Chapter Five
Camilla ~~~ The last forty-eight hours have been hell for me. My name had been on the lips of everyone. The media had been putting out the most outrageous news about me. I woke up this morning, deciding to block out any negativity. I showered and then went downstairs to eat my breakfast. Raffael came downstairs and sat at the other end of the table. “Good morning.” He said as he sat down. I didn’t give him a reply. I looked up at him and saw that the handprint from the slap I gave him was gone. Thank God. I wouldn’t know how to explain that to my grandfather. “Grandpa called, he wants us to go to his house after you meet with the shareholders,” I said. “How did you know I have a meeting with the shareholders?” He asked. I merely stared at him and ignored him. I was done with my food so I left the table and went back upstairs. I picked up the phone and texted Skye. I was really thankful for her. She was the only person I had apart from my grandfather and Raffael. I couldn’t possibly tell my grandfather about what was happening so Skyee was the only person I could talk to. She replied to my text immediately and then called me. “Hey.” “Hi. I’m on my way now.” “Ok. See you soon then.” She said and then hung up the phone. I picked up my bag and headed downstairs. We planned to go shopping today to take my mind off everything that was happening. I got in the back seat of the car. I usually didn’t go out with security but today I did. I don’t want to be attacked by some randos on the street. We drove to Skye’s house to pick her up first before heading to the city. We got to the mall and we put on our shades to avoid being recognized. We walked around the mall going to different stores. We went into the Dior store to pick out some bags. We were looking at the bags, checking them out. After a few minutes, we both decided on the bags we wanted. We paid and left the store. So far, we have made it without being noticed by anyone. We were on our way to another store when I spotted someone familiar. “Skye?” I called out softly. “Yeah?” “Look who it is,” I spoke up, pointing over in the direction of the person. She looked over to see. “Tori. What’s she doing here?” “I mean it’s a public space. We don’t own it.” “Yeah right. I have some things to say to her.” “Not here, Skye. Come on, let's go.” I dragged her along with me into the store. If I were to confront Tori in public, it would make it to the headlines. We moved around the aisles trying to pick out some clothes. Skye went into the fitting room to try on a dress so I could convince her to buy it. I sat down on one of the benches waiting for her to come out. While I was waiting, someone came and sat beside me even though there were many other benches to sit on. “How’s the divorce coming along?” I looked over at Tori who was seated beside me. She had a stupid smirk on her face. “Can you please move away? Find somewhere else to sit.” “Did you think nobody would recognize you in those ugly shades?” I wasn’t in the mood to exchange words with her. I wasn’t going to stoop to her level. I stood up trying to leave when she held my arm back to stop me from going. “Let go of me,” I warned. “Or what?” “Tori.” I gritted out “I just wanted to talk to you. Why are you leaving?” She said with a fake smile. The security came rushing to see what was happening. When she saw them, she let go of my hand immediately. “Pathetic bitch.” She said as she turned to leave. I pulled her back by her hand and slapped her. Hard. “Don’t you ever insult me? I won’t take that from you.” I said angrily. She had already taken my husband. What made her think she could disrespect me like that? At this time, Skye had come out from the fitting room and passersby were already noticing the commotion. She held her cheek in shock. “Did you just slap me?” “I’ll do it again if you don’t stay in your place.” She tried to hit me back but was stopped by the security. “Come on, Camilla, let’s leave,” Skye said, pulling me away. We went back into the fitting room so Skye could change back into her original outfit. We left immediately after. When we got in the car, the tears I’d been holding back came