Chapter 9

Camilla is now avoiding Mina from time to time as she is not sure how much she knows.

When she is alone with Derek, she feels guilty and ashamed. She decides to take a break and visit Tokyo to discuss the financing of Project Cilla.

Two weeks later, Camilla is back in Purly Group Headquarters. She is entering the room in which Derek is working.

She sees him sitting at his desk and he looks up when he hears the door open. He smiles.

"Hi. How are you doing?"

"Fine. Thanks."

"How was your meeting in Japan?"

"Good. We got the loan contract signed and we are moving ahead with the project."

"I see. Good. That's nice. Have you had lunch?"

"No. I was too busy. But I am hungry. Can we go to the cafeteria?"

They leave the office and walk towards the cafeteria. They pass through a glass door with a frosted window. There are several tables inside and they take seats next to each other.

Derek is looking at Camilla. She notices this and blushes.

"So," says Derek, "Now you have your project financed. But how do you like the Misuni Group of Japan?"

"I don't know what to say. I am just happy that everything is going well."

"Have you been introduced to any of their executives yet?"

"Yes. Mr. Hiratsuka."

"Ah yes. Mr. Hiratsuka. I met him and his wife in Tokyo. Very charming couple. Had dinner with them and their friends. You should meet them. They are very interesting people."

Mr. Hiratsuka signed the contract with Camilla very soon after meeting her. It was so easy Camilla hardly believed. Now Camilla is not worried about her project. She is wondering about her photo, did Derek heard anything during her trip.

Derek says: "Nothing special happens. Seems like nothing unusual. No one has come to me saying there is something suspicious. I don't think there's anything else to worry about."

Camilla is relieved. She can relax.

Camilla does not want to admit her feeling towards Derek. She is trying to be cool and indifferent, but she finds herself drawn to him. After so much things happen only he is reliable. The only person who treats her well.

"Derek, you know what, we have gone through a lot of thing."

"Never mind. Let us eat lunch. There's still plenty of time before it closes."

Camilla wants to say more but she is thinking of what to say.

"What is it?"

"I want to thank you. I owe you."

"Don't worry about it. Just tell me if you need anything. I'll help anytime."

Camilla feels the strength from this bulldog like man, that is something she doesn't feel much from her husband. She never thought this could happen to her. There is an untold secret. Camilla used to go back home and find out by accident her husband sleeping with another woman at home. She would never forget the look of her husband and the body of the woman - lustful like a white sheep. She always felt humiliated, but now she is feeling an excitement something she has never experienced.

After the day's work Camilla goes home late. The office seems empty so she doesn't notice two figures in high floor over watching her departure. One of them is the mysterious woman who has appeared in skirt and blouse the day Derek and Camilla received the photo and the other one is Mr. Xavier. "Julia, what do you think of her?" Mr. Xavier asks.

"She is very charming. That's why you ask me to send a fake photo to Derek?" Julia asks.

Julia wears the same short skirt and low cut blouse without underwear. She has short hair and pale skin. She looks younger than her age with a face like sculpture.

"Yes, I sent the photo to Derek. But this is not a fake photo." Mr. Xavier says, "the big show just starts."