Three Knocks | ✔️

17|

"Hailey, please," Camille begged on the verge of tears.

Jake looked up from his mobile phone, deciding to stay quiet. He could not take a side.

"I'm fine. There's no point in staying here one more week."

Hailey Martell placed both hands on her hips. She looked at her brother. His eyes remained glued to the video playing on his phone, something about illegal drag racing. The sound of an engine revving up, Camille's low niggling voice, and the echo of a woman in labour pain being rushed on the stretcher filled up the room.

She could tell her little brother was involved. He played it safe by shifting in his seat, placing one leg over the other and focusing on his phone.

"I'll see what I can do," Hailey announced after a while, leaving the room with a little smile.

Three in the afternoon, the doctor discharged Camille Martin. Nonetheless, Hailey warned Jake that his life would become hellish if he did not tend to Camille.

"What makes you think we are staying together?"

Hailey shrugged. "I can confirm it's not a shot in the dark. You are falling for her."

"She is my client."

"As if you will demand her fees."

Jake could not answer back. He helped Camille settle in the backseat of his repaired car and bade his sister farewell.

"Home sweet home," he said on arriving. "Are you okay?"

Camille fidgeted with her fingers, staring at her lap.

"Lying would be easy. I will not be okay until we get to the bottom of this mystery."

"Indeed, let's get you inside first. You eat, get some rest and then we will continue."

Despite what had occurred, Jake and Camille talked nothing about Maya Russell. They made small talk and ate healthy meals as Jake had to send his sister a picture of her meals. After taking the painkillers, Camille went to bed. Jake had cleared the guest bedroom and turned it cosy for her stay.

For the outside world, they were in a romantic relationship.

On the fifth day, Jake ushered Camille into the backyard after she had taken her slow shower. She had visitors. Once again, she thought it would be Chloe or her parents, as Hailey had their phone numbers in case of an emergency. It turned out to be Samuel and Valeria instead.

They were sipping on the warm drink that Jake had left for them.

"Camille," Valeria spoke first, eyes widening.

It has to be the small Band-Aid above her right eyebrow, the forearm crutch on the left and the baby steps she took towards them. Valeria sprung to her feet and rushed to the other side. Camille feared a hug. Valeria instead helped her settle on the rattan armchair.

"I'm okay," Camille divulged. "Just a little weak."

"You are lucky to have a nice boyfriend like Jake. When he had come to your flat, I helped him pick out your clothes and stuff."

"They were perfect."

"Alice sent her regards. Get well soon and she bought you doughnuts. I already gave it to Jake," Samuel said.

It took a few seconds to recall that Alice was Samuel's niece and Shawn's younger sister. Poor thing, she must be grieving and might have been terrified on learning about her accident.