Diego let out a scream immediately the call dropped, Tiana moved closer to him. “What’s wrong? What did Ethan say?” She asked curiously while Diego folded his hand into a fist.“They’re dismissing me as the CEO! I knew this was going to happen!” Diego screamed out while Tiana gasped.“W-what are you going to do now? It’s your company! You can’t lose it to someone else!” Tiana exclaimed and without thinking twice, Diego dashed out of her room. “Where are you going?” Tiana called after him but he had already grab his car keys and left the house.Tiana bit her fingers, “I bet he’s going to meet Camille!” She shutters slamming her butt on the bed angrily.Diego stopped his car at the front of the Guevara’s Villa, Tiana was right. He’s coming to the Guevara for help.“Please I’m here to see Leonard Guevara. Is he home?” He asked the guards at the entrance.“Do you have an appointment with him?” They asked but he shook his head.“I’m sorry but Mr Leonard isn’t at home at the moment, come b
Author’s POV.Diego felt his heart sting. His face was plain, probably he didn’t hear Camille well? “You can’t do this Camille,” He protested while Camille snarled.“If you’re not comfortable with it, you can get the fuck out of this place. I’m in no good mood to entertain you with jokes,” Camille snapped while Diego folded his hand that has turned into a fist.If he had the opportunity he would have punched Camille on her face but hell no!He gritted his teeth instead, “That’s never going to happen Camille, you can’t take my company!” He mumbled through gritted teeth, he grab his car keys and stormed out of the Guevara’s premises.Camille still stood at the guest room, “You haven’t learnt your lessons Diego, I must make you learn,” She muttered softly then picked up her phone, dialed a number.Diego drove roughly back into his house, his breathe getting heavy and his forehead bringing out beads of sweats. Tiana who was standing at the entrance ran to him, “what did she say? Is she g
Camille’s POV“Does anyone has a problem with the Guevara trying to acquire the company? If anyone is uncomfortable about it please speak up,” I clarified and Tiana came forward.Yeah, I know she’s gonna to the talking. I’m fully prepared for her ass.“If you think you can just buy the company anyhow you like, in your dreams! Diego used his might to build this company with his grandma! How dare you shamelessly try to take it from him!” Tiana snapped and I chuckle. Is she trying to lecture me about shame? Then what should I call her? “That’s so rich coming from someone her father transferred her shares to me earlier today,” I announced and she squinted her eyes, taken aback by the news she had just heard.“W-what..”I gasped in sarcasm, “Seems like Tiana Shawn has lost her ability to blabber, isn’t it? Didn’t your ‘father’ informed you before coming here?” I fired at her, she was fuming with anger within herself but do I care?I still remember it vividly how she kick my tummy that da
Camille’s POV“Just get up Diego,” I glowered as I made advance to the door but he hold onto my leg.“Please,, please Camille. Help me,” He cried and I struggled to free myself from his grip, Kate wanted to help but I stopped her.“Okay. Just let go of my leg!” I snapped and he let it go immediately, “I’m only going to help you with that offer. I will let you be a mere employee in this company, a team leader at the very least,”I said to him and I saw his face fell.“Are you going to refuse like you did before? Then, there’s nothing I can do to help you if you don’t take the offer now, I’m being nice here, Diego,” I seethed.I heard him sigh, “Ohh, okay,” He mumbled and with that I walked out of the room leaving him to wail“What’s my schedule for the week?” I asked Kate as soon as she head to the office.“Meeting with the marketing team. Mr Sean wants a consultation for his upcoming fashion week and lastly the company’s dinner by 8,” Kate listed it and I scoffed.“Take out the company
Camille’s POVI was so curious when I saw Xavier entering the building, I walked out of my office to check why he’s here, ‘That guy! Is he here to see me?’ I mumbled under my breathe, stepped into the elevator.I was already reaching the lobby when I started hearing voice but it wasn’t just voices but familiar ones, isn’t that Xavier’s voice?When I finally reached the lobby I saw Diego and Xavier at each other’s throat, “What the hell is happening here!” I came in between them, they both stopped and Xavier left Diego’s collar.I scoffed with a waggled eyebrows, “Follow me. The both of you!” I ordered through gritted teeth, the both of them snarled at each other and followed me.What audacity! How dare them quarrel in my company!We reached my office, they both came in and I shot the both of them a glance, “Can one of explain the meaning of what I saw at the lobby?” I questioned while the both of them grumbled.None of them is willing to speak, wait are they waiting for each other to
AUTHOR’S POVDiego drove into the Rodrigo’s villa. He tossed his car keys to the chauffeur, he walked in.“Oh goodness! I thought something happened to you, I’ve been waiting on your arrival,” Shania rushed to her son with worried look, threw questions at him.“Mom, I’m just returning from work, I feel so tired and restless, we will discuss this later okay?” With that Diego took the stairs and went to his room.Shania stood where she is and sighed, “I caused all these, I shouldn’t have treated Camille like a trash. “ Shania blamed herself.Tiana scoffed behind her, “No, that’s not your fault. Camille is just a lowlife whom happens to get luck with life and ended up with a billionaire. I will talk to Diego about how the meeting went, trust me mother,” She muttered and Shania smiled.“Oh thank you Tiana, as always, you’re the best daughter-in-law one could ever wished for!” Shania chirped while Tiana blushed and rushed towards the staircase, to Diego’s room.Tiana knocked on Diego’s doo
