Chapter Two

CAMILA

At Camila’s Therapy Office,

"Anything you’d like to add?"

Dr. Patel's office was warm, soft lighting, plants in every corner. A safe space.

Camila twisted her hands in her lap. "It's been 2 years. Shouldn't I remember something by now?"

"Memory doesn't work on a schedule." Dr. Patel leaned forward. "But you said you've been having fragments?"

"Yeah…Like a dream. Feels like I remember some things but not everything.” Camila swallowed. "And now... I'm working with someone who says we've met before.”

"Eric Sylvester." She added.

“You really can’t remember if you’ve met him before?”

Camila nodded.

"Does your body react to him? I mean in anyway?" Dr. Patel asked.

Camila nodded again. Her hands were shaking again.

"What does your instinct tell you?"

"That I need to remember. That whatever I'm forgetting... it's important."

*******One Week Later,

“Uhmm…Camila? You need to see this?! I can’t believe this and I’m so happy for you right now.” Evie burst into her the office with a letter. Camila was still attending to Richard. 

She gave her a glance and sighed. “I’m busy, Evie. You have to come later.” She told her and turned back to him. “So, lastly, you need to take the anti-depressant medications to the warehouse for further distribution.” 

Richard nodded and got up from her seat to the door. Evie immediately took over, facing Camila with a huge grin. She cleared her throat. “Now, it’s time to talk about this good news.” Evie flaunts the letter across her face. 

“What kind of letter is that? Is that for me?” Camila asked, staring at the letter with a frown.

“Oh well. You are going to be proud when you hear this.”

"Evie, please. Just tell me."

“Okay, okay, proud one. You’ve been transferred to the HQ to be the lead biochemical researcher of a new billion-dollar project. I mean, that’s the greatest news I’ve ever heard. Omg! I'm so happy for you!” She started chattering but Camila had tuned out.

HQ? How did she get that kind of a huge transfer and position? Wait...It’s not like she's been punished or something? She scoffed. Definitely not!

She snatched the letter from her and read the content. “This isn’t good news Evie.” She said and Evie who is still chattering suddenly stopped and gave a frown.

“Did you just say something? What isn’t good about this letter, Camila? You’re still not going to change concerning this proud attitude of yours? Girl, this is golden opportunity and you need to grab it. And also, you're going to be in a room with that Eric, famous billionaire bachelor." Evie's voice took on a strange tone, almost protective? Fond?

Camila frowned. "You say that like you know him."

"Everyone knows him," Evie deflected quickly. "Anyway, you should go!"

With a sigh, “Evie, I’m not going to the headquarter.” She got up immediately. “This is worst offer I’ve ever received. I’m not doing this job. I need to see Mr Dante.” 

“There goes you, Camila! You can’t keep doing this to yourself. Don’t you want to get promoted?” She huffed but Camila was already out of her office. “Argh! I do not see anything bad in becoming a lead project blah blah. That's huge money! Wait, does she have a bad past with him that he always avoids that dude? Fuck! That makes me more curious.”

Camila knocked at the door and waited for response, before she could let her mind drift apart, a familiar croaky answered. “Come in”

“Good morning, Mr Dante.” She bowed slightly at the old looking man in his fifties who was busy reading a fashion magazine. He nodded and adjusted his glass away from his nose.

“What brings you to my office, Mila?” He gave her full attention.

“Well, It’s concerning this letter I received. To be a lead researcher on a project. I….I can’t do this.” She breathed out. 

Mr Dante let out a small laugh. He dropped down the magazine. “You’re going to reject that offer I find so hard for you? Do you know the exact length I went through just to gain that man’s trust that you will do a better job?”

“Sir……This feels like a punishment and you probably wanted to get rid of me and this is a perfect opportunity for you.”

“Well, I just gave you a life changing promotion. All i need is thank you. And i see you have that special talent in you that's not supposed to be used here. Use it in a higher place.” He returned to his magazine, flipping to the next page.

Reluctantly, she sat down on a couch across the office. “I heard he’s ruthless and cold. I do not want to be near to people like him. He’s wicked too.” She mumbled the last words. Unsure if it’s a better way to describe him as a bad jerk. 

“The last time I checked, Eric Sylvester is not into mafia. So, I don’t see any reason why he should be what you described him just now. Well, maybe if you start your job with him, you might see some good changes in him.” Mr Dante shrugged. 

“When am i starting?” Camilla asked.

“Well, today's monday so you should go now. He doesn’t talk much so I couldn’t get much information from him. But I already sent him more information about you to him. He would want you to show up i guess, they have a meeting today.”  

“Oh….I still haven’t decide if I will do this or not. I will get back to you when I….” Mr Dante cut her off.

“You’re doing it, Milla. Just do it. It’s just until the project is done and I know you are so good at this. That’s why I recommended you.” He smiled at her. “I do not want to hear anything from you, all you have to do is to go to the HQ now and go show yourself.” He flipped another page of the magazine. 

Camilla got up with a hiss, mumbling words to herself. She left the letter in the office and walked out.