Chapter Two
Camilla ~•~ “What’s this?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Open it.” He said. I opened the file he handed to me and brought the documents out. They were divorce papers. I flipped through them and let out a laugh but there was no humor in it. He turned around to leave and then said, “Sign those before I get back.” I laughed again. “I’m not signing these.” He turned back to me. “What do you mean you’re not signing it?” I threw the papers at his face. “I’m not signing it.” “Camilla, don’t be difficult. Sign the papers so we can go our separate ways. I’m tired of this.” He picked the papers up, arranged them, and handed them back to me. “Are you deaf? I’m not signing it. You’re going to divorce me and go be with Tori?” “This is not about Tori. It’s about us and the fact that we’ve been in a loveless marriage for three years.” “I love you Raffael. I’ve always loved you. Why won’t you love me back?” “Love you back?” He scoffed. “You and your grandfather forced me into this marriage.” He screamed angrily. “You had a choice Raffael. If you didn’t want it you would have refused.” “Fuck you, Camilla.” He said and went out of the room. I followed after him. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” “Away from you and all of this.” He said walking out the door. “Make sure you sign before I get back except you prefer it the hard way.” I followed behind him and watched him get in his car and drive out of the compound. I took a deep breath and went back into the house. I picked up my phone and called Skye “I’m coming over.” “Ok. I’ll be waiting.” I got to her house in less than twenty minutes. I parked outside and made my way to the door. When she opened the door she welcomed me with a big hug. “How are you?” She asked, still in the embrace. “I’m good.” “What happened? What’s going on?” She asked again as we broke the hug. “Come, sit.” We went to the couch and sat down. “Raffael gave me divorce papers,” I said, sighing. “What?” She exclaimed, genuinely shocked. “He gave you divorce papers? Why?” “He said he doesn’t want to continue in a loveless marriage.” “Oh my God.” She pulled me in for another hug. “Did you sign it?” “No. I told him I wouldn’t.” “And what did he have to say about that?” “He told me to sign them before he got back or we would have to do it the hard way.” Tears started rolling down my cheeks and I didn’t even know when. “He says he doesn’t love me anymore. What am I going to do Skye?” “Cammy, don’t cry. We’ll get through this.” She said, stroking my hair. “Is it about Tori?” “He says it is not but I don’t believe him. How can he randomly give me divorce papers the day after our anniversary when he was out with his ex-girlfriend? I’m not a kid!” “You guys need to talk about this maturely. The media is already going crazy. The headlines are outrageous. Where is he?” I doubted he still cared about what the media thought. “I don’t know, he stormed out of the house after we fought.” I sniffed trying to hold back my tears. “You guys are going to fix this okay?” She said, reassuring me. “It’s not the end.” “Can we go somewhere? I need to clear my head and it’s suffocating inside.” “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Anywhere’s fine as long as it’s away from everything.” We got out of the house and Skye was driving. I didn’t know where she was taking me but I was grateful to be going out. We drove for a long time before we finally stopped outside an amusement park. I looked at her and laughed. “An amusement park? Really?” “What? It’s the best place for a distraction.” She says unbuckling her seat belt. “And you used to love coming here all the time. Come on, let's go.” We got out of the car and went to get our tickets. We got inside and I instantly felt like a child again. We spent almost the whole day there, going from ride to ride. It felt peaceful. After a long day, we were both tired and decided to leave. “Thank you,” I said to Skye when we got in the car. “Sincerely, I don’t know what I would do without you.” “It’s no big deal. That’s what friends are for.” She was about to speak again when she was interrupted by my phone ringing. I checked the caller and saw that it was my assistant. “Hello?” “I’ve been trying to reach you” “Why? Is there any problem?” “I’ll send it to you right now.” She hung up the phone and my phone pinged. She sent me a video. A video of my husband and his ex-girlfriend kissing. The clothes he was wearing were the clothes he was on when he left the house. I felt an unfamiliar ache in my chest and I placed my hand above it, hoping it would numb the pain. It did nothing. “What is it?” I showed her the video and she gasped. