"Mr Ballard, I would appreciate it if you can please let me go,"Sharon said through gritted teeth.

She was mad. She was boiling mad. How dared he question her as if she'd done something wrong? As if he had any liberty to do so when he had decided to shack up with some woman without telling her. She hadn't gone all bonkers on him then, like he was now. It wasn't that she didn't want to but held herself back. She had been perfectly aware, and reminded herself multiple times, that they were nothing more than roommates. Close ones but not anything that would prevent them from doing their own things. Or date other people. Or move out, in this case.

But his worst offense was siding with them. How dared he took their side? That was the worst betrayal of all times. And that was the major source of her anger. That was the reason she was so close to losing her cool.

But, as the two of them glared at each other, she reminded herself of what she had done and achieved so far. There had been so much growth and changes. The person she had been when he left and the person she was now were worlds apart. This was not the time to revert back to that woman.

"Mr Ballard, I will not say it again. Please let me go,"she repeated slowly.

"Then tell me where the hell you have been, Ms Ashwood,"he responded, his voice gravelly and low. Which, for some reason, pushed her buttons. Ignoring the shiver of pleasure that ran down her spine, she kept her eyes strictly on him.

"I do not see how this is relevant to your treatment. I apologise that my sister got you involved in this family disagreement. I will speak to her regarding this. But, if it is about work, I can always be contacted via the office. With the treatment, I have spoken to your physiotherapist and he was optimistic about your progress." She had to pause and take a deep breath. It was difficult to maintain her professional tone. It was like she was unravelling just by being near him. "Now, I have to return to my mentor- Ah, ow, Cameron, you're hurting me."

"I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry,"Cameron immediately let go of her before running his hands through his hair. It was clear he was frustrated by her and a part of her enjoyed being so reticent. This was like payback. For all the days of worry when he hadn't contacted her. For leaving it to the media to break it to her that he had moved out.

Even so, a larger part of her wanted to revel in his concern and care. She had missed this. He had been the first person she would go to when there was any problem. Or it was more of him forcing the truth out of her. And even when there weren't any, she could still talk. Share the stories of what happened that day.

But, as she sternly reminded herself, he had a girlfriend. He was happily in a relationship, as evidenced by the displays of affection last week. So she, Sharon, had no business being attracted or entertaining any attraction to him.

"I'm glad you're done with all the Mr Ballard."

"I do not know what you're talking about, Mr Ballard,"she said woodenly, suppressing her smile. Then her heart sank. Just when she had told herself to keep her distance, she did this. It was like talking to a wall. Feeling like banging her head against the wall, she was taken aback by Cameron's next outburst.

"Damn it. Just tell me where you are staying. Is that so much to ask?"he suddenly demanded, striking his fist against the wall. She jumped slightly, shaken. Then concern filled her.

"Cameron- Mr Ballard, you have to take care of yourself,"she reprimanded, even while her eyes searched for any signs of pain. When there was none, her concern turned to anger. "And why does this bother you so much? My resident is not something I share with strangers. And, as mentioned, this is a family thing, something I have to work through with Amelia and Scott. It has nothing to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me? Are you kidding me? And what about all those times that I helped you? Fetched you to and fro work? Brought you out shopping?"

"While I am grateful for your assistance then,"she said through gritted teeth, "we are no longer roommates. You are in a relationship and I am slowly getting settled into New York. I am indebted to you for your help when I first arrived. But now, we are going on our separate ways-"

"No. No, we are not." While she was taken aback earlier, his vehement denial shocked her. There was a stricken look in his eyes that made her want to comfort him, agree with him. But she was able to hold herself back.

No. No, they didn't have that kind of relationship. If she succumbed now, there was no telling when it would ever end. And having just gotten out of a twisted, unfaithful relationship, she refused to be the other woman. She had to strengthen her resolve

"Mr Ballard, Cameron, I am more than happy to have you as a friend but nothing more. A friend such as Logan and the others-"

"Like those kids. No way am I at their level,"he said, puffing his chest out. And while she found it cute, she didn't appreciate him looking down on the others.

"Exactly like those kids. I may have known you longer but I am comfortable around them. And I trust them more than I will ever do you."

"Why? Why do they have that privilege?"he demanded, bending down so much that their noses were almost touching.

"Because they didn't go on a date and made me worry when there was no contact. They didn't get a girlfriend and made me find out with the entire city. And they definitely didn't fondle and swap spit with their girlfriend right in front of me as if trying to compensate for something. Now that that's out in the open,"she said through her clogged throat, "let me do my job and wallow in this humiliation."

Trying to compose herself, she walked out of the alcove, past a surprisingly quiet Cameron and back to the studio. She couldn't believe she had said all that. Putting her animosity and anger out there. Luckily, the shoot had started and no one witnessed her frantic attempt to control her emotions.

What had been a magical experience now felt dull and tedious.

