Chapter 5 First Kiss!

"Married to a Dubai businessman? What a surprise. Is she only after rich men?" Camilla hissed, her eyes staring out the window of the car traveling between the tall buildings in Dubai.

She and Kai were now in the luxurious city, not far from the residence of the man who had been Jenny's husband. The latest news they receive makes the atmosphere even more tense, one of the detectives working on Vincent's case was found shot dead. Realizing the deteriorating situation, Kai immediately assigns Brams back to London, ordering him to help Sir Theodore investigate further.

Camilla glanced at Kai. "How do I look?" she asked as she smoothed the paisley scarf wrapped around her short blonde hair. It was tied neatly under her chin. She also wore large sunglasses that covered almost half her face.

Disguise was a must. She was unrecognizable as Camilla Bennet.

Kai turned to her and nodded with a quiet cough, hiding his sudden nervousness. Gosh, his childhood friend had now grown into a dazzling mature woman. How could he, a grown man like himself, not be mesmerized?

"If you walk past me now, I won't recognize you," Kai said with a smile.

"Come on, let's go out." Kai immediately went downstairs first and politely opened the door for Camilla. Little gestures like that always confused Camilla.

Not even that jerk Kevin had ever treated her with such sweetness.

Today, they would pretend to be lovers. Their goal was simple, infiltrate to meet someone who might have important information about Jenny.

Kai took Camilla's hand. They stepped inside a modest house located at the corner of an elite neighborhood. Its appearance does not reflect its owner who is known as one of the businessmen in Dubai. Camilla even wondered why the house was so minimalist.

Kai knocked on the door. Before long, an elderly woman opened the door, linking her eyebrows suspiciously at the sight of the two of them.

"Good morning, we would like to speak with the owner of this house. Is it possible?" asked Kai in a calm voice.

"This mine," the woman replied quietly. Her eyes stared intently as if considering who they were.

"Are you Jenny's people?"

"If that's you, please leave. After everything that bitch did to my master-"

"We just came to find out what crimes that bitch has committed," Kai cut in quickly.

"What do you mean?"

"May we come in?" it was Camilla who spoke now, her voice soft yet firm.

The woman hesitated for a moment, but finally opened the door, signaling that they could enter.

Inside, the atmosphere was calm. There were no luxuries, just simple, well-organized furniture. A stark contrast to the life Camilla had envisioned as a wealthy businessman.

"What did you come here for?" asked the old lady, who fortunately spoke fluent English. So there was no difficulty in communicating with her.

"I wanted to ask about Sir Abdullah and his ex-wife, Jenny," Kai replied straight to the point.

The old woman's face hardened. "I'm sick of hearing that woman's name. She's a traitor! And more than that, she's a very bad mother."

"Pardon me? Mother?" asked Camilla, confused.

Didn't Jenny love Diana so much that her daughter's wish to get rid of Camilla was granted?

The woman called out a name in Arabic. Before long, a little girl appeared in the living room. Her brown hair was wavy, and her eyes were light brown. She looked shy, trying to hide behind the old woman's body.

Camilla and Kai looked at each other. The girl had a charm that was hard to ignore.

"From Sir Abdullah and Jenny's marriage, they had a daughter. But after getting everything she wanted, the bitch left, leaving her daughter behind. There wasn't the slightest intention of taking her. But even if she had intended to take her, I wouldn't have allowed it," explained the old woman, her tone cold.

"This little girl doesn't deserve a greedy, demon-hearted mother like Jenny. I'll take care of her for the rest of my life, if necessary."

Kai stared at the girl for a while longer. What exactly were they dealing with? Jenny's game turned out to be much more complicated and cruel than they had expected.

"Actually, what happened between Sir Abdullah and Jenny? Hasn't Jenny been living in Paris all this time? Then why did she suddenly marry a businessman in Dubai?" Camilla asked, her eyes reflecting a deep curiosity. Either out of courage or a sudden burst of confidence, she took off her sunglasses and looked at the old woman in front of her, "I'm Camilla Bennet."

The old woman looked transfixed for a moment. Then her forehead wrinkled, trying to remember something. "Hold on ... Bennet?" she murmured. Her eyes widened instantly, and she stared at Camilla in shock. "That bitch ... Isn't she married to a rich man in New York named Harris Bennet? Oh God ... Are you his daughter?"

"I am," Camilla replied, her voice soft yet firm, "my father died a few days ago. And the way he died was ... Very weird. Just as strange as the way Jenny threw me out, the biological daughter of the late Harris Bennet. Now, the entire family estate is in her hands."

The old woman clenched her hands in her lap, her jaw hardening. "Damn it, that woman is so annoying! Ever since I first heard she was going to marry a rich man, I've been suspicious. But I chose to keep quiet ... Didn't want to deal with her anymore. As it turns out, her goal is still the same, to destroy rich families, then seize all their wealth!"