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” “You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” I shook my head as she handed me my phone. It wasn’t her fault. She had nothing to do with my cheating husband. “What are you going to do about it?” “Nothing.” “Nothing?” She exclaimed. “Cammy, I know you love him but you have to sign those papers. He’s embarrassed you enough already.” “I don’t know Skye. Let’s see about that.” He was hurting me but I still didn’t want to let him go. I knew it was pathetic but I couldn’t help how I felt about him. Looking away from Skye’s pitiful gaze, I called my assistant back. “Where did you get this from?” “It’s all over the news.” My heart broke. “Okay. I’ll speak to you later.” “Cammy…” Skye trailed off.” “Don’t. I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s go.” I buckled up and she started driving. I was going to deal with my failing marriage later. I was too exhausted to think about it.Chapter Three Raffael ~~ I drove my car out of the compound looking at her through the rearview mirror as she watched me leave, looking defeated. She had refused to sign the papers claiming it was because of Tori. That was half true. I’d already planned to file for divorce months ago, Tori coming back was just the tip of the iceberg. Three years ago we got married because she liked me. She persuaded her grandfather to meet with my dad and organize an arranged marriage for us. My father, in a bid to save his failing company, had no choice but to agree. I only agreed to it because of my father but after he passed a year ago, I had no reason to be in a marriage where I didn’t love my wife. My mum and sister weren’t in support of our marriage so I had backup for the divorce. I drove to the hotel where Tori was staying. I parked at the underground parking and made my way to the elevator. I pressed the button to go up to the fifth floor and made my way to her suite. “Tori?” I cal
Chapter Four Raffael ~~~ I looked at her in disbelief. She had just slapped me for saying the kiss was a mistake. I took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t know how those pictures and videos got out.” “I don’t want to hear any of that. Get rid of them before tomorrow. Grandpa shouldn’t find out about it.” She said then went to the bathroom to freshen up. She was right. I picked up my phone and called Tori. “Have you seen the news?” I asked. “Yes, the media is brutal, the headlines are crazy.” “That’s not what this is about. I don’t think we should see each other for now.” “But-” She tried to complain. I interrupted her. “But nothing. I’ll call you when everything dies down.” I let out before hanging up the phone. One of the guards called me and told me there were reporters outside the gate. I looked at the CCTV and sure enough, there were many reporters outside the gate. I ordered the guards to get rid of them and send them away. I was about to go to the office. I didn’t m
Chapter Five Camilla ~~~ The last forty-eight hours have been hell for me. My name had been on the lips of everyone. The media had been putting out the most outrageous news about me. I woke up this morning, deciding to block out any negativity. I showered and then went downstairs to eat my breakfast. Raffael came downstairs and sat at the other end of the table. “Good morning.” He said as he sat down. I didn’t give him a reply. I looked up at him and saw that the handprint from the slap I gave him was gone. Thank God. I wouldn’t know how to explain that to my grandfather. “Grandpa called, he wants us to go to his house after you meet with the shareholders,” I said. “How did you know I have a meeting with the shareholders?” He asked. I merely stared at him and ignored him. I was done with my food so I left the table and went back upstairs. I picked up the phone and texted Skye. I was really thankful for her. She was the only person I had apart from my grandfather and Raffael.
