Married Woman

Camilla's POV

Soft music welcomed me after I'd just survived flashes of cameras at the red carpet.

“Look at the stares we're getting, I bet every man here is jealous of me.” Mr. Richards had his arms linked with mine, and he was my date for tonight.

I wore a soft smile.

The merger launch dinner was in full swing in the large hall, flowers adorning every corner, adding a natural feel and scent to the rest of the otherwise extravagant settings. 

They had clearly outdone themselves. 

In other news, I knew I had to do something. 

I couldn't sit back and not have a date for this event, not when Alex had Jessica.

So, I met with Mr. Richards yesterday, my intentions clear only to me. He invited me into his house, and we had an interesting chat.

He treated me sweetly, and he was quite handsome, so I made my move after brunch.

“I don't know how I'm going to stay alone tomorrow,” I ran my hand through the length of my arm, offering myself warmth.

“I don't have anyone to guide me or go with me. I'm a bit scared.” I let my voice drop low.

He raised his gaze to meet mine, his eyes softening. 

“If you don't mind, we could go together.” he said, uncertain, like he was testing my reaction. I blinked in shock like that wasn't my plan when I came here.

“Really? You'd do that for me?” I batted my lashes at him, inching closer. He looked away like he couldn't bear the eye contact.

“I could be your, urm…date.”

“A date,” I repeated, amused.

“Yes. Simple, no crossing boundaries.” My face flushed without my permission. 

I hadn't let a man in for six years. I hadn't had time for men, so why was I suddenly invested in making sure I looked put together in front of Alex?

When I slipped into this red one strap sparkling dress, I had only one name in my head as the kids screamed down our suite.

When I put on bold red lipstick and curled my hair, I had one person in mind.

And it's not for what you think. I don't like him anymore. I don't even miss him.

The idea was to look as unaffected as ever in front of him, and as Richard handed me white wine while stares remained trained on us, I knew I had achieved what I wanted. 

The party was partly for me, so I met a ton of organizers and dignitaries, I even prepared a speech. The only reason I was here was running late, and it began to piss me off.

He couldn't even make it on time for his own launch dinner?

I was soon called up to the podium, and Richard came with me, standing beside me as I started my speech.

I faced the crowd, and I couldn't be more grateful, even though the arrangement was now unsettling.

But I couldn't run away from it. I could only move further—for MY kids.

The sea of eyes all paying attention to me made me realize that I deserved every moment I was here. 

I started off strong, but soon, Alexander Hale appeared in black suit, his hair styled in that unmistakably Alex way, and the man was infuriatingly dashing.

My breath caught.

His eyes fell on mine instantly, Jessica appearing by his side. I didn't let it deter me physically, even though my stomach churned.

I couldn't stand her. She wore a full smile on her face when she spotted me, and I didn't want to concern myself with it.

I tried to convince myself that she was nothing to me.

“Thank you again! I hope we enjoy dinner!” I cheered on, and the room erupted in applause, their following compliments almost drowning me. 

“Miss Clark is stunning!”

“You're awesome!”

“Congratulations, Miss Camilla!”

Richard put his arm low around my waist without my permission as we left the podium. 

In normal circumstances, I would've gone off on him, but unfortunately, I wanted to try to rattle someone.

I wore a sweet smile, letting him. 

We attended to more dignitaries until it felt like my legs were about to give way, and that's when the CEO and his girlfriend or whoever the hell she was, stood in front of me.

I could feel his burning gaze on me before I lifted my gaze to meet his. It's funny how only the three of us knew exactly who we were in the past, and who we still were:

Husband and wife. 

“You did well, Camilla.”

Bastard dropped formalities.

“It's Miss Clark.” He had no right.

“Ahh, my mistake.” “Mistake” rolled off his tongue like butter.

His eyes never left mine, and I watched them dip. They lingered on my chest for a beat too long, then they dipped lower, to the curve of my dress, reaching the low slit.

Wait. Was he still…attracted to me? 

Why did something blossom in my chest just at the thought? 

Fuck.

“It's fine. Thank you, Mr. Hale. I wouldn't have done it without him.” I wrapped my hand around Richard's arm more.

Alex's eyes fell to it, and lines formed on his forehead. My smile deepened into a side grin.

“You're lucky.” Jessica cut in, her words directed at me. What gave her the balls to feel she could have a conversation with me?

“I consider myself the lucky one,” Richard responded.

“She's radiating. Hard to look anywhere else.” Poor Richard. We are never sleeping together. 

“Thank you.” My cheeks stained red.

“So, you two?” She probed further, her eyes darting between us.

“A date, for now. We'll see how things work out from there. I'm certainly happy about it.” 

I had no desire to speak to her, so I appreciated Richard being too enchanted with me, doing the talking. 

We excused ourselves and gathered around several long tables, the event starting officially. We were to help ourselves to whatever we wanted on the table, our plates empty.

Richard pushed my chair in for me after I had taken my seat, but before he could pick up my plate, someone beat him to it.

A businessman I had spoken with earlier.

“What would you like so I can serve you?” There was a sensual glint in his eyes. It was clear what he wanted from me. Richard wasn't having it.

“She's with me.” He addressed him possessively, also taking the plate from him. 

“Okay, we get it. Have her, but for tonight.” A board member from yesterday chipped in, and most people around us had a laugh, especially at Richard, but I had never felt so appreciated and beautiful.

My date served me, and we soon dug into our meals.

Alex never stopped looking in my direction. It was actually beginning to ruffle my feathers. 

Since I had achieved everything I planned for tonight, I rose, excused myself from the event, and I headed out, dismissing Richard who wanted to come with me.

I hoped he'd soon realize I used him and back off. 

I was in such a bad mood, I ignored more people who wanted to speak to me. I just couldn't handle it right now.

I scurried out, my dress making things ten times harder. My driver was already waiting for me when I reached the parking lot, and just before I could get into the car, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“You're a married woman, Camilla.”

I turned around, and his figure stood a few meters away, at an imposing height. Something fluttered in my chest, then disappeared.

He wanted to intimidate me. Absolutely not. I closed my car door, and I took steps in his direction until I was standing right in front of him.

“And you're a married man, Alex.”

He let out a breath.

“I hated the formalities.”

“Ask me if I care—”

“Drop him. I'm not kidding.” His hands found warmth in his pocket as he towered over me.

“Who?” I teased, my voice a pitch higher.

His jaw locked. My smile widened. His eyes kept roaming over me, like it hurt him to look away. 

“Enough of this.”

“Figure out what you did and stop following me around. Have some dignity.”

“Camilla—”

“You wouldn't want rumors spreading that you're also part of the men following me around, would you? Think of Jessica.”

A smile settled on his features this time around, an amused glint passing through his eyes.

“You know what? I like this version more, so keep resisting. We will surely discuss this as you're officially stuck with me, and  I have no plans to leave you alone.”

My stomach dropped. 

I'd never heard hotter words. 

He took one last deliberate sweep of me, and I could only imagine the thoughts running through his head.

“My office, 9AM on Monday, wife.”

It sounded like a dirty secret, like an affair. I didn't like the warmth that spread through me. 

Then he turned around and started heading back inside. 

Trisha's voice cut through whatever I was trying to process in my brain. I heard her in the distance, through the window of another car headed towards me.

“Boss! Boss!” She was screaming frantically. I craned my neck.

“Something is wrong with your daughter!...the ER!”

My heart stopped. 

My fingers went numb around the handle of my purse.

“W-what?” I choked out.

In the distance, I watched Alex's figure freeze.