Chapter 3

"I'm Christi, a delivery girl. I will inquire with my company and get in touch with you, sir," she said, her tone composed despite the minor scratch on her right elbow, a visible reminder of the recent mishap.

Observing this through the rearview mirror, Stuart felt a twinge of guilt. He handed her a medical box, genuine regret coloring his voice as he apologized, "I'm sorry; I was the one driving earlier. I should be the one apologizing. Please accept my apology."

Roy, surprised by Stuart's humility, thought, "What a miracle. The great CEO Stuart is apologizing to a girl. I hope I'm not dreaming." Christi simply nodded, acknowledging his apology with a gracious "It's okay."

In the Gym:

Camilla eagerly awaited their arrival, her impatience palpable as she paced by the door. Her best friend, Rose, attempted to soothe her restlessness, "Come on, Camilla. Be patient. They'll be here soon."

"I know, but I can't sit still. Roy mentioned they've already left the company. They should be here by now, but there's still no sign of them," Camilla expressed her worry, the tension of anticipation etched on her face.

Attempting to comfort her, Rose patted her shoulder and said, "I understand, Camilla, but does he truly deserve your attention and love? He's made it clear he has no feelings for you. It hurts to see you like this."

"I know that, but I love him, even though he doesn't love me back. I've loved him for a long time," she confessed, her cheeks blushing with a mix of vulnerability and determination.

"I hope one day I can win his heart," she added, revealing the depth of her feelings, and both went to monitor the arrangements she had prepared for him, a blend of hope and uncertainty lingering in the air.

"You don't have to risk yourself in this match. I understand he faces many threats, but he has a team of well-trained bodyguards, especially for him, and they've never failed to protect him. You know how strong he is," Rose advised her concern for Camilla's well-being evident in her words.

"I know, but even though he has many bodyguards and is incredibly strong, I want to be good enough for him. I don't want anyone to say Mrs. Stuart is a weak girl. I don't like that," Camilla explained, her determination reflecting a desire to prove herself in the eyes of her beloved.

"Mrs. Stuart? Oh god, save me from this love bird. Is this what madly and deeply falling in love feels like?" Rose teased, injecting a moment of levity into the serious conversation.

Camilla playfully punched her friend, saying, "Okay, it's the plan. First, I'll compete with the best bodyguards and prove myself. Next, I'll propose to him with this cake; I've already placed the ring inside. Then we'll go to dinner," she said happily, her optimism shining through the romantic haze.

Unexpectedly, something fell on the cake, shattering the delicate plan. The cake lay ruined, its remnants adorning both Camilla and Christi's faces, an unexpected twist in the unfolding drama.

"What the hell is this?" Camilla exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as she inspected the ruined cake, frustration evident in her tone.

"Who did this?" she roared immediately, her anger palpable.

"I'm so sorry, madam. It happened because of my carelessness," a girl apologized, her voice trembling with regret.

"Sorry? Will it bring my cake back?" Camilla asked, her frustration bubbling over as she placed the cake remnants on her face and body, a dramatic expression of her displeasure.

"I didn't do it intentionally, madam. It happened accidentally. I can pay you for the cake," she offered, attempting to make amends.

"Money, my foot. Do you think money is an issue for me?" Camilla retorted arrogantly, her anger escalating.

"Madam, you can scold me for my mistake, but you have no right to mock my job," she defended herself, a hint of pride in her words.

"Really? Do you think you're in a place to argue with me? And you've damaged my punching bag also. What do you know about it, country pumpkin?" Camilla couldn't control her anger, the clash of social statuses evident in her condescending words.

"Madam, you can't judge me just by my looks. I'm here to deliver a parcel only," she asserted, her voice carrying a touch of dignity.

"Oh, then shall we fight and decide who is stronger?" Camilla challenged, her frustration fueling a dramatic turn in the confrontation.

"I'm here just to deliver a parcel," she insisted, refusing to be drawn into Camilla's provocations.

"Are you afraid? You spoke too much just before. I think you know how to speak only," Camilla taunted, her words cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Okay, let's fight," she accepted, removing her delivery coat, a decision made with unexpected determination.

"If any of us goes out of this circle, it means the other one has won the fight," Camilla said, establishing the rules with a sense of superiority.

"No problem," she said, her posture confident and unyielding.

Both women prepared for the impromptu contest, their eyes locked in a silent but charged exchange. Camilla, initially asserting dominance, soon found herself facing a formidable opponent. As Christi regained energy, she deftly turned the tables, throwing Camilla out of the circle with a surprising strength that left the onlookers in awe.

Camilla, embarrassed by the unexpected outcome, prepared to leave with Rose, momentarily forgetting about Stuart. Unbeknownst to her, they had witnessed the entire confrontation from a distance, the unfolding events revealing facets of Camilla's character they had not seen before.

"Wait, madam," Christi said assertively, stopping Camilla in her tracks.

Camilla halted abruptly, her eyes widening in shock as Christi approached with a composed demeanor.

"I know what I did, but it wasn't intentional. I don't know how much I should be compensated. If you tell me, I can give you," she offered a gesture of responsibility and an attempt to make amends.

"Really? Can you afford the money? After all, you're just a delivery girl," Camilla mocked her again, her condescension veiled in arrogance.

"You guys never realize your mistake. It's the attitude of second-generation rich kids, spoiled by their families," she retorted sarcastically, her words carrying a note of truth as she took some money from her coat. "Take this money; otherwise, my mind won't be at peace. I will feel guilty," she said, handing it to Camilla with a measured calmness.

Unable to stand there any longer, Camilla left instantly, leaving behind a conflicted atmosphere. Christi, unfazed, put on her coat again, examining her elbow with a slight scrape. The plaster was a little scraped and the wound was bleeding. She blew some air on it and took away the plaster, displaying a nonchalant attitude towards her injuries.

She came outside and sat on a bench, the evening shadows casting a contemplative veil over her features. The unexpected clash in the gym had unveiled a side of her that transcended the confines of societal judgments. The interplay of pride, prejudice, and the subtle complexities of human interaction had woven a narrative that, for a brief moment, bridged the chasm between two vastly different worlds.