All about you

chapter 14

Camilla

I opened my eyes lazily then closed it back again when I noticed that it is still dark outside, snuggling further into the soft pillow whilst smiling. The dream I had just how is one which I'm be embarrassed to discuss, but not ashamed to have. Did I see someone when I opened my eyes earlier? It was as if I saw someone. I snapped my eyes open and sure enough, I saw someone's shadow.

I opened my mouth to scream bloody murderer but closed it when the lights came on "you don't have to be afraid cariño, it's me."

I noticed a hint of sadness in his voice which made me sit up "Damon? What are you doing over there? Is everything okay?"

He stood up from the sofa and approached me, that was when I noticed the grey suit he is wearing. He sat down on the bed next to me and pulled me in for a kiss. I closed my eyes and savoured the moment with him. He kissed me as if he was making a promise and an apology.

When he pulled away, I licked my lips, his taste still lingering in my mouth "what is going on Damon? Why are you dressed this early in the morning?"

"I'm leaving for Spain." He replied in a clipped voice.

I drew back a little bit to get a proper look at his face "why the sudden decision? I thought you said you'll be leaving in two weeks time? Why the sudden change of mind and rush? Did something happen back home?" I know I'm asking lots of questions at once, but I don't care, the idea of him being that far away is very scary than I care to admit.

"Whatever that is going on at home isn't something you should bother yourself with. I am going to fix the problem and I'm going to come back to you."

I somehow find it diffcult to believe his words. Damon wouldn't hurt me intentionally, but what if he finds another woman back home, a woman who will freak out at the sight of his family house or when she sees his parents?

"Stop it!" He hissed at me.

I arched my brows at him in confusion "stop what?" He can't possibly know what I'm thinking about, it's going to be so embarrassing.

"Whatever thought you have going on in your head, I want you to stop it." He cupped my jaw and ran his knuckles down my cheeks "I adore you cariño, I'm all yours as long as you want me, and I'm not willing to leave you for another."

I gave him the benefit of doubt. I hope he doesn't break my heart because I don't think I can handle another failed relationship. "when are you coming back?" I need to know who long I'll have to wait, how long I'll have to stay without being able to touch him or kiss him or feel him.

"I don't know how long I'll be staying, it all depends on how long it takes to get the problem solved, but one thing I know is that I'll be back, for you." He dipped his hand into his breast pocket and retrieved a card. "I want you to spend the night here, everyday, in my bed, I want your presence and warmth in this house even in my absence."

Wide eyes, I stared at the card as if touching it will burn me "I can't possibly spend the night here some Damon, I'll end up with the habit of talking to myself."

"Steven will be here" what I can possibly discuss with his Butler who is very much older than me? "Derrick will be here too," he quickly reassured, but when I rolled my eyes, he came up with a better idea "you can invite Cain to spend the night here with you until I get back."

"You don't like Cain," I accused, my eyes slitting "why will you want him in your house?"

"Because he is your friend and because I'll have to accept your friend's even if I don't like them." He palmed my cheeks on both palm "I really want you to be here cariño"

I know from the very onset that I'm going to lose this argument. When I nodded, he smiled at me. "I also want you to allow Derrick drive you anywhere you want to go."

My smiling and happy face dropped the very mintue he uttered those words "I'm not agreeing to having someone follow me around anywhere I go. I've been taking the train all these while and I'm not complaining. I don't remember ever complaining to you about that."

"Why take a train or bus when Derrick is here? I'm going to pay him whether I'm here or not, I pay him even when I don't use his services. So why allow the money to waste when you can just use it?"

I waggled my finger to his face "don't mess with my head Mister, you aren't going to coax me into agreeing to this. It isn't working."

He grabbed my forearm and pulled me closer to him "don't fight me on this cariño, I assure you, you won't win. Whether you accept my offer of allowing Derrick to drive you around or not, he is still going to be around you twenty–four hours, seven days."

Now that thought alone is scary. "why will you even do that? It's not as if I'm in danger or anything. I've been living on my own for five years, and nothing bad has happened so far, so why are you imposing this on me?"

"For my own sanity, for my own peace of mind." He checked the time on his wristwatch and winced "I really should be on my way to the airport right now."

"Can you give me few minutes to at least brush my teeth? I don't think I can leave the house without doing that."

"Just go back to sleep cariño, I don't want to be worried about whether you made it home safely or not. Besides I didn't wake you up so you can follow me to the airport, I woke you up to say goodbye."

