Deep breaths. Inhale and exhale.
Camilla May McKenna could do it.
She could handle the simple task of taking pictures of a cheating lover and prove to her best friend that Vanya, her boyfriend, was a scum. KJ, her youngest brother, always told her evidence was key. He was the same one who told her men hated shopping and never went on that adventure without a woman unless sex was involved.
So, the second Vanya walked into the boutique, she had rushed to the bathroom to call her best friend Faye. If Vanya was at the boutique, then he was with someone else. Faye was in class. All she had to do was get evidence, so Faye would leave the cheat.
Retrieving a tube of pink lipstick from her purse, she reapplied it and fluffed her hair. From the mirror, her hair was flat on the sides from her consistent touching. Wasting no more time in the bathroom, she smacked her lips and walked out. Vanya hadn’t met her. He wouldn’t recognise her, so there was no need for her to use a disguise.
Cold air rushed into the empty hallway from the large, open window on the other side of the wall, and Camilla drew her coat close. January was her favourite time of the year because it allowed her to explore and expand her different fur collections. It was also the best excuse for another shopping.
New year. New clothes. New Camilla.
The boutique was supposed to be empty until Vanya came. The place was always closed while Camilla shopped to avoid the paparazzi or random people taking pictures of her. Her life had changed drastically since she starred as the lead actress of a popular series last year. She loved the attention but loathed the lack of privacy.
Now, where was that cheating bastard?
The rug quietened Camilla’s footsteps as she descended the stairs. Her phone was in one hand, the back camera on. She was certain Vanya wasn’t alone. His presence had disrupted her shopping plans. She needed to know why he was here, who his companion was, and how he got access to her favourite spot when she wasn’t done shopping.
Camilla’s phone buzzed in her hand. Faye was calling. She hit the end call button and stopped on a stair as a door flew open on the floor below hers. Vanya entered the large space with the store assistant, and Camilla held back a snort. How dare they let that man in here on her shopping day?
None of them noticed her as she pretended to inspect the trinkets hanging from the wall and railings. Most companies still had their Christmas decorations and Allure Boutique was no different. Her phone vibrated again. She had to answer the call or Faye would keep disturbing her, but that would call attention to her position.
Turning her back to the duo downstairs, she ended the call again and sent a short, apologetic text. Thankfully, Faye replied.
Faye: Vanya wants to meet. Are you free?
Cam: Where is he?
Faye: At home with his mama
Faye: But he wants to meet my best friend. You keep complaining you two haven’t met.
Camilla almost laughed out loud. At home? What a liar. She knew that man couldn’t be trusted.
Cam: I’m free. Text me the address.
Without waiting for her friend’s reply, she turned back to the couple, who had paused in front of a rack. Vanya leaned on the long table while the assistant showed him a range of fabric on the clothes rack. She switched her phone camera back on and tapped on video. She would love to hear him lie his way out of this situation. This might not be enough to cause a breakup now, but it would raise enough suspicions in Faye’s mind. Time would do the rest.
Camilla had only been recording for thirty seconds when Vanya raised his head. A lock of ink black hair fell over his forehead and dipped to his lashes, but he ignored it. Being an actress came with its perks. She kept her cool, still holding out the phone like she wasn’t recording a stranger. He rose to his full height, and the lady stopped talking. Vanya hadn’t looked away yet.
“Sir,” the assistant began, finally noticing Camilla on the stairs. She should have stayed somewhere more concealable.
“Ubiraysya,” Vanya replied, his voice loud and powerful.
Camilla didn’t know what he sounded like, except the few times she overheard her best friend on a call with him. But the panicked look the lady sent her way made shivers rush down her back. Placing a foot on the step behind her, she tried to stay composed as she planned her escape. The camera was still on, recording everything as Vanya stalked towards her like a hunter who had watched his prey for too long and knew its motives.
Vanya stopped on the last step, his lips a thin line as his gaze raked over Camilla from top to bottom. She moved up, but with each step she took, Vanya covered it with two of his. That continued until she was at the top of the stairs while he remained in the middle, her previous spot. She didn’t know how her best friend could look at this menacing face and think him capable of love. But that was the least of her worry now. She had to find an escape..
Satisfied with what she had recorded, she tucked her phone into her purse. Both ends of the hallway had a set of stairs that led to unknown places. She had never explored those areas and couldn’t risk it with Vanya glaring at her like he would slit her throat.
The frowning man stretched his hand to her. “The phone,” he said. “Toss it to me.”
“Excuse you?” Camilla replied. Her eyes ping ponged between the man and potential escape routes. She had to leave. He climbed the steps, and she screamed, “Stop! Do not come any closer. Stop.”
Vanya looked back as the assistant came to a stop behind him. Her mouth opened like she wanted to speak, and Camilla relaxed at the added presence. Vanya wouldn’t do anything silly to her if there was a witness.
But that thought fled her mind the second Vanya muttered, “Get out.” It was said with such authority that made her question if he was an ordinary shopper or someone more. The assistant nodded and fled to the door, and Camilla’s heart thudded so hard she was surprised it didn’t shoot out of her chest. Turning back to her, he said, “Toss.”
No. There was no way she would do that. It had evidence she could use against him. He must have read her expression because he smirked. He adjusted his lapels and tie and smoothed the front of his tailored jacket.
“We will do it your way then, podlyy kot.”
Camilla didn’t wait to find out what those words meant. Only one word echoed in her head. Run. The moment Vanya lifted his foot, she was sprinting down the hallway.
