Camilla found him alone, moments after his conversation with Mr. Orellana. Daniel had stepped into one of the side rooms a private lounge draped in rich velvet and lined with antique books and aged whiskey bottles to take a call.
"Daniel."
Her voice was soft, almost too soft, echoing through the hush of the room.
He turned slowly.
"Camilla."
She closed the door behind her, arms crossed, her red dress hugging her like armor. But her eyes… her eyes were sharp and confused.
"You're really going through with this?" she asked. "You? Marriage?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Why not me?"
She let out a dry laugh. "Don't do that. Don't act like this is normal. You never believed in any of that. Commitment. Love. Attachment."
He said nothing, simply folding his arms across his chest.
"You told me once," she continued, stepping closer, "that you weren't made for love. That you couldn't give yourself to anyone… because of what you carry."
Still, he didn't flinch.
"And now suddenly, you're marrying a girl no one's ever heard of?" Her voice tightened. "What are you doing, Daniel?"
He met her gaze, cool and unreadable. "People change."
"No. Not you." Her voice dropped. "Not with what you're hiding."
The room went still.
Daniel took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable but his voice sharp.
"Be careful, Camilla."
She blinked.
"What I'm hiding…" he said coldly, "is no longer your concern."
Her jaw tightened. "And what if she finds out? That little waitress of yours what happens when she sees what's behind your perfect suit and expensive words?"
Daniel's smile was slight. Dangerous.
"If she finds out… she won't have a choice."
Camilla's breath caught in her throat.
"You're playing a dangerous game," she whispered.
He leaned in just enough for his voice to darken.
.
.
.
Jade followed the hallway in search of Daniel after a server mentioned he'd stepped aside. She wasn't trying to snoop just looking for him. But as she reached the corner near a velvet curtain, Camilla's voice stopped her.
"…you might want to think twice before tying yourself to someone who doesn't even know the full story."
Jade froze in place, hidden just behind the curtain.
Daniel's voice followed, calm but sharp.
"And what story is that, Camilla?"
Camilla gave a bitter laugh. "Please. You think just because she's wearing designer now, she belongs in your world? If she knew who you really were what you're hiding she'd run."
A silence.
Then Daniel replied, voice lower… controlled.
"I'm not hiding anything."
Camilla scoffed. "You really expect me to believe that?"
"Believe what you want,"Daniel said. "But there are no secrets. Not anymore."
Jade stood there, heart thudding.
He sounded honest. Too honest.
Like someone trying very hard to sound honest.
And that, somehow, made it worse.
She stepped back slowly, not making a sound, and walked away quickly, heels clicking like a ticking clock.
"There are no secrets."
Then why did it feel like everything around him was a maze of them?
.
,
The room buzzed softly with the gala's chatter, crystal glasses clinking, laughter floating through the air. Daniel stood near a grand window, watching the city lights shimmer.
Suddenly, a shadow fell beside him.
"Back so soon?" Daniel's voice was calm but held a hint of challenge.
Camilla smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief and something sharper. "You think you can just walk away from me?"
He raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize I needed permission."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a teasing whisper. "You might want to think twice before tying yourself to someone who doesn't even know the full story."
Daniel's gaze darkened. "And what story is that, Camilla?"
She smiled wickedly. "The one you're trying so hard to keep buried. But secrets like yours… they don't stay hidden forever."
He looked her dead in the eyes. "Neither do my patience or my warnings."
Camilla laughed softly. "Oh, I'm not here to warn you, Daniel. I'm here to remind you: not everyone's as blind as you think "
Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Daniel staring after her, a flicker of unease behind his composed mask.
He really starting to be exasperated from Camilla attitude.
,
.
,
It was already time for Daniel to leave. As always, he excused himself politely to Mr. Orellana, who simply nodded with a knowing smile. Enzo never judged Daniel for leaving early and he never gave weight to the strange rumors that always seemed to surround him.
When Daniel wanted to disappear, he did. Cleanly. Quietly.
.
.
.
In the car, Jade leaned against the seat, still processing the evening , especially the weird conversation between Daniel and Camilla
Daniel glanced at her. "You handled yourself well tonight."
"Hmm, thanks. It's a gift," she muttered sarcastically.
He smirked, but didn't reply.
They arrived in front of her house. Daniel didn't get out he just turned slightly to face her.
"Tomorrow," he began, voice calm but firm, "you're moving into the penthouse."
Jade blinked. "What?"
"I want you settled before the wedding. One month from now, we'll make it official. Publicly. So say your goodbyes."
She looked at him, still half in disbelief.
"To your mother," he added. "And that... 'friend' of yours. Gabriel."
Jade narrowed her eyes. "He's family."
Daniel gave a nonchalant shrug. "Then he should be happy for you."
She opened the door, stepping out slowly. Before closing it, she leaned down, smirking.
"You like giving orders, huh?"
Daniel looked at her with that calm, unreadable gaze.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
The door shut.
Jade stood there a moment, watching the black car disappear into the night.
"One month…" she whispered. "Living with him? I must be insane."
But part of her… was curious.
.
.
The door creaked softly as Jade stepped into the house. The lights were off, and the living room bathed in darkness. Only the ticking clock filled the silence.
Her mother was already asleep.
Jade slipped off her heels, walking barefoot across the floor. Her dress shimmered faintly under the moonlight sneaking through the window. She glanced at her reflection still elegant, still composed and let out a long sigh.
That night had felt like a dream.
A sparkling world of diamonds and whispers.
And yet… something about it felt sharp beneath the glitter.
She climbed into bed, eyes wide open, thoughts circling like moths around a flame.
*"What have I gotten myself into?"*
But for some reason… she wasn't ready to run away.