NEXT MORNING. (Rodrigo’s company)Camille’s POVKate stopped the car at the company’s garage, I got out of the car and advance to the building, “Gather the marketing team, tell them we have a meeting by 2pm at noon,” I told Kate. As the elevator opened, I saw some people whispering on a low which made me wonder what’s happening, What-“ I mumbled then decided to walk up to one of them that haven’t noticed my presence.“Didn’t you hear? She took his-” one was still saying when the other one she was whispering to pinched her, they both noticed my presence.“Can someone tell me why this is fucking going on?! Are you here to play?” I yelled at them and they both bow at once, I rolled my eyes.“We..we are sorry,” They apologized.I scoffed, “Sorry? Will sorry fix it if the company looses a client once again? Now I see why the company never move forwards since y’all took gossip as an hubby! Do you all want to remain as a stagnant water!” I sneered and with that I walked towards my office
CAMILLE’S POVIt’s Xavier again. W-what’s he doing here? I blinked my eyes to be sure if truly he was the one standing before me but no matter how much I blinked, he’s still standing there holding the umbrella over my head.“Won’t you say hi at least Camille?” His thick voice jerk me back to reality and instantly I composed myself.“Er, Hi. What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?” I said to him.He held a very charming smile that even I can’t deny the fact that it’s really cute.“Can you save the questions for later? You don’t want us to get wet by the rain, do you? My car is across the street, let’s get there first,” He implored and didn’t give me the room to even say no, he had taken my wrist and crossed the street where his car was.He opens the front door for me, giving me the signal to get into the car, not like I have choice, I got into the car.He went round to seat in the driver’s sit, I only watched him with the thought in my head, ‘perfect gentleman?’“Your hou
(THE FOLLOWING WEEK)Camille sat at the waiting room, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of Tiana. Camille had decided to visit her today but TianA was totally different, the once-vibrant woman she’d known now looked like a shadow of her former self. Dark circles clung beneath Tiana's eyes, and her skin, usually radiant, now appeared hollow and sallow. Her hair is a total mess.“How have you been, Tiana?” Camille called softly, that was then Tiana lifted her gaze, only to meet Camille’s.“What do you want, Camille? You’re the least person I’d thought of seeing today! ” Tiana’s voice was flat, echoing with the weight of unspoken pain.“Not like I’ve got a choice? But I felt like if I don’t say these words to you, I might never fight peace too,” Camille said, resting her back against the chair. . “You look... exhausted.” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “You can’t keep going like this. You need to find peace too.”Tiana laughed, a harsh, manic soun
After weeks of camping her at the hospital, Camille was finally home. Her small heels clicked on the floor as she stepped into the main building, spreading her hands wide into the atmosphere, her nostril recognized the sweet scent of her home. God knows she has missed this!“You miss home…that much?” Xavier asked behind her, she turned. “Yea! I missed it! So much!”“Camille!” the excited voice of her father reverberated through the house. His figure moved swiftly towards her, arms wide open as if he were preparing to catch her in a warm embrace that had been too long in coming. “You’re finally back! We’ve missed you so much!”As he enveloped her in a bear hug, Camille felt all the worry and fear that had clung to her for so long begin to melt away. She returned the embrace with equal fervor, her heart swelling with joy and relief. “That’s so random coming from someone who visited the hospital everyday…” She teased.Then she heard a sound from behind, she turned. Irene was already i
————————Camille's eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly seeped back into her weary mind, and she blinked against the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights above. Her blurry vision adjusted, she caught sight of familiar faces anxiously waiting by her bedside. Xavier's eyes, usually so full of life, were clouded with worry. He reached out instinctively at the sound of her shallow breaths, his hand gripping hers with a mix of relief and fear. “I’m here, I’m here. You survived, my queen.” He had mumbled happily.Beside him stood her father, his expression a blend of worry and gladness. His expression became something comforting to Camille, she was not alone.Then her eyes caught the doctors standing beside her, for some minutes, the doctor examined her thoroughly before turning to Leonard, “She’s fine now. All she needs is to respond quickly to the treatment,” The doctor explained.“Thank you Doc.”“If there’s any issue again kindly reach out to me as soon as possible,” With that t
