I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 99

Camila White hadn't seen Alexander much since the incident at the sales gallery and suspected he was still angry with her.

But earlier that day, her friend Elena had sent her a video clip from a news report. It showed Alexander's interview after he had won the "Starry Sky" necklace for thirty million. A reporter had even asked if it was for her, and while Alexander hadn't confirmed it, he had called it a "secret."

Elena Carter had called her immediately. "Camila, does this mean Mr. Ramirez is finally going to make your relationship public?"

"He didn't say it was for me," Camila replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"He didn't have to say it directly. Everyone knows you're the one Mr. Ramirez cares about. Why else would the reporter even ask that question? Who else could the necklace be for?"

Elena's words reignited Camila's hope, but she knew she wasn't without competition. There was still that woman.

"He might give it to Natalie Watson."

"No way. If it wasn't for you, he would have just denied it. And he said it was for the most important person in his life. You're the most important person to him, aren't you?"

Camila considered this. Alexander had kept his marriage to Natalie a secret for years, a clear sign he never wanted to acknowledge her status. In contrast, rumors about her and Alexander had circulated for years, and he had never bothered to deny them.

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Camila felt a surge of anticipation. She hung up the phone and came straight to the Ramirez Building. She couldn't wait any longer.

Alexander looked up. "Something for you?"

His expression was perfectly normal, showing no sign of a surprise in the making.

Camila's heart sank, but she refused to believe it, forcing a smile. "You know, a gift or something."

She had made it as obvious as she could.

"A gift?" Alexander asked, a note of genuine confusion in his voice. "Who told you I was getting you a gift?"

His reaction was a sharp sting. Camila bit her lower lip, her eyes welling up with tears of humiliation.

Just then, a secretary reminded Alexander that his meeting was about to start.

"I have to go," he said, standing up. He instructed Aaron Lee, "See Ms. White out."

Then, he strode out of the office without a backward glance.

Camila stared at his retreating back, tears threatening to fall, her hands clenched into tight fists. She remained rooted to the spot until Aaron Lee had to prompt her. "Ms. White, this way, please."

Natalie detected a note of envy in her voice. "Are you interested?"

Ava looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, in our line of work, it never hurts to learn more, and besides, I…" Her voice trailed off as she grew shy.

"You want to be an auctioneer, don't you?" Natalie finished for her.

Ava looked surprised, then anxious. "Nora, how did you know? It's not that I don't want to be your assistant, it's just that I…"

"You don't want to be an assistant forever, right?"

Natalie smiled gently. "There's no shame in having a dream. Everyone does. I saw how intently you were observing things during the last two auctions, and I've noticed you reading books on the subject. I just put two and two together."

Ava was touched that Natalie had paid such close attention to her, but she was also worried her boss might think her ambitions were causing her to neglect her current duties.

"Nora, I promise, I haven't let it interfere with my work," she said quickly.

Natalie patted her on the shoulder and placed the two tickets in her hand.

"I support you. Take these."