Camilla's POV
I had been stalking Raul for days. His recent changes in attitude, always on the edge nature and
the fact he was always checking his phone, gave me no choice but to do so.
When I had confronted him, demanding to know what was so important, he was checking on his
phone… he shut me down, coldly, telling me to mind my business and not poke in his own
business.
He left me no other choice, I had to follow him and see what he's up to. And for days I couldn't
find anything from stalking him.
Except today.
I had trailed Raul around until he met a woman at the back of Dani's company. The woman
happened to be one of Dani's employees and Raul called her down.
She was a young woman, professional looking, and seemed kind enough and her name tag
read Rina.
I stayed out of sight, behind the corner watching them.
I need to know what's going on with Raul.
Raul offers that he and the employee walk over to a cafe just down the street and she agrees.
I tail them to the café and I pick a spot close enough for me to hear everything they talk about.
"Sorry to bother you," Raul spoke first, standing halfway as she came closer to his table. "You
work for Dani, right? how close?" Raul asked her to be sure.
Rina blinked, surprised. "Yes…I do and I'm her production assistant. Why?"
Raul pointed towards the empty seat. "Mind sitting for a moment? I just need to talk and It's
about her."
The young woman looked confused for a second but finally sat down on the free chair opposite
Raul. "Okay, Is something wrong?"
I watched Raul sighed, dragging his hand through his hair.
"Everything is wrong. I'm…." he paused, trying to find the right words. And then continues, "I'm
in love with her and I've been going out of my mind trying to reach her but she won't answer my
calls and won't respond to any of the messages I leave her. I've shown up to her office once,
but they won't let me in."
I was furious at the sound of this. How could my husband be saying he loves another woman? I
didn't not interfere, I remained still and kept listening
Rina's expression calmed a little, though she still kept her professional self intact, "Mr….?"
"Raul," he replied to her almost instantly, "I was her husband."
Her eyes widened slightly, and her sitting posture straightened, as if she was now interested,
hearing he was once her husband. "Oh."
"I messed up," he admitted quickly. "I messed up big time and I let someone come between us."
Anger filled my eyes and I almost stepped out to confront him, but my legs and ears made me
remain seated.
"And now…. I can't stop thinking about her, I can't sleep, I see her everywhere and my son
asks about her every night, and….and I don't know how to fix it. I just need to talk to her."
Rina hesitated for a moment. "Look, Raul…. Dani's really busy these days. She's running a
brand that's still grand, she has back to back meetings most days, different shoots,
sponsorships, and travel here-and-there. Even we, her team, barely get real-time personal
interaction with her unless it's urgent or work."
"I figured," Raul muttered to himself, his voice barely above whisper but I could hear the
sadness in his voice. "It hurts. She once let me in, but now I can't even get her to look at me like
she once did."
Rina nodded slowly to his words and picked her next words with care. "I may not know
everything that has happened between the two of you…. but I can tell she's been going through
a lot, but she's not cold, she's just guarded. There's a difference there."
Raul looked towards where I sat and I quickly faced the busy streets. Guilt filled his face.
He turned his gaze back to Rina.
"I know. I just want to be there for her again and I want her to know I'm not that man from her
past anymore."
Rina tapped her fingers on the table. "I suggest maybe try a different approach, not just the call
or the confrontations at her door. Maybe something meaningful. Thoughtful. Something Dani
would notice."
Rina checked the watch on her hand and looked like she had missed something.
Raul met her gaze. "You think she would listen?"
"I don't know," she replied honestly. "But if you really love madam Dani, you'll try the right way
and not just for you, but for her."
Raul nodded slowly
"Thank you," he said.
Rina offered him a polite smile, "Good luck, Raul. You'll need it.
I gathered myself, ready to turn as they both leave the café.
Rina stood up, brushing her blouse as she prepared to leave. And Raul watched her, still deep
in his thought, but just before she turned away, she paused and returned her gaze to Raul.
"Oh," she said, "I almost forgot to mention, Dani will be at the upcoming charity gala next
weekend, she's one of the key guests."
My eyes lit and I could also see Raul's eyes lit up too. "She'll be there? Publicly?" I heard Raul
ask her with excitement.
"Yes," Rina nodded. "Though I doubt she's going to be in one place. She usually does her thing
and leaves quickly, she never stays too long in one place. But…. it might be your chance, if
you're really serious." Rina pointed out.
Raul thanked her and with that she stepped out.
Raul might be happy for his own selfish reason, but I'll be there to confront Dani. She has been
left too long unchecked.
She will never get in between my family. I had struggled so long to keep.
I watched Raul stand up and took the last sip from his cup and walked out from the shop.