Chapter 32 when my own kind is the enemy


    ALESSANDRO’S POV


    It was a sunny day outside, with beaming sunlight dazzling the office area through the French window.


    A lively day with a lively expression, but somehow not for me, since without Victoria, nothing feels right


    anymore in my life.


    I have been working with E Shine on the auction project for thest two weeks. I personally invested


    my time there only to get a nce at her.


    And I got it. However, those two weeks were so dreadful that it almost felt like a trip to hell, causing


    great emotional distress to my soul.


    I used to walk into E Shine daily, observe the beautiful fairy from afar, and leave after being


    reprimanded, preparing for the next day. This routine continued, and I was never able to speak to her


    about anything unrted to work. She would ignore me unless there was a work-rted topic to


    discuss.


    To worsen the case, that son of bitch! Her assistant. Don’t know what is that fucker’s problem. He


    would always trail behind my Victoria as if she grew a new tail in the form of a human being!


    At some point, it felt like his every move was intentionally against me. He seemed so close to Victoria;


    their bond was way deeper than a boss, and her assistant should have.


    Whenever I see him with her, I feel a strong urge to physically harm him and then take the woman for


    myself, bringing her to my bed and keeping her there!


    Fuck!


    I have never been so confused in my entire life. From one perspective, I desire to put an end to the


    nonsense of auctions. Just waiting for it to end, and thankfully this afternoon, this drama is going to


    stop.


    On the other hand, I am devastated just thinking I can’t find any excuse to see her tomorrow.


    I shook my head and closed my eyes to inhale a deep breath and calm down. I need to focus on


    something. Anything that could divert my mind from Victoria, at least for the time being.


    I stood and walked to the shelf with important official files and projects.


    I brought out one file from the row. Wait... What is this file? No mark in it, as all the official files had


    numbers in them.


    I opened it only to stand stunned on the spot; the file had our divorce papers inside. My foremost grief.


    It seemed the universe didn’t want me to concentrate on something else other than Victoria and my


    helplessness.


    I couldn’t control my annoyance anymore and tore it into pieces before throwing it on the floor. I don’t


    give a fucking danm about this divorce!


    For me, she is still my wife, and she only belongs to me.


    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Nothing in my life was working; everything seemed to stop in one ce, Victoria.


    Even no evidence has been found of that night of the ident. The girl that saved me has not been


    captured in any photos in the evidence list.


    Calvin is continuously working on it. I have stopped his other work. Even I hired a new assistant just to


    give him everything he needed. Still, nothing came up.


    I was so frustrated, and sometimes, it felt like my head would burst away.


    Unfortunately, my wife was harmed as a result of my one major blunder. And now, I am suffering to


    death. I’m not sure whether there’s any way out.


    I really wish I could go back to three years ago, and I promise that I wouldn’t make any mistakes and


    will treat her like the royalty she deserves.


    Just one fucking chance...


    Knock~ knock~


    A knock on the door interrupted me, and when I looked up, Cami walked inside, wearing a ck


    slitted bodycon gown.


    She is beautiful, of course, but no beauty could reach my Victoria; she is the epitome of gorgeousness.


    My brows immediately furrowed in annoyance.


    “What are you doing here?” I asked.


    “What am I doing here?” She narrowed her eyes and then came over to me. “Oh, Aless,e on.


    Don’t be so silly. Did you forget we have to attend an auction tonight? I am so excited for ‘Beloved’!


    Let’s go!”


    She said, dragging my hand, and I smacked that away. “Keep your hands to yourself,” I growled at her.


    This is thest time for you and me, Cami. Once I get the ring for you, you are out of my life...


    ****


    VICTORIA’S POV


    “Did you check the list properly? The guests arrived? Are they satisfied?” I asked question after


    question to Daniel, and he held me by my shoulder.


    “Calm down, boss. Take a deep breath.”


    “But...” I tried to retort, yet he didn’t let me.


    “No, buts… take a deep breath first.” He said, and I did.


    “Okay, good. Just rx. Everything has been settled ording to your n. Rx and then y it!”


    He encouraged me, and I smiled, inhaling another deep breath.


    I had a hectic schedule over the past two weeks, and having Alessandro around made it challenging for


    me to manage. However, I managed to handle everything quite well, and Daniel was a huge help in


    keeping Alessandro at bay. As a result, my friendship with Daniel has grown stronger, and I don’t find


    him less than Antonio now. He is a sweet brother and a fresh breath.


