Falling For The True Heiress

"So, go home and clear your heads," Felix said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I might set up another scrim tonight."

Danny groaned dramatically. "Fantastic. Goodbye, peaceful evening."

"Honestly," Sasha sighed, "I’m just glad tomorrow’s the weekend."

I stood up and walked over to the refrigerator. After everything that had happened, my throat felt strangely dry.

I grabbed a bottle of orange juice, twisted the cap open, and finished it in one long gulp.

Then I reached for a bottle of blueberry juice before making my way back.

I placed it in front of Camila. "For you."

She looked up at me and smiled.

"Thanks."

She unscrewed the cap and took a sip before resting the bottle on the table.

"You didn’t forget about tomorrow, did you?" she asked, watching me closely.

"The book launch?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Of course I remember."

A small smile appeared on her face. "So... you’re coming?"

"Mmm. I’ll see you tomorrow." I said as I slung my bag over my shoulder and turned toward the door.

"You’re leaving just like that?" Camila called after me.

I paused mid-step and looked back at her, raising an eyebrow.

"Is there anything else?" I asked.

Camila shook her head as she stood up. "But remember..."

A teasing smile tugged at her lips. "You didn’t come with your car."

I blinked.

Right.

I’d completely forgotten Camila drove me here.

I had been in such a hurry to see Sylvia that I didn’t even think about it.

"I’ll drive you home," Camila said.

She picked up her bag, slipped her fingers around my wrist, and started walking toward the door, pulling me along.

I could feel everyone’s eyes following us.

Danny let out a dramatic sigh. "If I didn’t know those two..."

She pointed lazily in our direction. "...I’d swear we had another couple in this room."

My gaze dropped to the hand Camila was holding.

Without thinking...

I gently pulled my hand away.

Camila stopped walking. She stared at her empty hand for a second before slowly looking up at me.

"Lia..." Her voice became quiet.

"You’ve been acting strangely today."

She searched my face. "Did I do something wrong?"

I immediately shook my head. "No."

I smiled immediately. "You didn’t do anything."

She kept looking at me. Then, after a long silence...

"...Then why don’t you kiss me anymore?"

My heart skipped a beat. The question caught me completely off guard.

She was right.

I used to kiss Camila all the time.

Sometimes on her cheek.

Sometimes on her forehead.

Sometimes she would pout until I gave her one on the lips just to make her stop complaining.

It had always been normal.

It had always been... us.

But things were different now.

I had a girlfriend. If Sylvia saw something like that...

How would I ever explain it?

I smiled softly and stepped closer. Instead of kissing her, I reached up and gently patted her head.

"Looks like you’re overthinking things."

She didn’t smile. Not even a little.

Her eyes looked dim and her eyebrows slowly lowered.

"...Do you still love me?"

The words were so soft I almost didn’t hear them.

I looked straight into her eyes and nodded immediately.

"Of course I do."

The answer came out without any hesitation.

Because it was true.

I did love Camila.

I didn’t want to keep seeing that expression on her face.

It hurt.

The moment she heard my answer, the sadness in her eyes softened.

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me.

I hugged her back. She rested her head against my shoulder. And for a few quiet seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then I felt something soft against my collarbone.

A kiss.

Before I could react, she leaned back slightly. Our eyes met, and then...

She closed the distance between us. Her lips brushed gently against mine.

When she pulled away, I could only stare at her. My mind had gone completely blank.

She smiled, a small, satisfied smile that reached her eyes.

Then she turned around and started walking toward the door as though nothing had happened.

My eyes widened.

Did she just kiss me?

I remained rooted to the spot.

Slowly, my fingers drifted to my lips.

In all the years I’d known Camila... she had never once been the one to kiss me first.

Never.

"...Lia?"

I looked up. She was leaning casually against the doorway, one eyebrow raised, a smile dancing on her lips.

"Are we leaving..." She tilted her head.

