Chapter 3 Beneath the Surface

The blast outside was still echoing in Camila's mind as she stood so rigid at the door of Alejandro's office having her heart pounding so hard in her chest.

Alejandro was also so intense as his piercing eyes locked with hers as he hung up the call. His hand held unto the receiver like it was the only thing that was holding him together.

"Who caused the explosion?" Camila asked in a trembling voice barely above a whisper. The fear in her voice was a surprise to her too. She could not tell why she was so shaken by the explosion. It was just a sound but something about it felt so personal to her.

Alejandro did not answer but stared out of the window with his expression unreadable as he set a tight jaw.

"Please tell me what is going on" Camila pressed trying to hide the terror that was spreading unto her face.

"This is none of your concern Camila." Alejandro replied so hard.

The words stung Camila more than she expected. She had only just met Mr Alejandro but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel like she was more than just some random stranger to him.

"I just returned your wallet Alejandro. I am not looking to get involved in anything" She swallowed her pride and replied.

His lips then tightened as he heard Camila mentioned the wallet. He still hasn't opened the wallet even though it was on his table. But then, Camila didn't mention the threatening note that was in it.

"You should keep going." He said he in a very low tone.

Something in his voice whispered to Camila that this wasn't a normal request. She couldn't leave, not yet. She needed to know and understand what was going on.

Camila stepped forward as her heart pounded the more. "What was that explosion please? Is it related to your business? Are you in any danger?" she asked all three questions at once.

Alejandro's eyes blazed with something so much like regret perhaps, but he quickly covered it with his usual cold look:

"I don't need you to worry about me Camila. I didn't get you into this."

"Then why didn't you tell me" Camila quickly said. "You could have been honest from the start because I am already involved whether you want me to be or not."

His look softened for a moment and Camila noticed something very different in a way Alejandro looked at her. It was as if Alejandro saw her like she wasn't some random woman who only happened to crash into him in the rain.

"I did not want you to be involved." He finally replied with his voice barely above a whisper.

Camila took a step more closely. "I don't understand Alejandro. Tell me what is going on. What are you hiding?"

Alejandro became quiet as if he was weighing the result of being honest with her. At last, he went over to the work bench and picked up the wallet. His hands rested on it for a moment and then he opened it. Camila held up her breath in her throat as she wondered if he had read the note.

He then pulled out the folded paper he found in the wallet and glanced at it with a darkened expression.

"Its not just a wallet" he said softly. "There is more that is going on that you know."

Camila's curiosity burned in her chest and she asked "What do you mean?"

Looking so frustrated, Alejandro ran a hand through his hair once again and said:

"I am not some businessman who just sits behind a desk all day Camila. I am in a war and its really getting ugly."

Camila's eyes grew wide and she asked anxiously; "A War?"

"Yes" he replied softly. "I did not just inherit a company when my Father passed away. I inherited enemies and capable ones for that matter. People who want me dead and will do anything to make that happen."

So astounded by his words, Camila took a step back. She never thought something so dangerous could be happening right in front of her, especially not with someone so polished and responsible like Alejandro Montenegro.

With a trembling voice, she asked. "Who are these people?"

"People who know not any boundaries" Alejandro replied with a cold voice. "And now, they have crossed the line. They think I am weak but they do not realize how far I can go to protect what is mine."

Camila frowned as her heart raced and she said; "But why would they come after me? I don't know anything about your business or your enemies."

Alejandro suddenly looked at her with his eyes intense and replied;

"You don't have to because when you found that wallet, you found more than just a piece of leather and some money but you found a message, a symbol."

"From them?" Camila asked so anxiously

"Yes, from those who want my downfall" he said. "And now they know about you Camila" Alejandro said with a steady voice but a bit filled with anger.

"What are you saying?" she asked with a chill down her spine.

"You are in danger now and its all my fault." He replied.

Alejandro's words felt like a cold slap to Camila. Her head was spinning. This could not be real. Was she dreaming? She asked herself. She had just met Alejandro. She was just innocent woman who had stumbled into the mess of a billionaire's life.

"And what do you expect me to do now?" she asked with a trembled voice.

"Just stay close," Alejandro said quietly. "Just stay close to me Camila and whatever you do, do not trust anyone. That's all"

Camila stared angrily at him while trying to make sense out of what he said.

"What does that mean? Am I supposed to be you bodyguard or something?" she asked angrily.

Alejandro smiled so faintly, with his expression as if he was almost mocking her but it didn't reach his eyes. "Something like that, but you don't have to be involved in this Camila. I can handle" he replied.

"But you have not handled it yet, or have you?" Camila shot back with a strong voice despite her trembling hands. "The explosion. The threats. All these are happening now."

Alejandro became silent with his jaw tightened. For a moment, Camila saw the cracks in his armoury (the vulnerability that he tried so hard to hide).

"I do not want you to get hurt," he finally opened up.

Camila took a deep breath as her heart raced more and more. The tension in the room was so thick and evident. But she was not going to back down. She wouldn't.

"Then let me help you out," Camila said very firmly, taking another step towards him. "I may not know how, but you cannot do this all alone."

Alejandro looked at Camila with an unwavering gaze. For the first time, something softened in his eyes, a flicker of something that might have been hope.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked delicately.

Camila nodded. "Yes. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

Alejandro chuckled lightly, though it was mixed with disbelief. "It seems you are a brave lady; I will give you a trial."

"I have to be brave," she replied confidently. "I'm already in this, Alejandro. There's no turning back."

A long quiet pause occurred between them. The air seemed to crackle with unspoken tension. Finally, Alejandro broke the silence, his voice low and serious.

"Then we will fight together."

But as he said those words, Camila could not reject the impression that this was only the beginning and there were far darker secrets yet to come.