Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 2: "The Invitation"

"Maybe in another time I could have reciprocated in the way you deserve. Maybe in another time we could have been a simple couple that found each other through fate and lived their love without the barriers of a close-minded society. I wish things were different between us, but in this moment I can only love you in the loneliness of my conscience and the depths of my heart, knowing you will never be the one for me".

All my love,

Pierre

Passage from Camila Cabello's "Dawn in Vancouver"

Miami, Florida

Late August, 2015

The tension inside the house could break glass. A couple remained seated one in front of the other with their eyes locked on the dinner they were enjoying. No laughter, no conversation, just the clatter of cutlery against their plates. The gaze of a woman landed on her husband with slight fear. Jason's black hair shined underneath the dim light over the table, his long lashes covering his sapphire eyes as he ate in silence.

Camila sighed, remembering just how much she used to love those eyes. Jason was an extremely attractive man and she knew it. He was a very smart man. A very capable editor. Alas, he hadn't had many opportunities and that certainly was something that frustrated him to no end. He hadn't been able to find a job that helped him triumph in the journalistic world in spite of his capacity.

She, on the other hand, had triumphed in the world of literature. She was very recognized for her job and her three books had been bestsellers for months after their respective publishings. Since 2013, she'd reaped success. Jason had met her in her very first book signing three years ago. Camila had been extremely shy with him at first, after three weeks of dates and flirting she had finally accepted to initiate a relationship with him, and seven months later, they'd gotten married.

A while back, Camila had been an utter disaster in anything love related. At twenty-five, Jason had been the first and only man in her life. They'd had moments of extreme joy, but it all had been changing as Camila's fame started building up. He'd turned serious and meditative. He'd pushed her away. Now, they were two strangers. Two people that shared the same house, the same bed and occasionally had sex.

The wonderful dates had turned into vague memories in photographs. The smiles and laughter had fallen into oblivion the first three months of their marriage. The nights of passion had been reduced to faux, meaningless devotion to release tension. Nothing was the same. Not their love, not their marriage, not Jason.

"They sent me a letter," said her husband's deep voice as Camila peered up from her plate to look him directly in the eyes, shocked at the sudden emergence of conversation.

"May I ask what about?" she inquired, taking a sip from the red wine.

"It was from West High," Jason said, looking into Camila's eyes for a moment. She noticed right away he looked at her with annoyance.

"Your old high school?"

Jason simply limited himself to look at her for a second before looking down.

"I think the answer to that question's fairly obvious, writer of the year," he said mockingly, clearly hinting at the award she'd been given a few weeks back. Camila took a deep breath, trying to hold herself together as she gripped her own hands tightly under the table. She didn't want to start an argument with Jason. "But yes, it was from my old high school. There's a party of my generation tomorrow. I'm invited."

"Tomorrow?" Camila said in a soft voice, mentally going over all her liabilities. "I have a presentation in a morning show and then lunch with my editors. Then a book signing, but I think I can come back in time to go with you."