Chapter 3

Raffael’s POV

I drove my car out of the compound, looking at her through the rearview mirror as she watched me leave, looking defeated.

She had refused to sign the papers, claiming it was because of Tori. That was half true. I’d already planned to file for divorce months ago; Tori coming back was just the tip of the iceberg.

Three years ago, we got married because she liked me. She persuaded her grandfather to meet with my dad and organize an arranged marriage for us. My father, in a bid to save his failing company, had no choice but to agree.

I only agreed to it because of my father, but after he passed a year ago, I had no reason to be in a marriage where I didn’t love my wife. 

My mum and sister weren’t in support of our marriage, so I had backup for the divorce.

I drove to the hotel where Tori was staying. I parked in the underground parking and made my way to the elevator. I pressed the button to go up to the fifth floor and made my way to her suite.

“Tori?” I called out as I went into the room.

“I’m in here.” She said from the balcony.

She came out dressed in a little cropped top and tight short shorts. She came and engulfed me in a hug.

“I gave her the divorce papers,” I said as we broke the hug.

“You did? Oh my God.” She squealed as she walked back to the balcony.

I followed behind her. “She refused to sign it, though.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll definitely get her to sign it,” I said as I sat on one of the stools.

“She manipulated you into marrying her; it’s no surprise she doesn’t want to sign the papers.”

“How so?” I asked, curious to hear what she had to say.

“She knew your father couldn’t refuse the offer her grandfather made. She also knew her grandfather would do anything to make her happy, and now she’s acting like the spoiled brat she is and refusing to sign the papers.”

“Interesting,” I said, nodding my head. “Come here,” I added, dragging her towards me. I pulled her in for a hug, holding her tight.

After she pulled away, we stared at each other for a while, then she kissed me. Her lips felt familiar yet foreign at the same time, and I couldn’t help but kiss her back.

I withdrew after a few seconds, shaking my head. “I’m still married to my wife. This isn’t supposed to happen.” I wanted to divorce her, but that didn’t mean I wanted to cheat on her.

“It didn’t matter then, and it shouldn’t matter now.” She shrugged, going back to the living area.

“I was drunk then.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that it happened.” She turned back around. “She needs to sign those papers quickly. I don’t want to hear that excuse again.”

“She’ll sign it. It’ll only be a couple of days.”

“Better.”

We hung around in bed. We didn’t do anything inappropriate; we just talked, watched a movie, and ate food I prepared.

After a long day, I decided to go back home to face my reality. I said goodbye and went down to my car.

I got in and drove off. I made a quick stop at the office to sign some documents, then headed home. 

As soon as I parked my car in the driveway, I got a call from my assistant.

“Mr Edwards, there are videos and pictures of you kissing your ex-girlfriend on the news.”

“What?” I said, shocked. How the hell did they get a picture of Tori and me kissing?

“We’re trying our best to take down the articles and erase the news, but everyone’s talking about it.”

“Make sure it dies down before tomorrow. I’ll call you later.” I said and hung up the phone. “Fuck.” I cursed under my breath, knowing how it would affect our reputations. After taking a deep breath, I exited the car.

I went into the house and rushed upstairs. Camilla shouldn’t see the video that was circulating. She would throw a tantrum again and refuse to sign the papers.

I went to the room, but I couldn’t find her. I went to the backyard, but she wasn’t there either. I checked every possible place in the house she could be, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Martha,” I called. “Martha.”

She came rushing. “Yes, Mr Edwards?”

“Where’s Camilla?”

“She left immediately after you did this morning. She didn’t tell me where she was going.”

“So she’s been out all day?”

“Yes.”

“You can go.” I waved her off.

I picked up my phone and was about to call her when I heard a car pull up in the driveway. I went out the door and saw her as she came down from her car.

“Where have you been?” I asked as soon as she reached the door.

She didn’t give me an answer and acted like I didn’t exist as she walked past me. She went upstairs, and I followed behind her. 

“Camilla, answer me,” I demanded frantically, following behind her. I held her wrist as she was about to go into the room.

She looked at her hand, which I held, and looked back at me. She didn’t say anything, but her stare was deadly enough to make me release her hand. Has she seen the video already?

I followed her into the room. I watched as she moved around the room, taking her jewelry off and undressing.

“Camila,” I said again. “Don’t act like I’m not standing in front of you. I need an answer. Where were you?”

She folded her arms and walked up to me. “That’s none of your business.” She said, quoting me from earlier this morning.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, right.” She walked back to her dresser to clean her face. “While you were out kissing that bitch, I was with Skye at an amusement park.”

She had seen the video. “What were you doing at an amusement park?”

She looked at me crazily. “That’s the question you’re asking?” She walked back to me. “You don’t have anything to say about you kissing Tori? It’s bad enough you were out with her last night; now you’re kissing her? Do you really have to embarrass me like that?”

“Look, it was a mistake. She kissed me, I didn’t kiss her.”

She raised her hand and landed a slap on my face. “Say that again.”

I moved my hand to feel the place where she slapped me. My cheek was throbbing really badly. “Did you just slap me?” 

“Yes, and I’ll do it again if you keep lying to me.”