Gravity

Chapter 14

*September 29th 2013*

*Sunday 9:00am*

*Portland, Oregon*

Camila's POV:

She's gone.

"She's hasn't said a single word."

I hear the unfamiliar voices talking about me like I'm not even in the room. I don't bother to acknowledge their presence as they hover in the doorway. I'm sitting in one of the interview rooms; I have been in here for most of the night.

Question after question has been fired at me but I haven't made a single effort to answer any of them.

I can't stop thinking about Lauren.

Where is she? Is she ok? Why did she do this?

How could she do this to me?

"Is she here yet?"

"He called about an hour ago to say he had just landed. He should be here any minute."

I look down at the engagement ring on my finger and hold back my tears. I slide it off and slip it into my jeans pockets.

I don't think I'll be needing this anymore.

"Are you sure we are allowed to just release her to him?"

"Officially? Probably not. However I feel for the guy ...she would have to go back at some point anyway, the warrant for her arrest isn't in this jurisdiction. We're just helping out a fellow cop."

"Poor guy, he must have been worried out of his mind."

"Camila!"

My heart stops.

I look up, my eyes immediately watering the second I see him rush into the room.

"Daddy." My voice shakes and he is in front of me in a second, pulling me up onto my feet and wrapping his arms around me tightly in a hug.

"Oh Camila, sweetheart." He sounds upset. He clings to me so tightly that it hurts but I don't attempt to pull away.

"Dad." I can't help the tears that fall down my cheeks. Despite everything that has happened, he's still my father and I have missed him.

My body is taken over in relief and for the first time in what feels like hours I let myself just feel.

"Daddy," I pull back, tears streaming down my cheeks. "She's gone!" a sob falls from my lips uncontrollably and I can't stop my body from shaking.

He looks at me sympathetically as he pushes my damp hair from my face. "I know sweetie." He pulls me back against his chest. "God I have missed you so much!" he peppers kisses to the top of my head. "You have no idea honey, no idea how much I love you."

I don't answer; instead I continue to cry in his arms feeling the safety and comfort a girl can only feel from her father.

"Come on sweetheart, it's time to come home."

Lauren's POV:

"Jauregui!"

I look up from dirty ground in my cell at the sound of my name. The door slowly opens and I squint from the sudden brightness.

"You have a visitor, come on!" I am ordered coldly and my heart starts to pound hard against my chest.

"Who?"

The guy ignores me as he grabs my arms and cuffs me before escorting me out.

I pray it's not Camila but I hope that it is at the same time.