LOGIN
CHAPTER ONE
Staring out of the window in deep thoughts, fighting back the tears threatening to spill down my face, as the last thing I want to show now is “weakness”. I can’t afford to show it, I can’t afford to break down now, not when I’ve finally gotten the freedom I’ve always wanted.
I let out a deep sigh as I pulled my eyes away from the window bringing them back to reality, standing before me where to sack bags piled up with clothes,
I gave the room one last look before stepping out and with a confused mind, I shut the door. Leaving back all the pains and traumas I have once felt during the years I stayed in there.
“Camellia,Camellia,” I could hear my little sister’s voice from a distance as I walked towards the front desk.
“Hello! miss camellia,we’re so glad that you’re finally free, and I hope you’d stay away from troubles henceforth” one of the female cops there spoke with a smile while handing some papers to me.
I picked up a pen from the desk and signed without saying a word.
My mind was clouded with so many thoughts,reminiscing on the whole incident as I signed the papers, I just can’t wait to be out of here.
Stepping out of the gaint gate, I totally ignored my sister’s existence because I’m not ready to see or have any conversation with my family members now. I felt the city’s cool breeze welcome me. “Freedom” at last, I whispered, the word tasting bitter on my lips, it sounded so foreign to my ears,I screwed off, scared they’d change their mind.
Lost in my own thoughts, as I continued my journey to the unknown, I had no place in mind to go, and I’ve no intention of going back to my family, Not after they’ve neglected me all these years.
I was tired and weak, I needed a place to rest.i scanned my environment in search for a place to sit,and I found one across the road, as I hastened my steps to cross the road, I heard a whimper in pain.
A young boy was trying to get back on his feet, he was obviously in serious pains, an angry looking woman came up to him. “Eric,come here, you little brat!” She shouted.
The name “Eric” made my world stop for a moment, as I froze right on that spot with memories flooding my mind, the memories from years back came back in a flash.
“Eric”,- my ex boyfriend, his words, his smiles, his touches, our memories together, and most importantly his death all came in one flash, with the last conversation we had before our breakup echoing so loud in my ears.
“I love you so much cami, so much that
I’m scared it might cause me more
harm,but,I still can’t let you go…I’m
Scared cami”.
Eric had told me this that night in his apartment,with his head rested on my thighs.
“ I love you so much Eric and you
Know that right?”
I asked.
“ I know, that’s why I’m ready to give
Up my life for you” he replied.
“C’mon,don’t say that” I cautioned him.
“Cami,you know I’m not lying,I’m not
Scared of dying for you, I’m only
Scared of a world without you” he replied.
“Silly boy” i giggled.
That night was a memorable one for me, he had called me that morning and asked to spend the whole day together and I agreed without a second thought and we did have fun,from cooking together, to telling tales, playing games
Watching movies and having our alone time indoor.
Everything was perfectly fine till he sent me a breakup text ,without a reason for it and what followed next was his death,making me the prime suspect. How?.
I was still lost in thought when the horn of a car and the scream from onlookers brought me back to reality. Fear gripped
me as I saw the car coming towards me in so much speed,it was so close and there was nothing I could do at that moment. I closed my eyes ready for the moment.
“maybe this is my fate after all” I whispered.
Suddenly a hand grasped my shoulder pulling me with so much force, as we both crashed on the other end of the road with him falling flat on the ground and me on top of him, making my saviour whimper in pains.
I slowly opened my eyes as the crowed murmured.
“That was a close one”
“The guy is her hero”
These whispers came from the crowd, staring at the guy who was whimpering in pain. I quickly got back on my feet, so he could stand up too.
A figure stood before me,with his eyes locked on mine.
“Camellia…” he whispered,sending shivers down my spine,memories flooding in as I stared into these familiar eyes.
Was my head playing games with me? Why am I seeing this?
I thought as I tried keeping my eyes open, because my head was already feeling so light.
“Y-ou” I stuttered with tears clouding my eyes.
“Cami…” he called.
And then, everything went blank.
