Chapter 56 56. Edmund
Camila's POV
"I still think you're lying about the color."
"It's black, Camila. Very clearly black."
"Your other suit was black. This one... maybe emo-black. Blackish."
Lucien's sigh came through the phone, exasperated but amused. "There's no such thing as blackish."
"Sure there is. It's the color of your suit right now."
"Well... Is that bad?"
"No. It's just another reminder you're leaving."
There was a pause. His voice dropped a little. "Camila..." His voice softened. "If I could push this back-"
"But you can't. I know, I know." I curled into myself. "Two days isn't that long, right?"
"Feels long to me." Something rustled on his end. "Rafael's not coming with me either. He has things to handle here."
"So it's really just you? Alone with a bunch of old European businessmen?"
"Apparently."
Something in his tone didn't sit right.
"Lucien-"
"Switch to video."
I blinked. "What?"
"Video. Now. I want to see you."
I switched. His face appeared seconds later.
He stood in his bedroom, phone propped somewhere. Black shirt, black pants, cufflinks catching the light, hair damp like he'd just showered.
My stomach did a small flip.
"There you are." He smiled. "Better."
"You're trying to distract me with... all that." I waved vaguely at him.
"Is it working?"
"Maybe." I bit my lip. "Do a spin."
"A what?"
"Model for me, Mr. Hayes."
He shook his head but stepped back and turned. The shirt fit perfectly, outlining everything I liked about him. When he faced me again, he looked amused and kind of smug.
"Happy now?"
"Getting there." I sobered. "Hey. Remember what you promised? About being honest?"
His hands stilled on his cufflinks. "Yeah."
"So tell me the truth. Is the media mess affecting you? Or the company? Is that why you have to travel?"
He didn't answer right away.
"It's just board members being dramatic." His voice was measured. "They talk, but nothing's changing."
"That's not really an answer."
"Camila-"
"I think you're not being completely honest."
He let out a slow breath. "When I get back, I'm holding you for twelve straight hours. That's what you should be thinking about."
"That's not helping. You're still deflecting."
"I'm keeping you from worrying about things I can handle." His gaze locked on mine through the screen. "Trust me. Please."
I hated how much that look affected me. But it did.
"Fine. But when you get back, you tell me everything."
"Deal." He reached for his jacket. "What are you doing while I'm gone?"
"I'm helping Maya with job interviews today and tomorrow."
He paused mid-movement. "What of Hayes Corp? I can get her rehired-"
"No. She wouldn't want that. And I don't either." I shook my head. "No pity hires."
"I'm not sure your gold-diggers association would approve that statement. Isn't it against the code of conduct?"
I laughed. It had been a while since I used my fake gold-digger persona.
He smirked. "Stubborn girl."
"You wouldn't want me any other way."
"True." He checked his watch. "I need to finish packing. But check your email after we hang up."
"Why? What did you do?"
"Just check it." His smile turned secretive. "Call you when I land?"
"You better."
"Be safe. Don't let Maya drag you into anything."
"No promises." I blew him a kiss. "Good luck."
He caught it, pressed his hand to his chest. The call ended. I stared at the blank screen, missing him already. Then I remembered the email.
It was right at the top.
Subject: Something for us
I clicked.
"I got us tickets to the Crimson Masquerade next Friday. Costumes, dancing, dramatic lights, vampires, forbidden lovers - all the dramatic things you love.
I have something I want to share with you first, before anyone else.
Figured this would be the right place to tell you.
Love,
L."
Two tickets were attached.
A real masquerade ball. An exclusive one. The kind I'd dreamed of since I was a kid.
I squealed and called him immediately, but it went to voicemail.
I texted him instead, threw off my covers, and sprinted to Maya's room.
"Maya!"
She jolted upright, clutching her blanket. "What the hell-"
"Look at this!" I shoved my phone at her.
She squinted, then gasped. "No way. A masquerade ball?"
"With costumes!" I bounced on her bed. "And he has something to tell me there!"
"Calm down before you stop breathing." She grinned. "This is actually pretty romantic. For Lucien."
"I know!" I flopped back. "What do you think the news is?"
"Could be anything. Maybe he's buying you an island."
"Very funny."
"Or," she nudged me, "he's going to confess he's madly in love with you in front of everyone."
Heat rushed up my neck. "We haven't even said that yet."
"But you want to."
"I-maybe." I hid my face. "Stop staring at me."
"Like what?"
"Like you're reading my mind."
She laughed. "Get out. We have job hunting to do."
Two hours later, we walked through the city. Maya had nailed her interview, but still turned them down.
"The marketing agency looked good," she said, "but the vibes-"
She stopped short. I followed her surprised gaze.
Across the street, through a café window, Edmund sat alone with his laptop.
What are the odds of running into the man that drove a rift between you and your best friend on a random sunny afternoon?
Maya's jaw tightened. "I'm going to kill him."
She moved forward, but I grabbed her arm.
"I have a better idea."
"What idea?"
"Trust me. I'll bring him home for you."
I crossed the street and pushed through the door. The bell chimed. I didn't look his way, just headed for the counter like any other customer.
"Camila?"
I turned. Edmund was already on his feet, eyes wide.
"Edmund?"
He rushed over and hugged me. I tensed, nails pressing into my palms, then slowly hugged him back.
"I'm so glad to see you." He pulled away, still smiling. "I wanted to reach out, but I didn't know if-"
"I'm sorry I didn't contact you." The apology came easy. "After that day when Lucien dragged me off, everything got... chaotic."
"Hey, don't apologize." He shook his head. "I saw the news. Everything about your mom. Are you okay?"
"I'm managing." I gave him a small, tired smile. "It's been hard."
"I can imagine. What of Maya? Have you spoken to her?"
"Not really." I looked down. "She moved out without telling me what happened between you two. I feel like I'm in the dark."
"He didn't tell you?" His brows pulled together.
"No. And losing my best friend on top of everything else..." My voice cracked.
He looked crushed. "Camila, I'm sorry. I didn't know things got that bad."
"And you also left without saying anything. I thought we were friends."
"We are. I just didn't want to make things worse." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you want to talk somewhere? Maybe your place if Maya's not around?"
"She's staying with her new boyfriend." The lie slipped out smoothly. "We can talk at my place."
"Yeah. Let's go."
We walked together. Edmund kept talking.
"I noticed Maya acting weird for weeks. Thought it was family stuff. Then I find out she was seeing someone behind my back." Bitterness hardened his voice. "Cheating on me."
"That's awful," I said calmly, even though inside I wanted to scream. How dare he rewrite everything.
At my apartment, I unlocked the door and held it open for him.
He stepped forward-
And a thick brown liquid dumped over his head from above.
He froze. I looked up. Maya stood on a stool, holding an empty blender jug.
"Chinese food, rotten pizza, yesterday's trash... and maybe two used pads. Hi Edmund..."