Chapter 37
Sky
With a blissful smile on my face, I read Kjell's message.I have to see you, preferably right now, it says, and I could swear that the letters on my phone screen look more beautiful today than usual.
I still need to review contracts, and the HR manager wants to talk to me about new hires. But as soon as I leave this office, I will belong to him alone.
Dinner?I type, while in my imagination, we're already sitting in the wood-fired hot tub on the terrace afterward, passionately kissing and cuddling while gazing at the starry sky.
Three dots dance across the screen. It takes an unusually long time for his message to appear.Okay.
We set a time, and then I reluctantly put my phone aside and return to the balance sheet I had opened earlier. I let my eyes scan the incredibly long list of numbers. Inevitably, I yawn. Mother was probably not entirely wrong; some of an entrepreneur's tasks aren't really fun. Besides, I find it hard to concentrate.
Since my conversation with Lil, one idea has been swirling in my head. It's there no matter what I do, it even haunts me in my dreams.
Chewing on my lower lip, I turn my chair, along with myself, toward the cabinet behind the desk and open the sliding door.
There it is, my design portfolio. Carefully, I run my fingertips over the leather cover. I brought it here this morning, hoping I would find the courage to show it to Kahlo.
The image of Kjell's expression when I tell him that my designs might one day grace the runways of the world flashes through my mind.
Do you believe in me now, how amazing you are?he would ask and gently pull me into his arms.
He knew it from the very beginning. Not for a second did he doubt. Kjell believes in me. So I should too.
"Now is just as good as tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or three days from now," I say to myself because that's the truth.
Well, not entirely.
The deadline for the Oscar dress is approaching in four weeks, and maybe my design from Öland could... "Nonsense," I quickly shake my head; this thought is just too crazy. I'm not a designer. I've only learned the basics at fashion school, and I've always enjoyed doodling. But I could become one—if Kahlo helps me.
Hesitantly, I pull the portfolio out of the cabinet, turn my chair back to the desk, and place it there. I open it and try to see the designs through Kahlo's eyes.
What would he say about the moss-green jumpsuit with the loosely tied ribbons? Would he find the floral summer dress too ordinary? Or would he at least acknowledge my talent to some extent?
Stop the useless doodling, I hear my father's voice inside me.See what you can do for the company instead of daydreaming.
I set the sketch aside, and then Kjell appears in his midnight blue suit before my eyes, and at that moment, I feel that it's not just useless doodling. This design has something special, not only because Kjell is wearing it.
"I can't believe it," a male voice says out of nowhere.
I hastily lift my eyes. "Kahlo."
He stares at my designs, his expression darkening rapidly. "What the hell..."
"It's not what you..." I jump up from my chair.
Kahlo doesn't pay any attention to me; he grabs the portfolio with the designs. "What is this?" He takes the sketches one by one, glances at them briefly, and then lets them fall to the floor. The furrows on his forehead deepen.
"I... well..." I should say these are my designs, but all I manage is a helpless stutter.
He comes to the evening gown I designed on Öland. Breathing heavily, he waves the sheet of paper in the air. The paper rustles dangerously loud. "You conniving, power-hungry little fraud."
Excuse me?
"I knew trusting you was a mistake," he says, his right temple vein throbbing. "You manipulate and sabotage wherever you can."
"No," I say with surprisingly steady voice. "Let me explain."
