THE VENGEFUL HEIRESS

CHAPTER 4

~ CAMILLA ~

“It's just a phase.”

I reread Mira's text over and over again.

It didn't calm me down today though.

It's just a phase but the phase had lasted for over two weeks and the bank card she gave me was slowly running low on cash.

It's just a phase but I still felt miserable even though the news about me cheating on my honeymoon had died down.

This is not a phase. It isn't. If I don't find a solution to my problem, this phase will last forever.

But where do I start?

Job hunting? I've done that. But that was when the news had not died down. And I managed to land one at a bar Mira recommended. Albert f****d it up for me.

I dropped my phone before standing up, my eyes raking over the disaster of a sitting room. This isn't how Mila left her place but—

There.

That feeling again.

The one that made me quit my bartending job.

A shaky breath escaped my lips as I hurriedly stripped while walking to the bathroom. I closed the door and increased the hot water to the max before stepping under the shower.

It hurts.

I feel disgusted… with myself.

But I endured, gritting my teeth as the hot water cascaded down my skin, burning my flesh. This is the only way I could get rid of Albert's touch for some hours.

Rinse and repeat. Made me leave my job. No firm wants a worker that's always taking hot baths every two hours or always washing their fingers.

I stepped out of the bathroom naked, feeling miserable again. I still never told Mira why I left the job. I think it's high time I let her know that I'm slowly losing myself. Each time the hot water burned my skin, I felt like a part of me was closed for some hours but then, the hole in my chest always widened.

Mira always has a solution.

She didn't pick up on the first ring and the call went to voicemail. I dialed her second phone and she finally picked up, her voice coming out low.

“Booboo, what’s up?.”

“Mira I have a problem.” I said, trying to keep the fresh tears from falling.

“If it's about the card. Don't worry, you can finish the money. I don't want Father to think that I'm adding money to an account that's still a little full that's why—”

“No, not that Mira… not that…”

“Can you tell me over text? You know, so he won't suspect anything.” She suggested.

I nodded even though she couldn't see me as the line cut, my hands shaking as I typed everything.

After a question and answer session over text with Mira, her final text came in,

“I believe you just need someone to wipe his despicable touch off your soul and body.”

I read.

I read it again. And again. And again.

She's right.

I didn't really think about it as I typed back a ‘thank you'. Mira doesn't need to be blunt with me. Even if she spoke in code, I would understand. And right now, I know what to do.

Just this night.

This alone.

After this, I'm starting afresh.

My heart hammered in my throat as I rummaged through the closet of the new clothes I'd bought. I didn't find anything suitable so I just threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt. I picked up my phone which had the card in its pouch and stepped out of the homely cottage after locking the door.

I hailed a cab which dropped me at Gucci - the closest designer store to Mira's place.

Some minutes later, I came out as a different person, my hand clutching a mask which came with the skimpy dress I'd bought.

My grip on my new purse tightened as I hailed another cab straight to a high-end bar.

Mira had sent me the bar code to use with the caption - “Go f**k a d**k that's higher than his.”

And yes, if you are really persistent on going astray and living life to the fullest, Mira is the perfect bet.

Tonight, I'm not Camilla Markham.

I'm just a broke b***h in six inch high heels with a skimpy red dress decorated in gems and a matching mask, face bereft of makeup except a red lipstick.

This is not my first time going to a high end bar. But this is my first time going… dressed like this, going for this, at this hour of the day, without Mira.

I pushed the thought aside as I stepped in after strapping my mask in place. The guard didn't question me about my mask after I showed him the barcode Mira had forwarded.

I dropped my purse and sat on a barstool, waiting patiently for the bartender to attend to me.

Some minutes later, he walked towards me, a polite smile on his face.

“What's your order?”

A man who's on the same page. “Something strong.” I said instead.

At that moment, another person settled into the tall swivelling chair beside me and the scent of woody plus mint scent suddenly flooded my nostrils.

I turned, my breath hitching in my throat as my eyes landed on him.

Straight nose, eyebrows that looked like it was carved by the gods themselves, sleepy eyes that made him look like he just woke up, strong angular jaw, ivory skin, curly hair that looked like he'd ran his fingers through it many times. He ran his fingers through his hair for real, and my mouth parted on its own accord.

I gulped before flashing him a tight-lipped smile.

He only spared me a short glance before turning to the bartender.

Then, I turned back to the bartender who's standing before him.

“What would you like to get?”

“Something strong enough to make me a little tipsy.”

His voice. So deep, deeper than Albert's. Or wait… oh my gosh.

I adjusted on my seat, my eyes on the bartender who smiled, his eyes darting between him and me.

He moved to the back of the bar. I watched him mix various poisons together before coming back with two glasses on the same tray. He placed one before me and as he placed another one before him, he said,

“I'd decided to name this ‘one night stand’. You guys gave off that vibe.”

I smiled nervously as my fingers curled around my drink, my mouth latching to the straw and I gulped the content, cringing a little. It was sweet at first but as it slid down my throat, it burned like alcohol. I made a mental note to ask Mira what it's called because I know it's not ‘one night stand’ like he had said.

Opening my purse, I slipped out my phone, wanting to take a picture to send to her when her text entered.

“Have you met your charming prince yet?” She'd typed.

I shook my head and typed back as I slurped on the straw.

“Not really. I'm sitting beside one hot stuff now though. The bartender named our drinks ‘one night stand’. We ordered the same thing.”

The three thought dots showed before her text came in.

“Oh my gosh. He's yours for tonight. Make the first move if he doesn't.”

I dropped my phone as I stole a glance from the peripheral of my vision. I choked on my drink when I noticed his gaze was fixed on me.

“Hiii…” I said nervously.

His eyes were fixed on me and he looked… bored? Disgusted? I don't know but I decided to go for that later. Just his face and aura alone told me he doesn't belong to the lower echelons.

I touched my mask. Does he recognise me? Was that why he's disgusted? Well, I can't blame him. I disgust me too.

Choking down a sob, I closed my purse and hopped down the stool.

Wrong choice.

My mouth snapped open in shock as my six inch heels tilted to the side, my feet tilting with it as I landed on his lap, my hand gripping the edge of the marble surface for support.

Time seemed to stop still as I slowly titled my head up. He didn't even touch me. His eyes were wide open in shock as if he'd seen a ghost and his fingers were hovering over my shoulders as if contemplating whether to pull me up or leave me there. His mouth was pulled up in disgust while he'd confusion in his eyes.

I choked back another sob as I staggered to my feet, resting on my other foot as I touched my mask again, while bowing.

“I'm so sorry. It wasn't intentional I swear.”

He said nothing.

I slowly tilted my head up.

Confusion was fully etched on his face now.

His mouth opened to speak but I wasn't expecting what he said,

“Can you touch me again?”

Huh?

With quivering lips, I hesitantly touched him. He stared at my finger which was poking his hard skin in astonishment as if it was a puzzle he needed to solve.

“Can I touch you?” He asked.

My eyes widened. This was what I wanted okay?

I nodded and he grabbed my hand.

His grip was firm but didn't hurt. I stepped closer to him, now calm as he snaked his fingers around my waist, confusion still evident on his face.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm yes, I am.” He replied.

I smiled, pulling his head closer to whisper into his ear. “Should we fulfill the purpose of our drinks?”

“One night stand?” He asked.

I nodded.

“Yes. I believe we are on the same page." I whispered, my eyes darting between his eyes and his lips as I slowly moved forward.

I closed my eyes, closing off his confused look as I pressed my lips against his.