Camilla's POV
The charity was all I expected it to be. Expensive, glittering and filled with different personalities.
High profile company owners and models swarmed the place.
I adjusted the rusted silver necklace resting on my collarbone, the rusted jewelry was the only
good jewelry I had left. And I had to blend in or I wouldn't be allowed in.
As I got in, I moved to the counter to avoid recognition from past friends in the business and
other people who might still recognize me in this sorry shape.
Then, like a magnetic pull, the crowd turned towards the entrance. Even I felt her presence
before I even saw her.
Dani.
She entered the hall with calculated elegance, like the world had gone in slow motion, she
walked with grace. Her gown was a deep blue that flowed with every step and her hair tied up in
a twist, her makeup light but powerful.
Everyone has an Interest in her, camera's raised and started bathing her flashing spotlights,
even phones tried to get a picture of her.
I gripped the cup tighter, almost breaking it.
She had no idea I was here. But soon enough, she would.
Just behind her, I noticed Kenneth finally took her hands and pushed past the paparazzi in front
of them.
Kenneth also looked charming in every way, as if trying to match up Dani's elegance.
I watched them walk over to a group of people and Kenneth introduced Dani to the group and
they exchanged handshakes with smiles.
Dani does a small presentation for the group about her company and impresses the group, even
Kenneth looked impressed with her presentation as he does a small clap.
"That's my Dani." He said
Kenneth gets a call and excuses himself from the group. Dani also excuses herself from the
group.
That's my cue.
I followed her through the crowd, stopping a few moments, where she had to greet some people
and also take pictures with some people.
She finally broke free from the crowd and went into the female restroom and I followed her in.
"Dani."
She turned around with a smile on her face, expecting it to be someone she wanted to see.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She spoke calmly, choosing her words carefully.
Her question snapped something in me, "You know what's funny, Dani? You're not even all that
special, but you walk around like a prized trophy. You don't deserve half the praises you're
getting."
"Camila?" She called out my name finally recognizing me
"Wow." She muses, taking a step back looking at me. "That's rich coming from someone who
used to prize herself. What happened, Camila? Life stopped clapping for you now you want to
tear down someone else?"
Her words dug deep into my skin.
"Oh, don't flatter yourself. You think you finally have Raul back on your side? Please. He's just
confused." Her expression changed into confusion, like she had no idea what I was saying.
"What's this? Raul? Camila don't just hide it…..you're jealous." She shot back at me
I am not jealous.
I do not envy her.
"I'm not jealous of someone who barely has an identity outside of pity and timing. You just
showed up and everything fell apart." I spoke at the top of my lungs, fighting back the liquid in
my eyes.
"I climbed back up. That's the part that's eating you up, right? I'm now on the headlines and on
every page and Raul has now found his interest back. That no matter how you dress the
damage, I see straight through you."
I covered my bare skin with my cloth, "why do you mean?"
"What are you doing here, Camilla? Here to embarrass yourself? To beg?" she ignores my
question
I couldn't control my anger. They skyrocket.
"You know what? You self-righteous little…..!"
I raised my hands to slap her, but she caught my hands in the air. She leans in, her voice low
and cold, "careful. Cause if you cause a scene here, you're going to be the person who looks
pathetic at the end and trust me it will happen."
I ignored her and pushed my hands further, but a voice stopped me.
"Dani?" Kenneth called from behind the door. "They say you went in there and you're not out
yet, are you fine?"
She shot a glare at me and threw my hands back and walked past me.
I heard her tell Kenneth she was fine.
After a moment I stepped out of the restroom, cleaning the tears that had dried on my face. Just
as I navigated the crowd, moving towards the exit. I heard a familiar voice on the mic. I turned
back and saw Raul on stage.
"Good evening." He began, "I would like to apologize to someone." The crowd fell silent and he
continued. "Dani, I wronged you in the past and I'm sorry for that...I want you back in my life, I
need you Dani."
My heart dropped. What's he doing?
I watched as Dani moved through the crowd towards the stage.
"If you don't get down here, Raul. I'll let everyone here know how you treated me in the past.
You do not get to apologize in public without everyone here knowing how you treated me those
years." I watched as Dani yelled at Raul.
After a few moments, Raul drops the mic and walks out of the event in shame.
I had never been angrier. Dani's words to me, Rauls actions, and life seem to mock me at this
point.
Just as I walked out of the event I bumped into someone familiar. My old gig connection and my
ex. Lancelot.
I face the ground trying to avoid him, but he calls out my name.
"Camila?"
I immediately burst into tears. A few minutes later we were in his car and I had explained
everything going on in my life to him.
"Well, Camila, Dani's rising public image and her company is affecting my company's progress."
He paused and checked around, as if someone might have entered the car with us. "I'll help you
with Dani, expose her past vulnerabilities and bring her down.