Chapter 25
Present. Camille POV.
"Don't you think this is too short?" I asked while tugging at the dress. Kat had brought me a short-sleeved dress that had an open back and scoop neckline, accentuating my breasts. "This is too tight!" I complained. "Shut up," Kat said while curling my hair.
"Where are you taking me?"
"It's Archie's birthday, and I have planned something big for him." He grinned widely. "There are only a few people invited, including Conan." "Kat!" I chided. "Why did you invite him?"
"Of course, for publicity. You know I want to grow my fashion business and it will be a great help if Conan shows up at the party." "How will it be helpful?"
"Well, he'll promote my fashion brand." He winked. "Do you know how much he charges for one commercial? But he's doing it free for me." "I'm wondering why?"
"He just wants me to bring you up to the party."
"Ugh!" I rolled my eyes. "Now, you, too, have become selfish."
"Cami... it's not like what you're thinking." Kat blurted while turning me around to face him. "He's a good guy."
"The person who uses women for his benefit will never be good."
"At least he doesn't break women's hearts." Kat spat.
"I don't know why you and Archie are pushing me to Conan. I don't want to date anyone else, even if he is the world's sexiest man.' "That could be two things: the first you are lesbian and the second you already love someone else. Now tell me which one is right?" "Second one..." I snapped and turned around to look in the mirror. "I love someone."
"He is dead," Kat whispered in despair.
"But my love for him is still alive."
"Cami..." Kat placed his hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off.
"Can you please stop talking about my love life?" I begged.
"Um... I'm sorry," he mumbled with guilt. We were quiet for a few minutes before Kat grabbed his phone and dialed someone's number.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Calling Conan..."
"Why?"
"I don't want his promotion anymore. Cami, I can't make you go to the party. I genuinely care about you and you'll do what you like to do. Just fuck off Conan Arthur."
"Kat..." I stood up and snatched his phone from his hand. "I'm coming with you."
"You don't have to."
"Well, I want to attend Archie's birthday party."
Kat sighed, giving me a small smile. "Thank you, woman, and you don't have to wear this dress."
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed how sexy I looked in that dress. My long and toned legs were clearly visible, and my back was noticeable.
"You're tempting, Cami." Kat came closer, gazing at me. "If you take off your spectacles, you'll look like Nadia Ferreira. You're naturally so beautiful."
"Don't butter me up." I chuckled, pushing my hair forward to hide my bare shoulders.
"I told you how I felt." He smiled.
"Thanks for your gorgeous dress."
"Can you be my model?"
"Of course." I winked, and we broke into laughter.
**********
We arrived at Kat's place after an hour, as his house was already beautifully decorated. Streamers strung from the walls and dangling from the lights, confetti scattered across the tables, and brightly wrapped presents with bows, colorful envelopes, and gift bags filled the tables. The people were murmuring, laughing, and drinking together. All of them were dressed in expensive clothes and wore valuable jewelry.
"Whoa, there are many people there." I blurted. "You said there would be few ones."
"I'm sorry, Cami. Today I'll promote my fashion brand, too." Kat apologized sincerely. "You lied to me again."
"I said I'm sorry."
"Hey, beautiful." Conan appeared out of nowhere before throwing his arm around my shoulder and pressing me against his hard chest. He wore a leather jacket with a pair of grey trousers, looking dashing. "You look stunning, baby." He whispered before placing a kiss on my cheek and causing me to blush.
"Thank you." I tucked my hair behind my ear and glanced at Kat, who seemed to look for Archie.
"I hope both of you enjoy the party," Kat said, walking away.
"So..." Conan eyed me from top to bottom before moving in closer. "You're my dream girl," he said with a grin. "The sexy dress matches well with these nerdy glasses."
"Don't you have a date today?" I asked, looking past him.
"Neither do I date nor do I bring dates," he said, shrugging. "But it seems like I ought to date."
"I would greatly appreciate that." I smiled.
"Unfortunately, I have an eye for one woman that I want to date, and that is you."
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a drink. "Stop dreaming, dude," I said coolly.
He broke into a chuckle, shaking his head. "Come on, at least give me a chance, Cami." Let me make you happy at least for once." My heart throbbed when I saw the sincerity in his eyes. I didn't know why, but I wanted to trust Conan at least once. I had never been with a man since Samuel but Conan made me feel valuable and worthy. He respected me a lot. But I was afraid of being shattered again. Seeing Scott and Maura made me feel envious. I also wanted to be happy and be in love again but would I be able to love Conan? A guy like Conan is meant for breaking a woman's heart.
