Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 99

Camilla found herself in the quiet confines of her flat as dusk descended upon the bustling metropolis of Paris.

Her feet appreciated the freedom of being bare as she glided fluidly from the living room to the kitchen, absorbed in a conversation with her therapist that resonated throughout the apartment.

"I'm doing a lot better, Dr. Blackwell," she said with each stride. Thank you for checking in on me."

As she listened closely to the psychological advice on the other end of the phone, the warmth of the conversation surrounded her, offering peace.

Their conversation eventually came to a natural end with both saying their goodbyes.

Camilla then laid her phone lightly on the kitchen counter, a sensation of achievement filling her.

Wanting to quench her thirst, she reached for a glass and made her way over to the sink, allowing cool water to fall from the faucet.

The doorbell rang just as she took a refreshing sip, breaking the peace that had gathered in her flat.

Her brow furrowed in curiosity, since she hadn't expected any visitors at such a late hour.

Camilla set the glass down, retrieved her phone, and made her way from the kitchen to the living room, tentatively approaching the door.

She got up on her tiptoes and squinted through the security peephole to see Edward standing outside.

In his hands, he held a bouquet of roses, just like the last time but smaller in size.

Dressed in a simple Cashmere sweater and jeans, he nervously adjusted his attire, seemingly eager yet apprehensive.

Allowing her feet to rest back on the floor, Camilla sighed, she had little interest in entertaining company at that moment.

However, there he was, waiting outside for her.

Standing at the door for a few more seconds, she considered the possibility of simply ignoring him to give the impression that she wasn't at home.

Yet, she couldn't bring herself to resort to such avoidance tactics as it simply wasn't in her nature.

The doorbell rang for a second time, shattering her train of thought.

Letting out another sigh, she turned the doorknob and opened the door, meeting Edward's gaze.

Forcing a smile that concealed her true emotions, she greeted. "Hi..." her voice masked by the artificiality of her expression.

Edward's hopeful gaze met her facade as he stood on the other side of the threshold.

In stark contrast to her fake smile, he answered, "Hi," with a genuine smile on his lips.

With a tender gesture, he extended the bouquet of roses towards her, "Here, this is for you."

Camilla looked at the outstretched bouquet, reluctantly she reached out and accepted the bouquet, the delicate petals brushing against her fingertips.

"Umm... thanks but you don't have to bring me a flowers every time you visit." She said with a slight chuckle, her smile softening into a more genuine expression.

Edward's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and affection. "I know, but I can't help it. Besides, every girl loves getting flowers."

Camilla's smile faltered, transforming into a small, knowing grin. She replied, "But I'm not every girl."

After her comment, an awkward silence enveloped them, leaving Edward feeling completely flustered.

The unexpected reply caught him off guard, leaving him at a loss for words, uncertain of how to respond.

Upon seeing this, Camilla decided to help him in order to spare him the embarrassment.

"It's okay," she said with a somewhat brighter smile. "I'll Just put it in a vase. Thank you.

Edward visibly relaxed, his flustered expression giving way to a mixture of gratitude and relief.

"Sure thing," he said, gathering himself.

"I just wanted to apologize for what went down last time. You seemed pretty upset, and instead of helping, I somehow made it worse. My bad, I'm really sorry."

Camilla's smile slowly faded, and she looked kind of sympathetic.

"I'm sorry if I made you think you got me even more upset that day. Truth is, I just don't like being seen like that, all vulnerable," she admitted, her eyes wandering off.

Edward nodded, "I understand. So..." He paused, his hands instinctively finding their way into his pockets as he shifted nervously from foot to foot, a telltale sign of his uneasiness about what he was about to say.

"...So I was thinking, would you like to go out for dinner, maybe?" Edward asked cautiously. "I mean, we didn't really have the chance to talk last time since you got..."

Camilla cut in, finishing his sentence. "Drunk? Yeah, I know. I should say sorry for that. I guess I forgot how much of a lightweight I am."

Edward's lips formed a gentle smile as he shook his head.