Chapter SixCamilla~~~~~ “Don’t tell him you gave me divorce papers. He shouldn’t even know that you thought about getting divorced. Tell him you’re going to make everything right at the press conference.” I said when we got out of the car and were walking to the front door. We got to the door and the guards standing by the door opened it for us. My grandpa and his secretary were already downstairs. “Lala.” My grandpa said, smiling widely as he saw me. “How are you?” He asked coming to hug me. “I’m doing good Pops, how are you?” I asked. “Your old man’s fine.” He said with a big smile. “Raffael.” He said extending his hand for a shake. They exchanged pleasantries and we got seated. “So, how’s business going Raffael?” Grandpa asked. “It’s good.” He said shuffling in his seat.” I just closed a deal with Mr Smith.” “That’s good.” “Dinner’s ready.” Hailey, one of the helps announced.” “We’ll be right there.” My grandpa said Camilla her off. “We’ll talk later. Let’s go have d
Chapter SevenRaffael ~~~~“Camilla. What was that about?” I asked immediately after I got in the house.“Leave me alone Raffael.” She said attempting to go upstairs.I dragged her back. “You slapped her in public?”“What was I supposed to do huh? She kept provoking me and disrespecting me. Was I supposed to just stand there and watch her?”“Were you stalking her?” I asked. “You sent someone to follow her around so you could watch her every move and then you went to meet her?”“What the fuck Raffael. You think I would do that?”“I mean who knows what your pathetic self is capable of.” I shrugged.She stood still taking deep breaths trying to hold back tears.“Fuck you.” She said and then ran upstairs.“Fuck.” I said kicking the couch. I took a deep breath and then went upstairs to the guest room. I took off my clothes and then went into the shower.I got out a few minutes later and then dressed up. I took my car keys and left the house.I drove aimlessly for hours thinking about ever
Chapter EightRaffael ~~~~I drove to the hotel I wanted I and Tori to meet. It was a small one just outside the city where I was sure we wouldn’t be seen or photographed.I got there in under thirty minutes and checked into the room I had booked under a fake name. I got to the room and waited for Tori to arrive.I waited for a little while then I heard a knock on the door. It was Tori. She threw herself at me immediately when she got inside. I had no choice but to hug her.She withdrew and went to sit. I followed sitting beside her.“How’s your face?” I asked moving it from one side to the other.“It still hurts like a bitch.” She said pointing to the bruise on her cheek.“What actually happened yesterday? Why did she slap you? She said you provoked her.” I asked with a hint of concern in my voice. “Provoked her? She was just mad because you chose me over her. I simply wanted to chat with her and try to explain things then she got angry.”“Hmmm,” I said.“Why did you want to meet?
Chapter NineCamilla~~~~I woke up feeling better than last night. Raffael had left the house last night after our little argument.I got up from the bed and went to take a shower. I got dressed and ready for the day. I called Skye to tell her to come over since we were both free for the rest of the day.It was almost 8’clock and he hadn’t still returned. Normally he would return at seven and then leave again before twelve. I wonder where he was.I called Anthony, his assistant to check if he was still at the office or if he was with someone else.“Hello, Good morning Anthony. I just wanted to check with you if Raffael was still at the office.”“He didn’t come in yesterday mam.”“He didn’t go to the office yesterday?” I asked confused.“Yes.”“Okay, thank you.” I said and hung up the phone.I threw my phone on the bed, biting my lip in confusion. If he didn’t go to the office yesterday where could he be? Is it possible he went to meet with her?I shook the thought out of my head and
Chapter TenCamilla~~~~My eyes fluttered as I struggled to adjust to the bright light. I finally managed to open my eyes and I looked around. I was on a hospital bed.What happened? My head ached so bad and I felt really nauseous. I stayed in my position for a while then the door opened. It was Skye.“You’re awake, finally.” She said rushing over to my side.“What happened?” I said trying to sit up.She helped me up. “You fainted.”“Why?”“The doctor hasn’t said anything yet. He was waiting for you to wake up. I’ll go get him.” She said and went out the door.She returned in a few minutes with our family doctor.“Ms Edwards, how are you feeling?” He asked.“My head still aches a little bit.”“We’ll prescribe some drugs to help ease the pain.”“Is that the reason I fainted?”“Uhm.” He looked over to Skye to indicate he wanted the conversation to be private.“It’s okay, you can say whatever you want to say.” I assured him.“You are 13 weeks pregnant, Ms Edwards.” He said handing me a
