Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 120

As evening descended, with the sun hovering on the horizon, Camilla found herself beside a pristine pool.

The water appeared inviting, its coolness and refreshment irresistible, compelling her to give in to the temptation.

She dipped herself underneath and resurfaced about ten seconds later, her hands pushing back her wet hair.

With closed eyes, she soaked in the serene beauty of her surroundings and broke into a contented smile.

Her gaze shifted to the water, but her expression morphed from bliss to shock as the once-clear, transparent pool water suddenly turned a sinister shade of crimson red.

Frightened and bewildered, she looked around, trying to fathom how this transformation had occurred and who could have possibly done such a thing.

Her eyes darted across the pool, and then she spotted a figure, seemingly a male, floating motionless on the crimson surface.

The figure appeared lifeless, and fear gripped Camilla's heart.

Despite her trepidation, she mustered the courage to investigate.

She swam through the eerie red waters towards the male figure, reaching him with a sense of foreboding.

As she got closer, her gray eyes widened in shock and horror.

"Alexander!" she screamed in anguish, her gaze fixed on his pale face and blue lips.

Without hesitation, she grabbed him and, despite the difficulty, managed to pull herself along with him out of the pool.

Now outside the pool, and clad only in her bikini, the cool evening air hit her wet, exposed skin as she knelt down, desperately attempting to revive Alexander who she laid flat on the ground.

She performed CPR, yelling his name multiple times, but received no response.

He was long gone.

Exhausted and emotionally drained, Camilla eventually collapsed onto Alexander's lifeless form, tears streaming down her face.

She sobbed uncontrollably, her head buried in his chest.

After a few minutes, she managed to collect herself and slowly raised her head.

To her horror, a figure loomed over her and Alexander's lifeless body.

The silhouette was intimidating, with a mask reminiscent of a frightening clown adorned with two menacing horns on its head.

Sharp teeth formed a wide, sinister grin that stretched all the way to the clown-like creature's cheeks.

Camilla's gaze remained fixed on the figure, her fear rooted deep within her.

Suddenly, and without warning, the figure raised its right hand into the air, clutching a knife as sharp as a Ninja's Shuriken, its edges glinting in the dim light of the evening as it pointed down at her.

Camilla, paralyzed by fear, could do nothing but unleash a blood-curdling scream, one so powerful that it jolted her awake into the real world, her heart pounding and her body drenched in sweat.

She sat up, panting heavily, her breaths ragged, and her eyes darting around the room frantically. Nothing seemed out of place.

She was still in Paris, still in Alexander's house, in his room, and on his king-sized bed.

She had gone to her own apartment a few days ago to check on salvageable items, and upon returning, Alexander had insisted that she stay in his place until he returned and for her own safety.

She turned her attention to the bedside drawer and switched on the night lamp, casting a soft glow across the room. Then she focused on the clock hung on the wall.

The time read 12:39 a.m. She sighed and leaned back against the headboard of the king-sized bed, closing her eyes, trying hard to push the memories of the nightmare she had just had from her thoughts and gather her composure.

It had only been a couple of days since Alexander left, but she hadn't been at ease ever since.

He had called her a few times in the first three days, but having not spoken to him for an entire day yesterday, she couldn't help but start thinking all sorts of things.

Her restless mind had apparently carried those thoughts into her dreams, leading to the terrifying nightmare.

Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. Her eyes flew open, and she immediately reached for her phone on the bedside table.

Her thumb swiftly swiped across the screen from green to red upon seeing the caller's name, and she pressed the device to her ear, her voice low but filled with apprehension.

"Hello..." she said and the words she heard from the caller after that sent her heart into a frenzy. Her whole being froze, and a wave of emotions crashed over her.

•~•~•~•~•~•~

The plane from Paris to Los Angeles had just landed, and Camilla's heels echoed against the tiles of the airport terminal as she hastily made her way through the bustling crowd.

She carried nothing more than a small handbag on her wrist, her steps determined.

Her attire was simple yet chic; a black, sleeveless top paired with high-waisted jeans, black leather sandals, and a pair of dark sunglasses that added a touch of sophistication to her overall look.

The sunglasses were more than a fashion choice; they not only served as a shield against prying eyes that might recognize her as Camilla Kings of Tombell® Fashion House but also provided a crucial layer of protection for the turbulent emotions that had been roiling inside of her and showing on her face.

It had been over a year since she had been away from this sprawling Southern California city of angels.

Her return wasn't intended for such circumstances, as the call she had received in the dead of night had not only erased her sleep but also sent her heart into a relentless race of fear and uncertainty.

She shook her head lightly, mentally steeling her nerves, and moved with purpose towards the customs area. She joined the line, her heart pounding with anticipation.

When it was finally her turn, she presented her passport and waited anxiously as the customs officer inspected her documents. Every second felt like an eternity, her thoughts racing with worry.

After what felt like an agonizing wait, the customs officer stamped her passport and nodded, allowing her to pass without any further questions.

She breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded to walk through the glass double doors that led into the arrivals hall.

And then, she saw him.

Standing about twelve feet away from her, his tall form was unmistakable. Alexander was dressed casually, in a black loose-fit oversized cotton round neck full-sleeve t-shirt, multi-color pleated baggy streetwear jogger pants, and a bonnie gray bucket hat.

His hands were tucked away in his pockets, and his dark brown hair partially concealed his forehead.

His attire gave off an air of discretion, as though he didn't want to draw attention from passersby. But Camilla had no trouble recognizing him.

She hastened her steps, and upon reaching him, she enveloped him in a tight, heartfelt hug.

Alexander smiled slightly, hugging her back just as tightly and gently rubbing her back, as if to soothe the turbulent emotions that had been brewing inside her.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth. "We need a more private place to talk."