5

She wasn't really listening to him, her gaze becoming cold and distant.

- If you really want to be with this woman, why don't you do it?

This question struck him with force. Maybe he was wallowing in illusory comfort. But deep down, he knew he was drawn to something deeper with Emily.

- Camilla, I really like you. I don't want to hurt you.

- But you do it. You have to choose, Logan. That's the reality.

Camilla's words resonated within him, and he knew he was at a decisive crossroads. Desires and emotions clashed inside him, and he knew he would have to make a decision soon.

One question haunted him: what mattered most? Fleeting passion or authentic love? The days to come would be decisive, and he realized that he could no longer ignore how he felt about Emily.

The week following the gala was a dance of hesitations and underlying tensions. Logan found himself caught in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings, his heart heavy as he tried to juggle the demands of his double life. On one side was Camilla, his charismatic, strong and dominating partner, and on the other, Emily, whose sweetness and vulnerability captivated him in a way he had never anticipated. The dichotomy between these two women continued to deepen, and Logan knew he couldn't stay on this tightrope forever.

That evening, he was invited to a social event, a charity gala hosted by Camilla. The twinkling lights of the ballroom were almost dazzling, and the atmosphere was thick with excitement. Guests moved in groups, their laughter and conversations mingling with the lively music. But as Logan settled into Camilla's arm, he felt a dull tension, a feeling that something was wrong.

Camilla, elegant in her red evening dress, attracted all eyes. She had this unique ability to be both the queen of a room and a force of nature. Logan stood beside him, but he felt strangely out of place, almost like a spectator in his own life. Every smile she gave to the others made him even more aware of the distance that was growing between them.

As they had a drink at the bar, Camilla turned to him, her piercing gaze assessing his every move.

- Logan, you seem a little thoughtful tonight, she said, looking into his eyes. What's on your mind?

He hesitated, searching for the right words, but he knew any attempt at escape would be futile.

- Nothing, really. Just a lot of work and... things to deal with.

She raised an eyebrow, visibly skeptical.

- It doesn't sound like nothing. There's someone else, isn't there?

Logan felt his heart race.

- Camilla, I...

- Don't play with me, Logan. I know something is bothering you.

The look she gave him was both authoritative and determined. He knew he had to choose his words carefully.

- It's just that I... I'm starting to get a little tired of all this, all this circus, I guess.

His tone softened slightly, but his gaze remained hard.

- The circus, or the women around you?

Logan looked away, uncomfortable. This conversation was getting more and more difficult.

- Camilla, I assure you that I am here for you. But...

- But what?

She leaned forward slightly, the intensity of her gaze forcing him to confront his own demons.

- But I want to be honest with you. I have doubts.

She stood up, anger emerging in her eyes.

- Doubts? On what?

Logan pursed his lips, knowing he had to be careful.

- About... our relationship, about what we have.

Camilla crossed her arms, turning away slightly.

- You have never expressed such doubts before. Is it because of Emily?

Just saying Emily's name made his throat tighten. Logan didn't know how to answer. He could feel the storm brewing inside him.

- Look, it's not about comparisons. I mean, I appreciate what we have...

She cut him off, her tone sharp.

- You like what we have, but you're attracted to another woman. It's not okay.

Logan took a deep breath.

- It's not a question of one or the other. Emily is different. It has layers that I want to uncover.

Camilla looked at him with an intensity that made his blood run cold.

- Want to explore layers? Do you want to play explorer with a girl who has no idea who you really are?

The look Logan gave him was filled with conflicting emotions. He knew that what he felt for Emily wasn't just a whim. He had spent time with her, had discovered facets of her personality that irremediably attracted him.

- She's not like that.

At that moment, Logan understood that the confrontation was only beginning. Camilla stood up straighter, her demeanor changing to one of aggressive defense.

- And how do you know she's not manipulating you, Logan?

A shiver of frustration ran through him.

- I don't know, but I'm attracted to her, Camilla. I can't ignore it.

She gave him a piercing, almost painful look.

- So what do you want me to do? That I let you go? Let me tell you this is acceptable?

Logan pursed his lips.

- What I want is understanding. I struggle with my feelings.

The anger in Camilla's eyes slowly faded, giving way to a sadness Logan had never seen before.

- I thought we had something special, Logan.

He felt crushed by guilt.

- I want you to know that this is not a rejection. I'm not trying to hurt you.

She sighed, her hand on the bar, as if searching for a grip.

- Maybe you should ask yourself questions about what you really want.

Their eyes met for a moment, a fleeting wave of understanding passing between them. But this moment was quickly interrupted by the arrival of a group of guests, and Logan suddenly felt trapped.

