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28
PYKE
I drive at a maximum speed limit all the way to the Wright residence. I know this is going to happen very soon since I opened a can of worms. Now everyone is going to be affected as soon as she’s going to find out what’s her connection to my family.
I instantly recognize Dad’s car and the black SUV of his security parked in front of the two-story grey house. I give Dad’s bodyguard a nod of recognition. My brows furrow when I can’t find Camila’s car parked around the area. Did she lie to me about being here?
I shove my hands to my black coat due to the icy cold weather and sprint toward the concrete path that leads to the house. Stand on my left is a dark green mailbox with its house number printed on its post.
The door screen is already decorated with a red Christmas stocking. I guess the Wright celebrates holidays seriously.
I pull the main door wide open since it’s unlocked. This home is very welcoming. I no
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Dare for Me 29
CamilaSince I’m not ready to face Aunt Carissa, for now, I agreed to stay with Pyke at the hotel. I still owe them my life even my father’s lawyer paid her to take care of me since birth.I’m still flabbergasted until this moment. I’m in between overwhelmed in finding out the truth about my father and a heartbroken that Aunt Carissa is not related to me by blood. Kill is not my cousin, but my heart says he is to me.“Babe, I let someone bring you some clothes. You’re freezing, I think you need a hot shower.” Pyke cups my face to give me a quick kiss. I can’t help but close my eyes and feel his warm skin on my face that gives me relief.I nod glumly, sighing shakily. “Thanks for being here. I really don’t know what to do if you didn’t come to follow me.” I take his hand, squeeze it, and rub his knuckles.“I promise you that I will never leave you alone, Camila. I know this is still shocking to you, but I’m so glad
Dare for Me 30
PYKECamila sobs even in her sleep as I cuddle her all night. I wish I can take those pains away, especially that I’m one of the reasons why she’s in pain right now. Guilt is consuming me slowly and painfully.I always see her as a happy woman who doesn’t care about the world’s problem, but since that incident, she’s been silent and tried to mask her emotions most of the time and pretended to be fine. I missed her irritating banter and her infuriating mouth. My heart aches every time I see her so sad, and I can’t do anything.We drive back to the city early in the morning after our breakfast to meet my dad and her father’s lawyer.Atty. Timothy Sanders Jr. reads the last will and testament of late Cameron King II. The lawyer is in his early forties, medium build, wearing a fancy black tailored suit. He took over his father’s legacy who happened to be the former lawyer of Camila’s father, and my dad trusts him to take car
Dare for Me 31
CamilaPyke’s body goes rigid. His eyes suddenly widen and his handsome face turns white. His hand was squeezing my waist stronger that his fingers might leave a mark on my skin.“Well, look at you now, Pykie.” A voluptuous brunette of around mid-thirties walks closer to us. She’s a few inches taller than me, has a sun-kissed skin or she’s probably from southern California. She’s wearing a white dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her hair is curled in large waves, but what catches my attention is her icy sapphire blue eyes staring at me with an angry glare that could slice me in two.“Who’s this girl?” she asks, emphasizing the word girl with disdain, but Pyke is still shocked to respond.I grab his sweaty hand, squeezing it, then I take a deep breath and smile sweetly at whoever is this bitch in front of us, perhaps, she’s Pyke’s ex-fuck buddy.“Oh, hi, I’m Camila King.” I offer my hand for a handshake. I silen
Dare for Me 32
PYKEI stare blankly at the glass wall where I made love to Camila. My apartment is dead silent, and the only thing I can hear is my own constant sighing. It’s even difficult to breathe when my only companion is my guilt over her. One night, I sleep at the hotel since this place reminds me of her. I admit I got it fucking bad.Camila wasn’t supposed to find it out that way, but it’s too late to blame myself for that. That bitch screwed up everything—from my life to my future with Camila.What am I gonna do now?You’re not good at following rules, Pyke, now what stopping you?My brain still functions I guess.My holiday didn’t go as I planned—I fucked up. Even my family seemed to notice me zoning out a lot. I found them exchanging glances, but they didn’t pry me though. I guess, they got the answers on their own.I sent her messages and my Christmas gifts, but not a single reply from her
Dare for Me 33
CamilaMy eyes widen in amazement to see Hughes' residence for the first time. An Italian-inspired mansion stands tall in front of us. Even at night, I can see the neatly manicured huge lawns, and in between the U-shaped driveway is the beautiful Trevi-inspired fountain.A woman wearing a white blouse and black pants welcome us inside the house. Her dark hair tuck in a neat bun with light makeup on her face, and she introduces herself as Mrs. Boyes, Mrs. Hughes’ PA.The whole house of Auntie Carissa can fit into their living room alone. My eyes instantly find the man that haunted my mind every second of my day. I know for the fact that I am going to meet him here, so I brace myself as I enter the house.“Hi, Pyke,” I find myself greeting him. After my encounter with that woman in the restaurant, I asked the driver to send me to Auntie’s home. I was glad when I found Kyland there. He did a great job of diverting my mind f
Dare for Me 34
PYKE“Thanks for coming back, man.” I look at Kyland after serving me a drink. It’s been a week since we talked and that was on New Year’s Eve.“I’m not doing this for you, asshole. This is for Mom and your parents.” He shoots me a glare and goes to the next customer two stools away from me and serves her a drink.“Boss, good to see you again,” says Forrest.“Happy New Year, dude. Tell Wright to see me in my office.” I drain the smooth as silk bourbon into my mouth and get on my feet.“Okay,” Forrest says tentatively, eyeing me in a more confused look.I leave the bar, walking directly to the hallway that leads to my office. The music is still blaring, but enough for me to sullen again.My mind goes back to Camila. I stayed drunk before getting home so that I won’t remember how I hurt her in front of my door. I missed her—everything about her, how she rode me on my couch, how I ate her on that wall, and
Dare for Me 35
CamilaPanic streaks through me when I open my eyes to a pitch black. I sit up abruptly, blinking many times and let my eyes adjust to the dark room.A soft humming of the air condition makes me hug my knees tighter to my body as the goosebumps crawl on my skin. It smells old and dusty. The tiled-floor is cold underneath my bare feet, making my toes curl.This is not my room.Where am I?A clicking of bolt indicates someone is unlocking the door from the outside. My body stiffens. The door creaks open, a yellow light slowly illuminates inside. My heart pounds in my chest when a woman’s silhouette reveals.“You’re finally awake, sweetheart. You must be hungry,” says the petite woman. She has the softest voice I’ve ever heard, but there is something in her voice that makes me shiver.“Where am I? Who are you?” I ask in a wary tone.“
Dare for Me 36
PYKE“You’re screwed,” Dad mumbles under his breath.I can’t believe Dad said that word. Sighing helplessly, I shake my head repeatedly as I watch Camila walks away. Megan follows after shooting me a glare.“You need to do something before you will lose her, Pyke,” Dad continues.My head snaps at him. “Do you think I don’t know that? You just worsened the scenario.”“I called you here to explain not to blame me,” Dad whispers through gritted teeth.“Whatever.” I jerk to my feet still glaring at him. Unconsciously, I slow my pace toward the hallway when a soft hand grabs my arm.“Let her get some rest, Pyke—she needs it. Her sleep had been deprived lately,” Issa says, sounding bothered.“Why doesn’t she get a good sleep?” I also noticed the dark circle under her eyes earlier. The most beautiful chocolate eyes I’ve seen are now sorrowful and frightened.“The doctor suggested a therapist, but s
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