The shock numbed my senses. But I was in denial to believe that Camilla could do this to me. Moreover, to imagine her being a mistress.
She hates all the mistresses and men who cheat on their wives.
'I need to speak with Camilla.'
And my only way to find her is through Florian. So I must speak with him when I have a chance later. It is the plan I came up with.
But before anything else, I need to find a way to get rid of this crazy George. Not only because he acts like an a**hole, but my heart palpitates immensely when he is this too close to me.
"Could you please, let me go?."
One more time, I tried to push George with all my strength, but he was like a giant rock that could not move even an inch. "Would you let me go now!?"
Through gritted teeth, I roared at Mr. Crazy George.
I wished I could beat him up. But he is giving me no room to resist. Instead, he gripped both of my shoulders as he spoke with disgust.
"I would not allow you to destroy Stella's marriage with my cousin Florian. So you better distance yourself from him! I want you to end your relationship with my cousin!"
I was speechless. I did not counter his accusations either that he mistook me for someone else. Honestly, I would love to laugh at his face.
However, when I think that someone was heartbroken because of my best friend. It saddened me.
"Don't dare think I am only joking with you. This is not an order either. But I am threatening you to leave him alone!"
"Why would I need to break up with him when we don't have a relationship? I don't know him at all!"
"Stop denying it, b*tch! I know the kind of woman like you perfectly. All of you are great actresses!"
With what he said, I felt like I was about to explode from fury because of this guy's accusation.
"I am telling you the truth! How many times should I tell you? I don't know him at all!"
I started punching him in the chest. It pissed him off. He gathered my hands and pinned them between my head, clutching my wrists tight. I struggled, but my strength could not match his. I'm thinking of defending myself by explaining to him—that he only mistook me for Camilla. However, I don't want to expose my best friend.
I could sense there was a profound reason, so I wanted to hear Camilla's side before I judged her entirely.
"George? What are you doing?"
Out of nowhere, Mr. Gorgeous Blue-Green-Eyes appeared. He was skimming at us with confusion. His face seemed to wonder why we were entangled in the corner.
I'm grateful for his arrival. I didn't miss my chances to get away from Mr. Crazy George. So, I ran as fast as possible.
But I was not used to wearing a stiletto; thus, I'm still slowing down. I'm glad he didn't follow me when I looked back.
"Oh!"
~
ROWAN's POV
"What was that for?" I ask George. But he only shrugged a shoulder and replied,
"It's nothing."
However, I believe that it is just nothing. So I keep questioning him.
"Do you know her?"
"No."
George replied, which confused me. It makes no sense. George would not be intimate with someone just like that.
Earlier, I caught him in a situation with the same girl. Now their bodies almost brush each other. But George said he didn't know her.
So I mused, 'Did I miss something?'
And George read my mind. He told me, "Stop overthinking. Let's go."
He is really fantastic.
No wonder he is the CEO of the Graham Empire.
"Okay. Let's go."
~
KRISHNA's POV
"Miss Palermo? Thank goodness you're here now!"
Jim looked relieved when I bumped into him in the dining hall lobby. I smiled and queried him when it couldn't paint the worry on his face.
"What's the matter, Jim? Is there a problem?"
"Ah. Jerry told me you'd returned from shopping, but I didn't find you. Maybe you were lost, so I plan to look around."
"I'm sorry to make you worry. You were correct… I was trying to go to the powder room and lost my way." An awkward laugh escaped my mouth, praying that Jim would not see through my lies.
"Did you find it?"
I shook my head and smiled shyly. Jim called a female staff member to show me the way to the nearest powder room.
"Thanks! You can go back to work now."
The female hotel staff bowed and then left. I let out a sigh of relief that no one was inside the lavatory. But then, I heard a toilet bowl flushing, so I busied myself with applying lipstick.
In the corner of my eyes, I glanced at the woman exiting from one of the five cubicles in that powder room, and I couldn't stop staring at her face.
'Do every woman of this city as beautiful as her and Ma'am Anna?'
The woman was too gorgeous! When she noticed I was staring at her, I smiled awkwardly and apologized.
"You're so pretty in red." What I said was true. She seemed to radiate in a red dress.
