Shutter ➳ Camren

Chapter Twenty Six

I don't know why she would feel insecure over something long gone. I place a hand under her chin, tilt her head up and made her look at me. Her eyes darted from left to right, gauging my reaction.

She opens her mouth to talk but I cut off whatever she's going to say with a hard kiss. It caught her off guard because she let out a gasp, successfully breathing air down my lungs. My hands travelled down her back, under her shirt, and clutched at the smooth skin there while her hand bury itself on my hair, bunching it up, tugging, and bunching it up again. I press my lips harder against her, press my body hard against her until she's on her back and I'm topping her. My kisses trail down her neck and I suck on her pulse point so hard, she dug her nails on my scalp.

"Camila..."

"What?" I noticed the edge in my voice as I abandon her neck and looked at her. She's breathing hard and looking at me with trepidation. I climbed off her and her hand that was in my hair drops loosely on her side. She tries to catch her breath as she propped herself back to sitting position. I go back to my side of the bed and sat there, brooding.

"You're angry."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"I'm fucking annoyed, that's what I'm feeling."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"I don't get it. I really fucking don't."

"It's stupid, I know." I gave her another look that says 'yes it is'. "But when you go to Nathan and remember the memories you had and after what happened tonight with my mom, I'm scared you'd change your mind anytime."

"Well I won't change my mind, I told you," I insisted.

"Yeah..." her voice dropped into a whisper. "I'm sorry. I just love you so much I guess."

My annoyance starts to dissolve and realized how I acted like a total bitch . "No, I'm sorry. But you have to believe when I say I'm yours now. All yours."

She looks up and gave me a tentative smile which I return. "Lolo needs a hug," she say, opening her arms to me and pouted for added effect. I collected her frame in my arms and buried my face on the crook of her neck. She doesn't know the effect she can have.

X

The wet grass squishes beneath my feet as I walk along the cemetery. There was a slight rain going on while I was driving on my way here but it stopped minutes ago. The sky's still dark and gloomy and I pull my cardigan tighter around me. It's always raining in Miami.

There's a white tent propped over Nathan's grave when I arrived. There are a dozen of people or so around, some standing up, some sitting down on folding chairs. I first noticed Rachel, Nathan's mom talking to the priest. She's in all white, and her hair has more grays in them the last time I saw her.

She saw me and smiles, coaxed me with her hand.

"Hi Rachel, sorry I'm late."

"Camila dear, it's alright, the rain didn't get you did it?" Rachel's one of the nicest person I've ever met and Nathan loved her to bits. He didn't only acquire his mother's attitude he looked like her too.

"No, it stopped when I got here."

"Good, good, well this is Mr. Benjamin he'll be conducting the service. Mr. Benjamin, this is Camila. She was Nathan's girlfriend when he passed away."

I smile and shake Mr. Benjamin's hand. "Hi, how're you doing sir?"

"Fine Miss Camila, although it could do better with the weather."

I excused myself from them for a while and went over to Nathan. I stand beside his tombstone and laid the bouquet of lilies I brought with me over it. I silently apologized how I didn't visit him in a while.

The service started shortly after, the murmurs died down as the Mr. Benjamin started talking. I notice some familiar faces as I sit down on my chair. There's Rob, Nathan's younger brother and Peter, their stepdad. Like every year, it lasted for half an hour. I hang around for a while talking to Nathan's relatives and left a little later.

"How've you been Camila?" Rob walked with me towards my car. He's four years younger than Nathan. Carelessly handsome. He has bushy brown hair and still has a mischievous air in him. I remember what Rachel said about her two sons; Nathan's Prince William and Rob's Prince Harry. It was a quite accurate comparison.

"Better. You? Finally found someone you'd spend your lifetime with?"

"Nah, still early for that one don't you think?"

"For someone who has a lot of options I guess," I tease.

He grins and scratches his head. "What about you? Last time I seen you, you were still single. My brother had some serious tricks didn't he?"

I grin. "Yeah well, he was charming. I'm actually in a relationship right now."

"Oh man, that's great. What's the guys's name?

"Lauren." He raised his eyebrows and gave me a confused look. "Her name's Lauren, I met her at my friend's wedding."

He laughs lightly and shook his head. "I didn't see that coming."

"To be honest, me neither."

He laughs more. "And is she treating you well enough?"

"Pretty good yeah." We reached my car at that point.

"Well don't wait until next year to see me again." He takes a card from his wallet and gives it to me. "Here's my number. I'd love to meet this Lauren. She seems pretty interesting."

I smile and check his card. "You're staying in Tampa. Lauren's having an exhibit in Tampa next month if you're really curious about her."

"I'm definitely swinging by to meet her. Just call me."

I gave him a hug. "Be good," I said as we broke away.

"Will do ma'am," he said with his grin. "Take care."

I was on the gate of the cemetery when my phone started ringing. I check the caller ID to see its Lauren.

"Hey, I was about to call you," I say as I answered.

"Is the service over?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Well I'm gonna tell you something. Promise you wouldn't get mad."

I frown. This would definitely make me mad. "What is it?"

"Promise first."

"I promise."

"I'm in the hospital."

Chills went down my spine.

"Why the fuck are you in a hospital? Jesus, what did you do?"

"I fell off the motorcycle."

"Fuck, what the hell Lauren. Are you hurt?"

"You promised you won't get mad," she complains.

"Well I didn't know you were in a fucking accident!"

"It's just scratches really." It crept on me like the cold. The sudden fear that I'm going to lose Lauren the same day I lose Nathan and I just couldn't handle it. "Camila, hello? Are you still there?"

I stopped the car. "You promised Lo," I say so quietly I barely heard it myself. "You fucking promised."

The other line went quiet and I feared that Lauren's gone. Which is fucking stupid to be honest. "Camz... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Babe, I was being careful I promise."

"Text me the address of the hospital, I'm coming now," I said coldly and cut the line.

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So, last week I accidentally almost posted this chapter instead of the previous one. See? I'm not a complete fuck up. HOW GOOD IS 'WORK FROM HOME'?!? ITS SO GOOD! MY BABIES! Until next time.~Val