THE BILLIONAIRE’S WIFE

Chapter 3

3: becomes my wife.

Camille's point of view

He seemed to guess my disorder, because a reassuring smile stretched his lips. He took a slight inspiration, as if he was about to take an important step.

-Forgive me, I realize that I haven't presented myself yet. Nathaniel de la Croix, he said, holding a warm hand.

The name resonated in my mind, charged with a weight that I could not ignore. Of the cross. Even me, a simple seamstress, I had already heard this name. An empire, flourishing companies, a colossal fortune. And yet, the man facing me seemed more human than anything I would have imagined.

-Camille, I replied timidly, shaking her hand, although you already know it.

He laughs gently, and this simple reaction dissipated a part of the tension that lived to me.

- Yes, Camille. I know it. And believe me, this name has not left me since the first time I saw you in front of your shop.

I blinked, surprised.

- You ... Have you noticed me?

- How not to do it? he replied without hesitation. You were there, concentrated on a dress, and I remember thinking that I would have liked you to look at the world with the same attention.

My heart got carried away, but I still didn't know where he was coming from. Why was this billionaire interested in me?

Nathaniel looked down slightly, as if to gather his thoughts. Then he planted his gaze again in mine, this time with an intensity that breathes my breath.

-Camille, let me go straight to the point, he said, her sudden voice more serious. If I invited you here tonight, it's because I chose you.

I frowned, the breath short.

- Choose? For what ?

He took a step forward, further reducing the distance between us.

- To be my wife.

The shock was so brutal that I instinctively stepped back, my trembling hand on my mouth.

- What ? I whispered, my voice betraying my disbelief.

He did not take back, his gaze fixed on me as if he were trying to anchor me in this reality which he had just revealed.

-I know it's unexpected, maybe even destabilizing, but I'm not a man who waste his time. When I saw this light in you, this mixture of grace and strength ... I knew you were the one I was looking for.

The words turned in my head, but nothing seemed to make sense. A billionaire, a man in his rank, wanted me to be ... his wife?

-It's insane, I whispered, shaking his head. You don't even know me.

-Not yet, he admitted gently. But I intend to do it, if you allow me.

- But why me? I insisted, my heart beating to break everything.

He still approached, his eyes becoming almost pleading.

- Because you are different, Camille. Because I want someone real by my side. And above all, because I think we don't meet the person who can change our lives twice.

I remained petrified, unable to answer. A part of me wanted to believe in his words, but another, more rational, shouted me to flee.

-Camille, he continued, give me a chance to prove to you that what I feel is real.

I looked up towards him, looking for an answer in his gaze. Everything in him breathed sincerity and determination. But could I really accept such a proposal, me, a simple seamstress, facing a man like him?

I retreated slightly, trying to catch my breath and bring my thoughts together. Nathaniel's words still floated in the air, heavy with meaning and promises, but it all seemed unreal to me.

-I ... I can't, I stammered, my trembling voice. You are a man like ... like no other. You are rich, powerful ... I am only a seamstress.

An amused shine passed through his eyes, but he did not move.

-A seamstress who already made me lose my head, he whispered gently.

I shook my head, refusing to give in to this strange warmth which he gave birth to in me.

- You don't even know who I'm really. You idealize a woman you don't know.

He took a step forward, again reducing the distance between us, and this time, I did not back down.

"So let's get to know us," he replied with disarming sincerity. I will not pretend that all this is normal. What I feel, this attraction, this certainty ... is new to me too. But Camille, I am not a man who hides in front of what I want.

Her voice was soft but firm, and I couldn't help but feel taken in a whirlwind of contradictory emotions.

- What if I said right? I tried it, barely audible.

A smirk stretched her lips, and a playful glow shone in his eyes.

- So I would do everything to convince you.

This response, both simple and daring, left me speechless. I crossed his dark eyes, looking for a fault, a reason not to believe it. But there was only honesty, and perhaps a point of challenge.

My heart was beating so hard that I was afraid he will hear it. I wanted to resist, not fall into this apparently perfect trap. But a part of me, the most vulnerable part, wondered what would happen if I said yes.

"Nathaniel," I said, my voice almost strangled by emotion. You and me ... We come from two different worlds.

"The different worlds make stories even more interesting," he replied with a smile.

I couldn't help but laugh gently, although it is more nervous than anything else.

- You are impossible.

-And you are fascinating, he retorted without hesitation.

A silence settled between us, charged with unsaid. I had the impression that time had hung, and that the rest of the world had stopped existing.

-I can't give you an answer now, I finally admitted.

He nodded, a smirk.

- I didn't expect you to do it. Take the time you need, Camille. But know one thing: I will not give up you.

These last words, pronounced with such certainty, resonated in me well after he moved away. I was both troubled, intrigued, and in a way that I did not yet dare admit, a little flattered.

I left the gala, still in shock. My heels resonated on the cobblestones of the silent street, but my mind was elsewhere. Nathaniel's words were looped in my head. "I will not give up you." How could a man like him be so sure of himself?

Arriving in front of my modest door, I took a deep inspiration. I needed to talk, to share what had just happened to me with someone. My friends would be there to bring me back to reality ... or maybe to tell me that I lost my head.

I pushed the door of the workshop where they awaited me, as usual, laughing and chatting around a cup of tea. As soon as I cross the threshold, their eyes turned to me, curious.

-So, tell us everything! Jade exclaimed, one of my nearest colleagues and friend. How is this gala?

I put my bag, hesitant.

-It was… unexpected, I finally let go, without knowing where to start.

- How does that, unexpected? Inès asked, one of the other seamstresses, crossing her arms. Did you come across a celebrity or what?

I let out a nervous laugh.

- Not exactly. But there was ... someone.

They exchanged an accomplice look, visibly delighted to have a crisp story to put themselves under the tooth. Jade patted the chair next to her.

-Come sit and tell us everything. We want all the details.

I sat and have a sip of tea, hoping that the hot liquid would calm my agitation.

- Okay, listen. There was this man ... Nathaniel de la Croix.

Inès whistled.

- The billionaire? Whoever makes the headlines?

I nodded, a little embarrassed.

- Yes. Him.

Jade won his eyes.

- Wait, you mean he noticed you?

-More than that, I whispered. He invited me, and tonight ... He told me he wanted me to be his wife.

An amazed silence fell on the room, before Inès lets escape an incredulous laughter.

- His wife? Camille, are you kidding?

-I would like to, I replied, shrugging my shoulders. But he was very serious.

Jade put a hand on her heart, dramatizing as usual.

- And you ? What did you say?

I put a hand in my hair, still as confused.

- Nothing concrete. I was too much ... stunned. I said I couldn't answer right away.

Inès laughed again.

- You did well. These rich types like to play weird games.

But Jade shook his head, his shiny eyes of excitement.

- I don't know, Camille. It looks like a fairy tale, right?

I listened to them, torn between their points of view. Some of me wanted to believe that Nathaniel was sincere, but the other was afraid. Fear of being trained in something that exceeded me.

-And now, what are you planning to do? asked Jade.

I shrugged, lost.

- I don't know. All of this goes beyond me.

Inès put a hand on my shoulder.

- Listen, whatever you decide, remains cautious. Men like him do not live in the same world as us.

Jade, on the other hand, already seemed to be won over by the idea.

- But if it's true, and he really loves you? Do not close the door to a chance like this.

They were both reason, and that was the problem. I did not know what to think or what way to choose.