out rushing like a dam. “Oh, Cammy,” Skye cooed, pulling me closer to her. She wrapped her arms around me, rubbing my back. “Shhh. Don’t cry. She’s not worth it.” “It’s not her. It’s him.” I managed to say in between sniffles. “He’s the cause of all this.” “I know but you have to be strong. Don’t let them get to you.” I pulled away from her embrace. “He embarrassed me in front of thousands of people. Even if he wanted us to get divorced, he should have done it more respectfully and quietly. The whole world knows I’m married to a loser.” I said cleaning my tears. “You’re still going to stay with him?” “I don’t have a choice, Skye, I can’t let her win too.” The rest of the ride we drove in silence with my head on Skye’s lap. We dropped her off at home and then I went home to get ready to meet with my grandfather. Raffael wasn’t back yet so I took my time getting ready. I cried a little in the bath before wiping my tears and promising myself I wasn’t going to cry because of him again. After two hours, Raffael finally got home. He quickly got ready and we were on our way. I don’t speak to him the whole of the ride and I caught him giving me side glances. After a while, we finally got to the house.Chapter SixCamilla~~~~~ “Don’t tell him you gave me divorce papers. He shouldn’t even know that you thought about getting divorced. Tell him you’re going to make everything right at the press conference.” I said when we got out of the car and were walking to the front door. We got to the door and the guards standing by the door opened it for us. My grandpa and his secretary were already downstairs. “Lala.” My grandpa said, smiling widely as he saw me. “How are you?” He asked coming to hug me. “I’m doing good Pops, how are you?” I asked. “Your old man’s fine.” He said with a big smile. “Raffael.” He said extending his hand for a shake. They exchanged pleasantries and we got seated. “So, how’s business going Raffael?” Grandpa asked. “It’s good.” He said shuffling in his seat.” I just closed a deal with Mr Smith.” “That’s good.” “Dinner’s ready.” Hailey, one of the helps announced.” “We’ll be right there.” My grandpa said Camilla her off. “We’ll talk later. Let’s go have d
Chapter SevenRaffael ~~~~“Camilla. What was that about?” I asked immediately after I got in the house.“Leave me alone Raffael.” She said attempting to go upstairs.I dragged her back. “You slapped her in public?”“What was I supposed to do huh? She kept provoking me and disrespecting me. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch her?”“Were you stalking her?” I asked. “You sent someone to follow her around so you could watch her every move and then you went to meet her?”“What the fuck Raffael. You think I would do that?”“I mean who knows what your pathetic self is capable of.” I shrugged.She stood still taking deep breaths trying to hold back tears.“Fuck you.” She said and then ran upstairs.“Fuck.” I said kicking the couch. I took a deep breath and then went upstairs to the guest room. I took off my clothes and then went into the shower.I got out a few minutes later and then dressed up. I took my car keys and left the house.I drove aimlessly for hours thinking about ever
Chapter EightRaffael ~~~~I drove to the hotel I wanted I and Tori to meet. It was a small one just outside the city where I was sure we wouldn’t be seen or photographed.I got there in under thirty minutes and checked into the room I had booked under a fake name. I got to the room and waited for Tori to arrive.I waited for a little while then I heard a knock on the door. It was Tori. She threw herself at me immediately when she got inside. I had no choice but to hug her.She withdrew and went to sit. I followed sitting beside her.“How’s your face?” I asked moving it from one side to the other.“It still hurts like a bitch.” She said pointing to the bruise on her cheek.“What actually happened yesterday? Why did she slap you? She said you provoked her.” I asked with a hint of concern in my voice. “Provoked her? She was just mad because you chose me over her. I simply wanted to chat with her and try to explain things then she got angry.”“Hmmm,” I said.“Why did you want to meet?
