Forever mine

Episode Eleven – An Unlikely Ally

The next morning, Eliana arrived early at the studio, hoping for a quiet start. The hallways still smelled faintly of fresh coffee and fabric dye, the kind of scents that could almost make her forget yesterday’s tension. Almost.

As she reached her workspace, she noticed someone leaning against her desk — a tall woman with sleek black hair and a silk scarf knotted elegantly around her neck. She recognized her instantly: Amélie Rousseau, one of Étoile Modélés’ most respected senior stylists… and one of Kim’s closest friends.

“Good morning,” Amélie said smoothly, her French accent curling around the words like ribbon.

“Morning,” Eliana replied, keeping her voice polite but guarded. “Can I help you?”

Amélie’s smile was faint, almost unreadable. “That depends. Can you keep a secret?”

Eliana frowned. “I’m listening.”

Amélie glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot, then stepped closer. “You may think Kim is only trying to embarrass you at meetings, but… that’s not all. She’s planning something bigger. Something that could cost you more than just your job here.”

Eliana’s stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”

“She’s been speaking to some of our board members privately,” Amélie said, her voice low. “Implying that you’re sabotaging the campaign to get closer to Bryan. If she can make them believe you’re a liability, you’ll be gone before you can defend yourself.”

Eliana’s pulse quickened. “Why are you telling me this? I thought you and Kim were friends.”

Amélie gave a soft, almost sad laugh. “We were. But friendship doesn’t mean I’ll stand by while she destroys someone for sport. I’ve seen this before — and trust me, you won’t see it coming until it’s too late.”

Eliana searched her face for signs of deception, but all she found was an unsettling sincerity.

“What do you expect me to do?” she asked finally.

“Be careful,” Amélie said. “Don’t let her see you rattled. And whatever happens… make sure you have proof of your innocence before she strikes.”

Before Eliana could respond, footsteps echoed down the hall. Amélie straightened, her expression smoothing into professional neutrality. “I was never here,” she murmured, and then she walked away, leaving only the faint scent of jasmine in her wake.

Eliana sat at her desk, heart still racing. The game had changed — and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for the next move.