166

[REBECCA]
One week had passed, and the anticipation had built up as Lynda and I descended the stairs together. Lynda’s grip on my arms was filled with excitement as she exclaimed, “I can’t wait for you to meet her!”
A chuckle escaped me, finding her enthusiasm endearing. “I’m eagerly looking forward to it too.”
Lynda’s anticipation wasn’t just for any casual friend’s visit this was her closest friend, a bond so deep that it resembled sisterhood. They had shared their lives since childhood, growing up as inseparable companions. However, circumstances had forced them to be apart, with her friend having moved away from the estate four years ago.
The suddenness of it all was evident. Lynda had rushed to my door with the news barely an hour ago, leaving little time for elaborate explanations.
As we reached the ground floor, Lynda’s excitement was palpable. She practically danced on her toes, radiating joy. “I’ve missed her so much,” she pouted, her affection and longing evident. “It’s frustrating that she moved away.”
Our steps took us closer to the entrance, bracing to welcome her friend someone I was also keen on meeting.
“Is she similar to you?” I playfully inquired, giving Lynda a teasing wink.
Lynda laughed heartily, her eyes lighting up. “Ha. She’s a whole different level!”
I arched an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Even crazier than you?”
Her nod was enthusiastic. “You have no idea. She’s a whirlwind! But trust me, you’re going to adore her, Rebecca.”
With a mixture of impatience and excitement, I directed my gaze towards the door, sharing the anticipation with Lynda.
Suddenly, a loud, exuberant squeal echoed through the air. “Lynda!”
Blonde hair flashed into view as a whirlwind of energy burst through the door.
In an instant, Lynda found herself on the floor, a playful tackle from her exuberant friend.
I involuntarily gasped, startled by the sudden display of affection. Stepping back, my eyes widened in surprise.
The two friends were caught in a joyful reunion, laughter mixing with their embrace as they got up and hugged tightly.
“I’ve missed you!” Lynda exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine longing.
“Missed you too. Oh goodness, I might cry,” her friend replied, her emotions laid bare.
Their laughter-filled reunion eventually drew my attention. As they parted slightly, their eyes shifted toward me.
“Hi?” I offered a tentative wave, feeling a tad overwhelmed by the lively display.
Her smile was dazzling, and with a graceful movement, she approached me. Before I could react, her arms enveloped me in a warm hug.
Her voice, soft and affectionate, whispered in my ear, “Finally, we meet.” She pulled back, still holding onto my hands. “Do you realize how eager I’ve been? Lynda and Brayden couldn’t stop talking about you.”
A surge of warmth spread within me. “Thank you. I was just as excited to meet you,” I replied, my grin mirroring her infectious joy. My cheeks ached from the constant smile.
Radiating boundless happiness, she was a vision to behold a vibrant aura of bliss. Her golden hair cascaded down her back, framing her petite yet graceful form. She stood taller than me, though shorter than Lynda. Hazel eyes gleamed with happiness, reflecting her genuine delight.
“I’m Camilla.” She extended her hand for a handshake.
“Rebecca,” I responded, shaking her hand with a sense of formality, despite my prior knowledge of her name. Sometimes, pleasantries are a ritual that must be observed.
A playful wink accompanied her words. “I know.” Her gaze shifted toward my rounded belly. “May I?”
I wordlessly guided her hand to my stomach, awaiting the familiar movements. As if on cue, Princess our unborn bundle of joy responded with a hearty kick.
Camilla’s laughter was a symphony of joy. “My goodness, what a strong kick! Seems like Artemy is already making his presence felt.”
However, as Camilla’s gaze shifted back to Lynda, her expression turned more somber. A current of pain swept across her features, and she distanced herself from me.
Lynda shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. “Please, don’t.”
“I can’t wrap my head around the fact that nobody informed me, Lynda. Do you have any idea how furious I am? I only discovered this two days ago. It’s been weeks!” Camilla’s anger seeped into her words. “Not a single call to let me know? Not even Brayden bothered to mention it. Nothing.”
“Because I instructed them not to tell you. I didn’t want you to be burdened with worry. We’ve discussed this, Camilla,” Lynda retorted.
“You were hurt, and you-” Camilla’s words trailed off, her gaze shifting to Lynda’s abdomen. A heavy feeling settled within me as well.
“I should have been there for you, but no one said a word. I would have been by your side, Lynda. If only…”
Lynda embraced Camilla, her arms encircling her gently. “I wanted to handle this on my own, love. It’s in the past now. Can we not delve into this now, please?”
With a tearful nod, Camilla wiped away her tears. “Leon-”
Lynda’s expression turned into one of fierce anger. “Don’t even mention that.”
Defeated, Camilla’s shoulders slumped, and she didn’t utter another word.
A sense of tension hung in the air regarding Leon and Lynda’s connection, yet I remained silent, spurred by Lynda’s reaction.
A few seconds passed in silence before Camilla interjected. “Why are we just standing here, looking lost? I need a drink, and I need intimacy tonight.”
Amidst laughter, I joined in. Lynda did too. “I need it too,” I chimed in.
Camilla turned her attention to me. “You?”
Wait, what?
“I’m aware that sex is possible during pregnancy. Have you given it a shot?” she continued, her words astonishing.
Did she seriously just ask that?