Chapter NineCamilla~~~~I woke up feeling better than last night. Raffael had left the house last night after our little argument.I got up from the bed and went to take a shower. I got dressed and ready for the day. I called Skye to tell her to come over since we were both free for the rest of the day.It was almost 8’clock and he hadn’t still returned. Normally he would return at seven and then leave again before twelve. I wonder where he was.I called Anthony, his assistant to check if he was still at the office or if he was with someone else.“Hello, Good morning Anthony. I just wanted to check with you if Raffael was still at the office.”“He didn’t come in yesterday mam.”“He didn’t go to the office yesterday?” I asked confused.“Yes.”“Okay, thank you.” I said and hung up the phone.I threw my phone on the bed, biting my lip in confusion. If he didn’t go to the office yesterday where could he be? Is it possible he went to meet with her?I shook the thought out of my head and
Chapter TenCamilla~~~~My eyes fluttered as I struggled to adjust to the bright light. I finally managed to open my eyes and I looked around. I was on a hospital bed.What happened? My head ached so bad and I felt really nauseous. I stayed in my position for a while then the door opened. It was Skye.“You’re awake, finally.” She said rushing over to my side.“What happened?” I said trying to sit up.She helped me up. “You fainted.”“Why?”“The doctor hasn’t said anything yet. He was waiting for you to wake up. I’ll go get him.” She said and went out the door.She returned in a few minutes with our family doctor.“Ms Edwards, how are you feeling?” He asked.“My head still aches a little bit.”“We’ll prescribe some drugs to help ease the pain.”“Is that the reason I fainted?”“Uhm.” He looked over to Skye to indicate he wanted the conversation to be private.“It’s okay, you can say whatever you want to say.” I assured him.“You are 13 weeks pregnant, Ms Edwards.” He said handing me a
Chapter ElevenRaffael ~~~~The drive to the airport was short and silent. I didn’t have anything to do in California, I just needed to be away.Anthony dropped me off at the airport and then left. I made sure to wear a hoodie and sunglasses to avoid being recognized and photographed.I got on the plane and found my way to the first-class section and found my seat. After a long seven hours, we finally landed in California.I went to get my luggage and then went to the front for my best friend, Sam to come pick me up.I waited at a coffee shop for about ten minutes before he finally arrived.“Sam.” I said standing up to hug him as he came towards me.“Raffael. How’ve you been brother?”“Been good. How are you?”“I’m doing alright. You ready to go?”“Yeah.” I nodded.I carried my suitcase and we went outside. We got in the car and were on our way to his apartment. We arrived there shortly and went inside.“The first room by the left.” He said.I dragged my suitcase and went to the room
Chapter Twelve Raffael ~~~~The weekend in California rolled by fast. It was time for me to go back to New York. The flight back home was smooth and short.I had to go to the office directly from the airport because the Press conference was scheduled for four pm. I changed into a suit at the office and went downstairs.There were reporters outside gathered outside the building. We managed to get around them and we got in the car.I hadn’t seen Camilla since I got here. I tried to call her over the weekend but she wasn’t returning my calls. I’d already practiced my speech for the press conference and I was ready for any question thrown at me.We drove to the location and there were more reporters outside the building. These were the ones who were not allowed to be inside but still wanted to get a story.We had to go through the back because the crowd outside was too much and it would be difficult to go in through there.We got inside the building and the reporters were waiting for me
Chapter ThirteenCamilla ~~~~I’d already made up my mind that I was going to sign papers. It was clear right now that he didn’t love or respect me. I already knew the first part but this just confirmed everything.“So you’re keeping it?” Skye asked.“Yes. I mean it was a hard decision. I was conflicted on if I wanted to be reminded of him every day or just forget about him.”“You made a good decision Cammy. I want you to know that I’ll always be there for you.”“Thank you, Skye. I don’t know what I would do without you.”“So you’re not going to tell him?”“No, he doesn’t deserve to know. After the way he’s been treating me for the past three years and knowing that I know now. Nothing’s going to change anyways.”“You’ve signed the papers already?”“Yes. I just have to give them to him.”“What about the press conference that’s already scheduled?”“He should have a chance to clear his name. We’ll just say we weren’t compatible anymore and we decided to get divorced.”“So what’s the pla
