Old Money || Shawmila [Completed]

4. Falling into pieces

A/N: I just want to make clear that what happened between Shawn and Camila in the previous chapter was a hundred percent consensual. He acted like a jerk, but he didn't rape her. Also thank for the support you always show with your comments! You guys are the best!! <3

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One of the many things Camila missed about California was the freedom from public transportation. Traffic was insane but sitting inside her nice car while a bright sun shined through her car windows and tanned her skin was kind of nice. In New York this was just a fantasy. Traffic jam drove her insane and she couldn't put up with some of the NY citizens' rudeness. That's why every morning Camila got ready and walked to the nearest metro station, her heels clicking on the concrete as their sound was absorbed by the surrounding noises. But when she stepped inside her office building and her shoes resonated on the marbled floors, she could forget about it.

Mr. Mellon's office was always crowded. People were busy and they basically run from side to side looking like working ants. Nobody speared her a glance, probably because they didn't have the time, and this gave her some sense of anonymity and... loneliness. The truth was Camila had never been good at making friends. Sometimes she came off as too intimidating, a know-it-all, bougie and uptight. Other times she didn't feel comfortable enough to expose herself and start a conversation. This might seem strange, after all Camila was incredibly charismatic, she was smart and beautiful, and most of the time she could make people feel at ease. But she knew that at first sight she was hard to read.

Those insecurities were the ones who made her wonder why that morning she was approached by a guy who worked at her same office. She was walking to her workstation when this rich-looking guy with dark blonde hair started walking next to her. «Good morning newbie. Now keep walking and smile while I talk to you. This should scare the hyenas away». His singsong voice slightly caught her off guard, but she did as he had told her. «I noticed somebody has yet to acknowledge your presence inside this place, and this could be the greatest thing that happens you, but most of the time coworkers just want to tear you down. Trust no one but me».

Camila was amused. «Why you? I don't even know your name».

«Archer Connor McMillan, but call me Connor. My mother insisted for my first name to be the same as her father, a huge dickhead if you ask me, so please erase its existence from your head. And to answer your question: well I have no idea on why you should trust me, just do it. You can thank me later».

His playful arrogance definitely improved her mood, and even if he was a complete stranger, she decided to go along with him. «I hope in court you're better than this at convincing people, but for now I think I'll take your suggestion».

«See?  It worked with you, it can work in court too». He winked. «Now, more seriously. You see Sherley over there?» he nodded toward a thirty-year-something redhaired who was chatting heatedly. «She's a snake. Probably the worst, noisy gossip you'll ever have to deal with. Well, yesterday she was passing by your office and heard some strange noises. Then a curly haired guy with rosy cheeks stepped outside your door, and she put two and two together».

Camila wished the ground would open and swallow her in. Not only she was ashamed of what she did, but if that Sherley started spreading rumors about her, she could be fired! Her concern showed up on her face.

And Connor noticed it. «Don't worry, she won't say a word this time. I took care of it».

«Uhm... thanks» Camila blushed. «Just to be clear: it's not something I usually do, so it won't happen again, I swear».

«Hey, no need to explain yourself. Everyone inside this building have their skeletons in the closet». He patted her back and speed to his own office. Before he closed the door, Camila called him back.

«Connor! Thank you, really. How can I pay you back?»

He smiled. «Just don't get fired, Miss Cabello».

*

When she started working for Mr. Mellon, Camila knew she had been lucky. Not only was he an incredible lawyer and well-respected businessman, but he was also unbelievably kind, a quality extremely rare in her field. He knew all about her father's situation and he didn't hesitate to encourage her to spend some time next to him. Apparently, Mr. Mellon had a soft spot for families. She was truly grateful for that. In fact, sitting beside her father's bed, she couldn't be more thankful to her employer.

Anytime she looked at her father, she wondered how much time together they had left. The men laid on the bed where machines helped him stay alive, with the hope that time could help him heal. But the doctors had been very clear: there was a huge possibility that Fernando Cabello wouldn't make it, and even if a miracle blessed them, the man wouldn't be same.

Camila's heart was broken: everything in her life was falling into pieces! Her eyes stung and clouded with tears and, alone in that hospital room with the sound of her father barely breathing, she broke down. She took his hand in hers, noticing it was slightly warm, and let her mind go back in time when that same hand had guided her to school, had helped her get up after she fell from her bike, had ruffled her hair with affection.

When the door behind her opened, she quickly dried her tear-stained cheeks. «Oh, you're here» said the flat voice of her mother. Camila sighed. Whenever Beatriz entered the room, Camila knew her time was up. Her mother never kicked her out, but her nonexistent kindness and patience were enough to make her leave.

Before leaving the room she turned to the woman. «Do you need anything? A coffee maybe?». Beatriz shook her head. «All right. If you need anything, just call me, okay?».

The woman attempted a polite smile. «I'll let you know, thanks».

Then Camila left the room and headed toward a different unit.

*

Camila had never been a fan of needles, and mostly, she couldn't bare the sight of blood. So when the doctor told her she needed to provide a blood simple, she was really tempted to turn right around and run home. The voice inside her head though, reminded her she needed to be tested.

And now, sitting in front of the doctor, she was staring at the patch on her arm. «The result will be ready in a couple of days, but you know that the majority of sexually transmitted diseases show their presence after four months. So, I suggest you repeat these exams later on». Camila didn't like the clinic coolness the doctor was talking with, or better she didn't like the doctor. There was nothing wrong with that person, but she had a general aversion toward anyone who asked two stab her with any sort of needle. «And in relation to the morning-after pill, I think you're good with a generic one».

The doctor handed her a small package and Camila smiled tightly. «Thank you». After the standard bureaucracy and a few signatures, Camila was cleared to go. Outside the hospital, the sun had already set, and a cool wind made her shiver while she walked to the metro. The streetlamps lightened her way as the autumn air kept her company. Walking pensively, she let her mind run and she finally admitted to herself that she had missed that place. New Jersey, and mostly New York, were beautiful during that time of the year. And stomping over the crinkling fallen leaves, Camila didn't noticed a curious pair of eyes had accidentally noticed her.