Catching Lynda’s gaze, I saw her mouth the words, “Told you.”
Her candidness was uncensored. “Like, is it more enjoyable? I’ve heard that the desire for sex increases significantly during pregnancy. And our sensations are heightened.”
“I don’t have an answer.”
Both of them paused, with Lynda looking at me, perplexed. “Are you implying…?”
I simply shrugged.
Camilla and Lynda exchanged a knowing glance and nodded as though they’d reached an unspoken agreement. I didn’t quite appreciate the expressions they directed my way.
“She deserves intimacy,” Camilla declared.
“She does,” Lynda affirmed. “We’ll find a solution.”
“Absolutely.”
I stood right there, yet they conversed as if I were absent. They were deliberating my sexual life.
Their audacity was almost unbelievable. Both of them were utterly eccentric.
Camilla winked and tugged me toward the kitchen, with Lynda on my right side, her arm linked with mine.
As we reached the kitchen, Camilla enveloped Nona in a hug within seconds. “Mama Nona!”
“Oh, my dear. Look at you! I’ve missed you, my little girl,” Nona gushed, holding her tightly.
“I missed you too,” Camilla pouted, easing out of the embrace.
“Why did you move away then?” Nona playfully scolded her.
“Exactly. Tell her, Mom,” Lynda added, and I couldn’t help but smile at the interaction among the three. Lynda was right; their bond was truly profound.
“I had to. It was the only option,” Camilla responded softly.
Nona appeared perplexed. “What do you mean?”
Lynda seemed irritated and mumbled something under her breath.
“Don’t worry, Mama Nona. I love it up north. Canada feels like home now. But I do miss all of you. Everyone. Sometimes, I wish I were back here,” Camilla admitted with a sad smile. “Just like before.”
She retrieved a bottle of champagne from the fridge, her back turned to us. Her words carried a tinge of sorrow and ache. I sensed that Lynda caught onto it as well.
Lynda’s head shook softly, her gaze drifting down to her lap, a subtle gesture of her inner thoughts.
“Let’s put that aside. Do you have any idea where the guys have disappeared to?” she inquired, deftly shifting the conversation.
“As if they ever bother letting me in on their secret escapades,” Nona responded, a touch of amusement playing at the corners of her lips. She leaned in, placing a tender kiss on Camilla’s cheek.
“Later, you two. I’m sure there’s a mountain of catching up to do,” Nona said, her form receding as she walked away, leaving us alone around the table. The camaraderie among us was palpable. Camilla’s chatter flowed freely, reminiscent of Lynda’s own loquaciousness. They were kindred spirits.
Yet, my heart had already surrendered to Camilla’s allure. Her presence wasn’t one that induced awkwardness; rather, it was akin to the embrace of a long-lost family member.
Time drifted by in conversation until Brayden’s entrance disrupted our connection. Camilla sprung up, entwining herself in her brother’s arms. Their embrace was both intimate and hushed, words exchanged in a private exchange.
I leaned back, a smile curving my lips as I watched them. When they parted, Brayden playfully ruffled her hair before his gaze found mine.
“So, you’ve met my little hedgehog,” he remarked, his voice tinged with affection.
Camilla made a mock-growl, smoothing down her hair. “Cut it out.”
“We share a father,” she reiterated, a casual statement that concealed their deep bond.
This, I already knew. Lynda had enlightened me. I observed the two siblings, the resemblance between them unmistakable. Brayden’s adoration for his sister radiated in every glance and jest they shared.
Their laughter and bickering painted the room until Brayden’s exit. Once again, Camilla settled beside me.
“Same father, different mother. Our moms were actually sisters,” she revealed with a wry smile. “Dad’s past was quite the story, a true playboy in his youth.”
Howard, a playboy? That revelation lingered, reshaping my understanding of the man.
Then, a realization unfurled within me. Camilla was my sister. The implications washed over me, my eyes widening as I observed her. This was my chance to grasp more about Howard, but did she recognize me?
“Was he always like that?” I inquired with a veneer of curiosity, concealing my true intent.
Camilla’s shoulders shrugged nonchalantly, but her words were halted. Her expression transformed, contorting with a pain that seemed to fracture her heart.
In that instant, her anguish was palpable, as if her very core had shattered.
“Yeah. Right,” she managed to say, her voice strained.
Another voice intervened, redirecting my attention.
Avim entered the room.
“I’ll inform the Boss,” he began, his words suspended as he, too, froze upon seeing Camilla. Their eyes met, an unspoken connection that momentarily held the world captive.
Avim’s pain was apparent, his eyes traversing Camilla’s face, lost in contemplation.
“Avim,” Camilla’s voice, soft as a whisper, broke the spell.
Then, a surge of anger gripped him. His countenance darkened, a tempest of emotions crossing his features before he retreated, his eyes searing into Camilla.
A tense stillness reigned. Camilla’s eyes moistened, a suppressed sob caught in her throat. “I’m sorry. Excuse me,” she murmured before fleeing to the back garden, the door shutting resoundingly behind her.
“Frustrating bastard,” Lynda hissed, her exasperation palpable. “Honestly, I’m beyond done with his games.”
“What just happened?” I questioned, bewildered.
“Complicated tale, love. Pour yourself a drink-juice, for you-and I’ll fill you in,” Lynda offered, a mixture of concern and camaraderie in her eyes.