With the money that she had received from her friends and family she gave it to the hospital as an anonymous donation. She was incredibly grateful to everyone who had donated for the cause and had a great time regardless of her boyfriend not being able to be there.
Evelyn was busier than ever. With William gone back with the military she was putting all of her focus into her business and she was coming out with her birthday line since her twenty-fifth was on Valentine's Day.
She wanted to make her birthday collection fun but also wearable. She allowed her team to voice their opinions on what their colour scheme should be and what different textures and designs they should do. Mary-Kate and Antoine were very helpful in this particular event.
Antoine had given the idea of fun, bright neon colours and Mary-Kate thought of some pastels to balance it out but still make it fun and girly by adding peter pan collars to add to the mix.
Evelyn loved all the ideas and Mary-Kate sketched them out as they even added accessories like necklaces, jewelry and handbags to the collection. It was a first for Evelyn and she and her team couldn't be more excited for the new collection.
Evelyn had sent them to H&M and Anthropologie and had loads of success with this line. It was sold out within one day and Evelyn was absolutely floored. She was not expecting this much success with this line.
"Can you believe it?" Evelyn asked her assistant, Sam. "It's been a whilst since we've seen this much success. Not even their holiday collection received this much success so fast. They had to send more items to both stores as even their online stores had sold out.
"It's amazing," Sam agreed with her boss. "Well deserved as well."
"Thank you Sammy," Eve smiled at her. "I couldn't have done it without any of you."
It wasn't until later that Evelyn checked her mobile and saw that she had a voice mail from an unknown number. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly due to the confusion, but nonetheless she still listened to it.
"Hi Evelyn," Kate cleared her throat slightly due to feeling nervous. "It's Kate. Kate Middleton. I hope you don't mind but Eric gave me your phone number. I was thinking and I would really love to get together with you and talk whenever you are free. If you could call me back I would appreciate it and I look forward to hearing from you."
Evelyn was kind of surprised that she heard from Kate. She wasn't sure if at the time that Kate had really meant that she wanted to get to know her or not. Especially given their now history of dating the same guy. Putting aside her feelings, knowing she was doing this for Eric as well, she dialed Kate back. She almost hoped that it would go to voicemail so that she wouldn't have to speak to her. Answering on the fourth ring, Evelyn heard that light British accent that was now familiar to her.
*
"Hi, how are you?" Kate asked Evelyn after they greeted the other with kisses on their cheeks.
"I'm doing well," the blonde smiled at the brunette. "How've you been?"
"Busy but good," Kate smiled back.
"You know, if I'm being honest I was surprised by your phone call."
"I know," Kate took a deep breath. "I meant what I said though and I want us to get along. I promise I'm not dating Eric to get Will back. That relationship is long gone. I really like your brother and I want to get to know his family. I know that you both have a really close relationship."
"Thanks," Evelyn smiled to the brunette. "I appreciate that. I want to be able to be close to you too. I hope we can actually get passed the odd bits now that we got that out of the way."
"Agreed," they both let out a laugh and Evelyn drank her lychee bubble tea.
"You know though, I think you both gave my parents the shock of the century by you showing up with Eric."
"I think he about gave me a heart attack when he told me last minute where we were going," Kate let out a big laugh which made Eve laugh as well.
"I felt quite bad for you after finding that out. We probably didn't make it any easier for you so I apologise for that as well."
"S'alright. I think you and Will make a lovely couple. I see the way you two look at each other and how you are with each other. It's such a pure form of love. Much different from my relationship with him," Kate told her honestly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I would have probably acted the same way. So you're in the fashion industry from what Eric tells me?"
"I am," Evelyn nods her head. "My dad is as well. You also work in the fashion industry?"
"I do," Kate smiles at the blonde. "I actually work at Jigsaw right now but I don't want to work there forever."
"No?"
"No," Kate shakes her head. "I'm mainly working there to have the qualifications to work at other places."
"What is it that you want to do?"
