Chapter 54 Can You Stop Pursuing Me?
"Yeah, sure."
"Ain't the end of the year supposed to be crazy busy for you finance folks?"
"Depends," Marcus grinned, like he was in on some inside joke. "For the big shots, they always find time. For the nobodies, even if they're free, it ain't worth it."
Marcus was dropping hints she couldn't quite catch. Just then, the lights flickered, signaling the partner swap.
In the dim light, someone spun her way.
Right at the switch, Camilla caught the shocked look on Amara's face.
Next thing she knew, her wrist was grabbed tight, and Leopold's other hand was all possessive on her waist.
Leopold smirked, shot a quick look at Marcus, then turned to Camilla, his eyes softening.
"Camilla, you still mad at me? I swung by your place a few days ago, but no one answered," Leopold said, sounding kinda hurt.
"If it wasn't for Marcus messing with your flight info, I would've found you sooner."
Camilla looked down, not budging.
"I was late, you mad?"
Leopold looked at her, his voice getting all gentle.
Just a moment ago, under the spotlight, he saw Camilla and Marcus lit up.
They hit the dance floor, moving smoothly.
Marcus's hand was on her waist, his smile all flirty.
They whispered, exchanged looks, and he almost lost it a few times.
He thought, 'What gives Marcus the right to hold Camilla?'
In their six years together, he never danced a ballroom dance with her.
So, during the partner swap, he spun Amara away without a second thought.
Leopold knew Camilla was really pissed this time, so he tried to sweet-talk her back.
Just like all those other times they fought, but this time it was gonna take more work.
Leopold still believed he could win her back.
Seeing Camilla not budge, Leopold felt genuinely hurt. "Camilla, are you really this cold? I know Marcus and Sebastian are just your way of getting back at me. I admit, I care, I care a lot, I can't stand seeing you with them."
Leopold's words didn't sound like him.
Before, Camilla would've been secretly thrilled, feeling all happy 'cause it showed Leopold cared.
But now, it was too late.
Too late.
When Camilla realized she was getting more anxious, scared, and dependent on Leopold, she knew this relationship was done.
"Camilla, we've been through so much in six years, got so many memories, can you really just toss it all?"
Seeing her always indifferent face, Leopold gripped her hand tighter.
Camilla frowned. "You're hurting me."
Leopold pressed his lips together and let go. "Sorry."
As the song ended, Camilla stepped away from him without hesitation, "The past is the past, I've forgotten it all, you should too."
Thinking back to the partner swap, Camilla added, "Since you made your choice, stick to it, don't let every woman you're with be disappointed."
With that, Camilla turned and left, disappearing into the darkness.
On the other side, Marcus danced with Amara, way less into it than with Camilla, his eyes always drifting to Leopold and Camilla.
Seeing the two split on bad terms, Marcus raised an eyebrow and smirked. Looked like Leopold's tricks weren't working anymore.
Back in the day, they were tight, real friends.
Marcus knew all of Leopold's moves—sweet talk, gifts, or just swallowing his pride and saying something nice.
But Camilla wasn't falling for it now.
"Marcus, are you happy?" Amara suddenly asked, her voice all innocent, her face pure as snow.
"Totally."
"Is it 'cause Camilla shut down Leopold?"
Marcus raised an eyebrow, really looking at her for the first time. "Isn't that what you wanted too?"
Amara nodded, "Yeah, I wanna be with him."
"Then I hope you two last forever."
With that, Marcus let go of her and stepped back.
Amara smiled and nodded. "Thanks, and good luck to you too."
Marcus turned around.
He glanced at Leopold, who still thought Amara was all innocent, not knowing she had her own game.
As they passed each other, Leopold suddenly said, "Same as before, stay away from her."
Marcus stopped, eyes narrowing. "And I still say, you got no right."
"At least I had a real relationship; what about you?"
Leopold looked at him, his dark eyes kinda smug. "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have even met Camilla. She wouldn't have given you a second glance."
Marcus replied, "Before you get all high and mighty, remember, you're in the same boat as me now. An ex, a chaser, to her, we're both nobodies."
Leopold glared coldly, but Marcus wasn't interested in dragging it out and left through another exit.
Back in her room, Camilla ditched her mask and took a shower.
With her hair down, she went to the second floor. The night sea breeze had that salty, damp feel.
The waves rose and fell, their dull sound kinda soothing.
She leaned against the railing, looking at the shimmering sea, the lights forming a string that looked like stars from afar.
The night was beautiful, and Camilla's mood was finally chill.
At that moment, Marcus, staying in the neighboring water villa, also came to the second-floor terrace. Seeing Camilla sitting quietly under the light, looking into the distance, her profile under the soft light seemed almost magical. He was stunned for a few seconds before snapping out of it.
Camilla seemed to sense something and turned to look.
Marcus spoke up first, "Your earring."
He opened his hand, showing a small earring in his palm.
Camilla instinctively touched her ear, remembering she had noticed a missing earring while taking off her makeup earlier, not expecting it to have been lost at the ball.
She thanked him and took the earring, but Marcus didn't leave right away.
"I've been to a lot of places, but only Reefhaven Isles makes me feel relaxed and gentle, like this sea, vast and welcoming."
Gazing at the distant sea, he suddenly felt emotional.
Camilla agreed.
Prior to her arrival, she was a bundle of nerves. The stress of her dissertation, coupled with Leopold's intermittent bouts of insanity, had taken their toll on her.
After arriving at Reefhaven Isles, her mood miraculously calmed down, and she began to truly enjoy her exclusive vacation.
Sensing her gaze, Marcus spoke softly, "Got something to say to me?"
Camilla looked at him with a complicated expression. "Yeah, can you stop chasing me? It's just a waste of time."
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