In the middle of the evening, he noticed a familiar figure through the crowd. Emily, dressed in a simple but elegant dress, walked forward with a shy smile. He felt as if time stood still.

Camilla noticed him too and turned to him, her face closing again.

- That's the other woman, right?

Logan felt his heart race.

- Camilla, it's not what you think.

She didn't listen to him, advancing towards Emily with a determined approach.

- I'll talk to him.

Logan tried to hold her back, but she had already disappeared into the crowd.

He followed her, anxious, feeling that everything he had tried to hide was about to burst. Camilla stood facing Emily, arms crossed, a defiant expression on her face. Logan approached just in time to hear Camilla speak.

- And who are you exactly?

Camilla's voice was icy. Emily, visibly surprised, took a moment before responding.

- I'm Emily, a client of Logan's.

Logan felt his heart tighten.

- Camilla, wait...

But she ignored him, focused on Emily.

- A customer, you say? What are you really looking for with him?

Emily seemed a little caught off guard, her gaze darting from Camilla to Logan and back again.

- I...I just appreciate his help.

- Oh, really? Camilla said, sarcasm piercing her voice. Are you here to "appreciate" his help, or for something more?

Logan stepped forward, ready to intervene, but Emily beat him to it.

- I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm just...

Camilla cut her off again.

- Just what? Bringing complications into Logan's life?

Logan stood between the two women, the tension palpable, like a rope ready to snap.

- Camilla, stop, you don't have to talk to Emily like that.

- Oh, I understand now. You are the perfect gentleman, Logan. But remember you are in a relationship. You have obligations.

Emily, her eyes slightly lowered, began to back away, feeling the weight of the confrontation weighing on her.

- Maybe I should leave, she said in a trembling voice.

- No, Emily, wait! Logan shouted.

But she had already moved away, and his heart ached at the thought of hurting her.

- Look what you've done, Camilla hissed, turning on him with intense reproach.

- I'm just trying to deal with the situation, Camilla. I didn't want it to happen like this.

She rolled her eyes, visibly frustrated.

- Maybe you should start being a man and choosing what you really want.

Logan felt anger rising within him, but he suppressed it.

- I never wanted it to be like this, I...

- No, you wanted to have it both ways. And now see where this takes you.

Camilla's words echoed in his mind, leaving him at a crossroads. He realized that he had to face the reality of his choices, no matter how painful they were.

He looked around, desperately searching for Emily in the crowd, but she was gone. The party continued around him, but he felt completely lost, as if he were suspended in space, the two women beckoning him on either side.

Logan turned back to Camilla, his face marked with new determination.

- I'm going to find her.

She stared at him, her eyes flashing.

- Do you really want to do this?

He nodded, giving her no choice.

- Yes. I have to do it. I'm going to choose, and it starts now.

With this resolution in mind, Logan walked away, determined to find Emily and discover the truth behind how he felt about her.

Logan stood in front of the mirror, the dim light of his apartment casting a soft glow on his face. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to clear away the confusion that had been plaguing him for days. The confrontation with Camilla had left him in a state of anguish, and the manner in which he had let Emily escape weighed heavily on his heart.

His phone vibrated on the counter, pulling him from his thoughts. A message from Camilla.

*"We need to talk. Following me. Tomorrow at 7 p.m. »*

He felt a shiver run down his spine. The ultimatum he feared was finally here. He knew Camilla was determined, that she wouldn't let things drag on. She wanted an answer, and he couldn't run away from his responsibilities forever. What he had with her was strong, but with each passing day he realized that what he felt for Emily was just as powerful, if not more so.

The next day, as he headed to the luxurious hotel where Camilla had summoned him, his heart was racing. The elevator took him to the top floor, and he took a moment to breathe deeply before opening the door to the suite.

Camilla was waiting for him, dressed in a black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, a serious expression on her face.

- You're on time, she said, her tone icy.

Logan forced himself to smile, although it was difficult for him.

- I guess that's a good thing.

She invited him in and closed the door behind him, the atmosphere immediately filled with palpable tension.

- Sit down, she said, pointing to a leather sofa. We have things to discuss.

Logan sat back, aware of the emotional distance that had grown between them. Camilla stood with her arms crossed, her gaze boring into his.

- I want to be clear. I'm not going to continue sharing your attention with other women. It's me or them, Logan.

The ultimatum hit him right in the heart.

- Camilla, you know it's not that simple.

She moved closer, her face a few inches from his, her voice growing lower, more intense.

- You have to make a choice. If you want to continue this relationship, you must devote yourself to me. Otherwise, I can't continue.