Chapter 6

• When I was sure that he was out of sight and earsho,t I glared at Paula who was all smiles at me.
• "I didn't like what you did," I said with a pout.
• I sulkily leaned my back on the chair and folded my arms in front of me. I was annoyed but my so-called friend looked as cool as a cucumber as she finished off the liquid in her glass.
• "Why did you have to tell him that he can call me Camilla?"
• She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "Chris and his sister Lovie called you Millie when you were in grade school since your grandma gave that nickname to you. It might have sounded cute before but not anymore. You are not in pig tails and braces now okay? It's fine if your cousins still call you Millie but not Abel. I think Camilla is sexier. Didn't you like how he enunciated it?" she even closed her eyes as if she was dreaming.
• I wanted to wipe that silly smile on her lips. I can't blame her for acting like a matchmaker since she was clueless about Parker and me. But how can I make her stop?
• "You know what girl? If I didn't know you, I would think that you are just fishing for compliments," she said matter-of-factly.
• My frown deepened. "What do you mean?"
• She sighed and put down the glass before replying. "Well do I have to spell it out? Don't you really realize how pretty you are so you're capable of attracting even the most elusive hot bachelor in this city? Abel could be that man girl! Are you pretending to be blind? Can't you see how damn fine he is? If I were not a real friend I would have taken his attention away from you even if it's obvious that he likes you because you are more attractive than me," this she said with a beam but I felt her sincerity.
• I almost rolled my eyes at her. "A good example of the pot calling the kettle black. You're pretty too but you always say that you're inferior to me," I said with a pout.
• She shook her head. "Since I befriended you, I prepared myself for this kind of situation. You're lucky you found a gem in me since I will never be jealous of your beauty. You are my friend and I am always ready to support you even if I become your shadow. I actually get annoyed when I keep on pushing you to feel good about yourself but to no avail. Look at you! You are beautiful inside out but you never seem to want to recognize it. I know you've been through a lot which caused all this but that was all in the past. And I don't want to go there right now."
• I sighed. She was right about that last part. Like her, I didn't want to think nor talk about it.
• "You deserve to be truly happy and be loved girl. You got your family and your friends including me but it's high time you start dating. Stop turning down men for Pete's sake."
• I was really tempted to tell her about me and Parker but something was holding me and I couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly. I chewed the inside of my cheek.
• "What made you think that I'm interested in Abel? Besides we don't even know if he is single. He is just looking for an adventure for all you know and I don't want to be his victim," I couldn't stop saying.
• I shook my head and rolled my eyes when I saw the silly expression on Paula's face.
• "Uh-ohh! Did I imagine a trace of jealousy in your voice?" she joked.
• I heaved a sigh. "We better go now before you become more ridiculous."
• She giggled but nodded. "Fine with me. But accept the fact that sooner or later you will see Abel again," she added with a wink.
• ***
• Paula left an hour and a half ago but after I showered and did all my night routine, still I couldn't sleep. So many things were in my mind. My past, the present and the future. I grunted and covered my face with another pillow. I shut my eyes and tried to clear my mind. I even started to count sheep but nothing was working. I finally gave up and sat on the bed. I decided to go to the kitchen and warm some milk. That could help me fall asleep. As I got out of the bedroom, the door bell rang. I looked at the time on the wall clock. It was half past eleven. Who could it be? I uttered a sound of annoyance thinking it could be Parker. I didn't bother to switch on my mobile phone and he probably sent me a lot of messages or attempted to call me. I looked at what I had on. My sleepwear was not that sexy but it's made from cotton. I didn't have any bra on. It went a little above my knees. At least I was wearing a regular panty. Another sound of the bell made me hesitantly walk to the door. Knowing Parker, he wouldn't stop pressing the button which could get really annoying. I kept a poker-face as I checked who it was.
• "Honey please let me in," Parker's deep voice begged. His handsome face looked as sad as his voice.
• Lowering my eyes, I stepped back and just made a gesture for him to come in. I turned by back and took my time advancing into the small living room as I contemplated on sitting down or not. I checked my feelings. To my surprise, I wasn't mad at him anymore. I guess I was still numb and in denial.
• "Ava told me what you two spoke about."
• I slowly turned to look at him as I crossed my arms on my chest. I didn't feel comfortable facing him only in my oversized shirt but my face was impassive.
• He walked closer to me and I moved to make a few steps back as I shook my head. He halted and his handsome face broke into a heavy frown.
• "Don't come any closer. Just say what you want to tell me," I demanded in an emotionless voice.
• "Honey, Zoe is one of the boys. Nothing is going on between us. It's true that I spend a lot of time with her and the others because of our rehearsals but it's all work. You have to believe me. We are never alone except when you saw us hours ago. She was just concerned because I wasn't my normal self after you left and hung up on me. I was tempted to tell her about us but I know you will not like it. I love you honey. I have my shortcomings and I apologize. I promise that I will make an effort to spend more time with you however busy I am. I don't want to lose you so please forgive me."
• I was just looking at him. I love him but my brain was saying that what he was saying wasn't a hundred percent true. My heart and mind weren't in sync. I was confused and hurt. I wasn't ready to talk to him but here he was. He advanced to me again and extended his arms to reach for me.
• Before he could touch me, I said, "Maybe we need space after all."