CAMILLA’S POV.
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The dazzling rays from the sun prickled into my eyes as I rolled sideways.
I didn’t want to get up from bed but I had no choice to, I wanted to follow mum to her place of work and be of little help.
I yawned tiredly and sat on the bed, rubbing my eyes gentle with my both palms, I felt a palpitating headache hit through me.
Why now?
I should have gotten that yesternight and not this morning.
I tried to get down from the bed but ended up tangling with the sheets as I stumbled to the floor.
“Ouch!” I groaned as I lay my back on the cold floor staring at the ceiling.
A light knock, brought me out of my thoughts as I tried to get on my feet immediately.
Before I could respond, my big sister got in.
“Jeez! You look like a ghost,” She disclosed staring at me.
“What do you want?” I asked flatly not ready for her travesty.
“Well, mum said I should check on you, she told me you had a terrible headache yesterday,” She said in a duh tone.
“Thanks, I’m fine now!” I replied folding my bedsheets properly.
“See you later, kid sis,” she smirked as she was about to close the door.
“Wait! What of mum?” I asked.
“She’s about to leave for work, your breakfast is in the microwave,” She answered staring at me.
“Leave?” I gasped staring at the clock.
It was 9:00 a. m, omg I slept off.
I wanted to follow her to work.
“Anything wrong?” Lillian asked staring at me like I was a weirdo.
I had forgotten she was still standing at my doorway.
Ignoring her questions, I walked past her making my way downstairs.
“Mum!” I called as she was about to open the door.
She turned around as her eyes came in contact with mine.
“Goodness, what happened to you, Camilla?” She asked as she walked over to me.
“I’m fine mum!” I answered.
“You don’t look fine to me,” she replied touching my neck and forehead to feel my temperature.
“Did you cry all night?” She asked worriedly looking into my eyes.
“I’m okay mum, I slept off past the time and I wanted to follow you to work,” I said putting a smile on my face, her gaze still on mine as she smiled a bit.
“Don’t worry about it, just stay at home and rest,” she smiled and gave me a peck on my right cheek.
“Take care mum!” I smiled.
She nodded, I walked her to the door and said another goodbye till she was out of sight.
“Why don’t you follow me to work either and help with my shift?” Lillian gleams behind as she put on her black boots.
“Like your boss will allow,” I said sarcastically making my way to the room.
“Bad sister,” Lillian chuckled and grabbed her bag.
“Take care of yourself and bring boys to the house,” She cooed as she made her way outside.
I stopped in my tracks, surprised by what she said.
“I don’t have a thing with boys,” I answered coldly.
“You’re no fun Camilla, what I’m trying to say is that you should loosen up a bit, you’re not a kid anymore and you don’t even have a date,” She burst as my eyes widened.
“I don’t think minding your business should be a problem for you, so I guess you’re running out of time and go to your work, “I said not even bothering to look at her but I know my words will hurt her, she was just looking out for me.
Imagine a 17-year-old, that will soon clock 18, doesn’t even have a date or boyfriend and that’s all thanks to Lucas who succeeded in chasing every guy away from me.
I made my way upstairs and heard the sound of the closing door.
I sighed and looked back, she was gone already.
I opened my door and left it ajar.
I glanced towards the mirror, and I was astonished myself.
I look just like a movie zombie.
My hair was scattered and messy in some sort of scary way while my eyes were puffy and red due to the heavy downpour of tears session I had yesterday night.
Dark circles evaded beneath my eyes as I moved closer and stared into my duller soul in me.
I was broken and I wondered if I could ever get amended again.
I gaze at my reflection for some minute before I retreated to my bed.
I was so lonely, I tried to shut every memory of what happened yesterday.
I keep telling myself, it never happened.
I hugged my arms around my legs to my chest as I stared blankly.
A beep from my phone jolted me to reality.
I stretched my hands to reach my draw as I took my phone as read the message that popped.
‘Good morning sunshine, I hope you’re good, I’m coming to your place 3 in the afternoon and I’m truly sorry for leaving you behind yesterday, I’m still regretting and I’m deeply sorry. See you soon and don’t forget to always smile. I love you’
I smiled after reading the message from Beatrice.
I decided to let the past get behind me.
I stood up and went into the bathroom, I brushed my teeth furiously and had a hot bath.
I dried my hair thoroughly with the towel and stepped out.
Putting on an armless flare gown, I brushed my hair trying to smoothen all the tangled locks of hair.