Chapter Sixty-FiveCamilla’s POVI stormed out of the living room after I slapped Raphael. Normally I wouldn’t resort to violence but he riled me up so fast I didn’t know when I walked up to him and slapped him.How dare he? Shame me for being in love. And I thought we were already past that but if seemed we still had a lot to talk about.I went to my room and started packing up my things. I also went to Rory’s room to pack her bags. Whether he liked it or not, we were going to leave tonight.I didn’t know if I was angry with what he said because it was true or not. I wasn’t ashamed of my daughter, I could never be. I was only trying to protect her from the things I was exposed to. No child deserves to grow up under the limelight and scrutiny of the media. I was crying and I didn’t even know it. My eyes were clouded with tears and I could barely see. I sat down on the bed trying to calm myself down.I heard a knock on the door and I looked up to see a figure of my grandpa.“Are you o
Chapter Sixty-FourRaphael's POV“Did you see the news about Camilla?” Sam asked as I came out of the meeting room.“What news?”“They leaked her address, her job back in California, and her phone number. Everything about the life she’s been living these last few years is on the internet.”“What the hell? Did they say anything about Aurora?”“No. They didn’t. But I’m sure they know about her too. They’re just kind enough not to put that out.”“She must be devastated.”“I know right? Have you talked to her? When was she thinking about going back?”“I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything. I’ll call her right now.” I said.“Ok, bro. I’ll get back to work. See you later.” He said and left. I went back to my office and picked up my phone to call her. It seemed her phone was switched off. Of course it would, it would be blowing up by now with messages and calls from random people.I went online to check for the news Sam talked about. It was kind of nasty. The comments said mean things abou
Chapter Sixty-ThreeCamilla’s POVAfter spending the whole night trying to figure out what my next decision would be, I finally made uo my mind to go back to California. I wanted to spend the rest of the week here before returning though.I got up and got ready for the day. I went to check up on my grandpa and took him out for a walk around the compound.“I’ll be leaving next week.” I announced.“That’s good. You’ve spent a long time here anyway. It’s time to return to your normal life.”“But this was my life though. Here in New York.”“And it’s not anymore. You started a new one that you can’t leave behind.”We continued the walk in silence. After circling the compound, we returned to the house. Rory was already up by this time. My grandpa was to return to work in a few weeks after the doctor cleared him. For now, he was taking a break and letting Jeremy handle the company.We had breakfast and then my grandpa headed to his study. He was invested in reading nowadays. Rory kept beggin
Chapter Sixty-TwoRaphael's POVI worked from home today so I could spend a little bit of time with Aurora. Camilla still hadn’t made up her mind about when to leave for California. To be honest, it was making me kind of nervous that I didn’t know when my daughter would be leaving me.Aurora was in the middle of the room playing with her toys while I worked away on my computer. “Daddy, when will Jason be back?” She asked.“He won’t be back for long, honey. He’s at school, remember.”“Why didn't I go to school? I miss my friends.” She said.“You’ll be back to school in a bit. When you guys return home.”“Are you going to come with us?”“Uhm. I don’t know yet.”“Well, I do want you to come. And Jason too.”“We’ll think about it.”“Okay.” She said going back to her toys.After an hour or two, I went to make her something to eat.“Daddy, can we go to the park and then go get ice cream? I don’t want to stay inside all day.” She complained.“I’ll have to ask your mummy first. We can’t go o
