Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 18

Exhausted and frazzled from her outing, Camilla sank back into her swivel chair and retrieved her phone from her bag to see how the internet was reacting to her and Alexander's relationship being revealed to the press.

She knew the news would be spreading like wildfire and she wasn't wrong.

While scrolling through her feeds, Camilla noticed the story had reached the top headlines of multiple online news outlets and the hashtag #Alexilla was trending on Twitter.

She couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as she read through the comments.

Some of them were supportive, wishing her and Alexander the best in their relationship.

Others were filled with speculation and rumors, still questioning the legitimacy of their relationship.

She knew that the next few days would be tough, but she was determined to get through it.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and reminded herself that she could handle this.

Bracing herself with renewed resolve, she put her phone away and was ready to go take a bath, but her phone rang, interrupting her with a call from Alexander.

Her instinct was to ignore the call, but her curiosity overrode her desire for solitude.

Sighing, she answered with a wary, "Mr. Cena, what do you want?"

A beat of silence passed on the line, then a cautious, quiet voice spoke up. "Hi. I figured out who leaked the lawsuit information to the journalist."

She waited expectantly for the name after he announced he had figured out the culprit. When it became clear he was leaving the sentence hanging, she asked, "Who is it?"

"It was a waitress at Gandalf, the restaurant where we had our first meeting," he revealed. "She's new and happens to be the sister of the journalist." A moment of silence passed before Camilla spoke.

"So she was eavesdropping?" Camilla asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, she claims to have overheard it by accident," he explained. Camilla gave a soft hum in response.

"Guess she also accidentally told her journalist brother?" Camilla said with a hint of sarcasm. Alexander chuckled in response.

"Another Mariah Collins in the making," she quipped wryly.

"Right, speaking of Mariah," Alexander said, clearing his throat.

"What about her?" Camilla asked, trying to hide her growing impatience.

Another pause followed before he sighed and spoke.

"Would you consider dropping the lawsuit against Mariah?" he asked cautiously.

Camilla was momentarily stunned by the suggestion. She hesitated before responding.

"Mr. Cena," she started, her tone sharpening with annoyance.

"I haven't decided on dropping your lawsuit yet and now you're asking me to add another burden?" she said, disbelief evident in her voice.

"Would you consider it, she promised a public apology," Alexander said, trying to sound optimistic.

"Do you really think an apology will fix all the damage she caused?" Camilla shot back, her tone biting.

"No, but-" Alexander started, but was cut off by Camilla.

"I'll think about it," she said dismissively. "Is there anything else?"

"Uh, yes," Alexander hesitated. "Can I pick you up at 5 PM tomorrow?" There was an uncertain tone to his question and Camilla's frown deepened in confusion.

Camilla was taken aback by Alexander's suspicious tone. He seemed to tense up at her question, "For what?"

"I'll explain it to you tomorrow," he replied tersely before abruptly ending the call with a simple, "See you tomorrow."

Camilla gazed at her phone in disbelief.

"What's he up to now?" Camilla muttered to herself as she shook her head in confusion.

She placed her phone on her bed and made her way to the bathroom, intent on washing away the day's stresses before retiring for the night.

*************

"No... Alexander, stop!" Camilla said, expressing her frustration and disappointment with a groan and a shake of her head.

They were seated in the opulent interior of his 2018 Bugatti Chiron.

She had her arms crossed and eyebrows raised as she spoke to Alexander, "Meeting your family is not an option for me," she declared resolutely.

Alexander sighed in disappointment. "Camilla..." he started. But she firmly shook her head.

"I'm sorry, no," she declined flatly.

"Please, Camilla. It's just a dinner," Alexander implored, his tone filled with entreaty.

"I'm not budging," she stated firmly.

"First, you wanted me to abandon the lawsuit, then you asked me to pretend we're in a relationship to quiet the hotel scandal media frenzy, and now you're asking me to meet your family! I'm getting fed up," she said, her temper starting to flare.

"How much longer do I have to endure this?" she asked, clearly exasperated.

"I apologize, but please understand that we're in this together," he replied, a defensive edge to his tone.

"We didn't plan for this, but it's our reality now."

"Believe it or not, I also want this to end, perhaps even more than you do." He spoke, his expression a frown as he looked at her.

A palpable silence descended and Alexander let out a sigh.

"I don't want to go into detail with my family about our situation, that's why I opted to let them believe we're in a relationship, as we represented to the press," he spoke calmly, trying to diffuse the situation before Camilla became more upset.

Camilla released a sigh and relaxed, sinking deeper into her seat.

"I assumed it would end there, but my grandmother requested a meeting with you. A face-to-face is the only way to confirm our relationship with her." Alexander spoke with a tone of apology.

"Are you expecting me to blindly agree with everything you say without any reasoning?" Camilla asked, disbelief evident in her tone. Alexander shook his head in response.

"I understand it's uncomfortable for you, Camilla, but please," Alexander spoke softly. Camilla avoided his gaze and nodded reluctantly.

A lingering silence settled and Camilla stayed quiet, allowing the tension to escalate between them.

"Fine." Camilla gave in eventually.

Alexander breathed out a sharp sigh of relief and leaned forward in his seat. "Thank you, Camilla."

"But you better not play any romantic moves when we get there," she warned, but Alexander's face broke into a playful grin despite the severity of her words.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He reassured her, and they fell silent as he started the car and set off.