Old Money || Shawmila [Completed]

22. Mushroom risotto

They didn't spend much time in his apartment. In the evening they always met based on Shawn's availability, so it was much more convenient for her to wait for him at home. Waiting was never an activity that Camila loved to do, but for him she's do that and more.

However, that evening Shawn had invited her to dinner at his apartment, and Camila's heart was pounding. The idea of watching him set up something undoubtedly delicious filled her with joy. It had been years since he had last cooked for her, and she had no problem admitting that she missed his cooking.

Shawn had decided to cook mushroom risotto. Camila watched as he finely chopped the onions and porcini mushrooms before cooking them in a pan with plenty of butter. He then added the rice, repeatedly pouring in the broth until those few simple ingredients transformed into a gourmet dish. With skilled strokes, he chopped the parsley, his hand perfectly gripping the sharp knife, and Camila didn't fear for a second that he might hurt himself. And now, the steaming delicacy in front of her made her mouth water.

As the flavors danced powerfully and elegantly on her tongue, her eyes were enchanted by the sight in front of her. Shawn wore a soft wool sweater, and his curls fell on his forehead in smooth waves. Perhaps it was the warmth of the room or maybe it was the heat of the stove, but his cheeks were deliciously painted with an intense pink, very similar to the one of his lips, which Camila wanted to kiss endlessly.

Between bites, they talked with ease, making small talks. Until that moment, they had managed to avoid the topics that could potentially ruin the mood between them, but it was inevitably time to address at least one of them. So, when the conversation unexpectedly turned to their family issues, Camila gathered her courage and asked about something that had intrigued her for some time.

For months now, she had known that his mother and sister had moved to New York like him, but besides that, Shawn hadn't revealed anything more. Camila was aware that she had ruined their lives by involving them in Senator Mendes' scandals two years prior. Shawn was not the only one who had suffered the consequences of her double dealing, and for this, she felt responsible for how their lives had changed. Mrs. Mendes had never been particularly polite to her, and Camila wished she could somehow justify what she had done because of that. But as  far as Chloe was concerned, there were no excuses.

«Do you mind telling me about your sister and your mother?» she asked Shawn, a shadow of shame veiling her face.

She noticed that Shawn had stiffened at the request, and she was ready to retract the question instantly if it weren't for his immediate response. «What do you want to know specifically?» he asked seriously.

«How are they doing?»

Shawn scoffed. «What can I say, they had it a lot worse last year, but now they're piecing their life back together». He stuffed his mouth with a forkful of risotto as if he hadn't anything more to say, so Camila looked at him perplexed.

«That's all you have to say?»

«I don't know, do you want the details?». She stared at him, an obvious look on her face. He rolled his eyes. «My mother was obviously overwhelmed. She lost her husband and reputation just in one take. But if you really want to know it, she didn't blame you. I'm not saying that she was happy about how you played me, she hated you for that. You certainly remember how she never trusted you... but hey, at least you weren't the one to fault. We are all aware that it was my father's hoax that ruined everything»

«What about your sister?»

«Chloe is doing better now. She's in rehab». Camila lost her breath for a second. «Don't worry, that's actually the best possible outcome. Chloe had lost control of herself way before you came into view, Camila. When she overdosed, it wasn't solely because of my father's scandal. She had her own issues».

«I'm extremely sorry for the pain I caused to you and your family. If I could change that I would»

«It's all in the past now»

«Is it though? I don't think your family could ever forgive me for all of that» she admitted sadly.

Shawn stared at her intensely for a second, pondering if saying what was on his mind. «I can't guarantee you that my mother has, but Chloe holds no grudge. She was actually the one who insisted I gave you another chance».

Camila was skeptical. She couldn't believe that his younger sister did that.

Shawn carried on. «Remember that time that your heel broke on the street? It happened in front of the rehabilitation clinic. My sister spends hours and hours looking outside the window, and when she first noticed you used to pass before that building almost every day, she kept an eye out for you. She basically forced me to help you out that day».

«I should pay her a visit. The least I can do is apologize to her»

A nearly imperceptible smile made its way to his face. «You'll have your chance».