"Thank you. Actually, I'm worried about my physical changes soon, so I am glad about what you've said. I'm five weeks pregnant, by the way."
"Oh. Congratulations!"
"Thank you," she smiled at me. Then, she added, "Actually, you are pretty, too! I love your dress! Is it Anna's new collection?"
"Yes."
"Nice! We were classmates until High School. She's the one who designed my dress tonight, too." said the preggy woman with glee that lightened my awkwardness. I think this city doesn't only have beautiful women. The people are warm and friendly so I will like it here.
"Red is too perfect for you," I commented after a brief pause, which is true that she was illuminating.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Nikki? Are you alright?"
A man sounded after a soft knock on the door. The man called the name Nikki, so I assumed it was the woman I was talking to.
"Yes. I'm done now. I'll be there in a sec!" she replied, then looked at me with a playful smile on her red lips. "My husband began to freak out a lot."
"I think that was sweet," I said, and Nikki concurred with my statement.
She said, "I agree. He's been overprotective when I'm pregnant. And because he was like that, I want a little more rest and set a long gap between our kids' age. But my husband dreams of a big family."
"You were blessed to have such a man," I remarked, and Nikki's eyes twinkled because of what I'd said.
"Indeed. I'm blissful to marry a loving man like him."
With what Nikki had said, a slight jealousy sprouted in my chest. It made me wonder if George, my ex-fiance, would have become a loving man and a thoughtful husband if he didn't leave me.
"Then, I'll head first!"
I heard Nikki chirping in. I nodded and pursed my lips with a friendly smile. "Go ahead."
So far, my quick conversation with Nikki has calmed my nerves. My face was less pale, so I went out.
"Krishna!"
When I returned to the lobby, Mr. Gorgeous Blue-Green-Eyes approached me. I was panicky at first, wondering what he needed from me.
I looked around, scanning the area; maybe Mr. Crazy George was around. I was relieved when I could find him nowhere.
"How did you know my name?" I was asking him with vigilance. I am concerned that he might have a query regarding Camilla. Thinking about the possible interrogation for a second time by that guy Florian's family, the worry in my chest even worsens.
What will happen to Camilla once Florian's wife learns about it?
Even though what Camilla is doing is wrong, I'm afraid for her safety.
"Hi!"
Mr. Gorgeous Eyes smiled, and my red underwear almost snapped its threads. I shook my head lightly and scolded myself. 'Snapped it, Krishna!'
"Hello..." I returned the greeting. Then, Mr. Gorgeous Blue Eyes went on,
"I heard Jim looking for the guest staying across my suite. So I asked him what your name was. I might bump into you. So, I hope you would not mind."
"I see. Well, we've met already. I only went to use the powder room."
"Great! Are you going in now? We can go together. I'm heading there too."
"Oh… Okay!" I took his invitation, and we climbed the grand stairs together.
I'm glad I chose a short dress. It would be a pain to wear the fitted long evening gown when I already have trouble walking in heels.
"My name is Rowan, by the way."
Mr. Gorgeous Green Eyes extended his arm and offered it to me. I peeked at it first before I took it, and we shook hands.
"Krishna… even though you already know my name."
Rowan chuckled, and his sexy voice lingered in my ears. I think my heart has gone wild.
"I want to apologize," he said afterward, which confused me.
"Hmm? But why? You did nothing wrong with me."
Indeed, I have no idea what he is talking about.
He replied, "Yeah. But I want to apologize on behalf of my big brother. I don't know your relationship with him. He shared nothing with me, as usual. So, I only presume…."
Rowan trailed off his last sentence, which confused me. "Presume about what?"
I muttered.
Rowan looked at me with hesitancy. Then he voiced out his thoughts—
"Are you his girlfriend? Do the two of you have a secret relationship?"
"What are you saying?" After being shocked a second time, I gaped at Rowan in disbelief.
I don't know if I should laugh or cry. All I know now is I'm going crazy one of these days.
First, I was accused of being someone's mistress.
Now I am someone's girlfriend.
Maybe tomorrow, I will be mistaken as someone's wife!
'If that would happen. I'm going to hit my head on the wall!'