Chapter 5
"Who told you to block me? Now I have nowhere to ask questions," I complained.
"You have the nerve to say that! It's your own fault for slacking off," Camilla retorted. "I told you to apply to the same university as me. Did you even listen to me?
"Not only did you ignore me, but you also ended up at your third-choice college, and now we're not even in the same city.
"Being in different cities is bad enough, but then you called just to brag about your new relationship.
"You were seriously making me lose my mind. Who else was I supposed to block?
"And then you went and changed your number, so I had no way to get in touch with you.
"Luckily, I bumped into Howard recently, or I still wouldn't know the truth."
Camilla's fingers were still resting on my cheek, but the pressure had eased a little.
Her eyes were swirling with even more complicated emotions—anger, resentment, and something else I couldn't quite name.
"I..." I was left speechless by her words.
All those old memories came rushing back, tangled up with frustration.
On that night, I finally worked up the courage to confess to Camilla.
But no matter how hard I tried, the words just wouldn't come out.
So I ended up joking around, saying I was about to start dating someone.
The moment I hung up, I slammed my fist into the tree trunk, shaking loose a shower of leaves.
I hated myself—hated how weak I was.
Once again, I ran away.
The pain in my hand made me crouch down.
Man, it hurt like hell.
This random guy saw how ridiculous I looked and came over, probably wondering if I was okay.
I was just staring at the ground.
And that was when my phone got stolen.
Back then, I didn't need to register my number with my real name, so once my phone was gone.
I lost all contact with Camilla.
She even completely cut me off on Facebook.
Later on, I heard Camilla had started seeing someone.
Turned out, it was with a guy we used to go to school with.
Both of them got into the same college, and with their families being so alike, they looked like they were made for each other.
I tried messaging him on the side.
He didn't even bother denying it.
And that was that.
"I know what you're trying to say," Camilla said. "But none of that is an excuse."
Camilla threw me down onto the couch.
Then she climbed right onto my lap.
Her skirt hiked up as she moved.
She didn't even blink—totally unfazed.
She grabbed my collar and kissed me fiercely, like she was punishing me.
It must've been a minute. Or maybe two.
She finally let go, giving me a fierce look. "All of this is your fault.
"If you'd just studied like you were supposed to, we wouldn't have had all these misunderstandings.
"I'm telling you, if you'd waited any longer, I seriously would've married someone else!"
I tried to say something, but... nothing came out.
Anything I wanted to say just sounded hollow.
All that was left in the living room was the sound of our breathing.
The sky was getting darker, and the last bit of sunlight slipped through the glass, casting a sultry shadow across her face.
Her all-black outfit made her look even colder, more dangerous, like she could break your heart without even trying, especially right now.
She tilted her head up to look at me, her long legs in black stockings catching the dim light, giving off a soft, almost hypnotic glow.
Before I knew it, my eyes were drawn back to her legs.
"Enjoying the view?" she teased.
Her voice had a teasing edge, and instead of backing away, she moved even closer.
Her dress crept up a little more.
"I'm gonna see everything..." I mumbled, my cheeks flushed as I turned away.
I felt like a total perv, caught red-handed.
"Oh, please, you've already seen it all." She shot back without missing a beat.
She leaned in, her breath soft and sweet right by my ear.
"So, how are you planning to make it up to me?"
It was like someone had flipped a switch inside me.
All my self-control just slipped away.
I reached out, wrapped my arms around her waist, and pulled her close. Her eyes went wide. She was caught off guard by how sudden it was.
Her high heels wobbled and tumbled to the floor.
She pressed up against me, every inch fitting perfectly, her subtle scent mixing with a heat that made my heart race.
I couldn't hold back anymore and kissed her.
She let out a muffled moan, her fingers tightening around the front of my shirt without thinking.
I was like a wanderer finally stumbling upon an oasis after years in the desert, drinking her in hungrily.
She didn't push me away.
After that first moment of stiffness, her response was shy and tentative, like she was testing the waters, uncertain but curious.
That tiny bit of surrender was like pouring gasoline on a fire, sending a jolt through every nerve I'd been trying to keep in check.
No clue how long we'd been at it, but the whole living room was wrapped in shadows.
Her lips were wet and a bit swollen, and through her glasses, her eyes looked foggy and a little lost as she stared at me.
"Don't..." Her breath was unsteady, her voice so much softer than usual—almost melting.
"Don't what?" I brushed my thumb across her wet lips, looking right into her eyes.
"Don't stop," she whispered.