Well, Ms. buddhangela , the best solution would've been you just entered the original short as background, but I see how you can feel like a cheater afterwards.

And you've finished anyway, so what!

(My story this year is actually based on a Holiday Romantica (Romance/Erotica), a Trilogy I did write for like-themed contests ("Christmas Lights " , "New Year's Kiss"  & "Invalid Item" ).