Six Years!

Camilla's POV

“Camilla?” His voice, unmistakably his. 

He was here in the flesh in front of me. I shook my head. It can't be. It can't be.

An internal tremor kept me in place as he stepped into the elevator, and it closed.

I staggered back, my hands instinctively reaching for the elevator walls. I turned my face away. I couldn't look at him.

My lungs closed in, tight and suffocating.

Why was he here? 

No, why was his presence affecting me? It's been six years. Six years!

“Camilla? Is it really you?” I could hear the uncertainty in his voice, his eyes moving across my skin.

Words died in my throat, like a heavy weight sat on it.

“You straightened your hair,” His eyes bored into me, shock slowly dulling from his features. 

“You used to hate it. You look…” his eyes darted across me.

“It's you.”

What were the odds? I couldn't breathe.

He stepped closer, and I wished I could melt into the elevator walls. 

I wasn't ready. 

He didn't stop until he cornered me. He towered over me with his ridiculous height.

“Step back…step back…” I begged, my voice low. I couldn't have him this close after all my progress.

“Where have you been? Why did you leave me?” His voice cracked. 

How dare he say it like that? Now he wasn't exhausted with me? 

“Camilla—”

“Stop it. Stop saying my name.” I choked out, breathless.

I had an empire and children he didn't deserve to be a part of, so he needed to leave me alone.

He didn't even look for me or want closure back then. He just let me leave. 

It hurt even more—pregnant and alone. 

I remembered every night I cried myself to sleep. I didn't…I bit back tears, my fists clenched at my sides although I maintained a neutral face. He couldn't see me break down.

He looked completely composed while my heart was pounding.

“Your voice…” Then he reached for my face.

“Don't touch me.” I whispered.

“Look at me, Camilla.” 

“Stop, step away…please.”

“You left me.” Something sparked in my chest.

I eventually raised my head again, noticing the scar along one side of his face, hidden properly by his now longer hair, and his features were now more mature—

No. I didn't have time for this. 

Mr. Richards was waiting for me, and I was running late. The elevator opened up.

“Step aside.”

“I need to talk to my runaway wife, so I don't think so.” His voice had never sounded more firm.

That word, wife. I clicked my tongue.

“If you don't, I'll scream.” I spat.

Our eyes locked for a second, nobody backing down.

He soon stepped aside, and I begged my wobbly legs to cooperate as I walked out. 

Fresh air hit my lungs, and I finally let out a breath, refusing to believe what just happened. 

What was he doing in a hotel anyway? Clearly he never stopped frequenting.

I scoffed, and I soon arrived at the company car. The driver opened the door for me.

“Good day, Miss Clark, welcome.” I forced a smile so hard my cheek almost cracked, but the heavy weight on my chest was soon dissolving as I settled into my seat, my legs crossed.

Yes, this is it, the life, not a husband.

Crystal Industries loomed ahead, the company ten times bigger in person. 

I felt like an ant as I stared in awe. How could one person have built something like this? Then I remembered the merger.

I was going to have an office here once it was finalized, and I let out a tiny squeal. 

Just before I could head out, my phone pinged with a message from Trisha. It was a video. 

She got the kids a seafood boil platter, and their mouths were stuffed, smiles everywhere. 

My heart was full. I sent a heart emoji back before I alighted, and I was led inside.

The interior was impressive in a way that made me feel like a peasant. It was intimidating, but I deserved it. They saw something in me, so I deserved to be here.

Several guards stood behind me, Mr. Richards already waiting for me at the entrance.

“The one and only Miss Clark. Welcome! Welcome!”

We exchanged a quick side hug, and I grinned from ear to ear. I was treated well, and we soon moved to the board room where the executives and the CEO were already waiting.

I'd researched the CEO thoroughly to know what I was getting into. I did my homework well, so I'd impress them all.

We arrived at the second-highest floor of the building.

Mr. Richards couldn't stop complimenting me. He opened the door for me, and I walked in first.

Heads whipped in my direction, and I recognized many faces I'd only seen on television, but I tried not to cower under the weight of their stares. I kept my shoulders squared as they stood to receive me.

“Welcome, Miss Clark.” They greeted me.

“Pleasure to meet everyone, and I hope we'll work together well.” My smile was wide.

Compliments commenced as I took a seat beside Mr. Richards. I felt right at home immediately. The chattering died down when someone announced some news that seemed to rattle most board members.

“The new CEO is here!” I watched some of them begin to adjust their shirts while some women reapplied their makeup, then it hit me. New? New CEO?

I turned to Mr. Richards. 

“A new CEO?” My voice gave away my unease. 

“Yes, the changeover happened about a week ago.” 

My face fell.

“I wasn't informed.”

“It didn't affect the merger, that's why. My apologies if you're offended. We'll do better next time.”

“I understand.”

Deep down, I had an inkling I couldn't ignore. I didn't like surprises or even slight changes in my plans. 

I had studied the old one thoroughly. This news had managed to put a dent in what would've been a superb day, aside from meeting Alex.

Then the doors swung open, more guards filling strategic sides of the board room.

My eyes fell on expensive Italian shoes, a blue suit, and my chest tightened the second my gaze began to rise. 

A gasp escaped me. That cologne.

It couldn't be. 

I dared to let my eyes keep lifting upwards, and my stomach dropped when they landed on his face.

His smile was the widest as the women especially had their cheeks flushed at him in return. A hand was in his pocket, and he commanded the room two seconds after being in it.

Then his eyes fell on me.

Color drained from his face, his smile cracking completely. He went still.

“Welcome, our new CEO, Mr Alexander Hale.” 

As if that wasn't enough, a woman came in then, her hands immediately intertwined with his. When I saw her smiling face, my lungs collapsed. 

Jessica.

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