    I was standing at the entrance, weing all the guests. This is my very first exhibition, and I need to


    focus.


    While I was standing with Daniel, I saw Alessandro and Cami walking inside. Of course, their arms


    were tangling together.


    I hardly focused on their appearance and smiled politely.


    “Wee,” I said, and Daniel gave the flower bouquet to Cami. As the supporter of the auction,


    Alessandro would get special treatment, obviously. At least, I can’t deny the professional facts over my


    personal grudges.


    Cami took it. Her face was shing a victorious smile. But, unlike her, Alessandro’s mood was sullen.


    Well, he was always like that, though; I never thought with his favorite woman besides, he would still be


    so stiff.


    Anyways, today is not about him but me.


    They went inside, and I could feel Alessandro’s eyes on me. I don’t really understand why. Even these


    two weeks, he was like that. Never approached to tell me anything but kept staring.


    What is this obsession of his?


    “Is that guy the Designer Victoria’s ex-husband?”


    I heard a murmur when Alessandro passed me with Cami in his arms. I knew this woulde my


    way and was ready to ignore it.


    “Yes, I heard that she took a divorce fortune to work here, and she is still in a rtionship with her ex-


    husband!”


    “Then who is that woman with him? Isn’t she the top model, Cami White?”


    “Yeah, she is. Unlike Victoria, she is more suitable with Alessandro Devonte.”


    “I am d he divorced her. I think that woman should be put down in her ce soon. Who knows what


    she is nning next? To get on Mr. Edwards’s bed?”


    I felt thoroughly disgusted with each word that was crossing my ears. The rumors were getting too


    obnoxious with time.


    I don’t know why people can’t just think otherwise about a woman. Why is a woman always the one to


    be med and used?


    Why can’t people think they can get sess without a connection?


    Why would they always shake their head and question a woman’s career sess? The thing that


    made me feel most ridiculous was the recurring question asked by women. How can I even me a


    man for this when my own kind is the enemy?


    Sigh... I shook my head.


    I felt a slight touch on my shoulder. When I looked up, it was Daniel watching me with concern.


    “Hey, it’s alright. Don’t think about them. Haters gonna hate, don’t you know? Just focus on your


    special day.”


    I smiled at his words.


    “Where is your brother? He said he woulde!”


    “Oh!” He gasped as if he had just remembered that he had a brother and smiled meekly, “I am calling


    him right now. You can begin the auction," he said before quickly departing with his phone in hand.


    Taking a long deep breath, I walked onto the stage as the curious eyes settled on me. This is the time


    to start the auction. My first ever step toward the professional world...


    ****


    The small velvet box was disyed on the counter. Thest jewel of the auction. ‘Beloved’ and the


    most awaited one.


    I really desired this ring and admired it as a beautiful creation. Even though I could have asked my


    father or Antonio to give it to me, and they would have dly done so, I chose not to take it.


    This piece is called ‘Beloved,’ and I hope this goes to the person who is really suitable for the name.


    My auction day went really well, and thisst piece remains. Every other thing has been sold out, and I


    am highly curious about this.


    However, keeping everything aside, I felt Alessandro’s gaze all over me the whole time. I won’t deny


    that it gave me a little encouragement to go on with confidence.


    With a deep breath, I started introducing the beautiful jewel on disy.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, finally, we dropped to ourst piece, the most famous and awaited piece of


    jewel. This pink diamond is named ‘Beloved.’ It is clear and wless, which gives it a high collection


    value. This diamond starts at one million dors, and the auction will begin.”


    “One million,” I heard the deep voice for the first time he came here. Alessandro. He just bid for it. And


    why am I not surprised with Cami beside him?


    “Two million.” One man said.


    After a brief moment, a voice uttered the words "five million." I looked toward the source of the voice


    and realized it was Alessandro. Immediately after, “five million” came from Alessandro, and I noticed


    the joyous expression on Cami’s face, which stirred my emotions. I was certain that he intends to


    purchase this for her.


    I gulped the lump that started coiling in my throat. Even though I don’t want to care, my mind is forcing


    me to care.


    However, work is work, and I can’t let my emotion take over me.


    “Mr. Devonte bit thest in Five million. Anyone else?” I looked around the hall, but no one dared to


    raise their hand. “No one as we see. So, let me seal it for five million. Five million one, five million two,


    five million...”


    “Ten million.” Just before I said three, another deep and firm voice interrupted me as everyone turned


    their attention to the entrance.


    Jayden Craig just entered the hall with a mischievous smirk on his face...