When I met up with the marketing team, I felt like they were a team of titans. 

They were already whipping up incredible ideas. I sat there taking notes on just how their creative minds were working. After taking it all in one of them asked me what I came up with. I told them about my sketches and some of my research. They seemed uninterested. I didn't blame them. When they excused themselves, I stayed in the room looking over my notes again.

There was a knock on the door and when I looked up Nathan was there with a drink from a café nearby.

"Edna told me that you like chai latte's..." I smiled and he brought it over to me. I rubbed my eyes a little and yawned. 

"Are you sleeping well?" I nodded. The past 2 days had been a whirlwind. I think I got maybe a few hours each night.

"I'll be fine," he looked at me a little concerned.

"You have 3 art classes tomorrow right you shouldn't overdo it..."

"These days you're kind of like a surrogate parent Nathan," I laughed and he reached over and put his hand on top of my head. I looked up at his gentle expression.

"Just know that there are people around you who care for you as well... one of the administrative assistant's has ordered you some lunch from one of the places you told me you enjoyed eating at... just remember to take it easy when you can. No matter what happens, I already know how hard you are working."

With just a few simple encouragements, I reached my hand over my head and pat his hand.

"Thanks again for all of your help" he smiled while releasing his hand. He then started walking out of the room. I yawned again, wanting to nap, but I sipped on my latte, and opened up my laptop in front of me to continue brainstorming ideas.

After my lunch, as promised, I went back to the mechanic's department and watched over them for a few more hours. After that, I went to the storefront and spoke casually with the staff. I asked them if I could spend some time with them in the early morning tomorrow. That would be before my classes and they agreed. Not that they couldn't shoo me away because of my 'position,' but they did seem open to my intentions of learning about the business...

*

After getting back to the mansion, I took a brief nap. 

When I woke up, Edna had prepared a large meal for me. I smiled, thinking about how hard the people around me were also working. I finished eating and then returned to sketching. I began drawing scenery from the mechanic's shop, some of the people on our marketing team, as well as some scenic views from the top level of Ravenwolf. 

There wasn't a doubt in my mind now about the reason why Henry Ravenwolf wanted to protect his company. The reason made me sympathize with Kai a little bit more. The people here were incredibly thoughtful, determined, and driven to give their consumers the best product. I paused for a moment... why did it just dawn on me?

Just what if I could work with this angle?

I had thought about going to bed a little earlier, but something inside of me felt a new surge of creativity so I started writing in between sketches with some ideas I had for a concept.

Before I knew it I fell asleep at my desk. I woke up to my alarm blaring. I shut it off, had a quick shower, and took a bite of the bagel that Edna had brought up for me, along with a bowl of fruit and tea. I didn't have time to indulge because I wanted to go and see the employees at the shop.

I raced downstairs, and as requested, one of the drivers was there to take me to Ravenwolf. I arrived when the doors opened at 9am. I made some small talk with the staff and then watched them greet their clientele.

I watched someone sell a car, and many of them interact with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Parents looking for the best car for their now grown up child, another couple looking for a car after becoming newlyweds, an older, recently retired couple wanting to travel the country with a car they saved money for.

I knew of the many reasons why people wanted to buy a 'car,' beyond it being a practical form of transportation for most, but there was smiles, love, and heart behind reasons of purchase. Seeing Ravenwolf employees also take the time to reassure and support their decision made me think of how this has continued at this company for decades, which is why it was as successful as it was. 

I watched sets of keys get handed over a more few times. I also watched people go out for test drives; returning with smiles on their faces. From the high tech features to the style and choices of design for the inside of the car. Every single thing mattered.

I was in-between making notes, sketching, and observing that I didn't realize I would be late for my art classes if I didn't leave now. I wobbled to the side a little, but one of the mechanics visiting, who I recognized as one of the older, more veteran car experts, held onto me. His name was Peter Arthur.

"Whoa! You alright, kid?"

"Thanks! I'm good!" I smiled and his eyebrows furrowed together.

