Chapter 16

Camilla is in dream.

She sinks in warm foam and sweet air caresses her body. She is floating on an ocean of bliss. She is young. She is innocent. She is lost in pleasure. She cannot believe this is happening. She feels something wet and warm grow inside her body. She is filled. She is complete. She is in love. She is loved.

But suddenly the woman wearing black mask she dreamt before appears. She is beautiful and cruel. She does not speak. She only smiles and touches her. She kisses Camilla. She tastes salty. Her lips are cold. The kiss is intense and violent. Camilla screams but no one hears. Last time the woman took off her mask revealed Camilla's face in the photo. This time she whispers: "You are mine now, Camilla."

She takes off her mask and reveals Julia's face, the young woman she glanced in her office the day she was awarded with project Cilla and received the mysterious photo.

Camilla wakes up. She is naked in bed. The sheets are soaking wet. She is confused. She is not sure if it is a dream or reality. She sits up and reaches for the bedside lamp. The room of Four Season Hotel is dimly lit by the morning sun. Derek is gone. He did not wake her up when he left. She is alone.

She is frightened. She never had sex with anyone else except for her husband. She felt guilty. She was ashamed. But the zest and climax is so true and fulfilling that she can hardly contain herself. She cannot wait to be with him again.

She stands up. She goes to bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror. She sees her face. She is beautiful. She is young. She is a mother. She is perfect. Her hair is long and black. Her eyes are dark. She is tall and slim. She is beautiful. She looks so much younger than her age of thirty-two years old and is still very fit.

Don't worry Camilla, everything is in control. She calls her husband and tells him she was too drunk as the star of the show and stayed in the hotel. David comforts her that her son and him are all settled down. The she calls Derek in his office.

"Good morning, my dear," replies Derek.

"Good morning, Derek," says Camilla. "How did you sleep?"

"Very well, thank you."

Derek sounds as usual but Camilla feels different. There is a tone of happiness in his voice. It makes her nervous.

"Are you feeling better? I am sorry about what happened the other night. You were really drunk."

"I feel fine. Really. I hope there's no problem. Did anyone see us?"

"No, my dear. We were very careful. They won't know anything. Don't worry. I promise."

"Thank you, Derek. Are we going to have a talk today? Please call me this afternoon and let me know when is convenient for both of us to sit down."

"Good idea. I'll come over around 3 p.m. If it's okay with you."

"Of course," replies Camilla. She cannot concentrate actually. She knows something is wrong. Something is moving inside her.

David is a gentle and kind man, but he has not been able to satisfy his wife in bed for years. His wife has grown bored of their sexual relationship and does not seem interested anymore. He is a bit worried last night that Camilla didn't come back home but it is normal she stays in hotel after big show. But as he has no choice, he tries to keep his mind from thinking of such things. He is not a sensitive man so he doesn't hear anything usual from Camilla's call. Anyway Camilla is a virtuous and dutiful woman in every respect.

After lunch, Camilla calls Derek again.

"I will be late this afternoon, Derek. Something came up. I will call you later."

"That's okay, my dear." Derek sounds as usual. That pissed of Camilla a little bit because she doesn't feel extra intimacy from Derek's voice, after the night they had. She doesn't expect any promise and she knows it is right to appear normal in office. But still, she thinks about strange things.

She arrives at the office an hour later than planned.

When she enters the room, Derek is waiting for her with a smile on his face.

"I thought maybe you'd come earlier. How do you feel this morning?"

"Fine, thank you, Derek."

Derek smiles. His eyes sparkle. He seems happy.

"You look wonderful. Camilla, you truly are."

They are avoiding each other's gaze.

"I wanted to ask you something, Derek."

"What is it? Is everything all right?"

There is no need to say more. Camilla knows why Derek is being so friendly and kind to her. She believe she is the only woman in the world who can make him excited. But she has to finish her work first.

Camilla leaves Derek's office with a meaning and happy look at him. Derek replied with a blink no body can trace.

"See you later, my dear! I will call you when I am free this evening."

"Okay. Thank you, Derek. Good luck!"

Camilla turns and walks away.