(2 DAYS LATER)Days passed in a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and late-night strategy sessions. Xavier made sure Leonard was out of jail in no time, Theo and his brother has been arrested and put behind bars with a desirable sentence each.Xavier waited outside of the prison in his car, his gaze were fixed on the prison gates, “When-” before he could even say a thing, Leonard stepped out of the prison.He adjusted to the bright light that shone upon him. When last did he see the atmosphere so bright? One or two weeks ago?Then he spot a white car outside. Xavier came down from the car, Leonard’s eyes glimmered as he approached him. “Thank you, Xavier,” Leonard mumbled, a tiny smile on his lips.“There’s no need…just consider it as something I should have done. I’m glad everything went just as I hoped,”Xavier said, apprehending the intensity of the moment.Leonard nod, got into the car and drove away.And—the rest of the ride to the hospital was practically in silence.————————Xavi
June 27, 1996, THE GUEVARA’s Holding.“How can you tell me we lost to Ronald Huston?! Why the hell did you about the investors!” Leonard snapped at Theo smith, his personal assistant.Leonard ran his hand through his hair, frustration sets in, “Have you suddenly lost your tongue? Didn’t I warned you about this?” Leonard yelled.“I’m..I’m sorry, I thought I could double the profit shares higher than the Guevara. I’m sorry sire,” Theo apologized immediately—he’s on his knees.Leonard shook his head, “Sorry? I’ve just lost 15million dollars! Sorry can’t apprehend what you just did. You’re Fired! Fired Theo!” Leonard announced giving Theo an heart attack.Theo ran up to Leonard trousers, “Please, don’t fire me. I swear, I will pay back with everything but don’t fire me, my mother is at the hospital…She’s currently sick…I need still need this job to keep footing the hospital bills,” Theo quickly said but Leonard has already made up his mind.(Hospital)Theo stopped the cab when it got to t
(NYC PRISON)- The following day.(MALE PRISON)“Good morning sir,” Kenneth muttered to Leonard who was led by the two guards to the visitation room, a large room with inmates who has one or two people visiting them. Leonard finally sat, the guards stepped back but their glances felt like a warning to all of them, keeping a close watch on them.“Did you find him? Tell me you find him already,” Leonard asked immediately he sat. Kenneth swallowed and presented a file on the desk for him.“Ethan Smith, 45years old. Missing for about 3years now-““What does it have to do with me? Just tell me where Theo is! He’s the one who can testify…I need to get out of this cramped place, 25years is not a joke!” Leonard protested in anxiousness, Kenneth. “This was the driver of the truck. He’s the one driving the truck the day of the accident. We have to find him if we must find Theo, it happens to be they are siblings,” Keneth announced while Leonard rested his back against the chair.“Fuck it! Who
(THE FOLLOWING DAY)The muted sounds of the hospital buzzed around Xavier as he use wet towels to clean Camille’s hand and foot. “Remember that special recipe I recreated for you? I’d love to try it again….and you have to wake up if you want to taste out of it, Camille,” He added talking to Camille who laid on the hospital bed.The antiseptic scent mingled with anxiety lingered in the air, heavy and unyielding. Xavier finished cleaning her hands, he sprang up on his feet so he could discard the dirty water but just as he stepped out, he met Diego on his way out."Xavier," Diego's voice punctuated the silence, a low murmur that pulled Xavier from his spiraling thoughts. Diego approached cautiously, his face lined with concern.“Diego,” Xavier responded stiffly. “Give me a minute, I’ll be right back,” Xavier told him and went off to discard the water, he came back in a minute.“Here. I got you sweats and under-wears. Mike told me specifically to bring this to you, he said you haven’t
The sterile scent of antiseptics and the harshly fluorescent lights filled the hospital corridor just as the stretcher Camille was on came in, “Emergency!” The person pushing the stretcherShouted, the doctors ran to the stretcher.They had tried the CPR, the frantic effort of breath and rhythm, but her heart line on the machine had remained steadfastly flat.He clenched his fists, willing himself to hold back tears. “She will pull through,” he whispered to himself, as if belief alone could will life back into her limbs. “She has to.”Xavier wanted to follow them when they started pulling her towards the surgery room, a nurse stood in his way, “Please wait outside,” The nurse instructed and he nod, his hand and forehead getting sweaty.Xavier sat hunched over in the waiting area, his hands clasped tightly together, knuckles white with tension. “She-she has to be okay,” His voice failed him.Xavier paced the shiny linoleum floor, his footsteps barely making a sound against the echoing
(THREE HOURS LATER)(An Unknown Warehouse)The slightest glimmers of awareness prompt in Camille's mind as she slowly emerged from the clutches of darkness. It took a few moments for her disoriented senses to catch up with her surroundings. She blinked several times trying to adjust to the harsh lights that flickered above her.“Where—“Her heart raced as panic gripped her. She was tied to a chair, her wrists bound by coarse rope that dug into her skin, almost causing a reaction on her skin.When she finally titled her head up, In front of her stood two figures, Tiana and a guy she can’t describe.The realization of her predicament crashed over her like a running truck—she had been kidnapped."Welcome back to the land of the living," Tania taunted, her voice a silky yet sharp melody that echoed in the silence. "I was starting to think you’d sleep forever. Did you enjoy your little nap?”“Let me go, Tania,” Camille managed, her voice hoarse. She thrashed against her bindings, the ropes