Chapter 6

Camila

"Stop"I laughed trying to push Elijah away from me as we entered the house.

He has been bugging me and trying to annoy me since we landed and the car came to pick us up. Mind, there was a lot of paparazzi when we landed, to say it was unexpected would be a lie. And to see us laughing, that only gave them more gossip, so we'll expect new magazine covers by tomorrow morning.

"Come on, it couldn't have been that bad Cam"he says chucking and taking my suitcase.

I shook head with a smile, he started calling me Cam ever since that dinner, after we got drunk and went back to our room, some very interesting things happened that we decided to never speak of again. Now, he was asking me about my first date, I don't know what gave me the idea that I had gone on a date, but I told him about it either way.

"Try sitting across the most arrogant man in the world"I say rolling my eyes and closing the door.

"Have you met my father?" Elijah asks in a low whisper causing us both to laugh.

He wasn't all that bad of a person, he was actually very charming and funny, I really never knew he was so easy to get along with. But even though we were getting along, I knew after this whole deal was sealed, the marriage would be over, my family promised that I could do whatever I wanted after that but I never believe a word they say. Knowing them, they probably have some remote location for me to be shipped off to, but I have my plans for that, I know once this is all over, I will disappear, change my name if I have to.

"Aren't you two just adorable"Emilio says catching our attention, our laughing but dying down.

He was seated on the sofa with a book in his hand, okay, he was reading, that's a good sign. He was either too charming for his own good, a perfect Momma's boy or just bored.

"Emilio, I didn't think you'd be home"Elijah says taking a seat on the couch.

"Oh?" Emilio asks with a raised eyebrow as he closed his book.

"You're always out on one of your escapades"Elijah says shrugging his shoulders.

"I wanted to be the first one to welcome you two home, by the looks of it, your trip was great and successful"Emilio acknowledged as his eyes looked me over.

"Cut the crap you douche, not everyone wants to be uptight"I say taking a seat next to Elijah.

Emilio looked taken back by my sudden answer and looked between me and his brother in confusion. But he soon shook his head to rid his thoughts, Emilio opened his mouth to say something but Mira beat him to it.

"You're back!" Mira shrieked jumping on the spot next to me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Yeah, help me unpack?" I ask patting her back.

"Definitely, Eli"Mira says glancing at her cousin.

"Mira"Elijah replied nodding his head, not looking at her.

The tension was thick, all I knew was that they never really got along but they had nothing against each other. Even though Mira had cussed out Elijah when she first out about the wedding, I pleaded with her to just let it go since our parents were the reason for the whole sham.

"No way, I warned you not to get drunk around him!" Mira exclaimed slapping my wrist.

"Ow" I laughed ignoring her outburst. "It didn't even mean anything"I say unzipping the last suitcase.

I started to unpack it, I took a lot of clothes with me. Per, Mira's request, she told me to take enough so I did because Elijah did want us to go out a lot. We went out very often, and when I thought one journey was over, he said he had something else planned, so I had to shower and change a lot of clothes.

"It doesn't matter, did you guys even use protection?" Mira asks massaging her temples.

"I think so"I say going deep in thought, only for her to smack me in the forehead with the back of her hand.

"Ow, I'm kidding"I chuckle rubbing my forehead, she can be very abusive sometimes.

"So, how's Josh?" I ask Mira after a few minutes of silence.

"He's fine, he missed you though, a lot"Mira says laughing.

Josh was like a brother to me, we went to the same schools and we never once let the other go or forget about each other. It was the same with Mira, the two shared a bond so rare, it was more than friendship and way too much to be a relationship but I hoped they'd get together soon, I admired how they were together.

Mira and I finished unpacking my stuff then went down for dinner. She was going to be staying here for another day, she had to leave for her brother's graduation from high school, and then she had college classes. I wish I could've gone to college, my parents always wanted things there way and thought if I went out into the world like that, I would somehow tell the world about their ways, I truly didn't care about their ways, I was too used to them. I just wanted to live my life.

"So, how was your trip?" Quinn asks sucking up to Elijah.

We finally sat down for dinner after Elijah and I got settled in  and unpacked. And let me just say, this was the most unfortunate place I could be.

"It was great"Elijah replied putting his fork into his mouth.

Quinn whispered something to him and he choked, Emilio snorted as Elijah coughed uncontrollably, unable to even swallow down his drink to stop himself from going out of breath.

She just never gives up, imagine being in love with a man all your life and never having a chance with him but you keep pushing your luck. She has been with many men, and I mean many, but somehow her infatuation for Elijah always remained the same. I always thought she was delusional, then I realized that she was just crazy and willing to do anything to get her way.

"Are you okay?" I ask after Elijah finally calmed down.

"I'm fine, thanks"he says coughing a little bit.

Mira made a face at Quinn, I knew I had to subdue whatever thoughts she had in her mind before she said them out loud.

"Movie and popcorn, after dinner"I say in Mira's ear and she beamed at me. Yes!.

After dinner, my father said he wanted to speak with me. I didn't know for what reason but I just followed him  and my mother into the sitting room.

There my father sat down, he was silent for a minute before throwing down a magazine. The cover was of me sitting down, when Alberto kissed my hand, I looked at my father in disbelief but stepped back.

"It was nothing, I swear to you" I say feeling his already ignorant vibe.

"Nothing Camila?" Dad asks looking up at me with anger in his eyes. "Do you know how humiliating this is?" he asks lighting his cigar.

"It was nothing"I say and with that he stood up and slapped me, right across the cheek.

"Shut up, I never said you could speak, you're always trying to say something when I try to discipline you"he says grabbing my face in his rough hand.

He squished my face as he breathed harshly and angrily at me. "Don't ruin this for me Camila, I've worked too hard for this"he says in a warning tone.

"I'm sorry"I say as tears filled my eyes and started to run.

"You're always sorry"Mom says rolling her eyes at me.

Dad pushed me away, making sure I didn't lose my balance, as if he cared. He's done much worse than this and I was always to blame for something, even if it was my sister's doing, I was always blamed.

"Wipe those darn tears off your face, and clean yourself up, you look pathetic"Mom says taking a seat on the chair arm where Dad sat.

I wiped the tears from my face but they just kept on coming, I would give anything to be away from this life. If my grandparents were still alive, I could have been with them, they wouldn't have had a problem to take me, but life always gives you a way of fighting on your own.

"Camila, are you alright dear?" Judie asks standing before me and putting her hands on my shoulder.

"I'm fine, just not feeling well" I lied trying to wipe my eyes as best as I could.

"Cam?" came Elijah's voice, I could feel him standing close to me.

"She's fine, let her have her little temper tantrum"Dad says trying to get all attention on him, what a hog.

"Are you sure?" Judie asks ignoring my Dad's beck and calls.

That man, that 6'1 dreadful waste of air. He's going to get what's coming to him soon enough, everyone gets their chances and karma.

"She's fine Aunt Judie, I'll take her upstairs and put her to bed"Mira says taking my hand and pulling me along with her.

Once we got in my room, Mira let out a heavy sigh. She put me to sit and looked at my cheek, I knew they all heard that slap, my ear almost went deaf as it rung loudly from the impact.

"I can't wait until you get out of here"Mira says hugging me.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I felt her warm embrace, I really needed a hug right now. As much as it wouldn't help my situation, I needed one.