"No need to apologize, we all have our moments. But I'd love to go out for dinner with you. So please don't say no." He said, and though hesitant, Camilla paused for a moment. She didn't want to make him feel like she was avoiding him.

Taking a deep breath, she finally nodded and replied, "Alright, Edward. Let's go out for dinner. But this time, let's make sure we have a meaningful conversation."

Edward's face lit up with genuine excitement, and relief washed over him. "Absolutely! I promise we'll have a great time."

•~•~•~•~•~•

Edward's car glided through the bustling streets of Paris, the city lights casting a mesmerizing glow on the buildings and the vibrant nightlife.

As they approached their destination, the restaurant came into view, its exterior adorned with twinkling lights and an inviting ambiance.

With a sense of urgency, Edward swiftly exited the car, his anticipation evident in his movements.

He circled around to the passenger side, his hand instinctively reaching for the door handle

A small smile adorned his face as he opened the door, revealing his polite and considerate nature.

"Thank you," Camilla said appreciatively, her eyes meeting Edward's with a warm smile.

Stepping out of the car, she felt a flutter of excitement and gratitude for his chivalry.

The restaurant before them exuded an inviting atmosphere.

Soft music floated through the air, blending harmoniously with the clinking of glasses and gentle chatter of diners.

The exterior showcased a fusion of classic elegance and modern charm, with large windows allowing glimpses of the cozy interior adorned with tasteful decor.

As they approached the entrance, the maître d' greeted them with a warm smile, guiding them to a beautifully set table near a window overlooking the romantic cityscape.

Absentmindedly Camilla walked towards the table and pulled out the chair for herself, not realizing that Edward had already done that for her.

As she settled into her seat and looked up, she was met with the sight of Edward standing beside the pulled-out chair, his eyes fixed on her

A moment of realization swept over her, causing a slight blush to rise to her cheeks.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, her surprise evident in her voice. "You... you already pulled out the chair for me. I'm sorry, I didn't notice." She offered an apologetic smile, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude.

Edward let out a soft chuckle, a gentle sound that dissolved the awkwardness in the air.

"No worries, I'll take the seat instead," he said playfully, gracefully settling into his chair.

"So..." He started to speak, but his words were interrupted by some giggles.

Both he and Camilla turned to their side to see three enthusiastic young women, probably in their early twenties, standing at their table. One of them held out her phone to Edward.

"We're sorry to interrupt, but we're huge fans of your music, and we were just wondering..." She paused, looking back at her friends, and they all completed her sentence in unison, "...if we could take a quick photo with you?"

Edward looked at them with a hint of reluctance and glanced at Camilla, worried that she might be offended by the interruption caused by his fans.

With a sense of hesitation, he turned back to the ladies and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm kind of in the middle of something."

The smile on the ladies' faces faltered, and disappointment replaced their initial excitement.

They understood that Edward's attention was focused on his date, but they couldn't help feeling a bit let down.

However, Camilla noticed the fleeting disappointment on their faces and decided to intervene.

"I think you should take the photo," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "It's just one or two pictures, after all," she said to Edward.

The ladies stared at Camilla, surprised by her unexpected response. They exchanged glances, unsure if she really meant what she said.

Camilla, sensing their hesitation, took matters into her own hands.

She stood up and gently took the phone from the lady, saying, "Come on, I'll take the picture for you."

Realizing Camilla's willingness to accommodate them, the ladies' disappointment melted away, replaced by a mixture of gratitude and excitement.

They were thrilled to have Edward join them for the photos, and he happily posed with them while Camilla skillfully captured a few shots, making sure the ladies looked their best with Edward in their middle before handing the phone back to them.

"Thank you so much! You both are amazing," one of the ladies exclaimed, and Camilla gave a subtle nod, acknowledging their appreciation and they waved their goodbyes before heading out of the restaurant.

Camilla watched them go with a smile adorning her face, pleased to have brought some joy to their evening.

Meanwhile, Edward couldn't take his eyes off her.

His gaze was filled with adoration, and in that moment, a powerful thought echoed in his mind, crystal clear and unwavering.

'I'm gonna marry her... I'm definitely going to marry her.'