—-“We only have a room left, aren’t you couple?” The receptionist asked Xavier, he scoffed and shook his head as he glanced at Camille who is still in shock as she had Xavier’s jacket over her body.Xavier found a nearer hotel around where Susan Len lived so they can both visit tomorrow since it’s past 12.“Bring the keys,” Xavier took the keys and went back to were Camille sat, “Here, they’ve only got one room, you may have it.” He gave it to her, Camille took and looked at him.“Come with me,” She instructed and without more questions, Xavier followed her.The door opened, Camille walked in and instantly she took off the jacket and placed it back on Xavier’s hand.“How did you find me here? And please, don’t tell me that it’s a coincidence,” She asked looking at him directly, Xavier licked his lips and tried to move closer to her but Camille shifted back.“Okay, Kate told me. She was so worried about you that she had to call me, so don’t take it the other way, Camille,” Xavier exp
Next DayCamille eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the ray of sun coming from the window, blinking away the sleep from her eyes, she stretched her arms above her head to sweep back her tousled hair…then her eyes ran to the other side of the bed, “X-Xavier?” Her voice came out croaky and she sat upright.“Xavier?” She called hoping she’d hear his voice probably from the bathroom but none came, instantly she rub off the duvet away from her body and started making way to the bathroom, she was about twisting the door knob when Xavier walked in.A tray containing a slice of cheesecake and a soft drink with him, Camille ran into his arms almost letting the tray fall but Xavier held it tightly with the other hand.Camille pull slowly away raising only her head from his chest, her hands still wrapped around his waist, “I thought you left me! Why did you leave?” She lamented with a puppy eyes while Xavier couldn’t help but feel so delightful.Gently he dropped the cheesecake into her mouth and
52: You’re next!——Camille breathed out loud as they both walked out of the amusement park, it was time to head back home.Xavier kept stealing glances at her, “Should I carry you on my back? Seems your legs are tired.” He suddenly asked and Camille squinted her eyes. “I’ve got weight, can you-” She hasn’t finished talking when Xavier carried her in a bridal style, Camille was left with no option but to laugh out loud.“See? You’re so light weight…hehe,” Xavier teased sticking out his tongue, “Just hang in there till we get to the car, be a princess,” Xavier whispered softly and Camille giggles resting her head into his chest.“So, are we going back to Susan’s?” Camille chipped in, Xavier twitches his lips.“What do you think? Do you want to go? Anywhere you go I follow,” Xavier said to her sweetly and they got to where they parked the car. Xavier opened the door and placed Camille at the passenger seat.Soon, they started driving back Quill alley, they stopped the car at a parking
53——Tiana walked out of Diego’s room with a scowl on her face, she bit her lower lips, “If I get my hands on that earring, all these will be nothing but a piece of cake,” She shutters then went back to Shania who was dishing out the breakfast.Seeing how Tiana came back to the dinning table alone, Shania knew Diego is being stubborn, “He’s not coming right?” She asked and Tiana nod.“Yes. He insists on staying hungry, I’m just so tired.” Tiana wailed as she pulled out a chair and took a sit.“I will have the maids take the food to him, eat child,” Shania offered Tiana, dished out a rolled pasta and large beef, “Eat up,” She urged, then closed back the pot. Tiana noticed she isn’t sitting, her eyebrows drew a thin line, “Aren’t you eating?”Tiana asked, Shania shook her head.“I need to head out to the insecticides store. Yvonne told me the foods at the storage room is being eaten and destroyed by pests. I’ll be back in a minute,” With that Shania head out.—-“Good-morning,” The la
54: You know me?(NEXT DAY)Camille was just opening her eyes, a yawn followed. “Where-” She quickly sit upright on the bed, her eyes quickly did a search of the room, her eyes came across a very familiar portrait on the wall, “Isn’t this Xavier’s guest room?” She mumbled.She rub off the duvet from her body and just as she was about to get down from the bed, the door opened and a lady walked in, with two other ladies behind her. “Oh, you’re awake ma’am,” The lady exclaimed.Camille raised an eyebrow probably demanding for an explanation, “What’s happening…”“I hope you had a great night. I go by the name, Hilda. I’ve been personally instructed by Mr Xavier to help you with your bath,” Hilda announced and Camille jaw dropped.“I…I can take care of my bath, I don’t think there’s a need for you people to do that,” Camille said and added woth a weird smile but the lady at her front wasn’t buying it.“I’m sorry ma’am but I’m afraid mr Xavier will chop off my head if I don’t do as he instr
