CHAPTER 7

Roman

I hate work. I hate paper work especially and I hate having to wear a suit every time I step out of my home. It’s all about reputation. My father’s words not mine. I knotted the freaking tie and pulled on my blazers. I swept my comb through my hair a couple times before heading down the stairs. Harry stood at the door twirling the keys to the car in his hands with his finger.

“took you long enough, who’re you trying to impress, Camila? I swear Harry was as annoying as a fly. I pushed him against the wall and stared him in the face.

“one more freaking word and I’m going to kill you” he nodded frantically and I let him go. I headed into the car and he entered the driver’s seat and drove off to the Romero empire.

It was a large 24 story building, made of glass, at least most part of it.

“we’re here” Harry said in a chirpy voice. That was one thing I liked about him, he never stayed angry or annoyed for long. I shook my head in amusement as I stepped out of the car and into the building. I walked into the lobby before going to the executive elevator reserved for only I. I pushed the button for the 23^rd floor and the door opened into my private floor.

“good morning, Mr. Romero” my secretary, Sheila said as I walked passed her desk. I nodded my head at her and entered my office. I’d even thought of making Camila my secretary but that’ll be distraction the entire day. At first, I was mad about the engagement but when I saw her with her long black hair and cute brown eyes, I knew I scored a goal or my parents did. It was cute how she played with her fingers or when she asked me if I was in the mafia. Where that unholy thought came from I don’t know. I was falling in love with her, not slowly, hard.

“Mr. Roemer, your guests are in the conference room, the meeting is about to start” Sheila announced.

“thanks” I muttered not really paying attention to what she was saying and silently cursing her for breaking my thoughts. I stood up and walked to the conference room. There were ten people seated, I took the chair at the head of the table and the meeting started. I hated conference meetings and that’s why I hardly attended them. I’d rather send a representative but this one was important as my father thinks.

3 hours later and the meeting was still on. I was bored out of my mind. My phone started to ring. I handed it to my bodyguard without staring at the caller. He muttered some words and whispered to his colleagues in the room. He asked for a leave and I granted him too bored and tried to listen to what he had to say.

“and that’s the end of our proposal” the head speaker said. My drooping eyes flung open and I stood up abruptly. I shook the hands of the men though I had forgotten all their names and the reason behind the meeting. I signed the cheque and trust me, it did not make a dent in my bank account.

“how was the meeting?” Harry asked once I came out.

“stupid” I murmured and followed him to the car.

“Terry picked up Camila and he’s not sure if she is okay” my heart dropped and I ordered him to drive quickly. I leaped out of the car before it came to a final stop and headed into the house.

“CAMILA” I yelled as I walked up the stairs. I walked to her room and threw the door open, all I heard were low sobs. I walked to the bed but she wasn’t there, I turned to the bathroom and knocked.

“camils, are you in there?” I heard a muffled sound and I turned the knob but the door was locked. “Camila, please open the door” I begged. I heard shuffling and the door opened. I stared down at her small figure, she was just up to my chest, her head was bent so I couldn’t see her face and her hair was all over the place.

“bambina? Please look up” she raised her head slightly and I caught a glimpse of her tear stricken face. My eyes went wide when I saw hand marks on her neck though she had tried to cover it up and I went wild. “WHO DID THAT?” I yelled making her flinch and burst into tears again. “tell me Camila, who did this?” I sighed knowing I’ll get no answer. I spotted her phone on the dresser and decided to call her friend Olivia.

“oh my goodness, Camila, are you okay? You’re home right? Are you fine? Don’t worry about David, he’s an idiot. Are you there? Camila?”

“this is Roman” I said calmly. She stopped talking.

“oh, it’s you” she hung up on me. I stared at the phone in disbelief. No one ever hangs up on me but at least I had a lead. David. I looked at Camila who stared at me before storming to my office. I called Elijah, my tech guy.

“what?” he groaned. I rolled my eyes.

“find me David from the college” I hear him type somethings and shuffle around.

“there are 50 David’s, which one?”

“streamline to psychology’

“about 5 of them”

“send me all their pictures and names via email, I’m waiting” the images popped into my email and I printed all of them out. I took the pictures back to Camila and asked her to point out which one was her David. She was hesitant but after some persuasion she pointed at David O’Connor. I pecked her forehead and walked out of the room to make a phone call. I called the vice-chancellor of the college.

“good morning, Mr. Romero” he said in a deep baritone voice. I rolled my eyes.

“no time for pleasantries, there’s a David O’Connor in your school, psychology and I want him rusticated for harassment, thank you” I hung up on him and called Harry. I needed to find out how to cheer Camila up.

“Harry, Camila Is sad what can I do to cheer her up?” he started to laugh and I rolled my eyes and took deep breathes to calm myself so that I would not scream at him.

“ice cream, it always works” I muttered my thanks and hung up before he could say anything else. This is more difficult than I expected.