Tastes Like A Setup

Camila's POV 

This was none other than Rose, Savanah's loyal bitch!

"Wait, it's you isn't it?" I rolled my eyes. She looked nothing like her because her hair used to be white, literally white. Now it's a black pixie, looking better on her...focus, Camila!

"Camila Torres, the poor low life Jaxon married out of pity." She sneered.

"Out of pity? Good that's what you think. You know what, good that you're thinking at all, but I don't have time for this nonsense. Since I've cut myself off of Jaxon and his mad family, you're also included."

"Okay then, why don't you pay for your vegetables? You can't, because you've been poor and filthy since he left you. How did you even get here in the first place?"

Oh no. I didn't want Jaxon to know where I lived. "I don't stay here, you moron." I said defensively.

She gave it a thought. "Of course. Maybe you're living with some stupid relative. But I never knew you had any rich relative who can afford living here."

"Hold on, let me get the gist right. Don't worry, I'll lend you a few bucks so you can pay for that. But first, just because Jaxon made a mistake, doesn't mean you should try to kill that poor girl and her baby." She just had to add that, didn't she!

"Of course, the rumor had spread." I rolled my eyes. I didn't have time for this so why was I still entertaining her boring talk? I just need to figure out why my card keeps declining. Luckily, I still had some cash. But foolish me had left them at home because I thought I would use my card!

"No, really. Even if she was your friend and Caleb's teacher, doesn't mean you qualify to just kill two human beings."

"Rose? I don't have time for this." I looked around the store. Of course there was no one familiar I could ask for money from! It was embarrassing but I had to try. "Still, I do need you to--"

"You know, I'm proud of Jaxon's plan. To shame you and brag at your failed attempt, he's going to get married to that poor woman and they'll live happily ever after!"

I blinked. I didn't know why but my heart skipped a bit. I knew Jaxon and I were over, but couldn't he just...I mean for the sake of Caleb! "H-he's getting married?"

Rose's smile thickened. "At least that's what my bestie told me. Isn't it wonderful?"

Wonderful? Was this why that fool had been calling me all this while? But...he told me he was giving me another chance! Was that all just a cheap lie?

"Savanah told you that?" I repeated again, hoping it would make sense now. 

"She said a lot of things! You better rush and hand over Caleb back to them so he can be at least given the opportunity to have his name written on the Carter will. Maybe he'll get sponsored to an elite university, be given a nice car and a house. Really I don't know why I'm telling you, but you can't rub the poor kid off his chance of carrying this mighty name around."

Mighty name? She wasn't all wrong. Everyone knew how powerful the Carters were. And now they'd just cut us off that name. Wouldn't this affect Caleb in the long run? I didn't have a job yet, where would I get enough to take care of him? 

I turned back to the cashier, ignoring Rose. "I'll take some items out, maybe you can try again. Or wait, maybe I have some cash on me..." I was trying so hard not to cry now. I'd been strong enough, why was I letting this get to me now!

Then all of a sudden, a familiar face walked inside. But this meant nothing...I couldn't walk over to beg money from him!? It was that rich stranger who gifted us expensive gifts earlier today. I swallowed, trying to decide if begging from Rose was better than this man. I didn't want to owe him anything!

I didn't realize I'd been staring so much he caught my gaze. And actually smiled...he was approaching me now. "Hey you," he said softly. 

Rose jumped forward. "Oh you still recognize me! I didn't think you would, dearest Nico Romano. Oh it's such an honor--"

Nico...apparently that was his name...walked past her and came towards me, holding my hand. My palm was warmly engulfed in his wide grip feeling so small. "I was talking to her. I don't know you, young lady." He said to Rose. 

That moment did feel so good I actually chuckled. Rose's face was all flustered and heated up. "Really? You don't know me again?" She spat out. 

"Nope. I'm sorry, can you tell your friend to give us some privacy--"

"--oh I don't know her." I said, watching impressively at the horror on her face. 

"Oh great, then excuse us miss." He said, waving her off. 

As she turned to leave, he heaved in a deep sigh. "That was so close. I think that's Michelle. We had such great sex the other night..." His eyes widened and he blinked so fast. "And I probably shouldn't be saying that in front of you beautiful lady."

I felt disgust etching all over my body. "That was so disgusting. And no, that was Rose. Not your dreamy lady Michelle."

"What's that? You were jealous for a while there?" He chuckled. The frown on my face made that smirk disappear. "Besides, I thought you said you didn't know her."

"I realize I haven't thanked you for earlier. We'd like to return--"

"Hey miss, your card is still declining." The cashier said, making my cheeks fluster of embarrassment.

Nico fixed his gaze on mine, even though I was averting them. "You need some help, my love?"

"Don't call me that, ever." I scolded. "But yea, I kinda need your help."

"What are you doing tonight?" He asked as he gave his card to the cashier. I looked at the foodstuff on the table and back at him. "Oh you're cooking. From the looks of things, something like lasagna? Flour is here too, baking a little something as well."

"What, do you cook too?" 

"I'm a chef." He said proudly. I laughed out, obviously finding that hard to believe. "Really, I cook. I can save you dinner tonight, you and your son."

"You know I have a son?"

He looked at me like I'd just hit my head somewhere. "I saw him. Tall teenage kid, looks a lot like you."

A smile tainted my lips, "he looks like me, doesn't he." Surely he hasn't seen the father. "Thanks again for this, I owe you one. But no thanks for the dinner."

"Awesome." Said Nico. "You should accompany me to a party this Sunday evening."

I blinked. "I will pay you your money back as soon as I get a hold of my purse. What's all this about going out on a date with you? Have you forgotten that I'm a married woman!?" This guy was such a shameless flirt!

"Relax, hon. All I'm saying is that it would be fun to take you out sometimes, not that I'm interested in marrying you." His voice was so smooth and charming. "Listen, you like cooking, so do I. It's an opening for the greatest cooking school ever."

"An opening? A cooking school will open in town?"

He nodded and said at the same time. "Yes! And--"

Two securities on uniform advanced towards us. "Hey miss, please point out the person who physically assaulted you."

I frowned seeing it had been Rose who led them to our side. What shocked me more was when she pointed directly at Nico. "He, um, he publicly assaulted me!"