CHAPTER 6

CAMILLE

Dad finally let me return to my apartment, with lots of character ethics which wasn't needed cause I definitely didn't hit that bitch, and now I wish I actually did.

I stared at the number papa gave me, he said it belonged to Beatrice, he was really adamant about me learning from Beatrice.

In a different scenario I would definitely reject this offer but it's been almost a week now and Aurelio has slowly owned my mind.

His wife seems to be my best shot of seeing him ever again.

I squeezed the paper and threw it out the window. I wasn't that shallow, stealing another woman's husband was something a Barone would never do.

But I missed him. So badly.

“We are so late for Dr Fernandez class” Keisha said, poking her head into my window.

“You should have gone without me” I said, tapping her head gently and she took her head out and I stepped down.

“You know Mr Fernandez has the hots for you, he'd let us in if you're with me” I did a fake cringe act and Keisha chuckled.

“I told you he doesn't, he's just being nice to everyone” I argued.

“Yeah right, tell that to someone who's blind, the man literally looks at you with those you know eyes throughout his class”

“What eyes Keisha, stop conjuring things in your head” a smile crept up my face as I hurriedly walked past her.

“You bloody creep, you actually enjoy it” Keisha yelled and I broke out in a run and she chased after me.

Mr Fernandez was just as smitten as Keisha said he was, he let us in without a word.

Fernandez was a stand-in professor for our old professor Mr Greco who was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer and had to take some time off, but word was going round that Mr Fernandez was soon taking over fully.

If I hadn't met someone as striking as Aurelio, he would have definitely been my type, the man was extremely cute, his nerd glasses and shy smile made him very boyish.

Having him around meant I'd have an A without stressing unnecessarily about it.

“Miss Barone, um…I'd like to see you once this class is over” he added and all eyes turned to me and I nodded.

“With that the class has officially ended for today, see you all next week” students trolled out of the class while I remained behind.

Keisha nudged me before passing “I'll wait outside” she mouthed and I nodded.

Once the class was empty I walked up to him at his desk and he smiled, that same boyish cute smile.

“Um…Miss Barone with all due respect…” he trailed off and got fidgety in his seat.

“The truth is… I…I've never done this before but um…would it be okay if we had dinner sometime?” He asked, scratching the back of his neck to avoid eye contact with me and I smiled.

“It's okay if you call me Camille and sure that'd be nice” I answered and he looked up so fast I almost chuckled.

“Really? Oh that's awesome, I mean I'm…honoured…we can fix a date during weekend…a Library or an eatery or even a picnic, anything you choose”

“Library date?” I asked and he nodded.

“That sounds nice, never been on one before” I admitted.

“I promise to make it worth your time” I smiled and nodded.

“Can I leave?” I asked politely and he nodded standing to his feet, escorting me out.

Keisha was waiting by the door, grinning like a fool the moment she saw me, I walked past her, and she hurried behind me.

“So…?” She tugged on my arm and I chuckled and brushed her away, she quickly returned and took my arms in hers.

“I'm sure I know what he talked about” she whispered and I gave her a pointed look trying to hold back my smile.

“Oh gawd, I'm so right, I told you he had the hots for you anyways put in a good word for me, I need some As too” I laughed at her request making her stomp her feet.

“Just tell me already, what did he say?”.

*****

“What about Aurelio?” Keisha asked absentmindedly as she typed on her phone.

At the mention of Aurelio, everything I'd been hiding returned, his words brought tears to my eyes nearly running my makeup.

“It's over” I muttered.

“What? What's over” Keisha asked and from the mirror I saw her drop her phone, her focus now on me.

“Did you meet him again? What happened?” Keisha asked coming to stand behind once she noticed my mood change drastically.

“I'm going on date, can we not talk about this?” I asked, more like pleaded.

Keisha nodded and I re-applied my makeup. Keisha drove me to the central library where Mr Fernandez stood outside with a bouquet of roses.

