Saint Or Sinner?

Thirty Six

Ava's Point Of View

Camila sat on the couch, staring at the TV, but I knew she wasn't really watching.

The room was dim, the glow of the screen casting soft shadows on her face. She had lost weight—not drastically, but enough for me to notice.

Her eyes, once full of light, now held a quiet sadness. She had been like this for a month now, ever since she walked away from Don Luciano.

The usual Camila—bright, kind, and effortlessly warm—had been replaced by someone colder, distant.

It wasn't just the sadness; it was the way she snapped at people now, the way she forced herself to smile when she clearly didn't feel like it.

Since she left Don Luciano, something in her had dimmed. I hated seeing her like this.

Plopping down beside her, I nudged her gently.

"Cammie, are you going to sulk forever?"

She sighed, barely looking at me. "I'm not sulking."

I rolled my eyes. "Right. And I'm the Pope."

That earned me a weak chuckle, but it faded as quickly as it came.

I studied her for a moment before saying softly, "This is hurting you because you have fallen for him."

She stiffened. "Stop saying that."

I gave her a knowing look.

"You're upset because he didn't trust you. Because he didn't see you differently from other women. If it didn't matter, you wouldn't still be like this, Camila."

She exhaled sharply, swiping at a tear that had managed to escape. "It doesn't matter, Ava. I'll be leaving Orlando soon."

My stomach dropped.

"What?" I choked, staring at her with wide eyes.

"Camila, you can't just run away because of a little heartbreak. If it really hurts, I think you should talk to him and hear his explanation."

She tucked her legs under her, her voice deliberately light.

"No silly. I'm not running away. My company is sending me to Italy for a business deal. I leave in two days."

Relief washed over me, but a part of me knew I had to let Don Luciano know.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack," I muttered.

She let out a small, tired laugh. "Did you really think I was running away?"

Weren't you?

Before I could voice out, my phone buzzed

Don.

A chill ran down my spine. I swallowed, feeling Camila's eyes on me.

I stood up abruptly. "I'll take this call."

She frowned. "You don't have to leave to answer the phone, Ava."

I hesitated. We never really kept things from each other, but this... this was different.

"I know but this is extremely confidential," I quickly responded, vaguely.

Her gaze didn't waver, but she just nodded. I quickly walked out of the room, finding a secluded corner before answering.

"Don," I murmured.

"How's she?" His voice was sharp, cold, yet there was an underlying edge of something else, something only Camila could bring out of him.