Chapter SixtyRaphael’s POVAfter my call with Camilla, I began to think hard and long. I didn't want them to leave. Not just yet. They had only been around for a few days but I liked the fact that they were close to me.I sent a text to Emily instead of calling her and went to get ready for work. It was going to be a long day. I said bye to Jason and left the house. The driver was going to take him to school today.I went to the project site we were working on instead of the office. They were already working by the time I got there so I joined them. I didn’t usually go to sites unless it was an important client, which this was. After an hour or two, Mr Edison arrived.“Hey.” He said.“Hey.”“How’s it going?”“Fine.” I responded. That day he came by the house, he asked me so many questions but I didnr give him a reply. I told him the person he had to speak to was Camilla.“So I talked to Camilla.”“You did? She answer all your questions?”“Yeah. So you’re Rory’s father, huh? And Cami
Chapter Fifty-NineCamilla’s POV“Why didn’t you want them to tell me?” I asked my grandpa.“Because I knew I’d be fine. See, I'm still alive.”“Stop with the jokes, Grandpa. I would never have forgiven you or myself if things had gone wrong.”“I just didn’t want you to worry.”“You need to think about yourself first.”“Enough with all this talk. Fill me in. What’s going on?”“So the board made a vote today. Jeremy Steel is acting CEO.”“That little fucker.”“Pops. Watch your language. Who is he anyway? Why’d you curse at him?”“Oh, nothing. His father is Carson Steel. You remember him.”“Oh. I do. He’s the boy you tried to set me up with before.”“Yes, he is.”“Oh, wow. Maybe I have taken that offer then.”“Then, you wouldn’t have Rory.”“That’s true. Glad I passed on that.”“Where is Rory anyways?”“She’s at home. With Skye. I call her to bring her over even though I told her you were on a trip.” I said and he laughed.I stepped outside and called Skye. She was happy to hear the new
Chapter Fifty-EightRaphael's POV“Daddy for my birthday, I want a Spider-Man cake.” Jason said while we were playing.“Ok. You’ll get a Spiderman cake. Do you want anything else?”“I want a bouncy house and I want to see Spider-Man.”“Ok. That’s not a problem. I’ll get you all those things.”“I also want to see my mummy. I miss her.” He said and I paused.I didn’t realize till now how much of an impact her absence would have on him. Even though she was hooked up on drugs before, I made sure she showed up for him whether or not she was high out of her mind.“Mummy still hasn’t gotten back from her trip you know.”“So she’s not going to come back for my birthday?”“You know what, I’ll tell her to come back.”“Yay.” He said.“Do you have any homework?” I asked.“No. Tamara helped me with it.”“Okay.”We continued playing with his toys and im an hour he got tired and was sleepy. I went to put him to bed and went down to the living room to watch TV.I got a call. It was from an unknown nu
Chapter Fifty-SevenCamilla’s POVAfter I left Rapheal’s house, I went back to the hospital. I knew he wasn’t awake yet but I wanted to be there for him. I just sat next to him holding his hand praying he would wake up.The board of directors some how found out I was around and were asking to see much. We scheduled for a meeting for tomorrow. I hadn’t had this much pressure out on me in years. Running my own company back in California was very different from handling this one.This was an empire built from the ground many years ago that still stood in the business world. I never thought about the fact that one day I would have to come back to all of this. When I packed up years ago, I thought I would leave it all behind forever.My thoughts were pushed to the back of my head when I got a call. It was from James. I stepped outside the room to take it.“Hey, how are you doing?” I asked.“I’m fine. I just saw Rory at your friend’s place. Are you in New York? This is all so confusing. I h
