That was how we became close.
From normal friends… to best friends. More like sisters.
"Lucien, you know I never felt so close to someone the way I felt close to Kelly," I said quietly.
She was like the sister I never had.
But I didn't know what changed.
Where it all went wrong.
I kept to my end of the bargain, I said, recalling everything.
I was consistent in teaching her the little I knew about designing.
Weekends became our routine,going to her house for lessons that most times ended in shopping sprees.
Kelly got bored easily.
She would always say, "It's not my fault I have to know what is trending if I want to be a good designer."
"You can't have us designing old-fashioned things," she added with a smile, pulling out a necklace from the display counter.
She handed it to the sales assistant. "Pack it up for me."
Then she turned to me and pulled me into a hug.
"Kimmie, you know I should actually get a necklace with our initials on it. That would be so cute," she squealed.
"I know. That's a great idea," I said, smiling.
"How about you design it for us? That way it would hold more meaning in my heart," I added.
"What do you think, Kelly?" I asked.
"I would pass," she replied casually.
Then suddenly, she turned more serious.
"Kimmie, you know I don't really like designing," she said.
"I'm only trying to learn because I'll have to inherit my family's jewelry business."
"I don't have passion for it."
"What do you have passion for?" I asked, holding her hands gently.
She smiled.
"Looking good… and spending money."
"That's all, Kimmie. My family is rich. I just need to marry into another equally rich home, let my husband take over the jewelry business, and live my life."
"I'm a soft princess. I don't need to work,just spend daddy's money."
I looked at her innocent face.
I didn't blame her.
She was raised that way,to never struggle, never labor.
I wished my life was that easy too.
"Well, as for me, Kelly," I said softly.
"I love designing. It's my passion."
"You know I dream of one day attending St. Jorlar Jewelry and Design School in Paris."
"Just the thought of it is beautiful. Then becoming a world-renowned designer."
"If only I had the resources… I would love that life."
...
"That's a beautiful dream," Lucien said suddenly, pulling me back to reality.
I blinked.
He was still listening.
"Were you able to go?" he asked.
I smiled faintly.
"Yes. I eventually went."
"That's lovely… how was it possible?"
"Kelly," I replied.
"Kelly…?" he repeated.
"Yes. Kelly."
....
After school, she recruited me into her father's company.
I was grateful.
I was actually living the life I once dreamed of.
Good pay. My own apartment. Nice clothes. Food on my table.
Most importantly, I was designing.
Kelly had me create pieces for her.
It was under her name as the designer.
Innocent me didn't see anything wrong with it.
She was helping me… I was helping her.
My designs helped grow the company massively.
And because of that, she started taking design more seriously.
Even though she tried, she was nowhere near me.
I worked from passion.
She worked for money.
One day, Kelly ran into my office.
"Kimmie!"
"You know I got us admitted into St. Jorlar Jewelry and Design School in Paris!"
My heart jumped.
"Are you serious?" I asked, already excited.
"Yes! But you know you're still at junior level in the company. Without proper training or certification, I can't help you move higher."
"I need your skills to get sharper… and I also need to learn."
"Even though I won't be as good as you, I still need the knowledge."
"People are already starting to suspect I wasn't the one designing those pieces… especially my father."
"So I really need this. You'll come, right?"
I smiled.
"Yes. I will."
That was it.
When we got to school, everything felt like it was finally falling into place.
We were growing stronger.
And she was improving too… slowly.
I was happy for her.
Everything was beautiful.
Then I met Jules.