His Second Wife

Chapter 72

~Christopher’s POV~

Something is not right. I’m not sure what it is, but I can feel it. I have this strong urge to be close to my wife. It’s as though there are a lot of strong forces working against her at the moment. I might be wrong, but I think my wife is in danger. When I came out of the restroom, I saw a shadow going to the control room. I didn’t think much about it. I went to stand close to Camille.

Right at the moment when I committed myself to stand up for my loved ones, Claudia started to search for me with her eyes. I had no choice but to get rid of her before she made things even more difficult for both Camille and me. Even though we are still having problems, I am expected to act in the most mature manner possible. I pulled Camille close to me and I heard her gasp. When Claudia stared in our direction, I immediately slammed my lips on top of hers. She did not attempt to dislodge me from her grasp. It makes no difference to me whether my strategy has been completely derailed. So I can’t stay away from her anymore, even if she’s the boss now. I noticed that Claudia was disappointed in my actions. Of course, she didn’t see that I saw her searching for me, but I had to act fast.

Camille stared at me and pushed me a little, “Not here, Chris, please.” She begged. I wanted to say something to her, but then her assistant, Luke, approached us.

“I think everything is all set. We can start the show.” I watched as she smiled elegantly and started to move toward the center of the hall as the show was about to start. My eyes landed on Grandpa. He was staring at something, or rather someone. I watched as the person ran away. I looked at Grandpa. His eyes were glued on something again. I followed his gaze, and I saw a swinging chandelier.

Camille!

Someone wanted my wife dead, but who? Who was the guy earlier on? No, the chandelier isn’t directed at Camille. If it was, it couldn’t have been swinging. Camille is right under that dang thing. It is

swinging in someone’s direction, but whose? I quickly searched around and then landed on Luke. Someone wants him dead, but who?

I ran toward him and pushed him aside when a gigantic chandelier shattered on the floor, everyone gasping at the same time. I looked up to see if I could see the culprit, but I saw shit!

“Are you okay?” I asked to look, but the idiot didn’t look surprised that someone wanted him dead. He just got up, dusted himself off, and thanked me.

What the fuck was that?

“Oh my God! Luke, are you okay?” Camille asked, and Luke just smiled and walked away. He’s acting as though he knew someone was after him. The launch started right after the chandelier was removed. All this while, Mark was busy hitting after my wife. I don’t know what to make of this. He is my friend, but he is busy following my wife up and down like a fly. He is not even hiding it. He actually wants me to see it. Wow!

The models started the show. They swayed on the stage, displaying what Camille had designed. People were clapping and cheering as the models swayed. I was secretly stealing glances at my wife. I acknowledge her hard work. I couldn’t be more proud. Luke went on stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the time you’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Last but not least, I mean, the night is still young. The party has to go on, but right now I would like to call my boss. The boss lady. The owner of CAMMY designs will take the stage. Ma’am, the stage is all yours. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome Camila Mendoza! As the music started to play, Camille shifted her gaze to mine. She smiled at me. That was gold. I know she wanted me to accompany her, but I couldn’t. I looked around for Eduardo, but the idiot was nowhere to be found. Camille rose from her seat and started walking toward the stage. As she was about to climb the steps on her way, I offered her my

hand, which she gladly took with a small smile. I ushered her to the stage, and once she was standing in front of everyone, I gave her a peck and left.

I returned to my spot and watched as everyone was surprised that Camila owned CAMMY designs. My eyes traveled to my family. I remember how my brothers’ wives lied right in front of the owner during one of our family luncheons. I am sure they want to dig a hole and hide right now.

Camille stood on stage as someone adjusted the mic for her.

“You are all startled, right? I know, I’ll be startled too.” She cleared her throat. “My name is Camila Mendoza. The only daughter of Fernando and Catalina Mendoza.” Everyone gasped. I should be gasping too, but being a bastard made me know that piece of information sooner than everyone else when Eduardo and I had a blowing show after fucking Claudia.

“I started CAMMY when I was 15. When I started, it used to be Catalina’s closet. Back then, I only designed for my mom. Then people started asking her who her designer was, and she told them it was Cammy. My mom would get a lot of orders for me, and that’s how CAMMY started. I’ve never liked being in the spotlight, and no one knew the Mendozas had a daughter. I am standing here today as Cammy the designer, a daughter, a mother, a sister, an aunt, and a role model to many, saying thank you for your endless support. I hope you have fun. Enjoy the rest of the night.”

Camille said that as she walked back to her seat, Mark started following her to her seat again. I scoffed. I couldn’t stand it anymore. He was publicly wooing my wife. My hands formed into fists, and I started taking long strides toward him. I won’t hesitate to punch his stupid face. As I approached him, a hand grabbed me.

“Let it be. If you cause a scene, Camila won’t forgive you. Camila isn’t stupid. Trust her.”

“He is supposed to be my friend. I at least have the right to know why he is going after my wife.”

“This is a time for you to observe, Chris. Your love for Camila will ruin everything. I know you love her, but remember, you are her ex-husband. Act like one.” He was right, but I can’t. I looked at Mark and stormed out.

I was pacing back and forth, not knowing what to do. How could my best friend show interest in my wife? Maybe he was just being nice since I divorced her right in front of him. Well, at least he thought.

“Having a rough day, Mr. Grayston?” I’ll ask Luke again. I don’t need his gayish advice right now. I took a few steps back, walking away from him.

“The truth has always been right in front of you, but the almighty Christopher Grayston couldn’t see it. Blinded by friendship, trust, and something called love.”

“I am not in the mood, he-she!” He blew smoke in the air, looking unaffected by my outburst.

What is this guy talking about? On a typical day, I would have been able to walk out on him without a second thought. However, today I am so angry that my balls are actually beginning to feel heavy.

Fucking balls!

After that, he blew the smoke out once more. “Listen, Chris, I’m going to tell you my peace of mind just because I hugged your wife and attempted to make you jealous, but you didn’t banish me from San Diego. From that day on, I had a sneaking suspicion that the nefarious Chris wasn’t actually all that nefarious. Look at it this way. You’ve undoubtedly been sleeping around for decades, but nobody has had the balls to say anything unfavorable about you to anyone else. Am I correct?” Fuck! The dude was right.

“I don’t mean to offend you, but it’s clear that your reputation precedes you when it comes to your intelligence. You and Mark aren’t real friends. You pour everything on him, but does he pour everything

on you?” I finally responded.

“What do you mean?” He let out an amused chuckle.

“I want to present you with a possibility, and just thinking about it can convince you to change your mind. In fact, I have two possibilities for you. The first question is whether Mark has said to you that he and I dated for a total of four years. Has he ever told you about Luke Ricci?”

My eyes became wide. Mark dated a man for four years.

The fuck!

I have no issue with homosexuals. I don’t see why he didn’t just come out and tell me. He knows I don’t have issues with such. What is this guy talking about? I made a shaking motion with my head. He’s probably lying. I started to walk away from him and he told me something that couldn’t be possible.

“Did you also know that your first wife is actually Mark’s sister and that her name is not Claudia, but Carman Cooper?”

“What!”

“You have no idea, do you? I thought that you were quite savvy. Well, I’m done. I’m heading inside. I have no idea what these people want from you, but if anyone comes near Camille, I will spill the beans. As for you, never hurt my boss, and man up. I don’t know what these guys want from you. He repeated the statement twice! Then he continued, “I’m heading inside.” He said that and walked away.

What was the second scenario? Claudia is Carman Cooper!