Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

MONDAY.

The lankiest fifteen of my life did not go by promptly. I was advised not to have any physical contact with anyone, just me and my lawyer.

Dylan and my parents had moved two rolls backwards.

He had high prospects of us winning the case. He says barely anything was done by him, Dylan did research and he got the toxic report, but it was all Dylan’s idea.

They operated incredibly fast I’d admit. The call logs are evidence.

*Call logs.*

I inclined my head to face him, He’s already staring, straight face, pressed lips, no evident emotions. He’s been like this throughout.

I looked away and sighed.

I’m nervous as hell. My fingers have been laced for God knows how long, the room is fully air-conditioned yet I’m hot on the outside.

It would’ve been nice to get a hug from mom or dad or just hold Dylan.

Regardless of how this ends, I’m thankful for everything they’ve done.

I tilt my head and he’s still staring. This time, his lip curved into a tiny smile and a blush creep to my cheek.

Just then, the judge returns with the clerk.

It’s time. It’s time to find out what everything has been for.

“It’s time to announce the verdict.”

The clerk began, standing upright beside the judge.

I gulped and bit hard on my lips, repeatedly until I tasted my own blood.

“In the case of the state versus Camilla Renee, this court finds Miss Renée..”

My heart pounded furiously against my chest.

“The court finds her innocent of arson. However, we cannot neglect the chaos she caused in the environment and she lied to an officer which is a crime. For this, she will be subject to one month of community service during the weekends starting this week.”

He finalized and retreated to his seat. The judge struck his hammer and we all got up.

“Oh my God!”

I squealed, placing a finger over my lip almost immediately.

I’m still in court. *Keep calm.*

We paused for both of them to leave, once they were out I leapt for joy.

“Mother!”

I howled, hugging them as tightly as I could, leaving no space between us.

The feeling was unearthly.

“Finally, all of this is over.”

I peaked at Dylan standing behind us, I chortle lowly, his shirt was untucked from his trousers, hands shoved back into his pocket.

Of course. I knew that phase couldn’t last long.

“Thank you, Dylan.”

Father spoke in appreciation. Did he just say thank you? To Dylan? Oh wow.

“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure”

My heart fluttered. I pulled away from my mom, shrugging my shoulders, smiling sheepishly, my face instantly flushing.

“We’ll go finalize everything and check if there are some things that need your signature. Then we are good to go.”

Dad passed Dylan a softer look than usual. He returned his gaze with an even softer smile. Things are getting weirder by the day it’ll seem.

“So.”

I quipped as soon as they were gone.

“So.”

He retorted, smirking from the corner of my lips.

“You owe me for this. I saved you probably one year in jail. I deserve to pay for my dealings.”

“Pay? You didn’t get me completely acquitted now, I still have that community service to carry out.”

I teased, twitching the corner of my lips.

“How ungrateful!”

He gasped, I titter then took a step forward.

“The call logs with Kyle…”

“Your friend.”

He taunted still smirking. I tucked my hair away from my face.

“Just kiss me.”

I fastened my head to his face, he had closed the gap between our legs. That was quick and direct. Can’t complain. It’s been sprinting through my mind this entire time.

Tentatively, I attained his height, placing my lips over his, slowly at first in the middle of the courtroom.

Then, he slid to the curve of my waist, wrapping his hands then lowering it softly to my bum, squeezing lightly.

I moaned right into his mouth. Ecstatic.

“We should probably stop before Uhm…”

I hum, completely out of breath.

“You’re right.”

He murmured huskily, pulling away with his hands still beneath my bum. Or the lack of it.

******

Minutes later, my parents returned.

I had a few papers to sign, then I needed to get my things from the officer at the front desk and that’s it. I could finally go back home. I’ll spend an hour in the bathtub, some clean clothes and then my sweet, soft, silky mattress. I’ll sleep in and think of this as a nightmare.

“Thank you.”

I muttered to Dylan, striding out of the prescient.

That horrible chapter of my life is finally shut for good.

“It’s not like I was going to let you head to jail, Camilla.”

He laughs sweetly. For a second, I can’t look away as the sound falls off his lips.

I like this Dylan. His brown hair is even styled with gel probably, it’s usually silky and ruffled, but today he’s just different. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

****

I trudged into the car with Dylan. Mom and dad took the passenger seat and driver’s seat respectively and we slid into the back. I jerked into him slightly, my hair falling over his face causing both of us to chuckle.

I heard Dad clear his throat at the front and I tried to adjust immediately. Dylan’s hand flew to my exposed thigh, forcing me to halt. I sucked in, swallowing whatever got caught in my throat.

“I like you close. Stay.”

He mumbles, his lips fixed right above my lobes.

Bobbing my head, dad ignites the engine and drives off.

****

“I need a bath.”

I grumbled the second I stepped into the house.

“Are you okay?”

Dylan questions

My parents went ahead, back to business as usual. I don’t mind. They’ve done enough for one day.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Dylan. I’m fine. I just need a long bath and a good rest. At home.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“What?”

I asked, seeing his demeanour shift to something else.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard you call this place “home.”

He mutters.

“It’s the first time it’s felt like home.”

I whisper back.

*****

I stuffed my mouth with as much junk food I could lay my hands on. Pancakes. Cream and sugar. Cereal. I’m famished.

“We’ll be here for a few more days. We’ve cancelled most of our travels for at least a month. We wanted to wait but I think you require some good news.”

I halted on the chicken about to enter my mouth

“What’s the news?”

I quipped, setting it over the plate.

“We bought a new house, we decided to let the insurance company decide what to do with the old one. We’ll be leaving here soon. It’s high time, we wouldn’t want to overstay our welcome. You must be excited. It is amazing right?”

Mom squealed in happiness, squishing my shoulders. Just when this place was starting to get good. Terrific.

“A-amazing….”

I stuttered at her incorrect interpretation.

Was I happy that my parents were getting back on track after that disaster?

Yes. Heck yeah. Was my heart crashing against my chest at the feeling of not living under the same roof with Dylan Emerton any longer?

Fuck yeah.

I lost all my appetite for food, my face curving into a tight smile. I can’t let them know I’m not happy. They’ve been through enough already.

“That’s amazing.”

I forced a tight smile, my lips pressing hard into a thin line.

They added random small talks, none of which I paid attention to.

I excused myself, returned the dishes and went to my room.

I need to sleep.

****

I got up a little after seven, my stomach had enough to eat earlier today, I slid to the edge of the bed, grabbing my cell phone.

“Hey.”

I sent a text to Dylan then laid down. He’s downstairs for dinner maybe.

“We’re how many rooms away again?”

My phone chimed and his text read just that. Or maybe he’s wide awake.

“I won’t be here for long…”

I clicked send with a deep sigh.

“You’re leaving?”

*Obviously*

“Yes, Dylan.”

He didn’t respond. I sat by the edge of my bed, clutching my phone, waiting patiently for his response.

He never did.

I figured a lot of things could’ve happened, could’ve been called by his parents, or the evident reason is he’s ignoring me.

In the coming days, a lot more will happen. It’s just as I feared. I hate to think that after all that happened I was right in thinking he’ll neglect me as soon as my homestay is over.

I’ll be devasted. I’m far too gone. If that happens, Dylan would’ve wholly shattered my soul. Leaving no crumbs behind.

A sad sigh later, I shut my screen and went back to bed with a heavy heart.

****

*Author’s Note*

*Few more chapters till the end of the first part. I won’t start a new book. It’ll be added to this one, but it’ll have another introduction. I can’t wait! Much love.*