Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 108

The sun, a warm and welcoming presence, spilled its golden embrace across the enchanting city of Paris.

Its rays danced upon the surface of the Seine River, casting shimmering ripples that harmonized with the cheerful laughter of passersby.

The iconic Eiffel Tower stood tall and proud, a sentinel overlooking the bustling streets lined with open cafes and charming boutiques.

Seated leisurely at one of these open-air cafes, Camilla and Edward found themselves basking in the sun's tender caress.

The faint scent of freshly baked croissants mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, enveloping them in a cocoon of comfort.

Camilla, dressed in a simple white blouse and a flowing skirt that gently embraced her form, sat with a thoughtful expression.

Her blonde hair was artfully pulled back into a loose bun, allowing a few stray tendrils to frame her delicate features.

Edward, sitting across from her, wore a gray colored chambray shirt and dark ripped jeans, his long black hair intricately plaited down his back.

Leaning a bit forward across the small table, his words flowed in a steady stream, enthusiastically telling an amusing story of a particular incident that happened at an event he attended years back.

His expressive gestures painted vivid images in the air as he spoke, but his words seemed to blend into a soothing background hum as unknown to him Camilla who he was talking to was in fact lost in a world of her own.

He chuckled at the end of his story, awaiting her response. However, his smile faltered as he noticed her faraway expression.

Concern creased his brow, and he cleared his throat softly, tapping his fingers against hers on the table.

"Camilla?" he inquired, his voice laced with tenderness. "You seem a million miles away. Everything alright?"

Camilla blinked, her focus shifting back to the present. She offered a faint smile, appreciating his concern.

"Oh...Edward. I'm sorry, I was just..." Camilla paused, her breath catching as she exhaled softly.

She dismissed her words with a wave of her hand, her expression showing a bit of uncertainty.

"Don't worry... Please, continue. What were you saying?" Her attempt to move past the moment seemed strained.

Edward's brow furrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued by her sudden change in demeanor.

"What I was saying doesn't matter... what's on your mind?" he inquired gently, his voice inviting her to open up.

Camilla hesitated, her gaze drawn back to his sincere eyes.

She let out a small, contemplative sigh, her thoughts seemingly scattered like leaves in the wind.

The subtle breeze toyed with a strand of her hair, and she looked as if she was shedding a layer of hesitancy.

"It's just...sometimes I get lost in my thoughts, you know?... it's nothing," she confessed, her fingers tracing patterns on the surface of the table.

Edward's curiosity remained unabated. "Come on, tell me. I know it's not 'nothing,'" he pressed gently, his tone tender.

Camilla gazed at him, a faint smile gracing her lips.

She leaned a little closer, resting her elbows on the table, her chin propped up by her hand. Her eyes were fixated on his face.

"Well," she began, her voice a soft, contemplative murmur, "I was thinking..."

"It's been two weeks since we officially started dating, and I was just thinking of something... well, crazy but also... how do I put this... something deep and wonderful." Her words held a delightful mix of playfulness and earnestness, capturing Edward's full attention.

Edward leaned in, his interest piqued. "Crazy, deep, and wonderful? I'm listening..." he responded with an intrigued grin.

Camilla's gaze remained locked onto his, a small grin playing at the corner of her mouth.

"I was thinking about having a wedding with you... would you like to marry me, Edward?" Her question hung in the air, a blend of nerves and anticipation evident in her expression.

Edward's eyes widened, his playful grin transforming into a genuine expression of astonishment.

His gaze remained locked onto Camilla's, absorbing the weight of her words as if trying to fathom their depth.

"You're joking," he whispered, his voice carrying a blend of disbelief and excitement.

Leaning in closer, he searched her eyes for any hint of jest.

Camilla's grin didn't waver, her eyes filled with sincerity.

"No, Edward. I'm not joking... Do you want to marry me or not?" Her question hung in the air, carrying a mix of nerves and anticipation.

"I... I don't know what to say," Edward stuttered, his gaze shifting from Camilla to the table.

His mind raced, trying to process the unexpected proposal and the whirlwind of emotions it brought.

Camilla leaned back in her chair, her expression patient yet steady.

"It's a simple question, Edward. Yes or no? I'll be turning thirty-two soon, and I need to know where I'm headed."

Edward nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers once again.

"It's not that I don't want to, Camilla," he finally spoke, sincerity mingling with uncertainty in his voice.

"It's just... traditionally, it's supposed to be the other way around, me asking for your hand in marriage, not..." He trailed off as he noticed Camilla raising an eyebrow, an amused glint in her eyes.

Leaning over, she took a sip of her coffee before placing the cup back on the table. "What? You've never had a girl propose marriage to you before?" Her grin remained unwavering.

"I've told you before... I'm not every girl," she continued. "And besides, you were the one who asked what I was thinking. So?"

