ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪsᴇs { ʟᴊ x ᴄᴄ }

Chapter 10

It was nearly dawn when Camila opened her eyes. If she was startled to find herself inside a bathroom, she nearly jumped when she recognized the person beside her. It was Lauren, eyes still closed, breathing deeply. Camila blinked a couple of times, trying to recall what happened last night, bits and fragments coming into mind.

Lauren suddenly turned to the side and burrowed her head onto Camila’s neck. Camila froze. After a few minutes sensing no other movement, Camila gently moved Lauren’s head to the other side. She then carefully untangled herself. After a few minutes, she was free. Breathing heavily, she walked over to the door. Her hand on the knob, she turned and looked at the sleeping girl. There was a big part in her that wanted to go back and just sit beside her. And that part is aching, telling her, pleading with her that it doesn’t matter what happened before, what matters is now. And Camila wanted to give in. She nearly let go of the door knob but then she remembered the times Lauren gave up on her. Those times, she’d make a fool of herself trying to get her back. Those times, she nearly lost her mind. Those times, she thought she’d die. She couldn’t go through that anymore.

Lauren

The heat of the morning sun roused Lauren from her sleep. For a second she was confused on why she was sleeping inside a bathroom, then she remembered. Jumping down from the countertop, she cursed out loud. Camila was gone. She opened the door and found Camila’s bodyguard sitting across the door.

“Hey kid,” Joel greeted Lauren fondly when he saw her. If there was one person who knew what happened between them, it would be Joel. He was the one sneaking Lauren in or driving Camila around to meet Lauren. He was the one often sent to deliver gifts or receive them. He was the one guarding the door to ensure no one comes in and catch the girls.

Lauren smiled at the big guy then stepped in for a hug. There were too many memories between them. “How’s the wife and the kids?”

“Good. I’m off this weekend so we have this big outing planned.”

“That nice,” Lauren said as she looked around the empty bar.  

“She already left.”

“Oh.”

“She told me to give you a ride back to where you’re staying.”      

“No, it’s okay.” Lauren shook her head as she stepped backward.

“Camila asked me to. She rarely gets mad,” Joel paused as he looked at Lauren thoughtfully, “but I think this will be one of those moments if I don’t do what she asked. You know how she is.”

Lauren sighed as she nodded her head. “Lead the way.”

It was a 30 minute drive to Lauren’s hotel and they sat in companionable silence. Somehow Joel knew when people have a lot of things in their mind and for that Lauren was thankful. When Joel rolled the car to a stop, he got something out of his pocket and handed it to Lauren.

“Camila asked me to give this to you before you go.”

Lauren stared at the note, fearful of what message it brings.

“Of everyone that came in Camila’s life since I started working for her, you’re the one I really liked. I hope you two get back together.”

“Thanks Joel,” Lauren said as she smiled at him. Then saying a silent prayer, she grabbed the note and hopped out of the car.

It took her a few minutes to get to her room and Lauren had to stop herself numerous times from opening that piece of paper. She forced herself to wait as she felt it burning inside her pocket, calling out to her. She was afraid of its contents. And she knew that if it was something bad, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from making a scene. So she waited as she walked as fast as she could to her room.  

Camila

Sinu knocked on Camila’s door before opening it. She knew exactly what she would find. Camila laying on the bed, wide awake and staring at the wall.

“Mija,” she called out as she laid on the bed and held her daughter tightly.

“I almost made a mistake today, Mama. But I stopped myself in time. You would have been proud of me.” Camila said emotionless.

“Then why do you look like your bestfriend just died?”

“Don’t say that,” Camila said as she sat up and faced her mother. “I’m fine.” She added unconvincingly.

“So that means you’re going out again tonight, drinking, and partying? Because that’s what you do when you’re fine.”

“I just want to have fun, Mama.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’re having fun. You like you’re trying to fill this hole in your life with all of those.”

“Sometime we need to do whatever helps us get through the day.” Camila said as she looked away. She had this conversation one too many times with her mother.

“Joel told me what happened last night.” Sinu said as she stood up. “What happened between you and Lauren?”

“Nothing.” Camila answered. “We just slept inside the bathroom.”

“You did not talk?”

“If we did, I do not remember. I was too drunk apparently.”

“Oy vey Camila.” Sinu said as she shook her head in disappointment. “I do not know everything that happened between the two of you. But all I can say is that you were happy before. And now, you’re just… you’re just not.”

“Exactly Mama. You don’t know what happened. You don’t know how she hurt me. I’m not going to let that happen again.”

“You’re too young to be this way.” Sinu said sadly. She then took out a piece of paper and placed it on Camila’s bedside table. “I found this months ago. I forgot about it but then I remembered when Joel said that you were with Lauren.”

Camila stared at the worn out paper, recognizing Lauren’s handwriting. She barely noticed when her mom left the room.

Lauren

"Stay away from me."

No matter how long and hard Lauren stared at the note, the words did not change.

"Stay away from me."

Lauren thought to herself silently.

"Maybe it was time to let go."