Chapter 40: The Worst Nightmare

Chapter 40: The Worst Nightmare
MERA

I checked my phone for the umpteenth time since waking up in the morning, and there were no messages or missed calls. I was an anxious mess who could not even eat anything despite being hungry.

I was hoping the guy Ava said would call had not changed his mind about hiring me. All of the places I had applied to had given me hope, only to take it away at the last minute, and the disappointments were becoming more difficult to swallow.

“Alright, Mera. Just sit down before you drive yourself insane and give him a real reason not to hire you," I muttered to myself, walking over to the couch, but halted when I heard rushing footsteps coming up the staircase.

Thinking it might be Fern, I grudgingly took a few steps toward the stairs, but my eyes widened when I saw Camilo. I ought to have known better than to believe Fern's word.

“What are you doing here?” 

He looked up, and my heart stuttered seeing an intense emotion I couldn't decipher as his eyes met mine. But instead of an answer, he responded with a question that froze me in my spot. 

"Why didn’t you tell me?" My heart sank as I realized what the look was about. I should have known telling Ava was a bad idea. Camila probably hated me even more now.

"I see Fern even gave you the key," I said, staring at the key in his hand and purposefully ignoring his question, but he didn't stop.

“Mera, why didn't you tell me what that son of a bitch did to you? Why would you keep something like that from me?"

“I don’t want you to keep coming here, Camilo. I want to be left alone-”

“Stop avoiding my question! This is my place. I will come and go as I please. Wh-”

“What?" I cut him off. “You tricked me?”

“Get over it. There was no way I was going to let you stay in a hotel. And that is not the point." He paused, running his hand through his hair as if trying to calm himself, and it was then that I noticed his bleeding knuckles. 

“I’m so sorry. I'm so sorry he did that to you," he said, reaching for my hands while my heart raced, wondering what he did. I drew away from him, tears welling up in my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, especially in his arms, because I knew it would break me.

“Please... leave."

"Why?" he asked, stepping closer, so close that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck.

"I cannot be around you right now."

“Why not?"

"I can't. Please just leave. I want to be alone.”

“I can't do that. You need someone right now. I want to be here for you. Please let me.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not, Mera? At least give me a real reason why. I’m sorry I let this happen. I should have known better... I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from him,” he turned me around, and I let him. The tears I’d been holding back since he walked in finally fell. He drew me to his chest, and I broke down, letting it all out.

"No one will ever hurt you again, I promise," I heard him say, and I tightened my grip on his shirt as the trauma of it all came rushing back. "It's going to be okay," he added softly, kissing the top of my head and resting his chin there. 

For the first time since everything happened, I relaxed my guard, feeling safe in his arms. But the sense of security was short-lived, as a familiar voice spoke behind Camilo, shattering the moment.

We turned to see Ava staring at us with red, teary eyes, and we hadn't even heard her come up the staircase. I noticed a slight tremble in her hands and moved instinctively toward her, but she stepped back, raising her hands in a gesture that made it clear she didn't want me to come any closer before looking at Camilo.

“Is it true, Camilo?” She asked hoarsely.

“Is what true, baby?” Camilo asked, attempting to close the distance between them, but Ava told him to stop, which he did with a deep, concerned frown.

“Did you fuck her?” she choked, and my heart shattered.

“Ava, I-” Camilo stammered, taking a step forward while I stood there, my heart rate rising from zero to one thousand.

"Yes, or no, Camilo!" Ava exclaimed, her voice breaking, and he took another step to close the gap between them, but she pushed him away.

"Do not touch me! Just tell me the truth.”

“Sí, baby. I’m sorry. I-” He attempted to explain as Ava's eyes welled up with tears, but she cut him off.

"Don't! Don’t even try,” she choked, her voice quivering before turning her attention to me, the look in her eyes eliciting a sob from me. My worst nightmare had come true, and I knew there was nothing I could say, but still, I tried.

“I’m sorry, Ava. I never meant to hurt you. I swear. Please, it was a mistake.” My voice broke as I took a step forward, but she shook her head, tears rolling freely down her cheeks.

“I had your back. I loved, fought for, and defended you."

“I’m sorry, Ava,” I repeated, not knowing what else to say, wishing I could take back the pain I had caused her.

“You all deserve each other," she said, turning her attention to Camilo before pivoting and running out.

“Baby! I’m sorry!” Camilo called, running after her, and I staggered, feeling like the monster I was for doing that to her.