Lost Game Notes (Novel)

Chapter 11: Kamila

Over the clinking cutlery and silence, Kamila attempted to hold a conversation. Lawrence wasn't one for talking about himself—which Alex knew was because it would sound ridiculous.

Besides, what could Lawrence say? "I work every day a week for extensive hours, make no room for vacation or family, and currently live off dry cereal."?

Kamila on the other hand, seemed to be delighted to speak of her job as a journalist, her past as a nurse, and her dream of settling in Juniper Hills permanently. She none too discreetly attempted reeling Alex into the conversation, but Alex turned a cold shoulder and buried his chin in his hoodie, stirring the contents of his plate like soup.

Lawrence cleared his throat and it sounded like a growl. Alex continued to stir his dinner.

"It's a pity Dawn isn't here," Kamila sighed, fingering the edge of the tablecloth. "I was hoping I could meet you all at once. Don't you get a little lonely, Alex?"

Alex began to open his mouth but Lawrence was already speaking. "He has some good friends, one of which is Jude Connell, the mayors son."

Alex lifted his head, like a cobra about to strike. "Liar," he seethed, feeling his blood begin to rush. "You know I hate Jude. You're just trying to sugar-coat the truth so Kamila would think you're an angel and marry you like Olivia did."

Lawrence's face went red, and his grip tightened on the fork he held. He spoke in a voice that was soft and composed, hiding the hatred behind, a fake impression that people like Kamila and Olivia fell for. "That will be quite enough, Alexander."

"And then what?" Alex challenged, leaping to his feet and allowing the chair to topple over with a sharp clatter behind him. "You'll marry Kamila and divorce her like you did Olivia."

Alex's heart thrummed against his chest, spurred by the murderous glare on Lawrence's face and Kamila's stunned expression. He didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he turned and hastened out of the kitchen, pausing at the front door to pull on his boots, not bothering to lace them. He stormed down the porch steps into the settling darkness.

"You're doing this all wrong," he could almost hear Dawn's admonishing.

He shoved the voice aside. Kamila was in for a nasty, bitter surprise. Lawrence couldn't hide his true, cold self forever.

And that was just the thing. Lawrence didn't let on what was going on beyond their one word conversations over dry cereal in the morning—never.

Alex stopped in his tracks. To say he knew Lawrence would be a lie. So why was he surprised that he had reeled himself an unsuspecting fish like Kamila? Olivia had been like that, fool enough to try the bait...and end up hooked.

Alex found himself turning into the grassy expanse of the dead silent park. A family of rabbits sprang around on the border of the forest of trees, unaware of a potential predator. An owl nesting in the tangle of branches above hooted.

He shoved his hands into his hoodie, traversing through the grass to drop down unto a bench. He listened to the dull chirp of crickets grow louder as the evening wore on, feeling the storm in his heart growing still. He should do this more often.

A noisy snap of a twig had Alex's head jerking up, sending the straying snow-white rabbit leaping back to its family, it's source of comfort and safety.

Even rabbits are luckier than me, Alex mused to himself, scanning the trees beyond for movement. He was suddenly aware of the cold wind that breezed, and he shifted on the bench, unease sweeping over him. The family of rabbits had completely disappeared behind a leafy bush heavy with wine-petaled roses.

Maybe someone was there, watching and waiting.

Alex licked his lips and looked around him. Stop it, he chided himself. No one is here but yourself. No one but yourself and the rabbits.

His heart lurched in his chest, when a cloaked figure came rounding the bend, jogging up to him.

For a second Alex realized he had no weapon, and the next he was jumping to his feet and balling his fists, ready to defend himself regardless.

"Alex, there you are," a woman's voice huffed as the person slowed to a stop. "I thought I'd find you here."

She pulled the cloak from around her shoulders, and offered the cloak to Alex, turning her moonlit face towards to the sky, long faded of its orange streaks.

"I finally got a chance to escape Lawrence and come and talk."

Inside, Alex felt as if a wound that had began to heal had been ripped open and was bleeding again. Kamila never would have known, for his face reflected no emotion. Still, he took the cloak and hung it over his own shoulders, glad for some respite from the chilling wind.

