Chapter 017

Camila's smile disappeared as she bit her lips, resisting the urge to retort. She took a slow, deliberate breath, reminding herself that she was in a public setting, and that she couldn't afford to lose control.

She well knew what he was hinting at.

"Indeed," she said, her voice cool though edged with steel. "Some things never change."

She didn't elaborate, leaving the statement hanging in the air, a subtle challenge to Antonio.

She wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face.

She turned to Cole, her smile returning, though it was now a brittle, almost artificial thing. "Cole, I'll—"

"Excuse me for a minute," Cole said, his eyes drifting somewhere else. "I need to go take care of something. You two have fun." He nodded at Antonio and Camila, his smile perfunctory, before turning and walking away.

Camila's eyes narrowed, her gaze following Cole's retreating back, the silence between them now charged with a different kind of tension. Cole's sudden departure felt calculated, like a deliberate move to force them to interact.

"Just perfect," she muttered.

Antonio raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Problem?"

"Your presence," Camila retorted, her gaze fixed on a point somewhere over his shoulder. "It seems you still have a grudge about my driver running into your car."

"Of course not, that would be petty of me," Antonio replied, his smooth voice laced with a hint of something Camila couldn't quite place. "Though, I must admit, the damage was rather... extensive."

"And your insurance covered it," Camila retorted, her voice sharp. "Don't pretend this isn't about a fender-bender."

Antonio's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. He then turned to the bartender.

"Two of your finest margaritas, and make them quick; the pretty lady is parched."

Camila's eyes narrowed further, the forced smile completely vanishing. "Don't," she warned, "don't pretend you're charming. I'm not thirsty."

Still, Antonio nodded to the bartender to prepare the drinks, and Camila could do nothing but watch.

The bartender placed the two margaritas on the counter, and Antonio took one, his eyes never leaving Camila's. He extended the glass towards her, a small, almost mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Happy birthday, Camila," he said, his eyes sparkling a warm, almost golden hazel.

Camila hesitated, her eyes flickering to the margarita then back to Antonio. She couldn't shake off the thought that he was trying to unsettle her, to remind her of their shared history, however brief and unpleasant it may have been.

"Don't pretend alcohol isn't your favorite," Antonio added, hinting at their last encounter, the one where he'd pointed out her intoxication. He was playing on her vulnerability, using that against her.

Camila's jaw tightened. She wanted to throw the margarita back in his face, but that would be unnecessary.

"Thank you," she said, finally taking the drink. "Though I prefer my margaritas without the side of condescension."

"I'm merely offering a toast. A toast to your celebration and your return... or are you just paying a visit?"

"Visit," Camila corrected, her voice clipped, taking a small, deliberate sip of the margarita. "A temporary one."

"Such a shame. I was hoping you'd stay."

"My plans are none of your concern," Camila countered. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her unease. "And what about you? Why are you in Mexico? To attend Cole's party?"

"Hello... excuse me..." A female voice sounded behind Camila, and Antonio's eyes seemed to freeze, his gaze fixed behind Camila.

Camila turned to see a woman with an unmistakable air of confidence. Her eyes seemed to wander around Antonio, a smile that seemed stuck to her face.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," Camila replied.

"Alright, step aside," she said, bumping her shoulder into Camila as she walked over to Antonio, wrapping her arms around his neck, but Antonio quickly ripped her hand off him.

"What are you doing here?" Antonio hissed, his calm demeanor had completely vanished.

"Darling," she stammered, "I just wanted to see you."

"You were told to stay away," Antonio growled. "This isn't your place."

"You know I can't stay away." She smiled, only infuriating Antonio more. "Besides, you usually don't attend parties without me... why the change?"

Camila watched the exchange, too intrigued to walk away and too invested in understanding the dynamics between them.

It was quite entertaining to see a different side of Antonio—the side that was on the brink of losing composure.

He wasn't so invincible after all.

Antonio released his grip on the woman's arms, his expression smoothing out into a mask of calm indifference again, as if it had never cracked.

"Let's talk outside," he whispered, flashing a warning.

The woman hesitated, glancing at Camila with eyes that seemed to say, "He's off-limits. Beware."

Meanwhile, Antonio's patience had run out, and he forcefully grabbed her arm and slipped out of the bar.

Camila's lips curled into a wry smile as she turned back to the bar. She couldn't help but wonder what her relationship with Antonio was. And why did Antonio seem so determined to keep her away?