Chapter 14 Camilla, Be with Me
"Let's ditch the meal. Got stuff to handle. We'll catch up later."
Camilla and Oliver were tight, so even when she bailed, she did it with a grin, not wanting to make him feel bad.
Oliver noticed she was clutching a custom jewelry box, so he knew she wasn't lying.
He nodded, wanting to say more, but Camilla had already breezed past Leopold and bounced.
She didn't even give him a look!
Feeling the tension thick in the air, Oliver sneaked a peek at Leopold's face and awkwardly tried to smooth things over, "Leopold, maybe Camilla didn't see you. Don't sweat it."
Oliver's words only made Leopold's face darker.
Oliver coughed and shut up.
But inside, he thought, 'Camilla's really not playing around this time!'
"Excuse me, sir?"
Leopold's eyes went cold, "Give me the priciest one."
He thought, 'She might not care, but someone else will!'
The party was at a swanky villa, and by the time Camilla rolled up, the place was already buzzing.
Someone spotted her, and their looks got all weird.
She used to hit up these shindigs with Leopold, so folks knew her face.
They didn't know her as "Camilla," just "Leopold's girl."
Lately, though, word on the street was they split. Seeing Camilla solo seemed to confirm it.
That was why the looks were so weird.
They thought, 'Six years down the drain, and now she's just another ex. What a story!'
Camilla brushed off the stares and headed straight to Juniper, handing over the jewelry herself.
"Camilla, why not stick around? The food's killer today."
"No. Don't drink too much and get home safe."
"Okay," Juniper didn't push, knowing the crowd too well. Camilla staying would just be awkward, "Got it! I'll have my assistant take you."
"Alright." Camilla turned and left.
Whispers started up around her, "Did you see her? Still showing up, no shame!"
"She was with Leopold for six years; there had to be something there, right?"
"That's a joke. Did you see her outfit? My maid dresses better."
"Everyone knows she was just Leopold's shadow, doing his laundry and cooking, like a maid."
"Ms. Learmond." The assistant glanced at Camilla's face.
Even as a guy, he found those words harsh, but Camilla stayed cool like nothing happened.
"Let's roll." She'd expected the gossip.
When she decided to break up with Leopold, she knew scenes like this were coming.
The assistant said, "Hang tight, I'll grab the car."
"Okay." Camilla stood outside the hall, looking up at the sky.
The sun was setting, and the breeze was nice.
Just then, a low, slightly tipsy voice called out, "Camilla?"
She turned around, their eyes met, "What a coincidence."
Declan Parker swirled a wine glass in his hand, his eyes showing a hint of joy, "Long time no see. Didn't expect to run into you here. Let me think, how long's it been? The last time was your college graduation, but Leopold kicked me out, and I couldn't even give you the flowers."
Camilla felt a bit awkward.
Back in the day, both Declan and Leopold were all over her, like bees to honey. Both loaded and good-looking, but each crazier than the other.
Camilla said, "Got stuff to do, gotta bounce."
But Declan wasn't having it, "All these years, Leopold treated you like his personal trophy, keeping you locked up. It was tough to even catch a glimpse of you."
Camilla's smile faded, "What are you getting at?"
Declan went on, "You turned down both me and Leopold, but you picked him 'cause he was more persistent. Ever think his persistence was just about winning some macho contest?"
Camilla's heart ached all over again.
So, what she thought was love was just a dude's ego trip?
Seeing her go pale, Declan felt a pang of guilt.
He tried to touch her face, but she stepped back.
"Mr. Parker, back off."
Declan moved closer, "Don't play dumb. I know you and Leopold are done."
"So what?" Camilla shot back with a smile.
"Camilla, be with me. I'll treat you better than Leopold ever did. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen, just be with me."
Whether it was six years ago or now, seeing her made Declan's heart race.
He never really let go.
Camilla smiled, "Mr. Parker, nice seeing you, but let's go our separate ways."
With that, she turned and left.
She didn't want any part of Declan or Leopold now.
And they better not come after her.
Declan watched her walk away, a dark look in his eyes.
He sighed and chuckled, "Camilla, you think you can just walk away?"
Little did he know, someone was watching from a distance.
Simon looked at the photo he just snapped, satisfied, and smirked.
Coincidentally, Marcus was nearby, taking a breather, and saw Simon grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"What’s got you grinning like that?"
Simon didn't mind the jab, proudly waving his phone.
Marcus, with his eagle eyes, quickly recognized the face in the photo, "Camilla?"
"Yup," Simon said, looking smug, "And that's Declan with her. Already sent it to Leopold."
They'd seen the drama of two guys fighting over one girl before. Leopold had been so nuts about it, they still cringed thinking about it.
Marcus's eyes darkened, "She just broke up, and Declan's already in the mix. And judging by Camilla's look..."
He paused, his tone turning thoughtful, "Seems like Camilla's serious this time."
"No way, Camilla can't pull that off. Just wait, she and Leopold won't really split. She can't leave him."
"Then why'd you send the pic?"
Simon shrugged, "For kicks, to watch the drama. What's wrong with that?"
Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Don't push it, or you might lose a friend."
"I'm just snapping a pic. Besides, an ex-girlfriend won't matter to Leopold. Look at my photo, isn't it perfect? Check out the vibe."
Marcus's gaze lingered on Camilla's beautiful profile in the photo, "You're right, just an ex. It's normal for other guys to chase her."
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