Hundred Days

(Camilla’s POV) “A press conference?” he said, repeating the same reason why I asked him to meet me today. He scoffed in disbelief. I told him to see me at a public playground outside the City where no reporters can spot us. They wouldn't have guess this place as our rendezvous because they would have assumed us to meet in each other's apartments which is not happening ever. I’m genuinely so tired of covering my face like a criminal just so they can't snap a picture of me. I had to play it smart. He crossed his arms, shaking his head as if to tell me his strong refusal. “What do you think of me? Some kind of celebrity?” he sarcastically remarked. I gave him a bored look. “Well, aren't you? Because the last time I checked, thousands of your fans are attacking all of my social media platforms right now because they think I stole you from them and are milking you for money,” I sneered in pure hatred. I can't believe he’s so ignorant about the impact he has on his fans. A playful smile carved on his lips. “Milking?” he repeated. My cheeks heated in an instant. What else was he thinking?! I looked away, focusing my attention on the playing kids in the slides. “Look, I know what you're trying to do, okay? But didn't you see their faces when I told them I’m your fiancée? They were jealous,” he said, referring to Lester and Cindy. I furrowed my brows as I try to remember the reactions of the two. He’s right. They were very much jealous and… threatened. It was like as if they couldn't accept the fact that I won in life despite of their shameless betrayal. I bet they were expecting that I’d just cry my heart out in depression and lose in life. But… will that be worth it if it means people feasting at me on social media? “I’d like to clear my name, Mr. Trillionaire. I am not a gold digger. I can even buy you if I want!” I recklessly said. He arched his brows mischievously. “Can you?” he sarcastically asked. I looked away. The last time I checked his net worth was 1.5 trillion dollars. That's way more than all of the billionaires in the world combined. Should I just kidnap him for ransom? “Fine…” he yielded, giving me a serious stare. “I’ll clear your name to the media in one condition.” I gazed at him. “Be my fiancée for one hundred days.” ***** [The Next Day] The air at the gym crackled with the sharp scent of sweat and exertion. With my face flushed and hair plastered to my forehead, I unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on the heavy bag, my frustration spilling out with each blow. The grueling Muay Thai session is my outlet from the past six months of mixed stress and frustration. I knew that I needed more time to prepare myself before meeting the two traitors who destroyed me. That's why I found myself a new hobby where I can physically release all my frustrations. All I have to do is imagine this heavy bag as Kalel. That asshole! "Focus, Camilla!" My trainer, a stocky man with a weathered face, barked, his voice laced with concern. "You're letting your emotions cloud your technique." I grunted, my movements becoming more erratic. I was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, each one a sharp jab to my already bruised heart. I can't seem to focus my sight. All I want to do right now is blame Lester for everything. I wouldn't have needed to meet Kalel if it weren't for him. I blinked my eyes repeatedly as I tried to get a better view of my trainer’s movement. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the gym. It was my fist, fueled by a surge of pent-up anger, that had connected with my trainer's nose, drawing a bead of blood. My face turned pale white in an instant. Shit! "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I cried, my voice laced with genuine remorse. "I didn't mean to..." I desperately tried to reach for his face, only to withdraw it when he flinched. It was never my intention to hurt him. I don't even know how my fists landed on his face. I thought I was hitting the heavy bag. Nak Muay, his face contorted in pain, waved me off. "It's alright, Camilla. Happens all the time. Just try to keep your head in the game, alright?" I nodded, my guilt heavy on my chest. I sadly retreated to a corner, the image of my trainer's bloodied nose a stark reminder of how out of control I felt. I wasn't really that mad, but it seemed like the thought of letting another man enter my life without me doing nothing to do is torturing me. Being in a romantic relationship is the last thing I want to do right now. And I don't believe in love anymore. "Why, Kalel?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the thudding of the heavy bag. "Why are you doing this?" He seemed to be very determined to enter my life. But what I don't understand though is it seems like he already has everything and he doesn't need another rich woman like me. He wants me to be his fiancée for 100 days for what? I don't really see the reason. It’s all pointless. His words that night are still echoing in my head like a broken phonograph. Kalel said he knew me very well. Is that the reason why he’s oddly familiar, too?