CHAPTER 4
1042 Words
For a moment, Camille forgot how to breathe.
The question hung between them.
"Do you want to get out of here?"
Not because of what he said. But because of what he didn't say.
Ren wasn't pressuring her. Wasn't flirting aggressively. Wasn't making promises.
He was simply giving her a choice.
And somehow that made it harder.
Camille stared at him.
She knew exactly what she should do. She should stand up. Thank him for the conversation, go home, Take a hot shower, Cry over Adrian. Spend the next few weeks rebuilding her life.
That was the responsible thing. The mature thing. The Camille thing.
So why wasn't she moving?
Why was every sensible thought being drowned out by the way Ren looked at her?
By the way he listened, By the way he somehow made her feel seen?
"You're dangerous."
One dark eyebrow lifted.
"Am I?"
"Absolutely."
The corner of his mouth curved.
"That's unfortunate."
Her stomach fluttered.
She needed to leave Immediately. Before she did something stupid.
The problem was, For the first time in years, logic had failed her.
The realization hit unexpectedly hard. Maybe she was tired of logic.
Maybe she was tired of always being the sensible one. Maybe she wanted one night where she didn't have to think.
The thought terrified her. And thrilled her.
Ren was still watching her. Giving her space to decide.
That somehow made her trust him more. Which was ridiculous. She barely knew him.
But tonight, everything felt ridiculous.
Finally, she stood.
Ren immediately rose as well.
The realization surprised her.
Most men she knew would have rushed to capitalize on the moment. Ren simply settled the bill without comment.
Outside the hotel bar, cool night air greeted them. The city buzzed around them.
For a few moments they simply walked.
Neither speaking.
Camille expected awkwardness. There wasn't any.
Instead, there was awareness. A growing awareness that made every step feel significant.
Every glance.
The attraction between them wasn't fading. It was getting worse.
They stopped at a quiet overlook a few blocks from the hotel.
Camille rested her arms against the railing.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Ren asked quietly,
"Do you regret going to dinner tonight?"
The question caught her off guard.
She thought about it.
"No."
Ren looked surprised.
She smiled sadly.
"Because if I hadn't gone...", "I'd still be living a lie."
Ren's gaze never left her.
"You deserved better."
Her chest tightened.
Such a simple statement. Yet nobody had said it. Not even herself.
Because deep down, some ugly part of her had spent the evening wondering what she'd done wrong. Why she wasn't enough. Why Adrian chose someone else.
Ren seemed to read the thoughts across her face.
His jaw tightened.
"You keep looking at me like that."
His voice interrupted her thoughts.
Camille blinked.
"Like what?"
"Like you're trying to figure me out."
A smile touched her lips.
"I am."
"And?"
She laughed.
"I haven't decided yet."
"That's disappointing."
Her smile widened.
"Why?"
"Because I've already decided about you."
The words landed with surprising force.
Camille's heartbeat stuttered.
"What did you decide?"
For a second, Ren simply looked at her.
And the expression in his eyes made her pulse race.
Then he said quietly,
"You're stronger than you think."
The answer stole every sarcastic response from her tongue. Because he meant it.
Something vulnerable flickered inside her chest.
Camille became aware of how close they were standing.
Ren took one slow step forward. Their eyes locked. The attraction between them finally rose to the surface.
For one endless second, Camille thought he might kiss her.
But he didn't.
Instead, he gave her the choice.
And somehow that affected her more than any kiss could have.
Because Adrian had spent years making decisions for them. For her. Without asking what she wanted.
Ren kept asking. Kept giving her space. Kept treating her like her choices mattered.
Suddenly, Camille felt emotional..
"Sorry."
The apology came automatically.
Ren's expression changed immediately.
"No."
His voice was gentle.
"Don't apologize."
Another tear followed.
Then another.
And suddenly she hated herself. Hated that she was crying. Hated that she felt weak. Hated that Adrian still had this much power over her emotions.
Ren reached toward her. Then stopped. Giving her room. Giving her control.
The gesture nearly broke her.
Eventually, she laughed through her tears.
"What a disaster."
Ren smiled slightly.
"I've seen worse."
"You have not."
His eyes warmed.
"No."
"See?"
That earned another chuckle.
Their eyes met again.
Neither looked away.
Camille's pulse raced.
She knew exactly where this was heading. And for the first time all evening...
She didn't want to stop it.
The realization hit like lightning. Because this wasn't her. She didn't do reckless. She didn't make impulsive decisions. She certainly didn't go upstairs with strangers.
Yet standing here with Ren, every rule she'd spent years building suddenly felt fragile.
Ren must have seen something change in her expression.
Because his gaze darkened.
The tension became unbearable. Neither moved. Neither spoke.
Finally, Camille whispered,
"This is a terrible idea."
"Probably."
"You don't even know my favorite color."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Blue."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"You keep wearing sapphire jewelry."
He nodded toward her earrings.
"The shade suits you."
Camille stared at him.
Speechless.
Then she laughed.
A genuine laugh.
And suddenly something inside her gave way.
For once in her life...Camille decided not to be sensible.
She reached for his hand. The moment her fingers touched his, everything changed.
Ren looked down. Then back at her.
Something raw flashed across his face. Something intense.
Neither of them spoke.
Then, without letting go of her hand, Ren turned toward the hotel.
And together they walked back.
A few minutes later, they stepped into a private elevator.
The doors began sliding shut.
At that moment, she didn’t even think properly, all she wanted was him and he knew
Then Renault suddenly asked
“are you okay, you looked tensed”
“I’m fine”, she responded
Then he moved closely to her as the elevator got the penthouse floor
Closely to her face like he wanted to kiss her making her gasp for air
“I don’t think you are”
- Writer