"What do you care? You know about Olivia, don't you?"

Kamila dropped down unto the bench and smoothed down her dress. "If I didn't care I wouldn't be here." She twisted the end of a curl between two fingers and stared at the rosebush, the golden hue the lamplight cast over the leaves and petals. "What you said to Lawrence wasn't nice."

Alex clutched the cloak tighter at his neck and glared at her. "So you've come here to lecture me. Let's get this straight. You're not my mother, and you'll never be."

Kamila smiled warily. "That's not my intention. Sit down, Alex. I know you want an explanation for this, and there is one, I promise."

Alex hesitated. He considered leaving Kamila there in the cold, but the snapping of a twig pricked his mind. After all, he did want to know if this Kamila had a good reason for even looking and Lawrence twice.

He huffed, then dropped down beside her and waited with evident impatience.

"Let me reintroduce myself." She held out a hand, a solemn look settling in her features, as though she had switched personalities. "Kamila Pierce, private undercover journalist, otherwise spy.

"Alex," Alex mumbled, forgoing her hand. "And?"

Kamila retracted her hand. "And I was hired by Lawrence Brooke some weeks ago to embark on an undercover mission to gain sensitive information otherwise unattainable."

Alex stared at her. "Why are you telling me this?"

Kamila smiled, and the formal facade faded. "Normally, I would say nothing but the first part. But you need to understand this "relationship" is nothing but a bribing on my part."

"A bribing? Lawrence Brooke?" Alex sat straighter, feeling his brows raise.

"Don't underestimate me, Alexander." Kamila flashed him a grin. "My acting skills are legendary."

"How do I know you're not acting now?" Alex asked.

"This is my normal self no one sees much of. The person you saw when I introducing myself is my business personality. The one I used with Lawrence I call my "baby" personality. The one everyone regards as a pushover."

Alex nodded slowly. He too had some sort of dual personality. The person he was around and not around Lawrence.

For a moment it was nothing but the noisy silence around them. The sun had long since left the sky, and tiny bats swung across the vast, black serene.

Kamila propped her elbows on her knees. "Here's where I say I need your help."

Alex swatted at a mosquito zipping by. "Not if it has to do with Lawrence."

"I'll pay you. Eight thousand dollars."

Alex froze, then looked up to squint at her face. "Huh. You're dead serious. Where are you going to get that from?"

And then it occurred to him. The bank statement, the withdrawal addressed to Lawrence, still in the pocket of his hoodie. The money had been transacted weeks ago. Could it possibly be that Lawrence had used that eight thousand to pay Kamila?

"That's a lot of money," Alex said. With that amount he would have no use for Lawrence. He could help Sky's university tuition, and pay for his mother's medical bills. But then again he was only sixteen. Maybe he could keep the money or when he turned eighteen. He would leave the house that very day.

Alex gave in. "What do you want me to do?"

"Gather all the information you can on Lawrence. Listen in on his phone calls, take notice of his guests, learn their names. Anything. Even the smallest piece of information can be valuable. Keep a journal—anything that will help you remember. Think you can do that?"

Alex could have laughed if he was in a good mood. Kamila was the one deceiving Lawrence here. He liked the idea.

"I don't know. What do you need all that stuff for?" He asked.

Kamila pressed her lips together. "Let's just say, I need to learn everything about him, as much as possible, no questions asked. It's eight thousand dollars if you are willing to help me and only if the information is sufficient."

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Are you an assassin? Maybe a witch or something? No regular person wants so much information on a lawyer."

Kamila laughed, a smooth, spontaneous sound. "I'm far from regular."

"True."

"Take it or leave it."

Alex thought about it some more. Would he really care if Lawrence fell in trouble? No. Would he care if Lawrence died?... No again.

"I'll take it." Alex agreed.

Kamila looked pleased and smiled broadly, exposing her white teeth. "You won't regret your decision. Just don't forget, this stays between you and me. No leaks. I'll stop by sometime and we'll see what you've found, but for now let's head back. I've got to get some sleep for my upcoming mission. And you have school tomorrow."

Alex agreed, and they stood. As they walked back underneath the strong, fluorescent streetlights, Alex found himself thinking,

Maybe not all girls are stupid.