"Cami...?" Conan snapped his fingers in front of my face to catch my attention. "What are you thinking?" "Umm... I'm sorry. What were you asking for?"
He let out an exasperated sigh before gulping down his wine in one go. "Nothing, let's just enjoy the party." I smiled as he led me to the bar. "What are your plans for the weekend?"
"This Sunday, I'll visit my brother in the hospital."
"Would you mind taking me with you?" He asked, and my heart melted. "Perhaps this will help him recover faster."
On the anniversary of my mother's death, I told him about my brother's condition. I told him everything about my family, including Natalie's pregnancy. Since I was very sad that day, and I wanted someone to talk to, once I started telling my family story to him, I couldn't stop. It amazed me that Conan listened to me deeply while feeling my pain at the same time. I have never met a nicer person. He donated to many NGOs, charities, and hospitals for the poor. He even had his NGOs in poor countries. Half of his income went to charity and the rest to women. He slept around.
"Yes, I'd be thrilled to see you there." I grabbed another glass of wine. "Won't you be busy?"
"I'm always busy, but if you ask me, I always have time for the person I like."
"Well, if you want to come, go ahead, but don't complain about the smell of disinfectant and medicine."
"I enjoy spending time with you, despite my dislike of hospitals." He winked.
"We have only one thing in common." My eyes were caught by Scott and Maura, who stood with Archie, laughing and talking. "Archie has arrived."
Conan twisted his head to look at Scott, and a dark scowl appeared on his face when he saw Scott. "He's a tough competitor." He nodded to Scott, and I didn't understand what he meant by that. "What?" I asked.
He turned his eyes away from him to look at me. "Nothing." Sighing, he downed another glass of wine.
"Hey, buddies." Archie approached with a big, bright smile. He looked handsome in a navy blue suit and red bow.
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"Happy birthday, dude!" Conan said while patting Archie's shoulder.
"Wishing you tons of happiness and blessings on your birthday," I said next, embracing him.
Archie pulled himself back, eyeing me from head to toe with appreciation in his eyes. "You've got sexy legs."
"Aww, thanks." I rolled my eyes before handing him over a drink. "So how's a surprise?"
"To be honest, I would love to spend time with him alone, but he insisted." Archie sighed before eyeing Kat, who was entertaining Maura and Scott.
Scott was still unaware of my presence, as he didn't look at him once.
"Does Scott know I'm here?"
"Yep. Why?"
"Umm... nothing."
"Today they're gonna announce their wedding date."
"What?" I blurted, grabbing a couple of guests' attention and standing beside us. Archie frowned at my surprised expression as I quickly replaced it with a plastered smile. "I mean, it's too early, isn't it?" "Of course, no. They have been in relationships for years and it's time for them to move to the next level."
"That would be great." Conan smiled and glanced at me.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Suddenly, Maura's smooth voice captured our attention as we all turned our heads toward her. She was standing next to Scott, gripping his hand and beaming with happiness. "So we all know why we have gathered here today to take advantage of this time. Today I'd like to share very special news with you." She looked at Scott before continuing, "We have been in love for ages and it feels like this is the perfect time to step up and get married! We are finally getting hitched to one another next month."
And a glass of wine slipped off my hand as I felt a sharp twist in my heart.
After a while, At the party, everything ran smoothly. Conan was making me laugh the entire time I was with him. It had been a long time since I had felt so happy. Archie and Kat are also enjoying their time together. Scott never noticed my presence at the party. This behavior from him annoyed me. He was acting as if he didn't know me. To catch his attention, I grabbed Conan in the middle of the dance floor and we started dancing together.
Having Conan Arthur in my arms felt great, and the music was playing smoothly. Despite being drunk, I felt light and happy. The news of Scott's wedding changed me in some way, but I wanted to enjoy this moment.
I always dreamed of marrying Scott Martinez and having children with him, but my dream ended when I killed his brother in front of his eyes. I still hoped that one day he would understand me. However, that day it seemed like everything had come to an end. There was nothing more I could expect when I saw him with another woman.
"Cami, are you alright?" Conan grabbed my arm to steady my body. "Are you tired? Can I take you home?"
"I don't have a home..." I slurred. "But..." I embraced him tightly. "You're home." Conan cupped the back of my head, letting me smell his addictive scent. "I want to date you."
"You're drunk." He chuckled.
"I'm serious," I mumbled, smiling sadly.