The Lie (Camren)

26. Bonus Chapter

Camila's POV

(One and a half months before the wedding day)

You know what they say? One scent can bring back a whole series of incidents in our minds. An image is as powerful as it can be, it'll fade by the time and turn into a forgotten memory. A scent never does. It remains unforgettable in the human brain, so much so that it can wake memories you didn't know existed.

That morning I woke up exactly for that reason. Her smell. Her body's scent wrapped my entire existence like a duvet. A scent I could recognise between a million others because it was hers. If happiness were physical what it would be? Because to me, her perfume when she hugs me and her arms surround my body, is happiness. Her scent makes me think of "home". Right there, beside her, in her arms. Breathing in her body.

She was still asleep. Carefully, I leaned back, to see her serene face while sleeping. It had been years since I saw her sleeping. I was given the chance about 8,5 months ago when I still got a chance with her. It felt like someone pinched my stomach when I saw her sleeping with Gigi in her arms. Our whole past passed through my eyes at that moment.

I carefully snapped out of her arms. She moved a bit, but thankfully without waking up. I couldn't help but admire her flawless face. My fingers without realising it, drew abstract shapes on it, barely touching her skin. 'Is she going to be mine, ever again?' My stomach clenched at the thought of Keane with her. The whole world thought they had an affair, and I needed desperately to ask her about it. It was unfair that she knew about Will, but I knew nothing about her love life and had every right to know.

Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. From time to time I'd get these panic attacks and the only way to stop them, was to convince myself it was all in my head. That or a distraction would do the job. However, my mind wouldn't shut up.

'My life is a mess, my heart belongs to that woman lying naked beside me and don't know how to tell her. Tell her what actually? That I don't want to marry Will because I'm in love with her? She will laugh it off and tell me, it's only sex between us.'

I got up slowly and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. When I faced myself in the mirror I gasped. There were hickeys everywhere, all over my neck, my shoulder, my back. Looking further down, I noticed my buttocks were purple with tiny red dots from the capillaries she broke. It caught me by surprise because Lauren was always careful. She never left any marks on me, as it was one of her rules.

'How am I supposed to show up like this to Will?'

'Will...'

'How I forgot about him?'

'Dinah...'

They had no clue about where I was. I just left without saying anything.

I ran out of the restroom to search my purse. I tried to be quiet since Lauren was still asleep. I could listen to my heartbeat and feel the heart pounding on my chest when I saw the dozens of missed calls and texts from Will, Dinah, Selena, Normani and even my manager. Normani's name was the first on the list of texts and I decided to open hers first.

Normani: Call me ASAP!

I stood up terrified and walked to Lauren's closet to pick up a robe to cover my naked body. As I turned, my eyes landed on the dress.

'Oh god...'

I remembered instantly that Lauren didn't bother to take it off me and instead ripped it off, the previous night.