat down on the chair in front of his desk, her posture remained impossibly straight, revealing the tension that hid beneath her usually calm demeanor. Lorenzo sat in front of her and cleared his throat as he adjusted his suit blazer. His onyx brown eyes looked as if they were almost admiring her appearance. Three years later, Gabriela was assigned to design a dress for a charity event. Yet, Lorenzo couldn't help but notice the fact that Gabriela seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. She sat in the fashion studio and worked on a dress design, her black charcoal pencil glided across the page of paper as she sketched out the dress and brought her initial idea to life. She stood up and grabbed a black silk fabric and lightly marked it with a white fabric pencil. When she finished marking where the fabric would be cut and sewn together, she brought the fabric to the sewing machine and started sewing. A few days later, she finished the dress design. The dress she designed was a black, strapless dress with a fitted corset and a draped skirt. The dress had a heart-shaped brooch pinned on the waist and a long, black train of semi-transparent fabric that trailed behind. Lorenzo soon knocked on the door of the fashion studio. She looked up from the dress and spoke: "Come in." He entered, and came to check how the dress was coming up. He spoke: "Gabriela, I came to inform you that the charity event requires the guests to have partners. I want you to accompany me as my partner during the event. The dress was supposed to be worn by another woman, yet, I have decided that you can wear it. You are the designer, after all." She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise: "Sir, are you sure I am allowed to accompany you?", despite her looking calm on the outside, she felt her stomach tighten with anxiety. Lorenzo glanced at the dress, then at her. "I assure you that you can. The charity event is tomorrow night and it's hosted by Vincenzo Russo. I need you to look your best and act your best next to me." She nodded slowly, and hid the fact that she felt anxious, she adjusted the dress a bit and spoke: "Are there requirements of any kind?" Lorenzo indicated: "There are two requirements you must follow." Gabriela looked at him and silently gestured for him to continue. He cleared his throat, "You must not leave my side, no matter what. As your partner, it is my duty to protect you. And under any circumstances, you must not talk to people who look out of place in any way, shape or form. Understood?" Gabriela nodded once, indicating that she understood his requirements. He spoke, his voice stayed professional: "Very well, then. Be ready tomorrow at 8 p.m. I'll be picking you up." "Alright.." She mumbled after a pause. Lorenzo exited the fashion studio, quietly shutting the door behind him. She sighed, muttering to herself: "How am I supposed to impress him?", she paced nervously around the room. "Do I add something shiny to my outfit? Maybe a necklace? A few bracelets? No, wait, that's too much." She exhaled in slight frustration, running a hand through her hair. Soon enough, the night of the charity event came surprisingly quick. Gabriela was getting ready, she had put the dress on and was doing her make-up. She did a simple make-up look and kept it natural. She grabbed her curling iron and somewhat curled her hair. Gabriela eventually put the dress on, it fit her perfectly and accentuated her silhouette. She adjusted the heart-shaped brooch on her waist and put on her black heels with pearl accents on. She turned her phone on, looking at the time. It was exactly eight in the evening. She headed downstairs from her room and didn't even have to wait before she heard the doorbell ring. She opened the door, and Lorenzo stood there in a well-tailored suit and polished black shoes. He focused on her neat appearance, before he cleared his throat and spoke, his voice sounded slightly nervous: "You look.. gorgeous." She glanced at him for a brief second, her cheeks tinted with a light shade of pink and she mumbled timidly: "Thank you.." She paused, before she continued: "You look quite.. handsome." Lorenzo looked at her and he almost smiled at her words and timid demeanor. He spoke, extending his hand towards hers: "Let's get going, then." She took his hand, and he led her to his car. He opened the door to the passenger seat and spoke, his voice held a hint of fondness: "Ladies first." Gabriela smiled sheepishly and nodded slightly, as she sat in the car. After around 15 minutes, Lorenzo parked his car in the parking lot of the building where the charity event is hosted, he exited the car and opened the door for her. When they entered the building, all eyes headed to them. The host, Vincenzo Russo, spoke on the microphone: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our newest couple, Lorenzo Tarantelli and Gabriela Avanzini!" The guests gave them a round of applause, and someone exclaimed: "Cutest couple ever!" Gabriela's cheeks tinted pink, yet no one noticed. Lorenzo chuckled, his arm wrapped around Gabriela's waist in a protective manner. A few minutes later, after Lorenzo donated money, food and basic necessities to those in need, some partners danced with each other. Lorenzo glanced at her, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable. Lorenzo, noticing she was fine, held his hand out to her and he spoke: "Would you share this dance with me, my lady?" She looked at him and smiled. She placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor, a slow song played. Lorenzo's arm slid around her waist and he pulled her closer to him as they began to sway to the music. Soon enough, the slow music came to an end. Before Gabriela walked away, Lorenzo kissed her. He spoke: "Might as well confirm the couple titles." Gabriela chuckled and she kissed him back. She never would have known that the love of her life would be a man considered too professional or cold for love, and the day she met him would change everything onward. And yet, she didn't regret meeting him at all. But Lorenzo felt a slight pang of sadness, he knew she didn't remember him as her childhood friend.