Reunion

Ivan.

Laughter boomed in the hall, a content feel in the air. My eyes roamed around the faces, these faces that gave me so many emotions.Maybe this would be the last time with all these together,maybe this is just a random stop in journey of life. My eyes landed on Camilla, she looked so strange,strange yet familiar,familiar yet strange. A warm feeling erupted in my chest, a lump in my throat, tingles in my fingers as my eyes landed on her, so good at acting she is. This face which was smiling right now held so much coldness hours ago. 

She has done this her whole life, in high school too, behind her doe eyes and adorable actions hid a broken soul and a scarred body. My eyes then landed on Ash, who was smiling looking at his mother's smile. 

He grew up before time, never complaining about anything, born to a father who couldn't stay with him, the child is still holding onto him, never complaining about his mother's  absence in his life, just appreciating what he got.

A hand on my shoulder startled me,turning around I noticed Ethan looking at me with sympathy, like broken out of a spell, my skin recognised a trail of liquid seeping through my eyes leaving a cooling sensation behind.

Lifting my hand I wiped my tears, smiling at him, relieved that no one noticed. Just then my eyes connected with Camilla's, her eyes held so many emotions my hazy mind filled with guilt couldn't recognise.

She approached me sitting beside me and I shifted a little to maintain distance. My heart hammering in my chest. This body that had craved her attention and  now is repelling like she was burning.

I knew this feeling. In my childhood when I lost my car I searched for it all day, and then my mind settled down that I lost it.I realised how precious it was, I realised I loved it and blamed myself for loosing it.

For me, it was my fault to have it. It was so precious, someone else deserved it more. Finding it once again was overwhelming but I never touched it again, maybe because I realised that I wasn't worth it or maybe because it was too precious to be touched. 

That feeling returned. A wall of deja vu covering my surrounding,I shifted a little more. This feeling made me realise I still loved Camilla, never stopped it, but I am not worth it.

"So, is the deal final? Now your new lawyer is Ethan right?"

Jason asked.

Camilla nodded. But Erika looked bewildered.

"No, I am her lawyer and she doesn't need another one."

Erika pouted.

"Don't you understand your life is in danger. Do you feel good about it"

Jason asked in a firm voice, anger laced in his words.

"Oh, that would be better if my life will be in danger, right."

Everyone turned to look at Ethan who was standing raising an eyebrow. Cocky much.

"Well, that would be a better revenge for posting my best friend's inappropriate pictures."

Jason said leaning his back against leaning to the couch.  And Camilla immediately started laughing.

"Well, that was one of the beeeeeeest picture I have seen in my whole life."

She said wiggling her eyebrows at me.

And a smile appeared on my lips.

A confused voice broke my trance.

"What picture??"

Erika said glancing around the whole room.

"Yes, what picture?"

Lily repeated with an raised eyebrow looking at me with an amused expression.

Gosh, I am in trouble. Erika respected me, No. While Lily didn't but I pay her. No!! Hell No!

Before I could decline, Mr. Smith and Camilla's mom got up and looked at us with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, kids I have to leave early. You continue with your amusing conversations."

Mr. Smith said.

"I have to leave too. Tomorrow I have my early morning shift. I need some rest."

"Shall I drop you?"

Mr. Smith asked.

"Dad"

Lily said in an alerted tone and everyone looked at her

"I have enough stepsisters and I don't need one more and I think you are old enough to have a child too."

"What??"

Mr. Smith said. Jason was having a hard time suppressing his laugh,  Erika looked so done, Ethan was smirking, Camilla was confused and Ash was..sleepy and for me, I was amused as hell.

"I mean Camilla is a good person, but it would be a bit too much to have her as a stepsister."

Camilla's mom looked clearly looked uncomfortable and Mr. Smith looked totally relaxed as if it was a natural occurrence.

"Lily.....

He said in a soft tone.

Shut up"

He glared at her.

"Just being careful, you know. I already have seven step sisters"

We all looked at him with widened eyes. Seven??

He face palmed, turned around and left without saying anything. Camilla's mom followed after.

And everyone still looked at Lily and she just shrugged.

"Not my problem. Just being careful."

I laughed and looked towards Ash, who was completely in sleep laying on the couch. And Chris was patting his hair, his all attention on the child, deprived from the conversation smiling at him.

A thought crossed my mind. Chris has been Camilla's business partner for three years. How would he be like a life....

"Seriously, when are you guys going to show me the picture."

I sighed looking at a desperate Erika.

God, my reputation.

A notification grabbed my attention, it was Erika's phone. She recieved the photos. And Ethan looked at me smirking. This demon had audacity to keep those pictures untill now.

I just closed my eyes waiting for a  expected laugh but instead I recieved a

" Woah, you had abs when you were eighteen and not to mention eight???"

I looked at Erika bewildered? Flustered? Happy?

I smirked at her. Holding my coat and letting it fall off my shoulder

"I still have them, wanna take a look."

I looked at Jason's expression. Venom practically dripping from his eyes.

Before he could proceed a voice was heard.

"Really, in the whole funny picture all you noticed was his abs? You found nothing funny in it. You are unbelievable, Erika"

She said with sarcasm? Jealousy?

"Why, do you have a problem? Another woman ogling your husband's body."

Camilla's cheeks flushed red but she composed herself and replied.

"You mean the contracted husband.?"

And the amused expression faded from my face, yeah that's what I am.

Camilla stood up from her seat, taking Ash in her arms.

"I will take him to bed."

And everyone nodded getting up and going to their respective places.

"Let's meet tomorrow."

Jason patted my shoulder leaving. I also got up from the couch. Going to close the door, when I heard.

"Do you once again want the privilege to feel the fine leather of my car seats."

I closed my door sighing. What was Chris talking about.

.......

It was dark as I heard a voice. I lightly opened my eyes only to find Camilla standing with Cake with candles in her hands along with Ash infront of me.