And No One Sees: The Truth Behind Camren - Book Three [UNFINISHED]

Chapter 10: A Little Less Conversation

March 27th, 2019

3:30 P.M.

Camila

It was now or never. I took a deep breath and opened the studio door up to find Roger standing there with my mom and a few producers and writers. He chuckled along with them just before taking a sip of his coffee. Everything was so normal, everyone so relaxed and content. Just another regular day; and I was about to take that away from all of us.

"Roger?" I asked, slowly approaching him.

"Camila.", he answered, flashing me his best smile, "Ready to get back in there?"

"Actually, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something."

Roger's eyebrows twitched upward as he took another sip from his paper cup. He pushed his glasses back up onto his nose and licked his lips, both nervous habits I'd noted in him over the past few years. He knew he wasn't going to like whatever I had to say, and I knew it too.

Nevertheless, he accepted my invitation and we wandered out of the studio and into a meeting room down the hall, only after grabbing my mom along the way. There was no way I was going to do this without her, even though she still had no idea what was going on.

The three of us sat down at the end of a large conference table, Roger taking one last sip of his coffee before looking up at me, expectantly. I exchanged a look with my mom who simply placed a reassuring hand on my leg under the table. I reached over and intertwined my fingers with hers before looking at Roger again.

"What's going on, C?" he asked.

"Well...", I cleared my throat, "I was thinking about getting more of the team in here because I know we'll need more people working on this. I know you have a lot on your plate and so I-"

"Camila.", he cut me off, "Tell me what's going on."

"I need to breakup with Matthew."

He pursed his lips. Roger sighed before reaching for his coffee again.

"I'm serious.", I added, "Look, you win on the coming out thing but I'm serious about this. I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Where is this even coming from?" he asked, looking over at my mother for help.

"It's gone on long enough." I said, returning his attention back to me.

"But what's the issue? I mean, you and Matthew get along well and there are no feelings there. He covers up for you and Lauren and everyone wins. What's the problem?"

"Lauren doesn't like it."

The second the words had come out of my mouth, I felt like a complete idiot. Not only was I a coward, but now I was a liar, too?

"What? Why not?" he asked.

I snuck a glance over at my mom who simply kinked an eyebrow at me. She knew I was lying, and I wouldn't have been surprised if Roger did, too; but I had to go with it now.

"She just...you know..." I attempted.

"Do you really want to be with someone who's trying to control you like that?" he asked.

My eyes widened.

"Excuse me?" I spat.

"Camila, you know I think Lauren is great and I want you to be happy. But if she's going to be jealous over a fake boyfriend I don't think—"

"She's not jealous."

I groaned and released my hand from my mother's grip. I placed my elbows on the table and ran my fingers through my hair.