----@@@----

Returning home that night, Cameron glanced over his living area before trudging to his room. Past the living room, past the kitchen, past the bathroom and going straight to his bed. Dropping his bag by the door, he laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

Throughout the day, he hadn't been able to concentrate on anything. The photographer was openly frustrated with him as he didn't follow the directions. His solo pictures were barely useable, the group photos didn't have him in the middle. The worst thing was that Sharon had completely ignored him. She was all bright and open with his other teammates but had avoided him like the plague. Above all else, that was the reason that made him feel like the dumps.

Alone with his thoughts, he could be truthful with himself. He missed her. So much. It was like a part of him was missing. Even though they hadn't been physical, it was like she was always there. Messing around in the kitchen, chilling in her room, getting ready to go to the gym. He couldn't explain why he was just comforted with her being there.

He thought they could continue with that even after he had moved out. Going back to Scott's apartment when he felt like it and hanging out with her. Drive her around where she wanted to go. Even go grocery shopping despite their frequent disagreements.

But he was wrong.

He hadn't know she had moved out until Scott had called him. That had been many hours after she had left. He didn't know how she had done it but there was no sign that she had been there. That was unless one looked into the fridge and saw the ice-cream left behind.

And even though he knew it was the same apartment, it felt like a different one. He thought that there had been a portal at the doorway and he'd been transported to a different apartment. The furniture and layout were essentially the same but it didn't feel like the same.

He'd tried to call her but none of them went through. Then he tried calling everyone that she knew in the city. There weren't a lot so it didn't take long. But none of them knew anything about her. Worry had been pounding on him and he was about to drive all around the city find her when Matt returned his call.

Apparently, he had been busy setting up an apartment for Sharon. When Cameron found out, he had been shocked mute. His brain just couldn't wrap around the idea. It wasn't that Matt was helping Sharon. It was that Sharon hadn't come to him for help. That she had gone to someone else.

Anger and hurt entwining within, he barely remembered what the conversation had been about. Unused to such emotions, he had to console himself. He told himself that she was going to contact him once she was settled so he waited. And waited. And waited.

He had been spitting mad by the time the photoshoot came about. He wanted to find her and demand an explanation but he didn't know where she was. The only place he knew for sure was work but there was no way Matt would allow them to use his office for a personal issue.

So he had been excited to know that she was at the set. But when he had seen her being surrounded by all those boys, something in him snapped. Having no recollection of what he did, he only came around when he was next alone with her. Then, not knowing what got a hold of him, he began shouting at her.

Thinking back, he was curling into himself in shame. He had hurt her physically, he'd let out his anger on her and he'd made her cry. His mother would whack him if she knew what he did. And his father would beat him up after that. He wouldn't blame them.

But at least he knew where she was not. The only reason he knew was because he'd overheard some of the younger players discussing how Sharon and Logan were connected. Apparently they had hung out at Logan's place once and she had been there, consuming tubs after tubs of ice-cream.

The corners of his lips kicked up. She must've been nervous. It was always difficult to control her intake when her feelings got the better of her.

Unlike Holly, who was unfailingly logical and always passionate. It was oxymoronic but she used logic to justify her passion. But sometimes he found her too logical and passionate. They didn't meet as often as when they first started going out and Cameron was fine with that.

Now that he was comparing how he felt with Holly and Sharon, he suddenly realised there was a distinct difference. His brows furrowing in confusion, he wondered why. He knew he had feelings for Sharon but surely they wouldn't be that strong. They were just friends.

And he did like Holly. She was a great person to be around but not necessarily someone he wanted around all the time. That was why he didn't like his physiotherapy sessions as much. She was always hovering around somewhere. Just thinking about it made him suffocated. But if Sharon was there, he knew he'd want to be at his best behaviour, show his best side. It was like something ingrained in him.

Wait.

Wait.

It sounded like he had more feelings for Sharon than he did Holly. Like Sharon was more important than Holly. Like Sharon's impression of him mattered more than Holly's.

In that case, why was he even dating Holly in the first place?

AN: Hey guys. Hope you're well. And hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Finally, finally, Cameron has a revelation. And I want to rush their relationship but there's some things that need to be tied up. The antagonist will be introduced soon but let's enjoy Sharon letting Cam squirm.

Let me just say that I almost didn't post a chapter this week. I had one version of Chap 29 but that one was too dark. Too unforgivable. No way to return. So I am much happier with this version. And hope you guys like it too.

Anyways, please VOTE and COMMENT if you liked this. Follow me on Wattpad, Twitter and ko-fi for updates. And if you hadn't noticed, I have published a book for all the one shots that I am posting on ko-fi. while ko-fi has the most updated version, I am slowly publishing them on Wattpad as well. Do check them out!! (FYI, ko-fi is revealing how Paul and Joan got together while the one on Wattpad is relating a family outing to the zoo with the twins)

THANKS