Vague past

Chapter 15

“Roderick, hold on. You’re drunk. You reek of alcohol,” I said, trying to help him regain his balance. At least that explained why his eyes were red.

I tried to lead him to the bed, but he resisted every time, like he wanted to frustrate me. His weight was heavier than it looked, and I knew if this continued, I was going to collapse.

Suddenly, Roderick pushed me against the nearby wall, closing the little space left between us. Now, all I could see was his face—so close. His hand slowly moved down to my waist, pulling me tightly to him. The harsh scent of alcohol clung to his body, filling not just the room, but my nose.

He brought his face closer to mine, making my heart skip a beat. I wondered what he was up to.

“Rod... Roderick,” I whispered as I closed my eyes, uncertain of what to expect. Then he moved to my neck, making me instinctively turn it to the other side, giving him space but still gently trying to push him away. I knew better than to be aggressive with him, so I decided to play calm.

I felt a warm breath on my neck that sent a shiver down my spine as he sniffed me.

“You stink, Camila… A very faint scent of Adrian,” he said.

My eyes widened, snapping me back to reality. But I just took a bath... How could he tell? I wondered, now pushing him away more firmly toward the bed.

“I’m sorry, Roderick. It's the new cologne I bought today. I thought I washed it off, but I guess it still lingers,” I lied, confused at how he could tell—even in his drunken state.

Well, I guess it makes sense. He’s Adrian’s brother. Of course, he’d recognize his scent more than anyone, I thought as I walked toward him to help remove his suit.

I reached for his jacket, but he pulled me with sudden force, making me fall on top of him. I stared at his face for a while, wondering if I was taking advantage of his condition. I tried to get up, but then he spoke.

“You know what, Camila… You look like someone I knew ever since I was a little boy. She was everything to me. So beautiful, kind, and a little reckless,” he said with a chuckle, halting my attempt to move.

His words stirred something inside me. My mind drifted back to what Miss Miranda said about Roderick and Adrian crying for me.

“I always watched her from afar because I was too shy to talk to her. She was my first and only love… even to this day, I’m still not over the feelings I had for her.

“She was close to Adrian, so I kept my distance. I didn’t want to get in the way… but it made me hate myself even more,” Roderick continued, his hands shaking as he gripped my waist tightly, tears filling his eyes.

“I wish I had just walked up to her—told her at least once that I loved her more than anything. Or at least been her friend.”

I was silent, feeling that deep ache of sadness—the same pain I felt when my parents died, and Adrian and Roderick disappeared from my life. I didn’t even notice my own tears falling until I saw Roderick’s.

“And when I heard she was in a terrible accident... that she died with her parents... it shattered my world,” he whispered. “Everything felt unreal. I lived silently in pain. I even tried to kill myself… until I met a girl named Sisi. She slapped me back to my senses that day,” he said bitterly, forcing a weak smile.

“What? Dead? What do you mean... dead?” I whispered, my eyes wide as I watched him drift off into sleep, tears still on his face.

“Sisi left me. She cheated… and now, how am I supposed to move on, Camila? How?” he murmured, finally succumbing to unconsciousness.

Seeing him like that, I didn’t want to wake him—even though I desperately wanted answers. Gently, I removed his coat and covered him with a blanket.

“Roderick… what did you mean by dead? I know my parents died, but I didn’t. And why did you and Adrian leave me?” I said softly, tears rolling down my cheeks as I watched him sleep.

“I have so many questions to ask you… But if you were talking about me, then I want you to know that—even if I was close to Adrian—I always felt something for you, ever since the day you saved me. I’m not completely sure what I feel now… but whatever it is, it’s real.”

I wiped my tears away, whispering, “You’ve really been through a lot… and Sisi just made it worse. No wonder you want nothing to do with her.”

I walked to the door, taking one last look at him before stepping out.

My mind was in turmoil. I couldn't stop the storm of questions spinning in my head: What’s the true story? What’s the connection between my family and the Clastu family? What really caused my parents' death? Why does Roderick think I’m dead? Why did they leave me? What’s Grandpa’s relationship with them, and why do they respect him so much?

And most of all… where do I fit in this tangled web?

I could barely stand, swaying as if I’d lost my mind. That’s when I heard a voice call my name.

“Camila.”