Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
Camila's POV

Loud, blinding lights and a small glass of alcohol strong enough to ease any tension but not too intoxicated circulated the room. Everyone knew someone and no one really knew anyone, just a bunch of coworkers using a birthday party as an excuse to ease some stress and make new friends.

Honestly? It felt rejuvenating because I got to know that the CEO of our company is a guy in his early thirties, single, good-looking, funny and offering to share his grandma's muffin recipe with me.

“You look oddly familiar, are you sure we haven't met at a seminar, business meeting or some fundraiser?” Owen asked, slightly raising his voice because of the loud party music.

I shook my head. “Nope, you've got a face no one can easily forget.”

It was a half-truth, the chances that we've met were high since he also had some investments in some start-up tech which I distinctively remember telling my Dad about which of course was before Tyrant Marco decided to disrupt our lives. Admitting that we may have met will mean I have to explain why the daughter of a millionaire now works for stipends.

“That's weird, anyways I'm glad you're part of the company now, we could use your skills don't you think?”

I chuckled softly. “I guess so, give me a raise and a decent office then we'll see how it goes.”

“Sounds tempting, I'll take my chances.” He replied, playfully.

I laughed, wholeheartedly and forgot all about the unpleasant happenings in my life but this happiness was cut short as my phone rang. I rolled my eyes seeing the caller ID. “Hello?”

"Do you plan on keeping tabs on my life?” I cussed angrily but Marco only chuckled, as if amused by my words.

“Little wolf, how about you say hi to someone?” Je calmly stated and i was about to hang up but he wasn't done speaking. “Speak!”

“He-hello? Camila?”
I instantly recognized the voice, it was my dad's and I panicked.

“You lowly bastard! Don't you dare hurt my father, if you touch a-”

“You have twenty minutes to get here.” he interjected then hung up.

‘That sly fox!’ I cursed, loudly.

“Is everything okay?” Owen asked, worriedly.

“Yeah, no. I'm really sorry but I've got to leave, it's an emergency.” I said, hurriedly rushing out.

He ran after me and I was already flagging down a cab, my heart racing.

“Do you want me to take you? I brought my car and-”

A cab had stopped and I impatiently got in. “Oakley Street, 15th Avenue, drive, fast!” I ordered the driver, my voice tight with panic.

My breathing became uneven as I kept dialing Marco's line but he wasn't picking up. I tapped my feet,biting on my fingernails. ‘Pick up the phone you bastard!’ I muttered to myself.

When he finally picked up the phone,I barked at him.”If you dare lay as much as a finger on my father, I'll burn down your entire empire, do you hear me?”

I could hear the smugness in his tone. “You've got about five minutes left princess, get here first then we'll talk about your threat.”
I began to cuss at him but he had already hung up and the driver slowed down.

“Ma'am, is everything okay?”

“Go! Just go! Everything isn't fine.” I yelled, though it was rude, I couldn't afford the luxury of apologizing.

I paid him hastily and when we arrived at my house I impatiently yanked the car door open and dashed into the house. I forced at the doorway, Marco was seated like a brazen tyrannical king, taking a long drag of his cigar, his hunky henchmen standing behind him, shamelessly flaunting their guns while my dad sat on a little chair, covered in sweat.

“Dad!” I cried, throwing myself into his embrace. “Dad are you fine? Did he hurt you?”

“I'm fine Camila, don't worry about me.” Dad assured me.

Tears rolled down my cheeks and I heaved a breath of relief, on the way here, I had imagined the worst.

“Isn't this heartwarming? Father-daughter reunion.” Marco clapped, his voice laced with sarcasm.

“You evil spawn of Satan!” I cursed at him, loudly.

He didn't blink, didn't reply, just stared at me like I was a lunatic.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you have any conscience?”

“What is wrong with me?” He scoffed, his eyes fixated on me in a derogatory manner. “You had one job, to cook but you apparently got busy.”

His tone was quiet but pregnant with an oncoming storm.

“This is a warning Camila, you don't cross me. Trust me, you don't want to test me.” He quietly stated, a faint smile curled on his lips. He suddenly rose to his feet and took a menacing step closer to me, puffing smoke to my face.

“Go to hell!” I spat, angrily.

His smile sharpened as his eyes swept over me from head to toe like I didn't matter. “Darling.” He growled then paused to steadily hold my gaze. “I'm in hell already.” He chuckled then blew another puff of smoke on my face.

My fust clenched and jaws tightened, I wanted to scream, to stab him or grab a gun and shoot him right there but I couldn't; too much was at stake.

He turned his back on me, confidently. “I'll see you around Sergio, you have twenty minutes Camila. Twenty minutes to get home.”

Then he disappeared into the dark night, long with his goons. I collapsed into my dad's embrace once more.

“You should go.” He whispered, his voice weak and thin.

I hugged him tightly then let go of him, as I was about to leave, I looked at him one last time. “I'll explain everything soon Dad, I promise.”

He looked like he had aged a lot, his face held questions, confusion and curiosity but he understood that I had to leave. I hailed a taxi and as soon as I could, I headed back to the lion's den.

“You're ten minutes late.” Marco's voice sounded the moment I stepped inside the house. He was haughtily seated, brandishing a gun.

“What will you do? Shoot me?” I brazenly spat, anger clouding my head.

“I see you've learned how to bite, little wolf.” He mocked, smugly.

“Your business is with me, don't you dare drag my father into this.” I warned him, pointing a warning finger at him.

He laughed loudly and it annoyed the living daylights out of me. With the swift sweep of his hand, he pointed a gun right at me and cocked it, a finger on the trigger. I gulped in nervously as my stomach fell, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth but I didn't let it show.

“You think you can disobey me at will? Think again.” He smirked then fired the gun.

Adrenaline kicked in, my brain told my body to move but fear was greater, it made me remain frozen at the spot.

Bang!

The shot was fired and I shut my eyes but I felt numb, slowly I opened then to hear a muffled groan behind me. A man stood there, clutching his arm. He had been shot instead.

“That's what you get for trying to put a tracking device on me. Someone take him away.” Marco instructed and his men sprung into action.

He looked at me, his eyes mocking me. “You didn't think I was going to shoot you, did you?”

“Was that supposed to scare me?” I asked, putting on a fake bravado.

He cackled. “I have business to attend to. Don't wait up.”

He sprung to his feet and began to leave, brushing his shoulders against mine as he walked past me.

My racing heartbeat slowed down in relief but he suddenly paused.

“Camila?” He called out and I turned around to look at him. “Me shooting? You're not worth the effort, know your place.”

Then he walked away, his retreating footsteps made me cringe. His words were brief, his actions unpredictable and somehow, that was the most frightening and intimidating part.