* * *GLOSSARY* * *
Ubiraysya: Get out
Podlyy kot: Sneaky cat
Footsteps pounded behind Camilla. How the heck was he so fast? He sounded close, but she didn’t look back to confirm her suspicions. A sudden pressure on her hair made her screech to a stop. Pain spread through her scalp, and she bit into her lip to stop herself from screaming. The copper taste of blood filled her mouth. She placed both hands on her head to ease the pain.The pressure finally reduced, but the pain lingered. Vanya stopped in front of her, the ends of her long ponytail wrapped around his fist. Her breath rushed out in ragged pants. Tears pricked the back of her eyes.Camilla took one step back, but the tug on her hair reminded her she wouldn’t get far. She had always prided herself on her long hair, but now she wished it wasn’t lengthy.“Let. Go,” she whispered, her voice shaky.“The phone.”“No.”Vanya reached for her handbag, his hand tight around the strap. She tried to yank it from his grip, but it was nearly impossible. His grip was steel. They struggled, mostly he
Faye was already at the venue they agreed to meet when Camilla arrived in her new flat sandals. Alvin was waiting in the car for her to show up. This meeting wouldn’t last long if she had her way. It was early in the evening, and the ceiling was lighted by green and blue lanterns. Her feet ached, but not as much as it did earlier. Murmurs from the other diners in the closed garden had her rethinking her manner of approach.Her best friend wasn’t alone. Faye was at a round table of three, but one seat was empty. The other person was backing Camilla. She could bet it was Vanya. The idiot didn’t bother changing his black suit. She stormed to them, ignoring waiters and other people as she approached the table.Faye smiled as she stopped. “Hey—”Camilla interrupted by dropping her bag on the table. Vanya frowned. He was going to pretend he didn’t ransack this same bag hours ago? Alright then. She unclipped her earrings, almost stabbing him in the eyes with them.“Cam,” Faye began, but Cami
KJ didn’t return until three days later. The moment the front door opened to reveal her younger brother, Camilla sent a pillow flying at his head. He caught it and winked, and she was reminded of Vanya’s wicked smile when he caught her shoe.“You are such a prostitute,” she stated.“I thought we agreed the right term was fuckboy,” KJ answered, laughed at the disgusted face she made. Tossing the pillow to a couch, he slumped into it and kicked out his legs. The scarf around his neck came off first, followed by his jacket. “Yo, Cam. You girls are really wild.”“I’m not wild,” Camilla retorted. Snatching the remote off the table, she flipped to the first channel that interested her. “Where were you? Wait, keep your answer PG-13.”KJ stood, his loafers dragging across the rug as he bridged the gap. Touching her shirt, he blinked a few times. “Jesus Christ. Is that my shirt? I told you to stay away—”“From the designers,” Camilla finished. It was the exact spot she got this. The cotton mat
Faye was curled in a ball on their living room floor when Camilla raced into their house. A foul stench slammed into her, but she ignored it as she sank onto the rug, pulling her best friend’s head to her lap. From the state of the living room: the pile of dirty plates and cups, rumpled notes strewn over the floor and couches, she could make one conclusion. Faye didn’t get the bad news about her boyfriend today.“What’s going on?” Camilla whispered. She stroked her friend’s greasy hair, careful not to tug on the knots. “Talk to me.”Faye adjusted, lying flat on her back as her red-rimmed eyes met Camilla’s clear ones.“Vanya is getting married.”“What do you mean he’s getting married?” Camilla asked. Her best friend had said it a few times that she wasn’t keen on a marriage until she had at least gotten her MSc. “To you? You didn’t tell me that.”“Not to me, Cam. Pay attention,” Faye snapped. Camilla almost chuckled. She was always the dramatic one or girl in need. Switching roles fel
Friday came faster than Camilla thought it would. Calvin had tried and failed to talk her out of her plan for revenge. Everything she needed for the wedding was in her bag. If she had her way, that wedding would end in tears. That was if it even happened.Camilla’s door opened, and Faye walked into her room wrapped in a blanket like a burrito. Her mouth fell open in shock.“What is this?” Camilla asked, pointing her makeup brush at the mirror. The past few days had been kinder to Faye. Her friend wasn’t eating as much, but her hygiene had improved. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?” Faye sat on the bed, the blanket hiding her frame. Her friend had lost weight in days while her ex partied constantly. His social media posts were proof. Vanya must pay. “Cam, I think we should let it go,” Faye whispered. Camilla dropped the brush on the table and turned so she was directly facing her best friend. “We only dated for two years. Some women had it worse.” “Are you, are you for real now?” Camill
Sweat gathered on Camilla’s palms. She brushed them over her dress and nodded. “Yes.”Their eyes met, and he nodded. Pulling her into a brief hug, he said, “I really tried, Cam.”Camilla smiled against his neck and broke the hug. He stayed back in the car while she sashayed to the entrance with as much confidence as she could. Calvin was watching her, so she couldn’t fuck up. One of the men at the door stretched out an arm to stop her from entering the church.They didn’t speak to her, their lips tilted in a grim smile. Everything in her head yelled at her to turn back and join her brother. It wasn’t too late. But she ransacked her bag for the invite Calvin gave her and offered it to the man on her left. He took a long look at it and nodded. The man on the right opened the door, and she stepped into the church. The doors shut behind her, and her heart drummed faster.Why did she feel like she had walke
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