Love Prevails

Text Messaging

Camilla was officially on leave for three weeks.

The first two or three days of her leave, she would just be relaxing at home, getting things in order.

While she was busy the first day, which was the day after she had spoken to Bradford, she received a text message.

Bradford: Hi there, it's Bradford, I'm just checking in to see how you are doing.

A smile lit up on her face, and she responded.

Camilla: I'm okay.

Bradford: So what are your plans today? I didn't see you get on the bus this morning.

Camilla laughed: I'm on leave for a few weeks. You, keeping tabs on me now? she couldn't help but chuckle.

This man was so easy to talk with. She felt so comfortable speaking with him. When she spoke with him or read a message from him, she would get butterflies in her stomach, and her heart would race. She couldn't understand why he had this effect on her.

Every day for the next three days, Bradford and Camilla would spend a few hours chatting endlessly. But then it dawned on her that what she was doing was no better than what Steven was doing. It may not be as bad, but it was not good either. She decided to limit their conversations and explained to him the situation and the plan. Fortunately for her, Bradford understood only too well and agreed to limit contact with her.

During this time, she would be on leave, she would put the wheels in motion for her own business venture. She had always wanted to work for herself but had never had the means or opportunity to do so, and every time she tried to broach it with Steven, he had always shot her down.

Her leave had only just started, and Camilla thought about what she wanted to do. She had always loved designing, drawing, and being creative. She dropped the children off at school and decided to go home and draft a proposal for her new project.

While busy working, she spoke to her aunt, who informed her that Mr Hemmingway had an architectural business.

"Why don't you go down to his offices? I will make an appointment for you."

Camilla got the address from her aunt and made her way to the Hemmingway offices.

On arriving at the offices, she announced who she was and waited to be called to see the CEO. The secretary called her in, "He's ready for you now," she opened his office door for Camilla to enter.

As Camilla approached the desk, she stopped dead in her tracks. "It's you!" She exclaimed quizzically.

Bradford smiled at seeing her. "Welcome to our offices Camilla, how can we help you?" he asked. "Please have a seat," he stood up and gestured towards a seat.

Camilla took up his offer. "So you're old man Hemmingway's infamous grandson?" she let out a harmonious laugh.

"That's me, the grandson that defies all," they both laughed. "So Camilla, what brings you here?" he then said with a serious business demeanour.

"Well...." she trailed off, explaining her business idea to him.

After she had finished, he said, "Why don't you come and work in our offices, we will give you a few projects that you can oversee in our current division under our senior designer, if you prove yourself and, after six months, we will set you up in our drafting division which you will head. That way, we will collaborate on most big projects together."

Camilla thought about this proposal, and it made sense. She was very excited about getting started with this new venture, but she also knew it would take time.

"So when would you like me to start?" she asked him.

"You on leave now for what, three weeks? After that, go back to work for a week, then hand in your resignation. Don't say anything to anyone about where you will be working next. Especially to your husband," he said, for fear she would be stopped from growing and reaching her potential and dream.

Bradford was the type of person who admired women who took the initiative to better themselves, and he definitely admired Camilla.

After sealing the deal with Bradford Hemming, Camilla became super excited. She quickly phoned her aunt and uncle and her best friend Michelle. They were all very excited for her and said they would support her in any way they could. All she asked them to do was not to mention anything to Steven or to Tamara and her family for fear of this blowing up in her face.

One evening, while still on leave, the children were already asleep in bed. Camilla had finished dinner, washed all the dishes, and just sat down with a nice cup of tea, and was checking her messages when Steven came home and, as usual, he was drunk.

Camilla had just received a text message from Bradford and had burst out laughing till her stomach hurt. Steven hadn't heard her laugh like this with him in a very long time.

Jealous that someone else was making her laugh so hard, he yelled, "Who the hell are you chatting with!"

Camilla couldn't help but keep smiling, "No one," she responded, "just a friend."

"Just a friend!" he roared in anger.

"Yes," she responded calmly and went back to her messages and tea.

Seeing her reaction, he walked over, hit the phone out of her hand, and then went to bed.

Camilla looked at him as he staggered to the bedroom. She quickly went to pick up her phone. Fortunately, the screen was still intact, and she could continue with what she was doing. She ended her conversation with Bradford and searched through her social media feeds to see what was happening and then decided it was time for her to get some rest as it was pretty late.

As Camilla was heading for the children's room, she felt Steven behind her, pushing her against the door, "You smell so good," he breathed in her scent.

Camilla froze as he touched her hair and trailed his fingers along her jaw line.

"Steven, please," she said, trying to push him away.

"So you don't want me!" he growled at her.

"No, Steven, not like this, not when you're drunk," she responded.

"So you can laugh at text messages, but you can't have a minute with me!" he spat out.

Disgusted and repulsed by his behaviour, Camilla pushed past him and went into the room with the children, locked the door, and went to sleep.

Camilla knew she couldn't reveal just yet what her plan was.