"Did you have lunch yet?" I shook my head and patted his arm.

"I should have been more careful. I promise I'll get something to eat soon. How has the day been over at the mechanic's section?"

"Steady day. Some repairs, some new parts brought in from overseas... are you sure you're alright?" I nodded, and he exhaled. He smelt like fresh coffee and sweet vanilla for some reason. 

"I should get going. I have some classes together," I waved goodbye to him, and he stood there, arms crossed, looking concerned. From what I could gauge from him. He seemed like an intimidating person, but once you got to know him, he was completely soft and caring on the inside. We didn't know each other well enough yet, but I could tell he wanted to scold me for not taking care of myself. I decided to take it easy for once... so I fell asleep in the car. When I woke up, we were already there.

I then detached from my life in the speed lane, so to speak, to be more present with the people in my classes. Until about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I was back into what I knew best: painting.

 After I finished, I collected my things again and decided to head back home. When I did, there was more food waiting for me in the kitchen. 

Edna had encouraged me to come out for once so that it wouldn't feel too confining in my room. After I was done, I headed to the library for a change in scenery and continued prepping my ideas over there. I would be sharing them with the team tomorrow morning, and I was a little nervous. 

I don't know how long I had been rehearsing in the library, but before I knew it, when the exhaustion finally set it I had sat down on one of the couches and sleep soundlessly. I woke up to my alarm again and quickly got ready for work.

When I reached the front entrance with a piece of toast hanging from my mouth Kai was already leaving too. He glanced at me briefly. He didn't look at me with any animosity or sympathy. It was rather neutral which was different. It felt like it was a fair response given this mini silent truce between.

"Don't forget your lunch!" Edna was rushing behind me. She prepared something for me. It must have been Nathan that let her know I had been skipping out on meals. I thanked her again and left feeling like I was ready to take anything on.

When I arrived at the meeting room the team looked like they were wary about the 'contribution' I was going to share. Although they knew I didn't have experience in this field, they didn't go out of their way to berate me. For that, I was grateful. But now wasn't the time to be playing around so to speak. 

I had to prove not only my point. But I had the weight of Ravenwolf over my shoulders, and because I had time to spend it with the people who kept this business running, I understood how important this was to everyone. When I presented to the group, Nathan was there. He told me he wanted to hear my idea as well, and I told him I wanted him to tell me what he thought afterwards so I agreed to him being there...

"I wanted to thank all of you for your patience... I know it's only been a few days, and we have such little time to come to an agreement on a concept. I appreciate that you let me go 'last,' allowing me the time and space to think of something... and I want to show you today what I have come up with..."

With as much articulation and confidence as possible, I explained to them my main idea. Why I wanted to do it, and why I thought it would be unique and different. The more I spoke, and the more I showed them my 'research,' and methods behind this creative project, the more surprised and intrigued they were by my idea. 

I pulled out my sketches, pointing and illustrating the story I wanted to create. After exchanging more thoughts on my concept after an hour, the team told me that everyone would vote on an idea. We took a vote, and my concept was evenly divided with one other team member. We agreed that we would take another vote after preparing a storyboard for how the commercial would go. 

I thought about how difficult that would be for me, but if I pulled an all-nighter I could do it. After the meeting, I stayed behind. Nathan approached me.

"Congratulations,"

"I haven't 'won,' yet," I said, slightly defeated.

"You... do realize how far you have progressed in just 3 days, right?" I looked up at him, not realizing how time had flown by so quickly.

"It's already been three days..."

"Hazel, I think you need to look at how far you've come... it's incredible... but please, don't forget to take care of yourself. Taking a break is important, I know what you're thinking-" suddenly, his phone rang, and I encouraged him to take it. He answered the phone, walking out of the room. 

I decided that after 2 of my art classes this afternoon, I would grab a quick bite to eat and come back to the office. I would take into consideration what Nathan said to me but... this was it. 

This moment was a do it or don't kind of situation. I needed to push past to the finish line.