The Shadow

Chapter -7 Innocent Questions

Cam was waiting for her mother when she noticed Robert and she ran towards him yelling, "Daddy, daddy!"

Robert's calm expression turned into an irritated one. He got pissed when she attracted other's attention also.

Camilla didn't seem to notice his irritation and hugged him tightly. Joy was bursting when she spoke, "Daddy, are you here to pick me ?"

' Nerves of this girl! '
Robert scoffed, "I'm here to pick up my daughter, not you."

Camilla giggled at his statement, "Oh daddy, you are so naive. I'm also your daughter. Did you forget that?"

Robert was about to explain to her when Isabella came there, making Camilla squeal with happiness, "Mummy, see daddy has come to pick me up."

Isabella's eyes noticed the pissed expression of Robert and the way he had fisted his hands, was a major giveaway of his anger. Isabella knew he didn't like Camilla's presence around him and she wanted to change that but it was near to impossible.

She didn't want Camilla to notice that and tried to distract her, "sweetie, how was your day?"

  Camilla's expressions turned into a bored one, " it was ok. I didn't get time to complete my introduction. Do you know you have to earn to be in Gabi's group? "

Before she can continue, Gabi joined them and glared at her.
Gabi turned towards her mother, "Mom, I just ask her to not sit with my friends. They don't like strangers in a group."

Isabella narrowed her eyes," but we talked about it, Gabi. She may need your help. She is new in this city and school."

"And why would you think I didn't help her. Oh! I got it. She must have not told you the whole thing." Gab was hurt. After years, she met her mother, and instead of asking about her well-being, she was scolding him. There were many sleepless nights where she had cried to get her mother back but she didn't. Those cold nights haunt her, even today.

Gabi turned towards Cam and asked.
" were you alone in the lunch? "
Camilla declined because she was with 'freak club '

She turned towards her mother and spoke," before blaming me, try to know everything mother. You still haven't changed. Maybe Cam has not told you the truth. Next time I don't want you to blame me for her."

"Gabi, have you forgotten your manners!" Isabella yelled with anger. Where had her sweet Gabi disappeared?

   Gabi smiled, a  sarcastic one that clenches heart and stabs it with emotions. Her eyes were about to spill tears but she controlled and raised her chin and spoke with an arrogance to hide her pain, " I didn't have a mother to teach me manners. "

It was a gut-wrenching low blow for Isabella and she sucked in a huge gulp of air. How could she answer that? She looked towards Robert who was staring at Gabi with pain.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down, "look, Gabi, I was not blaming you. I was just asking. Of course, I trust you. Just, tell me what to do to cheer you up."

Gabi didn't answer her. Isabella looked at Robert who was fuming but his eyes softened looking at pleading Isabella. After all, she was the love of his life but before he could say, Camilla chirped in, "Ice cream, I'll  have ice cream."

     Gabi tried to calm down and then, they all went to the ice cream parlor. Gabi ordered butterscotch and so did Isabella. Her heart was still crying but she didn't want to appear weak, whereas, Cam's eyes twinkled looking at so many flavors and she licked her lips. She thought for a while but when she saw Robert ordering a Vanilla ice cream for himself, she also ordered the same.