Chapter 16
Present. Camille POV.
My hair was straightened out with a blunt cut and long curtain bangs, and it had been dyed caramel. Since Rika liked my short, dark hair, I had never bothered to change its color. She said my black hair made my gray eyes stand out. It gave them a sharper look..
"You look lovely in this haircut," Charles, my hairstylist, said with a glowing smile. "Do you like it?"
"It looks great," I replied, turning around to see my hair in the mirror. "It changed my face a bit."
"Now, let me give you the final touch before you move on to your dress. Sia will be here with your dress anytime." He made me sit on a styling chair before beginning to work on my face. It was so painful that I was in a lot of pain after being waxed. As I looked in the mirror, my beauty struck me for the very first time. My last visit to the salon was years ago.
"Ouch!" I winced when Charles removed my facial hair with a strip. "What the heck is it?"
"I will remove your unwanted hair from your face so that your makeup will come out smoothly," he explained as he stuck a thin strip under my nose before removing it quickly. A sharp pain made my eyes water. "Is it necessary?" I growled as he applied it to my face again.
"Yes," he said, pumping a bottle of moisturizer into his hand and applying it to my face. "Your face looks natural. It doesn't appear that you use makeup often."
"I don't wear makeup," I spat.
"How old are you?" he asked.
"Twenty-six."
"Hmm... if you don't, you should," he suggested. "So Archie is your boyfriend."
"Yup."
"I would have dated you if he had not..." he laughed, and I frowned. He started my makeup with primer, then applied foundation, concealer, foundation powder, bronzer, blush, highlighter, and finally eyeshadow. "Are you making me a clown?" I glared at him.
"Just wait and watch and close your eyes." He clipped and my jaw flexed.
After minutes, he sprayed something on my face and hair before turning me around. "You won't see yourself now," he said before shoving me into the changing room.
It startled me to see a pink-haired girl inside the room. She was holding an olive green satin dress. "Hey, this is Sia, your stylist." She introduced herself politely before extending her hand forward for a handshake. "This is Camille Davidson."
"I know about you," she said, and I frowned, wondering what she meant. "Let's get you ready since we are running late."
After a while, "Now, you can see yourself in the mirror," Sia said while turning me around and letting me see myself. As soon as I looked in the mirror, my mouth opened wide in astonishment.
The dress had a halter neck, high low hem, and embellished racer back design. This was enhancing my slender figure, making me look attractive and captivating. The makeup on my face had a dewy glow, glossy pink lips, mascara-smeared lashes, and subtle shimmery eyeshadow. They did my hair in a messy updo and waves for a natural look. The thigh-high slit prominently showed my toned legs off.
"You're looking stunning," Sia complimented me with a bright smile. "Here are your shoes." she placed glittery gold stilettos in front of me.
"It'll kill my toes." I groaned.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but we can't do anything about it."
In frustration, I put on the shoes, which added three to four inches to my height. My feet were stumbling as I was struggling to walk on it.
"Jesus Christ!" a man gasped, and I raised my head to see him looking at me open-mouthed. "You're excessively looking attractive, Cami. I can't believe it's you."
"You're making me pay for your kindness, Archie." I rolled my eyes. "My toes are already killing me." When he didn't take his eyes off me, I snapped my fingers in front of his face. "Are you even listening to me?" "Umm..." he shrugged. "I'm sorry. What were you talking about?"
"My toes are hurting," I groaned.
"Do you want me to carry you?" he asked.
"Hell, no."
A chuckle escaped his lips as he pulled a box from his pocket. "I brought a surprise for you." the box snapped open, revealing a diamond necklace.
"Archie..." Before I could protest, he placed his finger on my lips.
"Shh... let me help you wear them." He grinned and went behind me. "You've got a sexy back."
Rolling my eyes, I said nothing. My fingers touched the thin diamond string in my neck as its reflection flashed before my eyes. "It must cost you a fortune. I won't keep it."
"It was made for you," he commented as he admired my neck. "You look completely different today, Cami."
"Thank you," I smile before tucking my hair behind my ear.
*******
"Will Scott be attending this banquet as well?" I asked.
Archie laughed. "He's the center of the party." He said. "The party is incomplete without him."
"I don't want to confront him."
"Are you scared of him?"
"No," I replied, staring out the window. "The sight of his face made me sick to my stomach."
"Do you love him, Cami?" He said, and I snapped my eyes at him.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked with a frown.
"Are you in love with him?" He asked calmly.
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"I was in love with him," I said honestly.
"And what about Samuel?"
"He was just a tool for me."
"Why did you kill him?"
"Because he deserved to die." I gritted my teeth.