[17-YEARS AGO]- July 7, 1996.10 years old Xavier moved around the mansion happily, Ronald Huston, his father came out of his room with car keys, “Daddy!” Xavier shrill running to his father, his mother appeared behind them.“Surprise, surprise! Xavier, guess where you we are going next!” Jessica Huston bent to his level patting the bubbly Xavier’s hair. Xavier was already giggling and jumping here and there.“What’s it, I’m curious!” He mumbled “The new robotic car is out, we are heading out to get it for you, you’ve always wanted it,” His father replied and Xavier jumped up“Yay!! I can finally boast to Ethan at the next door! Yay!” He exclaimed, with a pat on his hair again, they both left.…Few hours later…Xavier was just heading out with a clay pot of flower, happily he was about placing it over the counter when her father personal assistant came to break an unrealistic news to him.The clay pot fell from his hand, his eyes shimmered with tears. His head shook in denial, “It…it
56: She’s my daughter!—Rodrigo Villa—The Next MorningTiana was just stretching out of her room when she saw a lady passing hee with a bowl of warm water and towel but instead she shrugs her shoulders and stroll down to the kitchen.The maids there left whatever they were doing and bow down to respect her, “Good morning ma’am,” They all chorused while Tiana looked around searching for her mother-in-law.“Where is mother? I haven’t seen her since I woke up…wait, she didn’t come to wake up today,” Tiana asked.“She’s still in her room. She told us she had a mild headache…” One of them replied to her and that made Tiana remembered what she saw earlier. “Oh! Poor mother, I will check up on her,” Tiana laments going back to Shania’s room. The lady with a bowl and towel came out and Tiana was about going in when the lady blocked her path.Tiana furrowed her eyebrows, “And what’s the meaning of this, young lady?” Tiana snapped at her. “Ma’am instructed me not to let anyone come in…exce
57-Something tacky—Queensway Company—Camille was just returning back to her office after a long meeting, her butt landed on the couch, “Get me cheesecake, I’m so hungry!” Camille said to Kate who was checking her schedule.“Okay ma’am,” She added it to a list. Camille suddenly sit upright and cleared her throat.“I’ve got any call?” Camille asked and Kate nod.“Yeah. The new CEO of 4Nine called.” Kate replied but Camille’s face fell like she was expecting another person.Kate noticed that, she twitched her lips, “Were you expecting someone else?” Kate asked as she looked at Camille with keen eyes.Camille let out a nervous laugh, “Hehe, who would I possibly expect if it’s not business partners? You joke too much,” Camille quickly said and pick a random magazine on the desk.Kate chuckles and adjusted the magazine back to the right position, “Seeing how you turned the magazine upside down means you’re hiding or guilty of something,” Kate told her.Camille avoided her gaze and looked
(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
(TWO DAYS LATER: The Wedding Day)Xavier thrust his phone down onto the passenger seat. His hand tightened on the steering wheel glancing through the rearview to see if he’s got any message, the screen lighting up with countless missed calls and messages that went unanswered. Truth be told, Camille had blocked him and has been discarding all chances to see him.,His car halted at the hall Camille’s wedding is taking place.Sean, in his white texado suit waited outside with a vip access card, his eyes lightened up when he saw Xavier’s car. “I thought you won’t make it,” Sean told him.Xavier nervously swallowed the lump in his throat, “Thanks man, I owe you everything—including my life,” Xavier told him, he took the vip access card from Sean and walked into the hall.——————In the bridal waiting room, Camille fidgeted with the delicate lace trimming of her gown. Seated among her bridesmaids, the morning sun penetrating through the half opened curtains did justice on her face.She feign
