To Be Me

35: They're Yours

         ***

A car pulled up in front of what looked like a clothing store.

Emma took a better, closer look through the slightly tinted window of the back seat.

She wasn't wrong.

It was an 'O and B' boutique. One of the many the city was painted with. But what was she doing here?

"Let's go."

Eden announced getting down from the passenger's seat and Emma followed after.

Holding the main door open, she gestured for her to go in.

She took a look inside. The store was brightly lit. Quite spacious and stoked with all the style that were in trend.

Titling her head, she noticed the two display cases on each side of the door were all empty.

Pretty strange considering how they should always be occupied. It was a means to attract attention and also sometimes display a bit of the creativity genius that resided within.

"What am I doing here Eden?" She asked looking at the door unwilling to move from her current position.

"You were the one who insisted I tell you what happened so..." She tilted her head to the door.

"Let's find out."

After a moment of contemplating, she finally yielded and entered the store.

It was very bright and beautiful inside. There were latest designs tightly fit on manniquines splattered all around the store. The light bounced off the jewelries in cases at the front desk where a nice looking lady wearing a smile warmly welcomed them.

Eden nodded in response as her focus seemed to be on something more pressing while Emma smiled back at her giving a slight bow as she followed behind

"Let's go." Eden gently tapped Emma on the back leading to a door that led to a backroom.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Back."

Eden held the other door open and Emma entered followed by her.

Emma was completely stunned by what she saw. Beautiful desses were arranged spaciously on manniquinns. They had precious stones all about them.

"Wow that's a beautiful gown." Emma exclaimed walking towards one as though she was being attracted like a metal to magnet.

"Hmph." Eden scoffed sitting down on a small cushion stool.

"Not according to my mother."

"What do you mean?"

"You must've seen the empty display case outside. My mum finally gave me the opportunity to put my designs up for display. I thought it was too good to be true. They went up earlier today and everyone loved them... But then I come back later to see that they're gone. Poof. Just like that. I asked everyone but no one said a thing. Confused I rushed here to look among the other things and we'll here they were."

"That's rough. Did you find out what happened?"

"Well yh. She swung her legs to one side of the stool. My mother was behind it all. She gave the order and threatened to fire anyone who told me. Said I should  find out myself if I was that curious. I met her and asked about it. The only thing she said was that it wasn't good enough and I needed to learn more. Told me to trash them before tomorrow. She hates to see failures."

Emma had sat down at the other end of the small round stool. Her back was now leaning against Eden's.

"You were right." She chuckled shaking her head sideways.

"I don't understand. It seems I failed to realize you guys also pass through hard times like this. Because of what you were given, big things are required of you. The people around will expect much more from you so you have to try double to meet each and every single one of them." She sighed.

"Your life is hard."

This made Eden chuckle. "I know. I can't let others know. I have a brand to represent afterall. I think for me that's the hardest part. It's like I'm not myself anymore. I'm much more because my every action represents. I have to always smile, act a certain way even if I don't want to, dress a certain way all the time and..."

She paused before going on.
"I think that's why I hated you at first Emma. You had it so easy. You weren't like any of us, the rich and privileged. You had a loving family who were always there for you, you could do whatever, whenever. Literally wear whatever. I see you everyday and I know you don't put so much thoughts into your clothes."

"Hey." Emma playfully complained.

"Ok maybe you do put a little thought but not as much as I do every single time I step out of my building. I have to get in makeup before my stylist dresses me up. . I mean you probably just got up and left when you got the scholarship..."

"It wasn't that easy." Emma cut her off in barely a whisper.

"Huh?" Eden turned to her. "What did you say?"

"It wasn't that easy. I almost lost my best friend coming here."

"That's rough. So why did you come?"

"I had to. I mean. Free tuition, the high standard of education, trips around the world and a job at the end of my stay here if I do well. I would've been a big fool not to come."

"Well you're right about that." Eden added as Emma turned to her looking curious.

"About the school and the job." She smiled before she continued as though she forgot to say something. "And also being a massive dumb dumb if you didn't come."

They both laughed at this point before Emma diverted her attention back to the dresses.

"But hey..." Emma gently nudged Eden. "Just for the record, your designs are beautiful."

Eden smiled briefly at Emma. "Thanks. I already knew that though." She added playfully as they both started laughing.

"Hey." Eden called looking at Emma and then the designs. "How about you take them..." She was standing next to one of the designs.

"No I couldn't. Really." Emma was quick to reject the offer.

"Why? I mean you like them right?" Eden looked expectant.

"Yh but that doesn't mean I should take them all. I mean..."

"Emma Emma,Em..." Eden took hold of both her hands and cupped them. "I would be more than delighted and honoured to have you wear my first official designs. Please."