Chapter 82
Chapter 82
~Camila’s POV~
“Good day, ma’am. We did some research on the Coopers as per your request and uncovered some interesting information about them. And our findings are shocking. I have everything compiled into an email that will be sent to you, including the clips and the information. As per your suspicions, there was more to this than met the eye. It was nice doing business with you.”
I was so terrified that I couldn’t even muster the nerve to respond. I put the phone down and immediately started going through my emails. However, just as I was about to start reading the information, there was a knock at the door. I looked up and ordered the person to come in. NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
The door was opened by Mark Cooper, who was carrying a bouquet of flowers. I flashed him a grin before speedily closing my laptop and moving closer to him in order to shake his hand.
“Hello, Mark, and thank you very much for coming. I’m curious. To what do I owe this visit?” He flashed me a grin before handing me the flowers.
“Camila.” He breathed out rather very seductively for a business visit. I pushed the idea out of my mind.
“Please have a seat,” I said to him while making a seating motion with my hand to invite him to take a seat.
“Actually, after everything that went down between you and my friend, I didn’t want to show you pity, because I knew that was the last thing you needed. But not all men are like Chris. I’m here to take you out for lunch. Please don’t say no, because I really need to do this for you.” My brows knitted together in concentration as I looked at him.
“You do realize you don’t have to do this to make me feel better, do you?”
“A woman like you doesn’t need pity, Camila. Now come on.”
“Okay.” I picked up my stuff. This morning, I had every intention of getting out of the office as soon as possible. Mark and I went out to the parking lot. Mark stepped in front of me just as I was about to get into my car.
“I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I let you drive. Get inside my car, and I’ll drive you back home after our lunch.” I looked at him and then back at my car, letting him know I couldn’t leave it there. “Well, this is a secured underground parking lot, and besides, you own this place, so no one would steal your car.” He had a point, so I followed him to his car; he opened the passenger door for me, and I slid in while he got behind the wheel and drove to the restaurant. We arrived at the restaurant, and he had already booked a table for us. I ordered a drink for myself, and Mark did the same. He gave me a genuine smile as he looked at me. How could someone as composed as Mark be so deceitful? I guess he has a Ph.D. in lying and pretending.
“I’ve been here a couple of times, and their eisbein is to die for?”
“Wow, then I’ll have that.” He smiled and placed our order. Then he stared at me a little more than I expected.
“May I give you a hug?” Now, this is way more awkward than I thought. I stood up and nodded. He hugged me, and I laughed while standing on my feet to hug him. “I’m now convinced you are okay.” He commented as he tightened his arms around me a little before we broke away from the hug and slipped into our chairs.
“Wow.” That’s all I’m able to say at the moment. I mean, I’m completely speechless. He’s moving far too quickly for a con artist. He smiled at me, and I returned the bright smile on his face because it was honestly hard not to.
“You know, you did a pretty good job handling this divorce; I thought you might be scared to show yourself to the public after being divorced without an explanation. You proved me wrong.” I laughed a
little.
“I’m sorry,” I spoke up, but he cut me off.
“It’s okay, you know. I’ve always loved your laugh,” he confessed, causing me to shrug my shoulders a little. I was under the impression that he was playing a joke on me.
Of course, he was.
“Your laugh is kind of cute.” He said this, and then the food arrived. While we were eating, he continued to tell me more and more about himself, which I found to be a little bit grating. I want him to get right down to the meat of the matter. That way, I’d know exactly what he’s after. He went on and on about my laugh and about himself, which is so confusing.
“Do you guys know each other?” He asked, and I was not entirely sure how to respond.
“With who?”
“Your ex-husband, did you know him that well, or has he been an ass to you all the time?” I took a sip of my orange juice, trying to change the topic.
“Well, I gave him a piece of my ass too, you know.” He laughed, and I continued, “You should know more about him; I mean, you guys have been friends for, like, forever.”
“Did you love him or like him a little?”
“He’s the father of my son, so I liked him because of that, but as for love, we were far from that.” As I said this, his gaze never left mine, as if he were looking for hesitations.
“Well, I thought you guys were getting along, you know.”
“Chris and I? Well, for the sake of our son, we did. I just loved the idea of torturing him, that’s all.”
“He’s a haughty, ruthless, heartless, selfish, and self-centered jerk.”
Well, you are right about that.
Trust me, I came to understand my husband. He is all that, but if you don’t know him that well, you’ll believe everything you hear. But he’s like a baby once you get to know him. You sometimes wonder if the baby is Liam or him.
“Listen, Camila. I genuinely care about you,” He took my hands in his, “And I hate what he did to you, but you need to know the truth about Chris. I hate that I have to be the one to tell you this, but if ever you try to get back with Chris just know he’s going to hurt you, So bad that you won’t be able to pick up the pieces afterward.” I arched an eyebrow at him, and he continued, “He has wronged a lot of people, dangerous people. People that can put you and Liam in danger if ever you try to go back to him.” My stomach lurched, and I couldn’t help but think that he didn’t have it in him. He’s doing the exact same thing. He’s trying to get me out of the way. I sipped my juice and wore my confident face.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I mean, he wouldn’t take back a woman who stole his whole empire, would he?” He burst out laughing.
Since it is already seven o’clock, I think we should head out to some clubs after this.
“I am a mother, Mark, and my son is probably home waiting for his mother to come home.”
“Just for today, he wouldn’t mind.”
“Okay, let me check up on my son first.” Mark and I walked outside. I was about to make a call when we both froze. Someone broke his car window, but why?
“Oh my God, what happened to your car?” Mark looked lost, then he started to approach his car.
“Shit! Your laptop is gone.”
Instead of being concerned, which I probably should be, I couldn’t help but have a good belly laugh at my own expense. I am a fool. Mark fucking tricked me!
Did he fucking know I had information on him?