“So…. They know.”The office was darker now. The blinds were shut. The city lights outside cut thin sharp lines across the floor.The man sat alone, elbows on the desk, replaying the final whisper on the damaged recorder.“You’d better stay off this… Mr anonymous.”He exhaled slowly, anger simmering beneath his calm expression.“Someone knows who I am,” he muttered. “And someone wanted that file badly enough to kill for it.”He reached for the phone and dialed a secure number.The line clicked.A deep voice answered, “Yes, sir.”“Find out who was in Bertha City tonight. Every camera, every shadow. Someone took that file, and I want a name before morning.”“Yes sir.”He hung up and leaned back, fingers steepled under his chin.Just then a knock came in..”Boss I’m here”“Come in”The guy walked in with his head bowed.With a cold voice, the boss asked “Report”“Camellia have doing fine and there has been no suspicious move around her…. all thanks to Williams.”“Williams?”“Yes…. He’s Ca
Williams’s head snapped up. Standing a few feet away, clutching her leather bag, was Camellia.“AMY?”Williams braced himself for the confrontation. He quickly stepped back from Amy, but before he could launch into his nervous explanation, Amy stumbled toward Camellia, a wide, clumsy grin splitting her face. “Cami! You're back! You didn't answer my calls! I missed you!" Amy cried, throwing her arms around Camellia in a surprisingly tight, messy hug. Amy’s scent was thick with cheap wine and desperation.Camellia stood frozen for a beat, then sighed, a faint smile touching her lips. "I see."Williams rushed forward. "Cami, let me help you get her inside.""Oh, Williams, you’re so cute!" Amy murmured as Williams helped pull her toward the door. She leaned against him heavily, giggling. "And I like your face, your body is so sexy..."Williams's face flushed crimson, stealing nervous glances at Camellia, who simply rolled her eyes in amusement. Together, they managed to maneuver Amy int
Williams drove into the Brighton Central hospital. He parked crookedly in front of the hospital, the engine barely off before he jumped out of the car. The air smelled of disinfectant and urgency as he dashed through the glass doors, his heart beating faster than his steps.“Excuse me, the patient brought in from the highway accident…Ethan…where is he?” he asked the nurse at the front desk, breathless.“Ward 3B. Left wing,” she replied.Williams didn’t wait to thank her. He rushed down the corridor, shoes echoing off the tiled floor.When he entered, the world seemed to slow. As Ethan layed motionless on the bed… his head wrapped in thick bandages, his arm in a sling, bruises blooming across his neck and shoulder. Machines beeped steadily beside him, each sound a fragile thread of hope as he looked helpless and small.Williams pulled a chair up beside the bed, his eyes locked on his friend’s still face. The panic began to recede, replaced by a deep, numbing ache.He remembered the fir
BERTHA CITY. The black car didn’t just stop at the Smiths gate, it slammed to a halt with the engine rumbling with aggressive impatience. Mrs Caddel stepped out furious, fueled by the rage over the stolen file.She didn't bother with the bell. She laid on the horn, a long, angry blast that sliced through the morning calm. She then pounded on the iron gate, screaming..“Open this gate now!”“Open this gate murderers!”After several tense moments, the main door of the grand house opened, and Lucia emerged. She looked pale and hesitant, recognizing the furious figure in front of her.Mrs Caddel didn’t wait as she pushed through, eyes burning, and when Lucia tried to stop her, she shoved her out of the way.Lucia steadied herself, voice low. “Ma’am please, this isn’t…”Just then, Mrs. Smith appeared at the doorway, face tight with contempt. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.Mrs Caddel hissed. “You?….you think I’d forget?”Mrs Smith’s tone turned cold. “Say what you came for and le
Morning Light. Camellia woke to the faint hum of a city still half asleep. She sat up slowly, her head pounding, her eyes swollen. For a second, she forgot where she was…until she heard faint movement from the living room.Camellia pulled the blanket around her and walked out quietly. Williams sat on the couch, half asleep, hair messy, the TV flickering muted news in front of him. His phone lay face down beside him.Williams.He was still here.She hesitated in the doorway, staring at him. There was something disarming about the way he looked… peaceful, tired, protective.And she hated that her heart still reacted to him even after everything she’d confessed.Williams stirred and looked up, voice rough with sleep.“Hey… you’re up.”She nodded softly. “You didn’t sleep much, did you?”He gave a tired half smile. “Didn’t want to. Someone had to keep watch.”Camellia’s chest tightened. “You meant what you said last night, didn’t you?”His eyes softened. “Every word.”She looked away qui
No one spoke for a long time.Just the sound from the wall clock as if mocking the silence that filled the room.Camellia sat frozen, her hands twisting in her lap. Williams waited, crouched in front of her, his voice low when he finally asked again.“Who was Eric Caddel to you?”Her throat tightened.“My past,” she said faintly. “And my biggest mistake.”Liam frowned. “What do you mean?”Shaking her head slowly, she replied. “He was… someone I loved.”The words fell heavy.Williams blinked, caught off guard. “You loved him?”Camellia nodded, eyes clouded with memories.“He was my first everything. My first safe place, my first laughter after chaos. Eric Caddel was gentle. Patient. He used to write my name on napkins and say it looked too beautiful to waste.” She gave a broken laugh. “And his mum hated me for it.”Miss Clara sank slowly into a chair, listening.Williams stayed still, silent.“His mum never thought I was good enough. She thought I was using him. But Eric didn’t care. H