"I'm an accessories buyer. I think eventually I would love to plan the events though for the brands."
"That would be brilliant," Evelyn agreed with a smile. "Kind of like your families party business?"
"Kind of. Except without my family. I really love being on my own and making my own name for myself. You know?"
"I do. Trust me coming from myself. It's hard. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in my father's footsteps, so to speak. But even my dad has reminded me that I am my own person and that people like my designs because its me not him. We all have our own path that we are destined for, you just have to have the courage to step through it," she smiled at the brunette to which Kate was grateful for.
Kate had been feeling tugged in all sorts of directions lately with her mum wanting her to carry out the family business of party planning and wanting to do what she dreamed of doing since she were younger. Talking with Evelyn helped her sort out her problem.
Now the hard part was telling her mum what she was going to do.
"Do you want to go shopping? I could take you also to my favourite little café that I go to a lot as well..."
"Yes, that sounds great," and they both got out of their chairs and left.
The two women had spent the afternoon shopping at Brent Cross Shopping Centre. They spent time getting to know each other as well and had a great time. Evelyn and Kate also went into a nail salon and got their nails done as they enjoyed the hand massage that they got. Evelyn had bought a few new dresses for the spring time and Kate bought some items as well.
Both women were glad that they were getting along. They had put the surprise behind them and the past. Kate and William didn't have feelings for each other anymore anyway so it was no bother.
Kate could see why Will loved Evelyn and how they got on. It was easy to with her. Sure, she had her demons like the lot of them, but she was easy to like. Very warm and welcoming.
*
"How was your day?" Wills asked his girlfriend as they Skyped.
"It was good," she cleared her throat. "The company received loads of success on my birthday collection and I er - met with Kate today."
"Kate? As in my ex-girlfriend, Kate? Kate Middleton?"
"The one and only," she laughed lightly. "Unless you have another ex-girlfriend named Kate that I should know about..."
"No, no," he shakes his head laughing as well at her sense of humour. "Just the only one Kate."
"Good," she smirks at him. "I was hoping there was no other secret Kate that I don't know about. How've you been? Are they treating you all right?"
"We've had a pretty good the last couple weeks. Doing drills here and there. Did you like your surprise for your birthday?"
"Like it? William, I loved both of them. But I want to let you know you don't have to spoil me all the time. I'm happy with a night in, watching movies and eating take out with you. All I want is you."
"Would you still love me even if I gain a beer belly and have no hair one day and poor?" He asked cheekily making her laugh as she shook her head.
"Even then."
"Wow, I got the best."
"Would you love me even if I gain weight and didn't come from the family that I do? If I were let's say just a photographer?"
"I would love you even then. Maybe even more."
"More? Really, why?"
"I've always loved the simple life. You know? People don't care about how you act or what you do. You can just be yourself and do what you love. You don't have the paparazzi scrutinizing your every move and maybe my mother could be here with us today if we were a normal family..." he trailed off as he had a far off distance look.
Evelyn felt her chest tighten at the mention of his mother. He was so young when he lost her. She knew that they were close from the stories that he would tell her. He didn't want to not talk about her to his girlfriend and she encouraged him to talk about her.
"I know, love."
"Oh sorry Eve, I've got to go," he replied now rushing as he got up from his chair. "I love you."
"I love -"
But before she could finish her sentence the line went dead.
I love you too.
Through out the day, Evelyn did some cleaning in her apartment and felt it looked better. Evelyn decided to stay in that night and cooked herself some dinner and put on a Harry Potter movie.
--
hey guys, sorry for the late update! no drama in this chapter possibly for the rest of part 1. at first i thought i would have part 1 be 40 chapters but its actually only going to be 35 so only 4 more chapters left and then onto part 2.
there will be drama from chapter 35 leading up to chapter 1 of part 2.
sorry for the shortish chapter hoping the next ones will be longer though.
hope you all are doing well and like this chapter :). thank you all for the love and support, it means more than you will ever know to me!