I feel a bit okay, as I glanced at myself in the mirror.
I hurried downstairs and grabbed my breakfast from the microwave.
It was pasta with chicken soup.
I smiled happily, mum prepared my favorite.
I settled on the dining chair and ate to my fill, then pack the plates and washed them.
I always feel relieved during weekends, I wished every day was a weekend, I would be free from anyone’s trouble.
I checked the time and it was 11. a. m, so I’m going to be bored till Beatrice finally gets here.
So, I decided to pay a visit to mum at work, I stood up from the cushion and went into my room.
I took my small purse and phone,
Locking the front door with the keys, I kept them safely in my purse as I hopped on the street.
The gentle wind hit my skin as I smiled. Maybe I should be going out more often.
It will help me a lot, so maybe I should try going to the orphanage home next week.
It will be fun to help those little kids.
Everywhere wasn’t as busy as Mondays, most people would hang out with their families and friends
I walked carefree to my mum’s workplace as I hummed, Sia’s song titled, ‘Unstoppable’
Her songs always give me hope and I sang every line perfectly.
I got closer to mum’s workplace, but what I saw saddened me.
“Mum!” Are you okay?” I asked almost on the verge of tears.
I saw her by the side of the shop, coughing terribly as she clutched her chest tightly.
She glanced towards me and her eyes widened like she didn’t want me to be here.
I ran to her, holding her arms.
“Are you okay?” Why are you coughing terribly?” I asked getting scared as I held her in place.
“I-I”m–”
She coughed again, holding her chest.
“Just calm down and breathe in deeply,” I said worriedly.
She did what I said and her cough lessened.
“I’m okay dear,” She smiled trying to mask the pains on her face.
That smile was not genuine, she’s hiding something from me.
“No mum, you’re not okay, with the way I saw you now!” I said worriedly.
“I’m fine Camilla, it’s just a minor cough!” She assured me.
She freed her arm from mine, placing her other hand on the wall trying to get her balance.
“Why are you here?” She finally asked.
“To help you, I said that earlier before,” I smiled.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked, I was supposed to be the one asking that question after the terrible cough she had.
“Fine mom!” I replied still observing her.
“Okay, let’s get inside,”
I nodded and followed behind her.
“Gracie, how are you feeling now?” A middle-aged lady approached us as she stared at my mum worriedly.
Is something wrong with mum, that she doesn’t want us to know?
I will ask Lillian myself.
“I’m fine now!” Mum chuckled but ended up coughing slightly.
“I’ve told you to get medications about you–”
“This is my daughter, Camilla,” Mum interrupted smiling as she held my hands.
“Ohh! She’s such a beauty,” The lady complimented as she diverted her attention to me and glanced at mum nodding Like she got what she meant.
“Camilla, meet Madam Gonzales, she’s new here,” Mum introduced.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” I greeted but my mind was not on the introduction.
What medication does mum need to get and why did she interrupt what the lady was about to say?
Does she think I wouldn’t get a hint from that?
“Okay, I’ll leave you two alone,” Madam Gonzales said and went into the inner part of the shop.
I turned around to question mum, but she wasn’t by my side, she was already arranging the food items on the other part of the shelves.
I sighed and helped her with the next shelf, as I arranged the food items neatly.
I stole glances at mum, as her breathing was a bit difficult and the way she sat down too frequently.
Maybe it’s just a slight cold.
Customers started coming in and I attended to them immediately.
“Mum! Why don’t you relax a bit? I will handle the customers,” I pronounced.
“Thank you, dear,” Mum smiled and sat on a plastic chair behind one of the shelves.
After working for several hours, my phone alarm rang.
I had set it when Beatrice messaged me she will be around at 3.
I didn’t want to leave mum alone not in her condition, I’m yet to know about.
So, I decided to text Beatrice.
“Hey babe, I’m afraid we won’t be able to meet, I’m at mum’s place of work and she’s not feeling too well, I have to help her.’
Then I clicked the sent button, after seeing my message was delivered, I kept my phone back in the purse.
A customer had mistakenly spilled, her drink on the floor, so I grabbed the mop immediately and cleaned it.
I checked my phone a few minutes later to see if Beatrice had replied.
And yeah, she did…
‘Okay dear, my regards to mum, and make sure you take good care of mum, we will see on Monday.’
“Yeah!” I muttered to myself and kept my phone back in the purse.
The doorbell jingled, and I sighed.
Time to attend to a new set of customers.