# 73The following morning broke bright and clear, yet Camille’s heart felt shrouded in gray clouds. She had woken from a restless sleep,After a shower and a hasty breakfast, she found herself standing before her maid, Irene, who was dusting the shelves in the living room. Camille watched Irene for a while before approaching her, she had been at Camille's side for years, almost a sister figure, and Camille felt an immediate regret for their earlier argument. “Irene, can we talk?” Camille called, Irene briefly turned and greeted her as usual.Irene has distanced herself from Camille ever since the heated argument with Camille the other day.“Of course, Miss Camille,” she replied, her voice soft and understanding. Camille took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as she spoke. “I’m really sorry about how I reacted yesterday. I let my emotions take over, and I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. You’ve always been so kind to me, and I appreciate everything you do.”“Yeah, I kno
{NEXT DAY ———HUSTON VILLA}Xavier stood before the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. He slipped on the tailored suit jacket, the fabric hugging his shoulders perfectly. He adjusted his tie, the silk knot sitting precisely at the base of his neck. A crisp white shirt complemented the dark hue of the suit, exuding confidence and sophistication. “The car is ready, sir,” Mike announced behold while Xavier simply give him a nod as a reply, Mike left after. He picked up his phone and was about heading out when his phone buzzed loudly, a solitary intrusion in the silence that enveloped him. He glanced over, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. An unknown number flashed on the screen, sparking a bit of curiosity— Who is this?Despite his instinct to ignore it, his fingers betrayed him as they reached for the answer button.“Hello?” he answered, his voice steady yet tinged with reluctance. “Oh! I never thought you’d pick! Anyways, Xavier, it’s Tiana.” Her voice, sultry and dangerous,
FEW DAYS LATER- RUN Wedding GownsCamille inhaled deeply as she stepped into the boutique, she looked around at the wedding gown displayed and her heart leaped, “Beautiful,” She mumbled touching one of the dress.“Do you want that? We can get it for you,” Sean's voice broke through her reverie, filled with eager enthusiasm.The smile he wore was infectious, but Camille’s heart remained a stone. “No. Anyone is fine by me, it doesn’t really matter,” She denied and walked into the fitting room.Maybe what she said was a lie. She wanted to wear that pretty gown but not with Sean.They were guided through rows of dazzling gowns, each more extravagant than the last. As they reached the fitting area, the seamstress—a petite woman with a twinkle in her eye—beckoned Camille toward a shimmering ivory dress. It was magnificent, a visual feast of lace and silk that shimmered with minimal embellishment.“Wait until you see how it looks on you,” Sean beamed, his gaze fixed on the gown. “I bet you’l
# 70(Guevara’s Villa)Camille came down from the stairs with a suit case, her father whose face glued to the morning news turned to her, “Oh, you’re set for your trip?” Leonard asked and Camille nod.Leonard stood up from the couch, ascending to her give her a peck, “I hope you have nice trip, eat good food okay,” He retorted and Camille nod in agreement. Camille descended to the driveway, the driver was already waiting for her, “I will drive myself, Mavis. You can go,” She instructed the driver.The driver obliged and handed the keys to her, “Have a nice trip,” With that he left, Camille got into the car and zoomed out of the Guevara’s premises.She had told her father, with a sincerity that almost felt real, that she was on a business trip—but should she call that a lie?In just about four hours, the car stopped at a small hospital away from the city and hopefully she wouldn’t find anyone around here.She had booked a week of appointments with Dr. Metzger, her obstetrician.After
# 69(A WEEK LATER)-Queensway Company.Camille was just strolling out to her office when Emily met her on the way, “ There you’re, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Camille asked “I’m sorry ma’am, I’ve been adjusting to the new location the new investors sent,” Emily announced, Camille raised an eyebrow.“They’ve changed the location? Where now?” Camille asked. “HV Lounge. It’s a five minute walk down the street. Mr Alan said he wants to survey that lounge and he’s meeting someone there as well,”Emily explained while Camille folded her hand into a fist.“Shit!” She cursed while Emily looked at her with concern. “Everything okay ma’am?” She asked but Camille shook her head.“Nothing. It won’t be nice if we delay our investors on our first meeting,” With that Camille walked off, Emily trails off behind her.Camille and Emily arrived at the HV, a modern building that housed the architecture museum, Her heart raced as she entered the lobby, taking in the polished marble floors and th