Camilla nodded. "That's why I'm here. I want to investigate all of Jenny's crimes. And I hope you'll help us."

The woman was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "Help? I'm just an ordinary person, Miss. My duty back then was only one, to protect that beautiful little princess from the bad guys."

Camilla lowered her head and looked at the girl near the woman. Her facial lines were innocent, filled with innocence and hope. However, she was unfortunate to be born to a mother like Jenny.

Kai who had been observing finally spoke up. "That's why we need your help. We believe there is a connection between Sir Abdullah's death and Jenny's actions. And the man who married her also suffered the same fate. There isn't."

The old woman's eyes widened as she stared at Kai. "Wait ... I recognize you! You -- You're Mr. Kai Theodare?"

Kai nodded. "I am."

"My God ... I've long dreamed of asking for your help to solve this case. But I realized, I'm just an old woman without any power. I can only fantasize." Her voice choked. Her old eyes glazed over as if a long-held prayer had finally been answered today.

The Theodore Law Firm is widely recognized. Theodore was not just a name, but a symbol of justice and the power of the law.

"If you've come here to expose all of Jenny's crimes," he says in a steady voice, "then I will help you wholeheartedly." His gaze was full of hope and sincerity.

Kai glanced at Camilla, before looking at the old woman seriously. "Then, let's start from the beginning. In your opinion ... Does Sir Abdullah's death seem odd?"

The woman looked at them in turn, then nodded slowly. "Very odd ...."

"Just like Mr. Harris Bennet, Jenny claimed that she was French. The first time she met Sir Abdullah was when Sir Abdullah was on an assignment in Paris and met Jenny," the old woman explained.

"Damn it. It was the same way she met my father. Even though they knew each other before."

"Has he been living in Paris or Dubai for the past few years?" Kai asked curiously.

"In Dubai."

"In that case, she was deliberately stalking my father, finding out when he was scheduled to go to Paris!" Camilla became angry when she learned this fact. From the very beginning, her father had been targeted by Jenny to meet the fate of Sir Abdullah.

"And also your ex-lover, which means he's not really from France. Have you ever heard him speak French before?" Kai asked Camilla this time.

The now blonde-haired woman shook her head. True, she had never heard Kevin speak in French. Although Diana had said on their wedding day that she and Kevin had gotten nostalgic by communicating in French, Camilla had never heard them speak in French.

"Damn it!" cursed Camilla, feeling sorry for herself for being duped by an asshole like Kevin.

"Do you suspect that someone is helping her?"

"Of course. She can't do it alone. Oh yeah, as far as I know, she was married before being with Sir Abdullah. I've investigated it myself, but Sir Abdullah doesn't know about it."

"Yes, she did have a daughter, about my age," Camilla replied.

"But, she was divorced a long time ago. I never knew who her ex-husband was. Not even my parents ...," she continued.

"Are you sure your mom doesn't know? Aren't they good friends?" Kai asked for confirmation.

Camilla looked at Kai with a meaningful face. "That's right. It's not that my mom never talked about Jenny's ex-husband, she didn't know who it was. However, as for my father, he doesn't know who her ex-husband is. He rarely met Jenny because my father was busy working abroad when Jenny and Diana visited my house."

"Let's look in your mom's mailbox," Kai suggested.

"For all I know, her ex-husband was a creepy guy. I've heard Jenny communicating with a man through her cell phone. Later, I secretly took her cell phone and saw a picture of Jenny's ex-husband ... But when I was about to tell Sir Abdullah, the next day, he was already dead ...." It was clear from the look on the old lady's face that she was still devastated and regretted not telling him sooner.

"Do you still remember the distinctive physical features of Jenny's ex-husband?" asked Kai.

"Mmmh ... Oh yeah, he had a tattoo of a coiled snake on his neck!"

"Ah, that's right! Just like that bartender guy! He often communicates with Jenny! Is he her ex-husband?"

"Bartender guy?"

***

"Shit! My son is being held hostage by Theodore?" snapped Vincent, his eyes widening when he saw the video footage of his men. On the screen, he could see his son being violently dragged by Sir Theodore into a notoriously haunted underground room.

The secret room was not particularly mysterious. However, one thing was certain, whoever was taken there would either come out incomplete or never come out at all. It was not only a prison, but also a hell for high-profile criminals.

"What should we do now, Mr?" asked the boy, nervously.

"Sir Theodare will not release your son ... Unless you turn yourself in," he continued carefully.

Vincent gritted his teeth. "Damn it! I can't just give up. I still have a lot of plans to accomplish!"

His hand grasped a cell phone. He dialed a secret number and was connected to a familiar voice.

["How far have you progressed in getting rid of that family?"]

["Didn't you see the news? They are gone. That family has been destroyed in no time."]

["Good. Tighten the surveillance on that house. Make sure the daughter-"]

["Take it easy. That damn woman will burn with her parents ... To hell."]