“Awwwnn, he's such a sweet guy” Keisha cooed and I smacked her arm.

“It's just a friendly meeting” I said.

“Doesn't seem very friendly to me” I glared at Keisha and she mouthed a what and I shook my head.

I thanked Keisha for dropping me off and she just had to go ahead and wave enthuatically at the man, which made me so shy.

“Keisha…” i sang and she laughed.

“Keep you location on, as sweet as he may be, he could also be a murderer or an ex-convint or a psycho or serial killer or…”

“And he could also be a sweet man who wants to have a little fun time without judgements” I pointed out leaving Keisha's mouth open with unspoken words.

I raised my brows at her and she shrugged and nodded “maybe that too, just be careful alright, if he doesn't drop you off, I'll come pick you and update me on every change of plans okay” I nodded.

“See ya honey” she yelled already driving out and I waved at her.

I did a run through of my dress again, feeling a little less dressed, Mr Fernandez wore a tucked in blue shirt with carton coloured pants and a grey vest.

While I wore a lilac flowered cottage skirt and a crop top, that exposed my tummy, I also brought a cardigan which I kept in my tote bag, I paired the look with an extremely cute fluffy slippers.

Mr Fernandez walked up to me and handed me the bouquet and I smiled and thanked him, bringing it to my nose to take a sniff.

“They are very lovely, thank you” he nodded with a boyish grin and stepped aside to let me pass first, then his hand went down to my waist to guide me into the library.

It wasn't needed but I didn't want to get all serious on our first date. He talked a bit with the young American librarian before we walked in.

The smell of old book, dust and fresh ink wafted through the air of the library, the golden hue of the almost setting sun gave the library a mystical look as Ur streamed in fromge windows.

The library was quiet safe for the shuffling of books here and there, a few reading groups and soft chatters.

Mr Fernandez led me further in and stopped in front of some shelf cluster.

“So…what do you read?” He asked, tucking his hands in his pocket.

“Normally, I'd go for business or history but I'm feeling a bit in line for anything” he nodded and looked around.

“Why don't you find something you like and I'll do the same…then we'll talk about why we like those books, is that okay?” He asked nervously and I smiled and nodded.

I think he was just too nervous and he needed some time to cool off and I found that very cute, I wandered off, checking out for genres that would excite me.

I actually knew what would, I just didn't think it'd be fitting to read that with your lecturer, but maybe I could buy some.

I stopped in a shelve with three girls, they looked through the books with all calmness and I joined them.

It was a world of dark romance books, an absolute hide away from reality.

Soon the girls found their choices and left while I was left torn between Ana huang twisted series and Tahereh Mafi shatter me series.

“Maybe both” I muttered.

I looked at the other shelf when I heard a loud fall of books, a man was squatted down trying to pick them and I walked over and helped pick the books up.

“Thank you” I stilled at the voice, I could pick out that voice even in a crowd. It was Aurelio, no one sounded so deep, sexy and hoarse like him.

“Um…yeah” I answered and looked up to see his eyes already on me.

I placed the books in his hands and quickly moved to leave, his hand grabbed mine pulling me back.

“Camille”.

It wasn't a surprised version of my name from his lips or angered one, it was a tone of acknowledgement.

“Aurelio” I breathe out.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“The obvious” he answered, suggesting his books and I looked at the pile of books in his hands.

They were business oriented, motivational books some were on stocks and trading and I nodded.

“How's Beatrice” I asked dumbly, of course I didn't care about Beatrice and I didn't mind if she wasn't feeling well, who I would have loved to ask about was Aurelio but I doubt that would go well.

He finally let go of my hand and I looked at my hand, it was still warm from his touch.

“She's okay” he answered coldly and I nodded. It seems I hit the spot and I sighed.

“About what happened last…”

“Camille” Mr Fernandez came up behind me and I turned to him.

“Mr Fernandez” he chuckled and put his hand on my back, and looked down on me, damn these men for being so tall.

The both of them stood like towers while I basically almost disappeared in their midst.