Chapter Sixty-OmeCamilla’s POV“I really don’t need the wheelchair. I can walk fine on my own.”“Not according to the doctor. You don’t need to strain yourself.”“I’ll use the cane. I don't want them to see me as weak, going in there with a wheelchair.” He protested.“Fine.” I gave up. “You can use the cane, only for this meeting.”“Thank you.” They put the wheelchair back in the car and handed the cane to him to support himself while he walked. He has been out of the hospital for two days and today he had a meeting with the board of directors.I insisted on accompanying him even though he didn’t want me to. We finally agreed on me escorting him to the office and going back to the house.“Bye.” I said waving at him.“Goodbye. See you later.” He said.I got back in the car and was on my way back to the house.When I got home, I went to lie down for a bit. It was only me in the house apart from the staff. Rory was at Rapheal’s house. She has been spending a lot of time there as we did
Chapter SixtyRaphael’s POVAfter my call with Camilla, I began to think hard and long. I didn't want them to leave. Not just yet. They had only been around for a few days but I liked the fact that they were close to me.I sent a text to Emily instead of calling her and went to get ready for work. It was going to be a long day. I said bye to Jason and left the house. The driver was going to take him to school today.I went to the project site we were working on instead of the office. They were already working by the time I got there so I joined them. I didn’t usually go to sites unless it was an important client, which this was. After an hour or two, Mr Edison arrived.“Hey.” He said.“Hey.”“How’s it going?”“Fine.” I responded. That day he came by the house, he asked me so many questions but I didnr give him a reply. I told him the person he had to speak to was Camilla.“So I talked to Camilla.”“You did? She answer all your questions?”“Yeah. So you’re Rory’s father, huh? And Cami
Chapter Fifty-NineCamilla’s POV“Why didn’t you want them to tell me?” I asked my grandpa.“Because I knew I’d be fine. See, I'm still alive.”“Stop with the jokes, Grandpa. I would never have forgiven you or myself if things had gone wrong.”“I just didn’t want you to worry.”“You need to think about yourself first.”“Enough with all this talk. Fill me in. What’s going on?”“So the board made a vote today. Jeremy Steel is acting CEO.”“That little fucker.”“Pops. Watch your language. Who is he anyway? Why’d you curse at him?”“Oh, nothing. His father is Carson Steel. You remember him.”“Oh. I do. He’s the boy you tried to set me up with before.”“Yes, he is.”“Oh, wow. Maybe I have taken that offer then.”“Then, you wouldn’t have Rory.”“That’s true. Glad I passed on that.”“Where is Rory anyways?”“She’s at home. With Skye. I call her to bring her over even though I told her you were on a trip.” I said and he laughed.I stepped outside and called Skye. She was happy to hear the new
Chapter Fifty-EightRaphael's POV“Daddy for my birthday, I want a Spider-Man cake.” Jason said while we were playing.“Ok. You’ll get a Spiderman cake. Do you want anything else?”“I want a bouncy house and I want to see Spider-Man.”“Ok. That’s not a problem. I’ll get you all those things.”“I also want to see my mummy. I miss her.” He said and I paused.I didn’t realize till now how much of an impact her absence would have on him. Even though she was hooked up on drugs before, I made sure she showed up for him whether or not she was high out of her mind.“Mummy still hasn’t gotten back from her trip you know.”“So she’s not going to come back for my birthday?”“You know what, I’ll tell her to come back.”“Yay.” He said.“Do you have any homework?” I asked.“No. Tamara helped me with it.”“Okay.”We continued playing with his toys and im an hour he got tired and was sleepy. I went to put him to bed and went down to the living room to watch TV.I got a call. It was from an unknown nu
Chapter Fifty-SevenCamilla’s POVAfter I left Rapheal’s house, I went back to the hospital. I knew he wasn’t awake yet but I wanted to be there for him. I just sat next to him holding his hand praying he would wake up.The board of directors some how found out I was around and were asking to see much. We scheduled for a meeting for tomorrow. I hadn’t had this much pressure out on me in years. Running my own company back in California was very different from handling this one.This was an empire built from the ground many years ago that still stood in the business world. I never thought about the fact that one day I would have to come back to all of this. When I packed up years ago, I thought I would leave it all behind forever.My thoughts were pushed to the back of my head when I got a call. It was from James. I stepped outside the room to take it.“Hey, how are you doing?” I asked.“I’m fine. I just saw Rory at your friend’s place. Are you in New York? This is all so confusing. I h