Not knowing what else to do, I pulled him into a hug. "You know, when you talk about unseen dancers like being worried that I'll be kidnapped on my way back from the airport, it makes me feel like you are in some sort of mafia or something." Despite it being a joke, his body tightened. I guess he doesn't appreciate being likened to a criminal.

"I'll miss you cariño" he whispered in my ear as his hands squeezed my waist.

"I'll miss you too Damon" I finally pulled away "you'll FaceTime me everyday no matter how busy you are."

He silenced me with a quick kiss before he stood up. I followed him to the door and watched him walk into the elevator before walking back inside.

I returned to my apartment very early that morning so as to make it to work very early. I may be dating a wealthy guy, but that doesn't mean I want to lose my job. The last time I depended on people, it didn't end in a good.

I was packing the new arrivals on the bookshelf when my first customer for the day approached the counter with piles of books, I had to leave the books I am packing to go attend to customer. Just as I rounded the shelf, my step halted when I saw who the customer is.

He gave me a very big smile "are you going to come check the books or are you going to stare at me all day as if you saw a ghost?"

I walked stifly towards my side of counter, I grabbed a plastic bag under the counter for the books. Just as I was packing the books, I noticed that he picked the second sequel to a book but didn't pick the first part. "This book actually have a part one, and you won't really understand the second part without reading the first."

"I've actually read the first one which is why I came back for the second one." He replied in a cool voice as his eyes followed my every action carefully. "Why are you avoiding me Camilla?"

I double blinked at him, feigning ignorance "what are you talking about Rex?" I handed him the plastic bag and he intentionally brushed his hands on mine. I pulled my hand away abruptly "that will be a hundred dollars." I told him, referring to the books I handed him.

"You very well know what I'm talking about Camilla, please don't make me a fool by behaving otherwise." He dropped a hundred dollar note on the counter "I call you, you don't pick, I text you, you don't reply. What do I have to do to get your attention?"

I inhaled and exhaled loudly "you don't have to do anything Rex. I have a boyfriend, and he doesn't appreciate the constant calls and text, so I'll appreciate it if you stop them."

He huffed with disbelief "if your boyfriend doesn't want other guys to call you or text you, then he should put a ring on your finger. As long as I don't see a wedding band honey, I'll keep trying my luck." He lifted one shoulder nonchalantly "who knows, one day I might get lucky."

Arguing with this dude wasn't on my list today, and trust me, I do not have the energy to discuss irrelevant matters like this one right now. "If that's all you came to purchase, I'll appreciate it if you leave the counter so another customer can get checked"

I'm sure he understood the message loud and clear because he picked up the plastic bag, ready to take his leave "guess I'll see you around Camilla."

I hope not. I looked towards the shelf, ready to attend to the customer only to find out that he isn't really a customer but my best friend Cain. "What are you doing over there? What happened to your section?"

He carried packs of books over to the counter "we ran out of Harry Potter over there. Make sure to put these down in writing" he said, gesturing towards the books on the counter. "who was that guy earlier? You know him or something?"

I glanced outside through the glass windows, but I didn't see his car "yeah, he's one of our customers here."

Cain glanced at the closed door again "he sure behaved as if he is more than a customer. Guess you have a weird sense of selection when it comes to men."

I frowned at him "what are you talking about? Damon is a great guy. You know that too, so why are you judging him badly? He is going good guy, and you said so yourself"

He snorted before pointing at the black Benz "what's up with the car and the big guy? Too big to use the bus now?"

"Stop being a judgemental asshole Cain," I hissed at him "I'm only using the car because Damon said he is still going to pay his driver even in his absence, or instead of the guy staying idle, Damon suggested I make use of his services."

"So he's your driver?" He asked with a crooked brow

"No, he is Damon's driver, I'm only borrowing his services." I looked out through the window and winced at his over serious dressing code and not smiling face.

"I'm glad you can see what I'm seeing too. Did your Spanish guy travel or what? What's up with the security?"

"He isn't my security, I told you that he is Damon's driver_"

"And pigs can fly." He deadpanned.

"Yes, Damon travelled to his hometown, and he wants me to sleep in the penthouse every night"

Cain scowled at me "why is that? It isn't as if you don't have a place to rest your head at night." He packed the books into his arms "I'm sure you rejected his offer. Right?"

"Actually, I didn't. I kind of extended the offer to you."

He looked at me with disappointment "I'm not sleeping in that man's house." He turned to leave but stopped "a word of advice from me, be careful with that man, so you won't end up with someone who is worst than Christopher."