Chapter 5:

I didn't know much about Theo. We barely talked. He literally lived in his room. I even doubt he had any friends when we were in school. I never thought much about him because I never really cared. But now I'm curious. I still don't care though, I just wonder why the thought that I liked Theo would have crossed Jerry's mind. Of all things.

Speaking of minds, my whole week was spent on me trying to get a soon-to-be-married man out of mine. Spending every night crying and midnights, dreaming about us-- which will never happen ofcourse-- had to end. So I took myself on a date.

I bit on my sugar glazed doughnut as my heeled boots clicked against the side walk. I was in a blue flowery dress that ended right above my ankle. The neck is V-cut and arm is long and fitted. I decided to leave my hair in it's curly nature after many failed attempts to style it.

I just left a pastry shop and the only thing I liked was their glazed doughnut. The rest either had too much sugar or too much oil. Or maybe I'm a little picky. Jerry would've liked their banana bread-- No! No thoughts about Jerry! It's about me today--and every other day, starting now.

Obviously, it was a Saturday which meant no work for me. Sophie Caddel....I bet she has blonde hair with blue eyes. Her name sounds so perfect. Is that what he liked first when he met her at that Cafe?--Shit, I'm doing it again.

"Camilla?" I heard a voice call from across me. I looked around and met his gaze. Jace. I sighed. He was on the other side of the cross walk.

He made his way towards me as I stopped walking. "Hey Camils, where are you off to?" He reached out a hand towards my face which I dodged. Touchy much?

"Just somewhere. How about you?" I asked, out of courtesy and not that I actually wanted to know.

"I want to get some things down there" he gestured to a path that I was not too familiar with.

Uninterested, I nodded and stepped back preparing to leave. "Well, I better get going" I said with a small smile.

"Oh, alright then" he said as his eyes travelled down my body.

I quickly walked away, feeling self conscious and irritated. He really wasn't even hiding it.

A show glass displayed a green curvy dress on a mannequin adorned by jewelries. I stopped. The dress had a long slit starting right above the knee but the slit wasn't just a slit. It was decorated with a black fishnet fabric. The same fabric could be seen peeking above the cleavage up to the neckline. It was simply beautiful.

Slowly, I stepped in the boutique and searched for the dress. It stood with other mannequins. I walked towards it and felt the fabric. Satin.

"Are you getting that ma'am? It would look exceptionally beautiful on you" A lady worker said and I smiled at her, shaking my head.

"I can't afford it" I am not even joking. This dress would cost atleast five months of my salary.

Her face changed. "Oh" The disappointment in her tone was hard to miss.

Right, this isn't some Disney movie where some prince emerges and offers to pay.

I made my way out of the boutique and continued my stroll. A few minutes later, I was boarding a cab back to my apartment.

I got home and decided to do a little cleaning. As soon as I was done, I laid flat on my bed and closed my eyes. That green dress.

I grabbed my sketch book and began sketching the green dress on the page. I wonder who the designer was.

Satisfied with my drawing, I put the book in my drawer and closed it. I picked up my phone as my thumb lingered on the contact name.

I tapped it and listened to it ring. The person on the other line picked it up.

"Hey Cam. What's up?" Jerry's voce echoed through the phone.

"Hey" I answered, hesitating. Plan successfully ruined. I shouldn't have called.

"I was just about to call you. Sophie wants you to come over for dinner tomorrow and I want you to meet her. Will you be free?" He asked and I bit my lip in distaste. She wants to meet me.

"Sure" I answered.

"Perfect. I'll see you tomorrow?" I think I'm dead.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Yep, I am dead.

He hung the call but my phone was still stuck to my ear. This is not how this was supposed to go. I was supposed to get over him, not meet him for dinner-- But wait....maybe this would help. Maybe seeing him with someone else will help me get over him.

I dropped my phone on my side table and screamed into my pillow. I'm such a fool! What am I doing?

I paused.

What if Theo is there? Shit! That would be awkward as hell. I mean, on a normal day, it would be at all but now that Jerry somehow developed the assumption that I'm in love with his brother, tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day. If Theo joins.

I hope Theo doesn't.

I hope Sophie doesn't too-- No! We're not doing that. I'm happy for him.

"I'm happy for him" I muttered to myself as I stood up and walked to my dressing mirror. I sat on the small stool and stretched my arm for an handshake.

"Hello, Sophie. I'm Camilla" I said in the most sophisticated way I could. Am I really practicing how to introduce myself to her? Yes I am. I am not embarrassing myself tomorrow.

"Hi, I'm Cam" I said again, raising my head and squaring my shoulders. I dropped my hand and sighed. This is pointless, I might still end up embarrassing myself tomorrow.

I walked to my closet which had decent amount of clothes and stared. The least I can do is look hot while doing that.

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12/04/2023