Chapter 016

As the car came to a smooth stop, Camila stepped out onto the sleek, wooden dock. Before her, the majestic yacht rose from the water, its decks glowing with a mesmerizing display of lights. A little too dramatic for her liking. But it was something Cole would do—extravagant, attention-grabbing, and utterly over-the-top. It was a reflection of his personality, and Camila couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of it all.

The evening air was alive with the soft hum of music and the gentle lapping of waves against the hull.

Camila's gaze swept across the scene, and she couldn't deny the slight excitement. It all felt like a fairytale ball. Her dress, a stunning blue cocktail gown, sparkled with intricate, glittering details that caught the light as she moved. It hugged her curves perfectly, and she was beginning to wonder if Cole and Rachel had been keeping track of her measurements over the years.

Classic Cole.

As she made her way towards the entrance, she caught sight of Cole, decked out in a blue tailored tuxedo. Camila tried not to roll her eyes at the matching color.

Seriously they aren't teens anymore to play twin-matching like they used to on their birthdays. But despite the initial eye roll, the nostalgia was almost too much to bear.

'Cole did this on purpose.'

Cole was trying too hard to hide the smirk on his face, but Camila had already caught it.

"Wow," he breathed, "you changed your mind. I wasn't expecting that."

"Don't push it," Camila replied, trying to hide her smile. "I'm only here because I didn't want to give you the satisfaction of knowing you could persuade me."

Cole chuckled. "Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad you're here. You look stunning, by the way."

Camila felt a flutter in her chest at the genuine admiration in his voice, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. She wasn't here to rekindle anything with Cole. She was here to prove a point—to confront what she'd been running from.

Cole's smirk was now too visible to ignore, and Camila couldn't guess what he was thinking at the moment.

"I do miss this side of you, Camila," he said as he spread his arms out for a hug. "So does this mean you forgive me for the... you know..."

"Forgive you for what?" Camila asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, though a hint of a smile played on her lips.

Cole's grin faltered for a moment, and he looked almost... sheepish. "For dragging you back here, for starters."

Camila raised an eyebrow. "You think a fancy party and a color theme will make up for that?"

"Well, the party was part of the plan from the start, though... but I have to admit, the color theme was a last-minute addition," Cole said. "I was hoping it would bring back some old memories... make you change your mind... to stay."

Camila playfully rolled her eyes. "You're impossible, Cole."

Cole chuckled and offered his arm. "Alright, I won't push it anymore... Shall we? I need to introduce you to someone."

Camila's curiosity was piqued. "Who is it anyway? You said I'd be surprised," she asked, taking his arm. "Is it someone I know?"

Cole just smiled mischievously. "You'll see. Just remember, play nice."

Cole led her up the gangway and onto the yacht, where the sound of music and laughter grew louder. As they stepped inside, Camila's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of his friends mixed with unfamiliar ones.

Still scanning the room, her gaze landed on a figure standing by the bar, sipping a drink. His movement was graceful—too familiar, reminding her of a certain Brit who got on her nerves back in Australia, threatening to sue her if she had been drunk...

Yeah, she wouldn't forget that.

But then she looked away, certain she was imagining things.

Cole led her closer to the bar, closer to the figure, and as they reached him, Cole gently tapped his shoulder.

He turned, and Camila's breath hitched. It was him—the same British guy who had gotten under her skin.

Camila quickly composed herself as she took in his calm demeanor. She couldn't believe it. What was he doing here?

"Antonio," Cole said, as he gestured to Camila. "Remember my sister? At summer camp back in primary school."

Antonio's eyes never left Camila's face.

"I think I just did," he said, his voice low, hinting at something deeper.

Camila's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. Why was Cole acting as if they were old acquaintances? Like they had met somewhere some time ago. She didn't remember him from primary school.

Cole turned to Camila, whose eyes were intently fixed on Antonio—too serious, too intense. Cole frowned and subtly brushed his hand over Camila's shoulder leaning closer to her.

"I can't believe you still have a grudge," he whispered, plastering a smile on his face. "I know he gave you a hard time back then, but we were all kids, so just forgive him already."

Camila's brow furrowed as she turned to Cole. "A grudge?" she asked, her mind struggling to reconcile Cole's words with the sharp, recent memory of Antonio's condescending remarks. "What are you talking about?"

She glanced at Antonio, then back at Cole, unsure how to phrase her confusion without revealing her recent encounter with Antonio.

"Come on, Camila," Cole pressed. "You remember. Summer camp? Antonio was always teasing you, pulling your pigtails, that sort of thing. It was just kid stuff."

Summer camp? Antonio? She didn't remember anyone named Antonio from summer camp.

She looked back at the sophisticated, composed man standing before her. "He..." She stopped, her eyes widening slightly as a realization began to dawn. "Wait... He's... that boy?"

She looked at Antonio again, this time with a different perspective. The arrogant, self-assured man she'd encountered in Australia—the mischievous, irritating boy from her childhood—they were the same person.

How had she not recognized him? The change was so drastic; the years had transformed him so completely that she hadn't made the connection.

And he speaks British now?

"Oh," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Oh, *you're* him."

A flicker of recognition, or perhaps amusement, crossed Antonio's face. He seemed to understand the moment of realization that had just occurred—not just for Camila, but also for himself.

"I... I had no idea," she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You've... changed."

"As have you," Antonio replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your eyes... they are no longer blue, and your hair..." He glanced at Cole, then back at Camila as if trying to figure something out. "I thought you two were similar... now she doesn't look like your twin, Cole."

A wave of icy shock washed over Camila. Antonio's words, though seemingly casual, struck a raw nerve.

Her hand instinctively went to her cheek while her other hand lightly brushed Cole's hand, hoping he understood the signal of "shut up, don't tell him about the surgery."

"Yes," she said, her voice tight. "People change, Antonio. That's how time works."

Antonio's smile widened as though he'd been waiting for Camila to say something like that. "Though people change, some things remain the same... the attitude."