"Why did you kill him, Cami?" he asked again.
"This is none of your business!" I spat without looking at him.
He let out a heavy sigh. "But can you please answer the one last question?"
"It depends on the question."
"Why do you feel angry whenever you hear about Samuel?" He asked with caution.
"Because he made me do things, I never intended to do." My voice was tight as moisture gathered in my eyes. "I trust him but he..." I bit into my lip, clenching my fists tightly. Archie pulled up the car at the side of the road before resting his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Cami."
"For what?" I asked, trying to look indifferent.
"Don't act as if nothing has happened to you."
"Nothing has happened to me, Archie. I'm perfectly fine."
He looked into my eyes as if searching for something. "Are you sure?"
"I'm fine. We are running late, so get back on the road now."
"If you don't feel like attending, don't come with me."
"Are you serious?"
"I'm damn serious and I'm not selfish."
"You're not," I said with a smile. "Now, start driving."
We arrived at the party in fifteen minutes as Archie pulled into the parking lot and opened the door for me. With a smile, I climbed off, smoothing my dress and fixing my hair.
I asked Archie, "Is everything okay?" He smiled as he inspected me.
As he led me toward the banquet hall, he wrapped an arm around my waist and said, "You look so beautiful." My gaze crossed to familiar faces I had seen on television and in magazines. "Seems like everyone is watching you," Archie whispered in my ear.
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"Shut up!" I rolled my eyes. Crystal chandeliers and golden strings adorned the banquet hall, making it spacious and impressive. People were busy impressing each other as the hall echoed murmuring.
An old man approached us and extended his hand, calling out, "Mr. Garcia. Glad to have you here."
"Feeling the same, Mr. Arthur. Nice arrangements." Archie nodded in appreciation.
"Who's this beautiful lady?" Arthur asked with a huge smile.
Archie said, "This is my girlfriend, Camille Davidson. Camille is Mr. Rocky Arthur. He is the owner of Arthur Production Company and also the father of Conan."
In the United States, Conan Arthur was one of the most influential figures. He was known for his impeccable acting skills and experience. He had won three Oscars throughout his acting career. He was one of the youngest and most successful actors in Hollywood. At one point, I had an attraction for him, as he had enticing green eyes and dirty blonde hair.
"Where is your son?" Archie glanced around the hallway, looking for his son.
"He doesn't have time for banquets." The old man said with a laugh. "He might be busy with some other work." He smiled knowingly.
Conan Arthur was not only popular because of his excellent acting skills but also his good fucking skills. Women were crazy about him and they could do anything to go to bed with him.
"Enjoy the party, lovey-dovey." He grinned while handing us a glass of red wine.
My eyes surveyed the room, searching for him, but could not find him. I would be happy if I didn't have to see his face.
"Cami, who are you looking for?" Archie asked while sipping wine.
"Um..." I looked at him. "No one."
"Well, you seem distracted. Make sure your eyes are reserved for me, sweetheart because people are scrutinizing us."
"I'm sorry," I said, with a hint of annoyance.
"Would you like to dance with me?"
I gazed at his extended palm before looking back into his eyes. "I can't dance on heels."
"I'll teach you." He grinned before grabbing my hand and leading me down to the floor.
I hesitated for a moment before placing one hand on his shoulder while the other intertwined with his. Our bodies were moving to slow music. Archie lowered his gaze to me while mine was on his. We exchanged a smile. He looked handsome in the crisp gray suit. His hair and beard were styled to perfection. Archie was slender and tall, but not as muscular as Scott. His nose was long and thin and his brows were arched. The mole above his lips was the thing I liked most about him. He reminded me of Sam Claflin.
As Archie whirled me around, I lost my balance and stumbled. As a stiff arm encircled my naked back, I felt my heart flip over as I was pulled toward a solid body. The fragrance of cinder engulfed me.
"Watch out, woman." When I heard such a vibrant and deep voice, my eyes snapped at him and my heart nearly stopped beating. I saw a pair of emerald eyes staring at me with the same intensity. His scent made my knees wobble, it was so strong. I saw Conan Arthur hold me in his arms, as he stood before me. He made me feel dizzy by pulling me closer to his body, and I realized how powerfully built he was. As he leaned forward to touch my ear, I flinched. "Well, guess what, today I get to meet the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
His brushing of my hair away from my face sent my heart tumbling. We were the center of attention.
"Um..." I quickly distance myself from him, feeling strangely comfortable in his arms. "Uh... I just lost my balance."
"Is she Camille?" Maura exclaimed.
When Scott's eyes met mine, I froze. He had an unusually calm and composed expression, but I could see how tightly he held the glass.