Chapter 36: A Scheme Of A Lady
Chapter 36: A Scheme Of A Lady
Camille's POV:
I was supposed to stay.My original plan was to slowly manipulate Kate into getting rid of Serena for me.Once she was no longer useful to me, I would simply dispose of her.
That way, I would remove all obstacles that blocked me from Peter.
But now, Serena had exposed her real identity.
It turned out that she was actually a hybrid.
I initially thought this revelation would save me a lot of trouble.Serena would surely be killed, or at least she wouldn't be accepted as Peter's mate anymore.
But damn it! Why was she still in the Maple House? And it even seemed that she had been accepted by everyone.
And now, Serena had acquired the power to read minds! Why did she even have powers like that? No person in their right mind would ever want someone to see all of their thoughts.
Even though I was a proper aristocratic lady, it didn't mean I was not going to fight for love.
But I just couldn't stay at the Maple House anymore.
I thought of going back home.
Anyway, it was much better than staying at Red Maple Pack and watching Peter and Serena officially become mates.
Just imagining the scene of them kissing at the Mate Ceremony already broke my heart.How much more could I bring myself to applaud for them?
"Oh, Camille.You have finally realized that the world is a cruel place.I'm proud of you.That Kate is a silly girl.She might have the guts, but she does not have the brains.We can certainly take advantage of her anger and foolishness.But for now, leaving is a good choice for you.It is better to avoid risking having your mind read by Serena."
My wolf, Elaine, also tried to conspire a plan with me.
As soon as I arrived back in my room, I started to pack my things right away.
The next morning, I bid goodbye to Patricia and asked the driver to bring me downtown.
Suddenly, an unsatisfying feeling sat in my gut.
If I left like this, did it look like I was running away in defeat? I got dropped off at a 2-Michelin-star restaurant to grab a meal.Very seldom did I ever eat alone, and this was one of those times.
I would always have my meals with family or my best friends.
Sometimes I would eat with some boys who took me out on dates.
But in this luxurious, high-end restaurant, I sat alone.
I couldn't help but reach for my phone.
Dialing a number I had long ago memorized, I waited until the call was picked up.
"Camille? What's up?"
"Hey, Peter.I'm going back to Marseilles today..."
"Oh, so soon? Well, do you want me to have Alvin fly you back?"
My mouth gaped slightly open in shock. I thought he would even try to ask me to stay.
"Ask you to stay? Ha! You silly girl.What he really wants is for you to go as soon as possible.See, he's even offering to have Alvin fly you home already!"
Elaine taunted me in my head.
"No, thanks.I'm already in the downtown.Where are you, by the way?"
"I'm in the headquarters, dealing with some important work."
"Peter, can you...drive me to the airport?"
"I can let Alvin take you there.He should arrive in no time if I tell him now."
"No, no.No, thanks, Peter.I just wanted to see you before I leave, actually..."
"Hmm...okay, fine.Where are you now? I'll go to you."
I gave him the name of the restaurant before ending the call.
A little bit over ten minutes later, Peter's Maybach pulled up outside of the restaurant.
He came out in a crisp, white button-up shirt looking handsome as ever.
In the human world, he was known as the CEO of a famous company.But he was more than that.
He was the future Alpha of the Red Maple Pack.
He was born to be a leader.
He simply exuded maturity in all aspects.
Even after all these years, I was still so infatuated with him.
Having him near me suddenly made my body hot.
No, I couldn't leave my Peter.He was the one who kissed me under the maple tree.
"Have you eaten anything? Why don't you sit and have a meal with me?" I smiled at him.
"Thank you, but I just ate, actually.I'll just wait for you to finish."
Peter sat down and ordered a cup of coffee while waiting.
I felt much better having someone in front of me in public.
This was how I was supposed to be treated.
I should never have to eat on my own and look so lonely.
While eating, I sparked up conversations here and there.
I mentioned to Peter the first time I had been to Red Maple - how I was amazed at the beauty of the maple leaves that turned red in autumn and the delicious maple sugar.
Red Maple was indeed a beautiful place, deserving of its name.
I had even mentioned the maple tree I planted in my own hometown, Marseilles.
Of course, I purposely left out the story of our kiss.
But I was sure that Peter must have also thought about it.
Once I finished my meal, Peter generously paid for the bill and helped load my suitcase into the trunk of his Maybach.
I got in the passenger seat and Peter drove us to the airport.
How I wished he could drive slower.
I wanted this moment to last longer, even forever.
But we eventually arrived at the airport, where Peter assisted to get me a boarding pass.
"Safe trip, Camille.Notify me and Patricia once you have landed safely in France," Peter said without any emotion.No, no.I didn't want to leave Peter.
"Peter...Can you give me a hug? You know, just like old times,"
I said with hesitance, but just getting that out took so much courage for me.
"Go, Camille! That's a good first move!" Elaine cheered.
Peter, however, didn't seem shocked at my request.
It seemed that he even expected me to ask for it.
But he just stood still and didn't say anything for a moment.
"Camille...I know what you're trying to do.With what had happened between us, I just can't embrace you anymore.I have found my mate now.I love Serena.So, I'm sorry..."
Peter was sincerely apologetic.
His rejection completely broke my heart and I felt like it had been torn in two.
Tears started to form in my eyes.Peter took out a sheet of tissue from his pocket and graciously handed it to me.
"I'm sorry, Peter.I'm just...Really emotional right now.It's really not a big deal...I just need to go to the bathroom.Please excuse me.Will you watch over my luggage for a while?"
"No problem, Camille.Go."
I briskly walked to the bathroom, where I washed my face and retouched my makeup.
"Be strong, Camille.Everything will be fine.Nothing worth it is ever easy, my girl.Peter is a tough man to catch.You just need to come up with a better plan to win his affections,"
Elaine comforted me in my head.
Once I looked better again, I put on a brave smile.
As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, a tattooed man with yellow hair whistled at me.
"Hey there, hot stuff."
At first I rolled my eyes, but I suddenly got an idea.
Fishing out a hundred dollar bill from my pocket, I approached him.
"How would you like to earn an easy one hundred?" I waved the bill in his face.
"Wow, here I thought I should be the one offering you money.What do you want?"
He snatched the bill from my hand.
I gave him instructions.
Once the plan was clear, I walked back and he followed me from afar.
I skipped on the way to Peter, but when I got close enough, I purposely tripped myself.
Peter's fast reflexes led him to instantly catch me before I hit the ground.I fell into his arms gracefully.
"Oops, thank you for catching me, Peter.How embarrassing to trip in public!"
"Be careful next time, Camille."
"I will.I should go ahead and board the plane now.You should also get back to work."
"Have a safe flight, Camille."
Peter waved before turning away and leaving.
I watched as he disappeared through the gate.
"Hey, baby girl, I got the photos.How can I send them to you? You'll need to give me your number."
I gave the man my number and he immediately sent the pictures to me.
In all fairness, the photos looked believable and Peter and I looked intimate in some, even.
I chose the best ones and saved them in my gallery.Looking at the photos gave me a sense of satisfaction.
It seemed that I wouldn't be leaving just yet.I wasn't going to run away like a sore loser.I held up my boarding pass and shredded it to pieces.