AMELIA

This is the longest flight I have ever had in my life. To my convenience, it is business class, everything is extra, and supposed to be satisfying, but neither the luxury nor the hours given to rest perform any miracle over the relentless thought that is eating me alive. I am restless, I don't sleep, and nothing gives my conscience assurance or courage.

Mateo and I arrive at a hotel that matches the measure of 5-star hotels. It isn't a skyscraper, just a few floors but it has all that majestic ambiance from the structures to the hospitality.

Given I didn't get the option to pack any of my things, we didn't come with boxes, except for my bag and what was its contents that I left home with yesterday for school. Reflecting on it and the suddenness of our travel, that's just a hint of what to expect of Cam's emotions right now.

Mateo and I wait in the reception while the front desk makes calls to inform Cam's team of our coming, for safety reasons, the polite woman has said. As we wait in the lounging area, I am able to call Isaac and Malia to let them know, to not worry and anything else.

"You should stay in the house if you want," I tell Malia.

"Nah, I will be holding my pee until morning and blanketing my head on the bed at night. I have to return to the dorms until you're back if you need me," she says in a defensive tone, making me smile. I mean, I can understand where she's coming from. The land is just so huge for one person.

"Amy, I think it is best that you take a break from here," Isaac says.

"I mean it is not in my plan to skip school days. Last year, I thought after getting to end things with Jake and stabilizing where Cam and I stand, we would be able to focus on our studies and get our GPAs back on track but I am in Ireland, a different continent from my school."

"Let things calm down a bit, you shouldn't even be experiencing the bad energies going about on Campus, the articles are brutal and they just keep coming. I know what you are saying but there are no tests this week. You can log in and do your assignments," Malia says, and I feel my head throbbing at the reminder that the entire school is against me.

"And whatever that will be taught in class, except for attendance, I will give you lessons of them when you return," Isaac adds nicely.

"Study for us," I jokingly reply before I spot Alex approaching us.

He looks good, he's clearly enjoying his job. He's a result of what Cam's kindness developed. He might have caused Alex to lose his job at Midnight Mirage Boutique, but he is now able to change Alex's life for the better.

A smile I can't help is on my face when he reaches over, and I had told my friends I had to go and ended the call. He hugs me, rubbing my back friendly.

"I heard that happen, glad you are fine," he says.

"Yes, lucky me I had Adam and Mateo in the midst of thousands of people that hate me," I quip when we pull away, and he shakes hands with Mateo.

"I am sure you are loved by an average percent," he smiles sweetly.

"You are just being kind," I roll my eyes, and he laughs.

"Amy, the moment you have something others don't. You become their enemy. It's how it works. But it's better to have it than not. Isn't it?" He playfully nudges my arm as we walk down the reception, towards some corners, passing the elevator corridors, and a pathway to another front desk.

"Yeah, I will literally take anything for Cameron, as long as he holds on to our commitment. I will gladly endure all the hate to be with him."

Alex smiles as we step into the calm restaurant with only the ringings of dishes and glasses and silent hums of happy chatters, "Okay, I will give you some advice. He's having breakfast with everyone, but he has a hangover and he's not polite this morning, he's extremely grumpy," he grimaces apologetically, and I look around the elegant space until my eyes fall on the table with familiar faces, then I spot a specific back that stands out, flawless shoulders, and the richest hair in the room that belongs to who's mine.

"Thank you," this time when I smile, it is faint, I couldn't help it.

My mood has shifted to an aggressive anxiety. If he's grumpy, then it must be bad. I mean, we couldn't talk because I was on the plane and I might have consciously ignored him bombarding me with texts as I wasn't mentally prepared to talk to him knowing it would be about Jake. How will he react? I don't know, so I am scared of the imminent confirmation that right now the time has finally come.

"Let's go," Alex notices my hesitation and jerks his head in the direction of where Cam is with his back facing us.

Breathing, although it immediately proves to me that there is nothing that could prepare me for this. It could turn out admirable, or easily get stormy.

We head down to the table, making eye contact with Myles first. His brows rise in genuine concern. He said something that I wasn't able to hear, and Cam promptly turns over. My heart thuds.

I couldn't see his face, but his bulging Adam's Apple gives away that he's pissed. He is wearing tinted black sunglasses, a black hooded tracksuit that sits well on him over a white t-shirt with the hem slightly out, and white shoes.

"We heard about Jake, Amelia are you okay?" Serenity worriedly says, getting out of her chair at the same time as Cameron, she hugs me quickly before he can interfere.

"Yeah, it was nothing serious," I said to assure the men additionally asking and showing their care and sympathy.

Only Cam mockingly laughs, his tongue rolling around his teeth. There's a vein popping on his forehead. I didn't say anything to him.

I heard Serenity sigh next to me, rubbing my back for solace, for my heart was beating too fast I feared it would stop anytime soon.

"Since it's nothing serious..." He shrugs his lips, "Can-can we have a conversation on this unserious case about Jake and his mother, who was in my house to recruit you at her business... what's this job she was going to give you again? Let me guess." He clicks his tongue. "She wanted another grandchild and a daughter-in-law or is it she wants you to be an aunt to Jake's first son?" He laughs bitterly, the sound ringing every shade of rudeness.