The Miracle of You

[Present Time]

–

Camille Parker sighed, letting the memories of the past fade away. What happened back then haunted her until now, with so many what-ifs in her head.

Things like, had she made the wrong decision? Should she have handled the situation in a better way?

Would it have been better for her and her family if she hadn’t let herself get swayed by her emotions?

‘Now I know why they say that eighteen is still young,’ Camille thought to herself wryly. ‘I made a few bad decisions in the past, but I thought that I was already an adult, that I was mature enough to do whatever I wanted.’

‘And now look at me, having ended up in a situation like this.’

At that moment, Camille thought of Michael and how wonderful he had been earlier. A little flush crept to her cheeks at the thought of him.

How could someone have changed so much in the span of almost fifteen years yet still felt like the same exact person back then?

That was how she felt about Michael. Even though his appearance and personality were different now, the way they interacted with each other was still the same. Being with him was such a comfort in her tumultuous yet dreary life, despite it being momentary.

And what he said earlier about meeting secretly and continuing to talk to each other…

She still didn’t know exactly what he meant about that. She couldn’t understand why he would take that risk. They belonged to rival companies, and yet…

‘I guess he’s still as carefree as ever, just like in the past,’ she thought to herself, not even realizing that a small smile was slowly curving her lips.

“Well, you certainly look chipper.”

Camille turned around to see the source of the voice with a startled expression on her face.

And it was none other than the bane of her existence.

Christian Callahan stood at the doorway of the living room, leaning against the wall with a smirk on his handsome face. “Judging by the look on your face, I presume that your little lunch date went well?” he asked casually.

Camille stiffened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said evasively.

“Oh my. No need to look so wary, my dear,” Christian said with a chuckle, still wearing that wretched amused expression. “I was just assuming how your day has been based on the smile I saw on your face just moments ago.”

Camille felt an embarrassed flush creep up her face. She hadn’t even realized that she was smiling while thinking about Michael.

And it was Christian Callahan of all people who saw it!

“I was thinking about something else,” Camille said flatly, trying her best not to show any emotions on her face and in her tone. “You’re just mistaken.”

Christian’s amused expression grew. Even though he seemed unconvinced, he decided to let it slide for now. “I see. All right, then.”

“Good night,” Camille said before going towards her room. She needed to leave quickly, or else he might say something annoying next.

“Ah, wait just a moment, my dear,” Christian said smoothly. “I have something of importance to discuss with you over dinner.”

‘Well, I knew it.’

Camille’s lips stretched into a thin line. “What is it? I’d rather you just tell me now,” she said. “If it’s about work, I’ve already given you your schedule for this month and everything that you need to prepare.”

Christian shook his head. “It’s not about work. It’s… a rather personal matter. A leisure event, to be specific, and it’s one that requires your presence.”

“What are you talking about?” Camille was getting annoyed at this point. This was one of the reasons why she thought that Christian was too irritating for his own good. He seldom spoke things directly and liked to go around in circles first before getting straight to the point. It was infuriating sometimes.

“I want you to accompany me to a social event next week,” Christian said, loosening the tie around his neck. “I’m ready to introduce you to the world as my fiancée.”

Camille froze. So soon?!

“I’ve already arranged the perfect dress for you to wear. I’ve gotten an appointment with the best stylist in the city as well to fix your hair. I only ask that you don’t embarrass me at the function. After all, I have a reputation to maintain.” Christian smirked as he took off the tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. “But of course, I’ll have to ask you to resign from your position as my secretary.”

“Wait, what?” Camille said indignantly. “That’s not what we agreed on, Christian!”

“Think about it, my dear. You should be intelligent enough to realize what it means once our relationship goes public, right?” The smirk on Christian’s face was becoming more and more infuriating by the minute. “I can’t very well have people thinking that I have favoritism or that nepotism was involved, can I? This is all for the good of the company.”

“And for your precious reputation as well,” Camille gritted out.

“Correct, my dear. As a Callahan, I can’t have negative publicity tainting my good name.”

“It has already been tainted by the unrelenting rumors about you having several women left and right,” she muttered.

“Ah, are you jealous, perhaps?”

“Dream on.”

Camille was starting to get a migraine. Every day, every minute, and every second that she spent with this man, she felt like her wrinkles were increasing and that she was aging faster than normal.

‘I really hate men like him,’ she thought to herself fiercely. ‘He should be more like…’

‘Like Michael…’

“Hmm, all right. I acknowledge that I’ve probably been selfish enough not to consider your thoughts and opinions on the matter,” Christian suddenly said, nodding his head thoughtfully. “I shall have to rectify that and make you do something first before we give the official announcement.”

‘He was toying with me,’ she realized immediately. ‘He just wanted to see my reaction. This jerk…’

“‘Probably’, you say?” Camille said sarcastically. “What is this ‘something’ that you want me to do? I told you, if it’s something illegal or unethical, I’m not going to do it. You can order your lackeys around for that kind of thing. I am not getting involved in some shady shit you’re doing behind the scenes.”

“Oh, but you’ll love this, Miss Parker,” Christian said in amusement, seemingly unfazed by all the insults that she had been throwing his way for the past twenty minutes now. “After all, it has something to do with your beloved Michael McGregor.”

Camille froze instantly, feeling her heart drop to her stomach.

How… How did he know?

Christian seemed to read her mind at that moment, because his smile grew wider. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said smoothly. “Though it pains me a little because you keep on underestimating me. I know everything, Miss Parker. I know a lot more than you think.”

She was almost afraid to ask, but she did, anyway.

“What do you know?”

A smug smile appeared on his face.

“I know that your ‘old friend’ is Michael Noah McGregor, the famous CEO of Haynes-McGregor Industries. The two of you were high school friends, weren’t you?”