Old Money || Shawmila [Completed]

17. Shady

If she had to be honest, Camila wasn't intentioned to stay at his apartment that night. And yet, the moment her eyelids felt heavy and Shawn's scent enveloped her with its warmth, she was done for. She slept peacefully all night long, with his heated body next to hers and the calming rhythm of his breath lulling her to sleep. However, that familiar feeling was soon disrupted when, hours later, she heard someone moving around the room. She was welcomed with the image of a disheveled nice man currently dressing for work. She couldn't ignore the funny feeling knotting her stomach as she noticed his groggy face - one she was sure she would have never been able to see again - in stark contrast with the smart suit he was putting on.

She admired him for a moment, lying still on his bed, treasuring the time that was left before she had to find out how things would be between them. Honestly, she had no idea on how Shawn could react to her presence. She was fairly certain that he wouldn't be too happy to still see her in his room, but at the same time the demeanor he showed during the previous night gave her some hope. She hated how he had become so cryptic and unreadable.

Camila shifted under the wooly covers, catching Shawn's attention. «You're awake. Want some coffee?» His neutral face and relaxed features confused her, making her more and more clueless on what was on his mind. She nodded and threw back the covers. The chilly air on her naked body woke her up instantly, and she was careful to put on her clothes quickly.

In the kitchen Shawn had poured them two cups of coffee, his black and bitter, hers with just a lump of sugar. They drunk it quietly and, while Camila was dying to see any kind of reaction from his part, Shawn seemed totally comfortable in that silence.

«I'm heading out in ten minutes. Do you want to share a cab? » he asked her.

Camila understood that was her clue to pull up stakes. «Don't worry. We're not headed in the same direction. Actually, I've got tons of things to do, so I'll leave now». She scurred to drop her cup on the sink, then quickly headed for her coat. She felt his hand wrapping around her wrist, then gently slipping on her hand. She was hypnotized by the sight of his fingers touching her skin as if pleading for something. «You'll call me back, right? »

Her voice was feeble and sounded almost like a whisper when she replied. «Of course». Then he left her hand and Camila walked out of his apartment.

Later that morning, she was working in her office when Connor entered through the door without bothering to knock. Camila had yet to fully understand him. He was definitely off-the-wall, and his sarcasm didn't help her figuring him out. He seemed to get along with everyone in the building, from the middle aged attorney at the end of the corridor to the blonde receptionist in the hall, and even with the bald doorman that greeted him every morning with a smile. Apparently he got everybody to like him, and Camila often asked herself which price they had to pay in order to be on his good side. Because, frankly, Camila knew there was always a cost: nobody could be that selfless without expecting anything in return.

Connor slumped down on a chair in front of her desk, flapping a piece of paper before her eyes. «This is what you've asked for»

Camila snatched it from his finger, a satisfied grin plastered on her face. «You're quick».

«You're the first lady saying that». Camila rolled her eyes but couldn't stop her chuckle. «Anyway, can I at least know what you need a PI for? »

«I have to track someone down and I have no idea where to start»

A malicious smile appeared on his face. «That's shady, Cabello.»

«Don't judge me. I need to win the Caplan and Gold's case».

Connor held his hands up. «Not judging, just curious. I'll leave you to it then»

Alone again, Camila picked up the phone, dialed Mr. Gold's number and waited a few seconds. Since there were only few things that she's despised more than talking to that old asshat, the moment she heard his voice she went straight to the point and in less than two minutes she had the name she was looking for. Right after that, she made good use of Connor's help.

Two days later she was face to face with a forty-something years old blondie, detective Adeline Duchamp. To her own surprise, Camila had the impression that this woman was trustworthy, a quality that she rarely found in new people.

As she gave her the man's name, she couldn't help but feel conflicted. When Mr. Gold firstly talked about him, Camila hoped she would never need to involve him. Gary Milton, a possible witness that could testify in support of Mr. Caplan, had undoubtedly been played before by the old man that Camila was advocating for. And even if it was her job to try and win that case, part of her wanted nothing more for Mr. Gold to lose his money and his reputation.

Camila knew why she was having second thoughts about her career. A moral that she had never had before coming back to New York, was now seeping through her. It wasn't just the fact that she was tired to do the dirty work, playing with other people's life just to make a career out of it. Obviously what she did to Shawn years ago, and was now keeping on doing while working as an attorney, made her feel like trash. But it was also how she could catch a glimpse of her own parents on the faces of those people, honest people that she intended to ruin, which pulled some string on her heart.

Could she be better than that? Could she simply refuse to keep on living like that, quit her job and start a new life? Unfortunately, she was pretty sure she couldn't. What was left for her to do was simply learn how to live with her own self, whether she liked it or not. 

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A/N. Between work and school I haven't been able to update for some months, but now I'm back ! It's not much, but it's a start. 

I'd really like if you could comment and like this chapter!