Faking It | Wattys 2022

Chapter 18

Camila sat there, a dazed smile on her face as she watched Lauren argue with the interior designer on what color would look best for the professor's office.

"But red is too harsh on the eyes,"

"Miss Jauregui—"

"Dr. Jauregui," Lauren corrected her.

Camila chuckled in amusement. "Janet, why don't you just let her pick the color she wants?"

"Miss Cabello, with all due respect, the furniture you have in there would clash," Janet explained calmly. "I think dark navy is a better fit,"

"We'll get her new furniture then," Camila got up from her seat and stood behind the raven-haired woman, resting her chin on Lauren's shoulder. "Is that alright with you?"

"It's perfect," Lauren smiled. "So, how long will the painting take?"

"I'll have my guys come over shortly after the New Year and get started then. It should only take a day or two." Janet packed her belongings away. "It was a pleasure seeing you, Miss Cabello. And you as well, Dr. Jauregui,"

The two of them watched her strut to the elevator, pressing the button twice before disappearing behind heavy metal doors.

Lauren gave the dark-haired woman a funny look. "Did you fuck her too?"

"No," Camila grinned. "But she's tried to fuck me,"

"Jesus Christ," Lauren groaned in annoyance. "I swear the entire city of Boston needs to stay away from you and that... Thing of yours,"

"Oh, don't be like that!" Camila pulled their bodies flush against each other. "I'm just too irresistible, admit it,"

"Get your dirty hands off of me," Lauren's laughter betrayed her words. "I mean it, Cabello!"

Just as Camila opened her mouth to speak, the elevator door dinged and Alejandro stepped out, causing the dark-haired woman to immediately move away from Lauren.

"Dad," Camila cleared her throat. "You didn't tell me you were stopping by,"

Alejandro let his steely eyes glaze over both of them. "I was in the area and thought I'd stop by for a bit. Figured we could talk business."

"Oh, alright. Well, I can meet you in my study?" She offered.

"I'll see myself there," Alejandro gave Lauren a tight-lipped smile.

Lauren blew out an exaggerated breath. "Should I be worried?"

"I don't know," Camila said earnestly. "He never shows up like this. But don't worry about it, why don't you get started on that cheesecake you promised me?"

"Only because you won't shut the fuck up about it," Lauren grumbled as she descended into the kitchen.

Camila tip-toed her way into her large study, freezing when she sees her father staring at the picture Lauren recently put up of them on an ice cream adventure they embarked on despite the snowy roads screaming at them to go back inside.

"She seems like she's going to stick around," Alejandro spoke quietly. "I like to think that she'll be the mother of your children one day. Brings me some peace."

"It's too soon to be talking about babies, dad," Camila rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

"Karla," his voice dropped. "Why did you tell Mr. Healy that you weren't attending the New York expo?"

Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. "I was going to tell you—"

"Tell me what? That you've decided to fucking sneak behind my back and pull something like this again? Please, enlighten me. Is there something else going on that's stopping you from attending?"