POV HENRY
Camille's gaze pierced me like a thousand knives. I don't think I've ever felt this way in my life—feeling so wounded, so hurt, without a single word or physical blow.
It dawned on me that in all the time she's been gone, I wasn't prepared to see her. I wasn't prepared to face her scorn.
"Robert, are you sure that's Camille?" A question borne from my subconscious, clinging to the hope that it wasn't true, that Camille didn't hate me.
"It's her, Henry."
"B-but… you said Camille wasn't anything special? That if I had seen her, I would've filed for divorce immediately? Because that woman over there… that woman, if I had seen her when we met, I would've held on tight and never let go! She's… she's stunning!"
"Look, Henry… it's just that… You were so down, and you didn't want to enjoy life. I thought if I told you Camille was beautiful, you'd feel worse and want to lock yourself away in remorse."
"But I felt remorse… I did, damn it! And now, I feel even worse. What kind of friend are you?"
"Hey! Calm down! I was only thinking of you, Henry. You're really going to fight with your best friend over a woman?"
"I'm starting to doubt you're even my friend… You even knew where Camille was and didn't tell me."
"I knew, but… damn it, Henry! Did you really want to know that Camille left you for some rich old guy?!"
"What?! She wouldn't do that. She knew I just couldn't take over the business yet and that all the money was being managed by my stepmother, but she knew it was all mine. So, there's no reason for her to trade a young man for an old one."
"But she did!" The model, Mary, butts in, stepping in front of Harry. What is this woman still doing here?
"Henry, so you know Camille… that's good. You can help me expose that gold digger. She showed up recently and has already snagged all the best jobs, even mine, and I have years of experience. She definitely slept her way to the top with that poor Mr. Kramer."
"Who's Mr. Kramer?"
"Him!" Mary points, and I see an older gentleman with white hair approaching Camille.
She smiles at him, and I clench my fists, squeezing so tight my knuckles turn white. Seeing another man kissing her hand, being the recipient of her affections, creates a knot in my throat, impossible to swallow.
"Mr. Kramer is loaded, a billionaire in the fashion world. You must not be plugged into that world's news; that's probably why you don't recognize him."
"No. I started to pay attention to the world recently, and all I've seen are false reports…" I was really furious with Robert. He shouldn't have lied to me.
"Don't get so worked up, Robert wasn't lying. Camille is nothing special; if it wasn't for Mr. Kramer, she wouldn't have a future in this industry. Her career will be over in a flash. I've seen plenty of gold diggers get what's coming to them. In this world, only the cunning survive. Look, if you're so angry with Camille, you should accept my proposal. Show her you're better off without her."
"But I'm not better off without her…"
"Henry, listen to Mary. Don't let her win."
"Shut up, Robert."
I wasn't angry with Camille. I was angry at myself and all the circumstances that led to this messed-up situation… If only I had reacted sooner… if only I had…
Just then, the party host started to address all the guests. Robert told me he was the head designer of a luxury jewelry brand.
He began to speak, but I couldn't hear him. All I could do was follow Camille with my eyes. I couldn't believe she could be with another man. I couldn't believe that the woman who sacrificed so much for me, who never asked me for a penny in all the time she was with me, would simply be with another man for money.
"Camille! She will be the lead model for our new collection!" The designer announces, and everyone applauds, giving Camille a standing ovation as she leaves Mr. Kramer and approaches the designer.
She carried herself exactly as I imagined—calm and not the slightest bit arrogant. She thanked people with genuine gratitude.
"I don't believe it! I don't believe that… Grrr! I don't believe she took my place!" Mary's shriek interrupts my moment of appreciation.
"What happened? Are you okay?" I ask, confused by her reaction.
"It's just… we work so hard to achieve things, and then someone like that comes along and takes your place out of nowhere! Well, not out of nowhere! I know exactly what she must have done."
"Look, I think this whole story is very strange. I don't believe Camille is seducing this Mr. Kramer. I know her, and she's not like that. And you know, she is incredibly beautiful. If I had to choose a model for an advertising campaign of mine, I would definitely choose her."
I say, my gaze returning to Camille. She meets my eyes from time to time but quickly turns away when she sees me. She's avoiding me, but she can't completely hide.
"Mary, can you get me Camille's contact information or send her a note from me? She seems to hate me, but I have to try. We have so much to talk about."
"Look, Henry… I'm not a messenger girl, you hear? I'm not going to play cupid between you two."
"Okay… and… look, can you maybe step away from my VIP area? You're not exactly my guest."
"Oh! No! Let me stay here, please!"
"I don't think it's a good idea. Maybe Camille is angry because you're near me. She might get the wrong idea."
"Henry, you don't know who she is! Look, the party is almost over, but there's an 'after-party' just for invited guests. At the after-party, there will be an auction with some of the models, and rich men can pay to spend the night with them. And, of course, Camille will participate. She's going to sell herself to the highest bidder while you're here defending her honor."
"Get me into that 'after-party'!"
"What?! Didn't you hear what I said?"
"Get me into that after-party, I told you! I'm not as well-known as many important men here because, in this past year, I've been busy fixing my stepbrother's messes. But my company is starting to show results, and soon I'll be known as the newest billionaire. If you help me, who knows, maybe in the future, I can help you too."
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