“Petè, that's my name, we could try and drop the honorifics now that we're outside” and I smiled softly at him.

“You met a friend?” He asked and my gaze returned to Aurelio who was still watching us with beaded eyes, and I wondered if the man ever smiled.

“Um…not really, he's um…a friend of my dad, we just bumped into each other, but I guess you could say we are um…” I racked my words and ended up with nothing.

“Friends?” I said my voice barely audible.

“Friends?” Aurelio asked, in what I believe should be disbelief or maybe suprise or shock perhaps.

“Nice to meet you Mr..”

“Aurelio” he supplied and they shook hands.

“Petè Fernandez”.

“If you don't mind we'd like to get on with our…” Petè trailed off and I get he couldn't actually tell someone that we were on a date, considering he was my lecturer and it would probably look extremely bad in him.

“Picnic” I blurted out.

“Picnic?” Petè asked and I nodded.

“After the library we'll be using the grass nearby for a picnic, right?” I asked, winking at him and that look of surprise cleared from his face.

Was it disrespectful to say the man was a bit too laid back.

“Yes, yes, you're right, that's what we're doing”

Aurelio didn't look entirely convinced, he stood there like some security guard who caught us stealing from a coffee shop.

His gaze went from Petè to me and then at his hand on my back before they returned to me and I smiled nervously.

“Um…we'll be on our way” I waved at Aurelio who stayed rooted in his spot without a word, I pulled Petè away, feeling his eyes burn into my back.

Pete's hand returned to my waist, and at much as I wasn't very comfortable with it, I was glad he did that while Aurelio was watching.

He needed to know I could very well do without his dick and I could always find another one, which was a pity because he was damn good.

Petè was a romantic it was so clear when he pulled a seat for me, a table filled with small snacks and some desserts too, rose petal were scattered on the table, a few roses were inside a glass vase on the table.

It was simple and sweet of him and I actually liked it.

“How were you able to do all these?” I asked and he smiled and shrugged.

“I know the librarian, she's my neighbour” I nodded.

“A very sweet one, if you ask me” I said chuckling.

“I'll take a pics of this” I said and brought out my phone and he chuckled.

“Girls will always be girls” and I gasped but took series of pics anyway.

“That's a very crude remark” I joked and he laughed.

The date went well, Petè was a wonderful man, far older than me but I doubt he knew or would care, unlike some people. After all it wasn't my fault I looked mature for my age

I pushed the thought of Aurelio out the window and focused on Pete who looked so excited talking about a book he'd pick earlier before.

He was a simple man and I enjoyed his company, and I hoped he didn't want a second date.

He was sweet and somehow he just managed to give me this image of an elder brother, something I never got to have.

“So you think we should leave and grab something to eat?” He asked and I nodded.

My phone buzzed disrupting the silence, it was Keisha.

“I think we'll have to end here today, I've got other engagements actually” I said and he nodded and stood up.

I greeted the librarian before passing, and maybe it was me but the lady seemed to have this look in her eyes when she looked at Petè.

And I believed they were very good neighbours, where you could jump in to the other’s house and spend the night, just enough for some feelings to sprout.

“Good night, Pete, I really enjoyed myself” he nodded with a light smile.

Keisha's car drove into the almost empty park and she stepped down, dressed in her cute pink night pants and crop top.

“Hello Mr Fernandez” he nodded at her and I smiled.

“So see you in classes soon” he stepped closer and placed a kiss on my cheeks and Keisha mumbled something under her breath before turning away.

“See you, Camille,” I nodded.

I waved bye and got into the car, and Keisha drove out hitting a series of dump cans and I laughed.

“You're crazy”.

My phone pinged and I looked at my screen it was a message from my I*******m.

I opened my phone to check and the content of the message made me chuckle.

Older men seem to be your thing, you're too young for that and your dad wouldn't approve of it.

“What's that?” Keisha asked grinning from ear to ear.

“It's nothing, just some guy”