Chapter 55 Camilla’s Pov.
“Is that yours?” Hector asked, still looking at Àlvaro.
Àlvaro nodded, chuckling. “It is.”
“That's the coolest fucking thing I've ever seen in my whole entire life.” Hector said, appearing shell shocked. My mother slapped him on the arm, scolding him for his use of a curse word.
Àlvaro looked back at the car, slipped his hand into his pocket and then he said something I never thought I'd ever hear him say.
“I only just got it but would you like to take it for a drive?”
Hector's jaw dropped. “Wait, are you serious?”
Barely two minutes in and they were already bonding. I've seen a lot of sides to Àlvaro but this is one that I've never seen before.
Àlvaro nodded and Hector just about squealed out loud. “What do you mean if I'd like to take it for a drive? Are you kidding me? Of course! What the heck—” Hector said excitedly, rushing over to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Mama, can I?” Hector asked, grabbing my mother's hands and she made a show of thinking about it but I knew that she was just teasing him. “Mama!”
“Okay fine! Stop grabbing me, boy! Get out of my sight.” She said, showing him away.
I watched as they left the foyer, muttering about cars and the likes. I felt a tug in my heart. It all just felt normal, like this is how it supposed to be.
“They both look like they'd get along just fine.” My mum said.
“Yeah..” I replied, still watching them with a forlorn look in my eyes.
“At least this will give me some time ro catch up with my daughter.” My mother said, taking my hand in hers. We closed the door behind us, hearing the revving of Àlvaro's car disappearing in the background.
Hector was probably having the time of his life while I was here, suddenly nervous to be alone with my mum, afraid she only just has to look into my eyes to see everything ive been through in the past months, everything id been through because of the man i was now beginning to love.
Yes.
I'm tired of living in denial. Maybe it's some Stockholm syndrome shit but I freaking love Àlvaro.
So, I'd do everything in my power to not let my mum suspect a thing.
“You're right, Mama.” I walked over to the rickety dining table. “Sit with me, Mama. I want to talk to you.” I said cheerfully.
“Talk to me?” She asked, inquisitively raising a brow. “Are you pregnant? Because you dropped by so suddenly without even informing us you were coming.”
I gasped. “No! Why would you even think that? I just wanted to catch up with you and I didn't think I needed an invitation to visit my home.”
Well, I might even be pregnant because it's not like I've been having protective sex!
My mum pulled out a chair and sat next to me. “Of course not baby. You're always welcome here. I was just making sure, you know? I don't really know Àlvaro but he doesn't seem half bad. Does he treat you good baby?”
Well, what do I answer to that?
Honestly, I was surprised she didn't say anything about the tattoos adorning Àlvaro's skin. I always thought that would be a deal breaker for her but with what she just said, apparently not or maybe it was because of the fact that Àlvaro was behaving extra charming today. Thankfully, I was putting on a long sleeved shirt to hide the single tattoo on my wrist. There was no way I could explain that to my mum.
“He's amazing.” I whispered, deciding not to say more than that.
“Good to know, because after everything this family has been through since the death of your father, you deserve the best.”
I nodded, swallowing nervously.
“So, do you want to help me get started on dinner? I'm gonna be making your favorite.” She said, a smile stretching across her lips.
I nodded eagerly. “You're the best, Mama!”
After a few minutes of talking, with my mother doing most of the talk, asking me about school and life in Miami, all I did was nod, muttered a quick ‘fine’ and chuckled nervously. How do I explain to her that I've not been to classes in more than six months?
Soon, we were in the kitchen, preparing for dinner. I chopped up the parsley, focusing hard because I had a bad habit of accidentally nicking myself.
“Baby, do you mind placing a call to Àlvaro to see if they can get some heavy cream on their way back? We need it for the pasta. I had no idea you were coming, I could've gotten it earlier.” My mum said, rinsing off her hands in the sink.
The drive up to the house had left me starving and my mouth watered just thinking about all the food we were about to have.