"...or are you planning to stand there staring at me all day?"

"Oh."

I blinked, finally pulling myself out of my daze. My feet felt just as reluctant as I did as I slowly walked toward the door.

Camila opened it first and stepped outside, heading toward the parking lot where her car was waiting.

The headlights flashed as she unlocked it.

I quietly walked over to the passenger’s seat and slid inside.

I kept my eyes fixed ahead. I couldn’t bring myself to look at her.

Even so, I could feel her gaze lingering on me.

A few seconds later, she laughed softly, started the engine, and drove out.

The drive home was quiet. Neither of us said anything.

I was still trying to process everything that had just happened.

Camila...

She kissed me.

Buzz!

Buzz!

Buzz!

My phone suddenly vibrated, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I picked it up and looked at the screen.

It was a message from Mom.

Mom: Go home and get some rest, honey.

A small smile slowly appeared on my face.

I locked my phone and leaned back against the seat, watching the city drift past the window.

Not long afterward, Camila pulled into our driveway and parked in front of the house.

"We’re here," she said softly as she turned to look at me.

I nodded. "...Thanks, Cam."

I finally looked at her. Then I opened the door and got down.

I waved at her before turning to walk toward the house.

"Lia."

Her voice stopped me.

I turned around. She had already stepped out of the car and was walking toward me.

When she stopped in front of me, neither of us spoke for a moment.

Then she smiled. "Since you’re not doing what you used to anymore..."

She paused. Then she gently placed a hand on top of my head.

"...I’ll do it instead."

Before I could ask what she meant—

She leaned forward. Her lips softly touched my forehead.

She slowly pulled back with a smile and lightly ruffled my hair.

"Good night, Lia."

For a moment, I stared at her for a second before forcing a small smile onto my face.

"...Good night, Cam."

She gave me one last smile and waved at me before turning around and walking back to her car.

She got in, started the engine, and drove away.

I stood there, quietly watching until her car completely disappeared from sight.

Only then did I turn around and walk toward the house.

I had barely taken a step—

When I suddenly froze mid-step.

Syl—

Sylvia.

She was standing there watching us the whole time.

My heart dropped.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

How long had she been there?

Had she seen Camila kiss my forehead?

Had she seen everything?

I felt fear creep into me immediately.

I tried moving my feet forward, but they suddenly felt heavy.

"Syl..."

Before I could finish calling her name, she shot me a cold glare. One that made my heart skip a beat.

It was the first time she had ever looked at me like that. She turned around without saying a single word and walked back into the house.

The door closed behind her.

I stood there, staring at the closed door, unable to move.

"...Fuck."

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a frustrated sigh.

"What did I really do this time?" I muttered quietly under my breath.

I looked toward the road where Camila’s car had already disappeared.

Then I looked back at the front door. A long sigh escaped my lips. I slowly dragged my feet toward the entrance.

Somehow...

I already had a bad feeling about what was waiting for me inside.

I rushed into the house, my eyes immediately searching for Sylvia.

I had to catch up with her. I had to explain before she made up her mind.

"Sylvia! "I called the moment I stepped inside.

She was already halfway up the staircase.

She didn’t slow down. She didn’t even spare me a glance.

"Miss."

Mr. Clifford’s voice came from behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder. He was standing there with a folder in his hands.

"I’ll come back for it later," I said quickly.

Before he could reply, I turned around and hurried up the stairs after Sylvia.

She was already disappearing down the hallway.

I took the stairs two at a time and hurried straight toward Sylvia’s room.

I already knew where she had gone.

She would never come to my room. Not after what she’d just seen.

"Sylvia!"

I stopped outside her door and knocked hard.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

"Please," my voice cracked. "Open the door."

"Please."

"Just let me explain."

I waited.

She didn’t answer. Not even a sound came from the other side.

I rested my forehead against the door and closed my eyes.

"I know how it looked."

"Please... believe me."

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