Chapter 35: Frustrated

Chapter 35: Frustrated
CAMILO

I was frustrated to the point of losing my mind. Mera refused to tell me what had happened between her and Camila, and Camila was equally quiet. 

Mera had kept saying she didn’t do it during their fight, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what Camila thought she had done to justify all this. 

Camila loved Mera like a sister. Why would she attack her and throw her out?

When I spoke with Ava last night, she and Camila expressed concern about Mera. Mera and Lorenzo were supposed to meet up with Camila and Ava at the club following the game, but Lorenzo arrived alone, claiming Mera had changed her mind. 

They tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I wanted to get Lorenzo alone and ask him if he knew anything. He and I still weren't close, but for Mera's sake, I would talk to him and I hoped he would care enough to tell me if he knew something, especially since he and Mera seemed to get along. 

When I took her bags downstairs, I spoke with Fern, who was to drive her to the hotel.

There was no way I was going to let her stay in a hotel when I had many unoccupied apartments. But she was stubborn, so I had to trick her and enlist Fern's help, which he agreed to.

I had to get to the bottom of what happened.
•••
MERA

"Do you mind if we stop for coffee?" Fern interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up at him, surprised by his requests. 

Did it seem like a good time to make stops? 

But I sighed and told him it was fine. He also ordered coffee for me, despite my protests, and I accepted it when it arrived, having run out of energy to argue.

“I know this is not the best time, but I have a huge favor to ask you," he said, earning another incredulous look from me as I wondered why he was so determined to test my already frayed nerves. I, too, had my limits. 

The only thing I wanted right now was to get to the hotel, hold my baby, and close my eyes. So my impatience seeped into my words as I asked what the favor was. 

“I’m supposed to be house-sitting for my uncle, but I’m already looking after my girlfriend’s place. I was wondering if it would be too much to ask for you to stay there instead of in a hotel. I promise it's comfortable, and my uncle will be away for the entire year. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Plus, it would be much better for Noa than a hotel."

"Fern, I don’t think so. I--"

"Please, I'm desperate, and I promise you'll be comfortable." He didn't let me finish, and I could tell he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

I should have just taken an Uber.

"Fern, I'm not in the right state of mind to make decisions right now. Can I get back to you tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course."

Thank God, he continued driving after that, and despite being taken aback, I considered his offer. He was right, it would be better for Noa, but I wasn’t sure.

His uncle had asked him to look after the house, not me. I felt like I would be trespassing. Furthermore, I wasn't sure how his uncle would react to someone with a child staying there.

We arrived at the hotel and approached the receptionist, only for her to make my already bad day even worse. She said she couldn't find my reservation and that all of the rooms were booked. How was that possible?

I asked for the manager, but he couldn't help either. I tried to book myself into another nearby hotel, only to be told the same thing.

For the first time since everything happened, I considered returning to France. I was barely keeping it together, and I wanted to scream so bad my throat hurt. 

Couldn’t I catch a break?

Fern, with pity-stained eyes, reminded me of his offer, and feeling as if I did not have much of a choice, I accepted. But I told him I was uncomfortable with it and would look for another place in the morning. 

I could spend the whole afternoon roaming around looking for another place, but I had a child, and I couldn’t put him through that.

After a short drive, we arrived at the location, where I was surprised to find a luxurious penthouse. What exactly did his uncle do? 

Fern helped us settle in and left once everything was in order, and the moment he walked out the door, all of my stress returned. I sat down on the couch after putting Noa to sleep. 

My baby looked just as tired as I was, and I could tell he sensed my distress, which broke my heart even more.

Silent tears rolled down my cheeks as the memory of my confrontation with Camila played over and over in my head. And I knew the look she had in her eyes would stay with me forever. 

I have no idea how long I sat there, my thoughts swirling, before I decided to call it a night.

••••

FOLLOWING MORNING

Opening my eyes, I blinked a couple of times, feeling like they had sand in them. I had not slept a wink and was even more exhausted than before I went to bed.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw and heard Lorenzo. I could still feel his breath on my neck and rough hands on my body as he brutalized me despite my pleas.

I rolled onto my side, my face stretching into a sad smile as I gazed at my sleeping angel. The place had two extra bedrooms, but it didn't feel right to let him sleep alone, so we shared a bed.

Finally dragging myself up, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom, taking care not to wake him up. When I came out, I went to my bag and took out my laptop, intending to look for a place to stay. 

Fern's uncle's place was nice, but I didn't feel comfortable staying without the owner's permission. Plus, I was done being a charity case. I just wanted to get my own place. But my thoughts were cut off by the ringing of my phone, and I looked at it to see Camilo's name. 

I decided not to answer. I didn't want him to know where I was, nor did I want to be asked about what had happened again. I preferred not to discuss it.

I had made Fern promise not to tell anyone where I was, and I hoped he would keep his promise. The next time I moved, I intended to use alternative modes of transportation to ensure no one knew where I had moved to. 

The phone stopped ringing, but another call came in via my laptop. I was about to close it, thinking it was Camilo again, when I realized it wasn't him.

“Who's this?”