The question hung between them, suspended in the air as their eyes held in a playful yet meaningful exchange.

Edward's uncertainty slowly gave way to realization, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"You're right, Camilla. You're not like anyone else... you're a girl full of a thousand surprises."

He looked down at their entwined hands, his thumb gently stroking her hand. "You're amazing, you know that?" he said with genuine admiration.

Camilla's grin widened, her playful spirit unabated. "And you're stalling for time, you know that?"

Edward laughed, his eyes returning to hers, filled with both amusement and affection.

"You know, I've thought about proposing before... but I figured you might not say yes, especially considering it's only been two weeks since we officially started dating, but now..." He trailed off, his uncertainty morphing into a more thoughtful expression.

Camilla raised an eyebrow, her playful demeanor still intact. "So, is that a yes?"

Edward nodded, his excitement and contentment becoming more apparent. "Yes, Camilla. It's a yes..."

"That's great, so..." Camilla started, her words trailing off as she searched for the right thing to say.

Edward, however, was quick to continue, his anticipation clear.

"...so when do I get to meet your parents?" he asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

•~•~••~•~•~•~

"Amore mio(My love), don't you think you might be acting a bit irrational with this... marriage thing you've decided to do with Edward Caruso? I mean..." Alessia's voice came through the phone as Camilla balanced it against her ear, using her shoulder to hold it while she tidied up the kitchen.

"... Just two weeks into everyone still getting used to you two dating, and now you're engaged to him?"

"Amore mio(My love), are you really sure about what you're doing?" Alessia's tone carried both concern and incredulity.

Camilla let out a sigh, pressing the napkin a bit harder against the kitchen counter as she replied, "Yes, mamma(Mom), I mean Edward is a good guy... he's handsome, caring... thoughtful..." Her words trailed off, uncertain of what else to add.

"... and if you're concerned about what people are saying on the internet, please don't be...because I truly don't care"

"... all I know is that I'm absolutely certain about wanting to marry him." Her voice exuded determination and resolve.

Alessia's voice softened on the other end of the line. "...and Alexander?"

Camilla's exasperated sigh accompanied the release of the napkin she held, and she readjusted the phone from her shoulder to her hand, her Italian accent growing more pronounced in her frustration.

"What does Alexander have to do with this, mamma(mom)?... I'm already divorced from him, so I fail to see his relevance in any of this."

Alessia's voice retained its calmness yet carried a tinge of concern.

"Cami...Sono tua madre... Ti conosco meglio di quanto tu o chiunque altro ti conosca. (Cami...I'm your mother... I know you better than you or anyone else knows you.)"

"Tell me...are you doing this to prove to Alexander that you're over him...or is it yourself you're trying to convince?"

Camilla's gaze narrowed subtly as she absorbed her mother's words, her fingers unconsciously tightening their grip around the phone.

Resting against the kitchen counter, she exhibited a blend of frustration and contemplation, emotions playing across her features.

"Mamma," she began, her voice tinged with a trace of exasperation, "it's not about proving anything to Alexander or anyone else. It's about my own desires, and what I truly want is to marry Edward."

A deep sigh resonated through the line as Alessia began to speak again, her voice softer, yet composed and steady.

"Do you have feelings for him?" she inquired, a note of curiosity threading through her words. Camilla's brow furrowed at the unexpected question.

"Feelings for who?" she replied, taken aback by the inquiry.

"Edward... lo ami? (Edward... do you love him?)" Alessia's voice came through with an air of gentle persistence.

Camilla's lips parted to respond, but she found herself momentarily speechless, Alessia's question lingering in the air like a weighty thought.

Abruptly, the sound of the doorbell pierced the atmosphere, drawing Camilla's attention away from the phone.

She cast a fleeting glance toward the entrance, exhaling a sigh of mild frustration.

"Mamma," Camilla interjected, a touch of urgency in her tone, "I have to go. Edward's coming to pick me up tomorrow morning for a weekend getaway, and I need some sleep."

Her words flowed hurriedly as she continued, "I'll make sure to arrange for him to visit Los Angeles with me next week so you and Papa can meet him."

Not waiting for a response, she placed a swift kiss on the phone, concluding, "I'll talk to you later..." before ending the call.

With a steadying breath, Camilla set her phone on the kitchen counter and headed purposefully toward the front door.

Without bothering to check the peephole or inquire about the visitor's identity, she swung the door open, revealing the unexpected figure standing outside.

His blue eyes mirrored the intensity of a stormy sea, fixated on her with a dangerously captivating gaze.

Dark brown hair fell in disheveled strands across his forehead, and his attire, consisting of black jeans, a crisply tailored gray shirt, and a supple leather jacket casually draped over his shoulders, exuded an air of effortless confidence.

Her surprise was evident as her mouth instinctively fell agape at the sight before her.