Old Money || Shawmila [Completed]

28. The Cabellos

That day in the office the air buzzed with a strange, agitated energy. Christmas was approaching and Camila hoped that the frenzy was due to the anticipation for the holidays, but something suggested that this was not the case. She had the feeling that there was something more, something she could hardly control.

She shrugged and walked to her office, piles of documents waiting to be photocopied. She grabbed the paper packages that were exaggeratedly heavy for her slender arms and dragged herself with effort into the copy room. As usual, the room was packed with people: bored secretaries, men with too high a dose of caffeine in their bloodstream, and clumsy interns. None of them wanted to be inside those four walls, but there was no escape for anyone – not even for Camila. She had put off that task for too long and now she would find herself spending countless hours smelling the chemical scent of the ink.

The mood of those present was not the best, but she certainly did not expect to find smiling people in there. Still, their pouts and worried expressions intrigued her. It didn't take her long to find out what had caused them. There were rumors that Mr. Mellon was planning to make cuts in office staff. He wouldn't limit to firing a few too many secretaries, but he was also determined to get rid of the partners who no longer fell within the parameters of satisfaction of the company. Of course, it wasn't anything certain, but Becky — one of the biggest gossip in the law firm — spread the word, saying the topic had been discussed during the last meeting between Mr. Mellon and his veteran and most trusted associates.

It had been a long time since Camila had that feeling, an antithetical mix of fear and self-confidence. Losing that job could easily bankrupt her and she was not sure that Mr. Mellon was entirely satisfied with her achievements. At the same time, however, her most arrogant side wanted to convince her that she should not worry. She had always been an excellence in her field, and the victories she had brought to Mr. Mellon's law firm were proof of that. If she won the Caplan & Gold case she wouldn't have to worry anymore.

During the lunch break, Connor looked peaceful. Camila envied him for never taking anything seriously, as if nothing could scratch him. She honestly had no idea how her colleague was performing at work, but she assumed it was excellent given his lack of worry. Maybe Connor was just brazen and rich enough to act irresponsibly. Only time could tell.

The day passed quickly and soon Camila found herself in the arms of her boyfriend. There was no word that could describe how she felt about knowing that Shawn was hers again. She occasionally wondered if she had forgiven him too quickly, or if he had been honest with her during their last argument. Eventually, she concluded that she was exhausted. She couldn't bear to lose him, let alone continue to be treated like a side chick. Moreover, Shawn was behaving better than she had hoped: there were no more subterfuges or snarky comments, he looked at her as if she were the only woman on earth, he had lowered every wall between them. Camila had no reason not to trust him. After years she finally felt the sense of peace she had sought since he left California.

When she was with him she felt giddy, giggling like a schoolgirl, drunk with his kisses and caresses. She didn't doubt that he felt the same: the radiant smile he exhibited on his face was proof of that. Camila wished she could tattoo in her memory the brightness of his gaze, the small wrinkles that surrounded his eyes when he laughed, the dimples that decorated his cheeks. The grumpy man she had come to know seemed only a distant memory.

One Sunday, a couple of weeks before the holidays, while they were walking through the Christmas windows, Camila found herself asking him a question that not even she expected to ask. «Will you take me to my parents?»

Shawn looked at her perplexed, uncertain and cautious. «Right now?»

She nodded. The idea that her father - but especially her mother - met him scared her to death, but deep down she knew that sooner or later it would have to happen. «I know it's an important step, and I don't want to force you, but -»