["Are you sure she's dead? Don't let us get caught by that woman's game!"]

["I'm pretty sure. She's a spoiled woman. Can't live without her parents."]

["We only have one person to worry about now, Kai Theodore. Don't let him investigate the accident!"]

["And also don't let Khai Theodore know that you and I are working together. If he finds out, then he will also target and destroy your life. So, make a good impression on him. As if you're devastated by their loss. Theodare's family is very close to that family. So, don't let him smell the carcass of your crime!"] Vincent said to the woman on the other side of the phone.

[I understand, I'm not a child anymore who needs to be told. Don't you miss me? I miss you. We've come this far. We won, Vincent. I want you back. It's time for us to reunite ... Stop hiding. We're already filthy rich."]

["But my son ... He's still in Theodare's basement."]

["Shit. How did he get caught? I told you from the start not to take care of that son. Born from the womb of a prostitute, he's useless. It will only make things worse!"]

["Don't talk about it anymore. That being said, don't let Theodore know what happened to the airship."]

["Alright. I'll stay alert. Don't lose contact, Vincent. I miss you very much."]

The call was disconnected. Silence. Vincent stared blankly at the white wall in front of him. A few seconds later, an insane laughter burst from his lips. His eyes burned like embers.

What exactly was Vincent's relationship with the woman on the phone?

Meanwhile, in one of the bars in Dubai, the old lady asked Kai and Camilla, if one of the bartenders was Jenny's best friend when she was still here.

Like the drama at the beginning, if Kai and Camilla are lovers.

That night, the atmosphere inside the bar was not too crowded. The dim lights reflect a purplish-blue light onto the exposed brick walls, creating a deep sense of mystery. EDM music blared from the speakers, loud enough to drown out casual conversation. Among the crowd of people, two figures stole the show despite their efforts to be inconspicuous.

Kai, who was still in his disguise, grasped Camilla's hand gently as if they were lovers enjoying a romantic evening. Camilla was still wearing a scarf and wide sunglasses, hiding most of her face. Kai looked casual in a hat and dark jacket. They walked towards the long bar table, their steps steady yet relaxed.

As per the description of the old lady, the bartender they were looking for had piercing blue eyes, dark brown hair, and most strikingly, a tattoo of a snake coiled on the side of his left neck.

"One moment ...." Kai muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowed. "that tattoo ... Why does it look familiar?" he whispered to Camilla, barely audible over the pounding music.

Camilla turned her head slightly. "Who?" she asked probingly.

Soon, the tattooed man approached them. "Good evening, Mr ... Miss ... How may I help you?" his voice was calm, almost professional, but his eyes seemed to be assessing them.

"I'd like to order two bottles of champagne," Kai said, holding up two fingers.

"All right," the bartender replied unsuspectingly.

Soon, the drinks were served. Camilla started acting as planned. She made her voice loud enough for the bartender to hear.

"Ah, right! That woman ... Jenny! Didn't she just marry a rich businessman?" she said as if surprised, "and now she's inherited her late husband's entire fortune!"

Kai sipped his drink slowly, glancing at the bartender who seemed to be listening silently.

"I want to be like her," Camilla continued, her voice light but full of meaning, "cunning, but smart. In just a few days, she has become the new ruler of the business world."

The crowded bar, though busy, did not make Camilla lose focus. Her role that night was going smoothly.

Kai noticed the bartender's expression. "What's wrong?" he asked suddenly, taking the tattooed man by surprise.

But the bartender just shook his head and resumed his work.

"He knows her," Kai murmured to Camilla in a whisper.

"Is the listening device in place?" asked Camilla.

Kai touched the underside of the counter, making sure the little device was active. "It is. Now we continue. Do you still want a drink?"

Camilla nodded. They walked to a rather quiet corner of the room and found a small round table by the window.

A few glasses later, Camilla began to lose control.

"I hate him," she muttered to herself, and then chuckled, "Kevin ... What a two-faced bastard! He thinks he can break me? He thinks I'll cry forever?" her voice grew louder, making Kai rush over and calm her down.

"Camilla, enough. That's enough, you're going to get drunk!"

But the woman raised her glass again. "To traitors! To cowardly men!"

Kai let out a long sigh. "You're drunk."

Camilla looked at him with eyes red with alcohol and pent-up anger. "But you ... You're different. You want to help a woman in poverty."

Kai was about to reply, but Camilla's lips were already on his. Without warning, she kissed Kai. Not a gentle kiss, but full of explosive emotions.

Frustration hurt, and a longing for security.

As a grown man, he was no hypocrite. He had wanted to kiss Camilla for a long time. The kiss felt so soothing.

Would their kiss end in bed? And what if Camilla woke up later, would she regret her actions? And what about the investigation into Jenny and Vincent who were still wanted by Theodore?