“Sure Mama.” I said, wiping my hands with a dishcloth before picking up my phone. As soon as I dialed his number, I heard the familiar car pull up the driveway.
I walked over to the front door, unlocking it to let them in and the state of Hector's hair shocked me. How fucking fast were they going?
“Camilla!” He screamed. “I have no words. That car– oh my God. You better not screw this up.” He warned.
Siblings!
The moment they get taller than you, they think they can talk to you however they want.
But then, I hope I don't screw this up.
Hector bundled inside as soon as Àlvaro walked towards me.
“You called?” He asked.
“I just want to see if you could get something for my mum from the store but it's fine. The store's not far anyway, I'd just walk.” I said, attempting to walk past him but he grabbed my arm.
“Camilla, I'd drive you. Get in the car.”
\~~~~
After getting the heavy cream for my mum, I was overwhelmed by the delicious aroma of warm cinnamon and sugar. I straightened up and my eyes landed on the small dessert shop at the far end of the grocery shop.
With Àlvaro waiting outside in the car, I decided it won't be bad to partake in some guilty pleasures as I headed over to the dessert shop. When I entered, the smell became even more intense. It smelled so fucking good! I was honestly surprised that it was empty.
There was no one behind the counter but there was a bell that read ‘ring for assistance.’
While looking around at all the different delicious pastries lined up in show glasses, I hit the bell a few times and I heard a man's voice letting me know that he'll be out soon.
I tapped my fingers on the glass, contemplating what to get. It had been a few minutes of waiting and I was starting to feel impatient. Àlvaro doesn't like to be kept waiting.
“Camilla? No way!”
Fuck.
I had to stop myself from letting the wince show on my face. The last thing I wanted was to run into someone I know. I looked up, my eyes meeting someone I didn't instantly recognize. “Uh..”
“It's me, Josh. We went to the same high school.” He said as he dropped a rag on the counter separating us before rounding the corner. I squinted, trying to put a face to the name. Shiny and bright blonde hair, blue eyes and a charming smirk.
“We used to be friends back in high school.” Josh said again, probably in his attempt to jog my memory faster. It took me another few seconds but eventually, I remembered him. Friends? I didn't recall us having any sort of conversation in our small high school but he seemed to be under the impression that we knew each other well.
Josh stepped closer and my head automatically turned towards the parking lot where Àlvaro was still waiting in his car.
“Oh right. It's so nice to see you again, Josh. Can I have a box—” My sentence was cut off midway.
“It's nice to see you too. Wow. I can't believe it's been three years. You look so good. Miami must be treating you right.” He said, smiling as he stepped even closer. I had no idea that he was planning on hugging me until I felt his arms circling around my back.
What the actual fuck?!
I didn't even hug back, too in shock to do or say anything. Thankfully, he kept it short. I swallowed hard, feeling highly uncomfortable.
“Yeah, it feels like forever. Can I please have a—” He interrupted me, again.
“Yeah, it definitely does. How long are you in town for? Or did you finally come to your senses and decide to move back?” He said, casually resting his elbows on the counter, completely oblivious to the fact that he just subtly insulted me. He looked interested in having a conversation and I wanted nothing more than to get out of here.
I sighed. “I just came to visit my family.”
“Well, however long you're here, we need to hang out before you leave again, don't you think?”
No, I don't think.
“That's probably not a good idea, Josh. I'm with someone.” I said, hoping that he'd finally back off and give me my damn dessert.
“So? We're just friends who need to catch up.” He said, grinning at me as if he didn't just hear what I said.
“Friends? I've never spoken to you before. Actually, I don't think we even looked at each other once.” I stated as if it was the most obvious thing but the expression on his face didn't falter.
“You weren't looking…but me on the other hand,” He murmured, inching closer to me and I back away from him. I suddenly didn't want any desserts anymore.
Just as I made the decision to leave, the bell above the door signaled that someone had just entered.