Chapter Fifty-SixRaphael’s POV“They’re on their way.” I announced.“Oh, okay.” My mum said.“Please be nice.” I said.“Did I say I wasn’t going to be? I was the one who asked to meet with her.”“I know but you weren’t a fan of her before so..”“Come on. I’m over all that. The last time we saw each other things were good between us.”“If you say so. Audrey, how do you feel?”“What’s that supposed to mean?”“I don’t know. Just try to be nice to her. She’s going through a lot right now.”“Okay.”I went to the kitchen to get water to drink. I was a bit nervous about her meeting them. I went back to the living room. I hadn’t told Jason yet, he was playing with his toys on the floor. I wasn’t sure he would understand the concept of a sibling. I got a call from Camilla telling me they had arrived. Then I heard a knock on the door and went to open it.“Hi.” She said.“Hey.”“Daddy.” She hugged me.“Hi, baby.” I said picking her up. “Come on.” I opened the door a little wider for her to pas
Chapter Fifty-FiveCamilla’s POV“Mummy I want to talk to Daddy.” Rory said rubbing her eyes. She was a second away from falling asleep. “I want to see Daddy. I want to go to his house. I want to talk to him.” She whined. If I didn’t give in to her request she would start crying and I didn’t want to deal with that. “Okay, okay. I’ll call him.” I said and picked up my phone.I called him and the phone rang but he didn’t pick up. “Baby, he didn’t answer my call.” I turned to tell Rory but she had already fallen asleep. I covered her with her blanket and turned off the lights. She would not be waking up any time soon.She fell asleep realky early because she had a realky long day. I left the room and went back to mine. I wasn’t ready to sleep so I brought out my computer to do some work.After about five minutes, I got a call from Raphael.“Hi.” I said when I answered the phone.“Hey.”“Uhm. I called because Rory wanted to speak to you and she was asking to come to your house.”“Put he
Chapter Forty-FourRaphael’s POVThe next morning after Camilla, Rory and Martha left I decided to go pick Jason up. I think it was finally time to introduce my mum, sister, and son to Aurora. I would wait until the chairman woke up though because I didn’t want to spring it on Camilla just like that while she was already worried.I got ready for the day, had a light breakfast, and went to my mum's house.“Daddy.” He said running to me.“How are you?” I asked.“I’m fine. I missed you.”“I missed you too.” I said putting him down. “Hey, mum.”I walked to the dining room and there were different kinds of breakfast.“Have a seat.” She said.“I already had breakfast but how can I say no?” I sat down and fixed up a plate for myself. My sister also came in the dining room and sat down. We had all breakfast and Jason went to the living room to play.“Camilla is back in town.” I announced.“Really?” My sister asked. “What brought her back?”“Her grandfather’s sick. He’s in the hospital.”“The
Chapter Fifty-ThreeCamilla’s POVAfter seven hours we landed and the driver was waiting for me along with my grandfather’s assistant.“Good day, Miss Camilla. It’s good to have you back. It’s said it’s under such circumstances.” He said.“I know. Let’s go.”After some minutes of driving, we arrived at the hospital and went to the private suite where my grandfather was. I walked into the room. There were tubes everywhere and an oxygen mask on his face. I was scared. I sat down beside him and talked to him for a few minutes. I couldn’t believe he asked them not to call me. He’s stubborn after all.I went outside to speak to the doctor. “How is he?” I asked.“He just got out of surgery, we won’t know it was successful until he wakes up.”“What if he doesn’t wake up?”“He will. Don’t worry. Let’s go to my office so we can talk about things better there.”We walked to his office and he gave me a thorough detail of his condition. He told me to go back home and stop worrying and that they
Chapter Fifty-TwoRaphael’s POV“Hey, everything alright?” I asked when I answered Camilla’s call.“No, not really. I need you to come back to the house now.” She answered.“Uhm, okay. No problem. I’ll be there in 20 minutes.” I said and hung up the phone.“Baby, we have to go home now.” I said to Aurora.“But I don’t want to leave.”“We’ll come back another time, okay?”“Fine.”We packed up and headed back to the car and the driver drove us to the house.We got there and headed inside. Camilla was in the living room waiting.“Rory, go in the room and stay with Martha.” She said and Aurora skipped inside.“What’s wrong? What’s the problem?” I asked.“My grandfather had a heart attack and he’s in critical condition and I need to leave for New York right now and I don’t know what to do.”“Is he going to be alright?”“I don’t know. I have to be in New York.”“Calm down. I’m sure we’ll figure things out. When are you leaving?”“I called my assistant. The earliest flight leaves in two and