A part of me wants to walk over to her to offer comfort. But another part vehemently reminds me that she might just be putting on a show. It feels wrong, and it's much harder than it should be, but trusting her would be a mistake. Behind her attractive facade, she hides a dark secret. Plus, I have a job to do, one that depends on nothing less than Jakob's and my future.
With this thought in mind, I tear myself away from her sight and set off in search of the designer.
You have no place here, he told Sky, and that sentence resonates within me. My preliminary research has shown that Kahlo has been working atTouch av lyxfor over fifteen years. He's considered Gustav Blohm's closest confidant. He surely knows something. And as angry as he is at Sky right now, he might even talk.
I spot him on the opposite wall. He's grimly adjusting a model's blouse. I pull out my camera and walk over to him.
"A snapshot for the photo shoot, Kahlo?" I ask, just to be sure.
Even as he turns around, he has a broad smile on his face. "Go ahead."
He poses next to the model, and I take several shots from various angles. His constant checking of his hairstyle and insistence on turning his face the same way each time reveal quite a bit.
He's vain. And that's how I'll get him.
I lower the camera and pretend to look around. "The collection is amazing. Absolutely fantastic."
He nods. "Well, it's not solely my work."
Pretended modesty, for sure. "But you're the creative mind behind it. Without you, there would be no collection."
The model next to him hints at applause, which further excites him. His eyes light up, and despite his casual wave, I see his chest swell with pride.
I put the camera back in my pocket and take a step closer to him. "Between us, that redhead earlier had no idea what she was talking about," I whisper conspiratorially. Getting people to talk is my job, but talking about Sky like this today still feels wrong. "I mean, an umbrella? She's crazy!"
He inhales sharply. "That's the problem with these young ones. Big mouth, no substance."
"She's the boss's daughter, right?" I continue. "Must be tough for her to call the shots now."
"Pfff," he scoffs. "If Gustav knew she was trying to be the top dog here..."
"What?" I involuntarily hold my breath, part of me not wanting to hear the answer.
He regards me dismissively. "Who are you again?"
I gesture to my camera. "The photographer," I reply. "It's such a shame Gustav couldn't be here. I would have liked to meet him."
My words elicit the first genuine emotion in his expression: regret. "Doesn't look good," he admits.
I shake my head dejectedly.
"Hopefully, he'll be back soon. Because I can't standherfor long." He nods toward the opposite side of the room, where Sky rearranges the photos on the wall. "Now she's even changing the accessories? What the hell...!"
I lack the cues to steer the conversation in the right direction, so my next question is a shot in the dark. Still, I need to capitalize on his anger. "Why is she even here?"
"Yes,that'sthe right question." He folds his hands into a triangle. "Gustav forbade her from ever coming back."
What? A father disowning his daughter? That's intense. She must have done something extremely terrible for him to react that way.
"What happened?" I ask cautiously.
His gaze absentmindedly fixed on Sky, he grumbles in disgust. "The kid went completely nuts. Thought the whole world belonged to her and sabotaged my show, that damned bitch."
His hatred is written all over his face, and it pains me even though I can also empathize with it.
I know Sky just like that as well: manic, egocentric, and arrogant. Not only have I experienced her that way, but the designer also knows this side of her. Is she truly a selfish, spoiled brat? Or was she like that back then, and is she different now?
Yesterday, I was sure I saw an empathetic, vulnerable woman behind her aloof facade. In my memory, I go back to our evening together. We talked like I rarely do with anyone. I don't trust everyone with my life story. Sure, maybe I had a little too much to drink. Still, it was nice how she listened to me. Too nice.
