Camille
Thursday rolled by way slowly than expected. Mia and I have been staying here at Brandon’s place since that day and we were treated way nicely by everyone. They made sure we were doing great. Grayson dropped by everyday to make sure we were okay. Mia and Grayson are not talking anymore and I didn’t ask her anything about the situation. Grayson tried to talk to Mia, but Mia give him cold shoulder. Some officers came by to talk about the charges laid to the woman- who I learnt was called Jennifer Steward. I was pretty surprised about the charges laid on her and of course, Brandon was the one who called his lawyers to prepare the papers and when I told them that I really did not want to put charges on someone. The officers said that the case went so far, that the charges was already made and I am suppose to make some statements. I was bewildered by that news and I was fuming by the time Brandon came back home.
He looked worn out with eye bags cleared on his face, his tie loosely held around his light navy button up shirt, while one hand he had a dark blue coat and another with a bag. He dropped his things to the couch and came to me. He rush to give me a hug and I didn’t stop him.
I missed him. I really did, but everything was overwhelming for me these days. I didn’t go to the office too because I know that the news most probably have travelled that I was attacked by the former staff.
“You want to explain now?” I said to him as I looked at him, hoping his answer would be a No, as he give me his sad look.
“I am tired.” He said to me. “I had a long flight”
I nodded my head in understanding. “Go take a shower. You want to eat or sleep?” I asked him.
“Eat and then sleep.” He said pushing the topic to the very end.
“I will see you later.” I said to him as I pushed him to go and shower. Things would have been different if I didn’t know what happened. Maybe, I wouldn’t be giving him cold attitude like I am right now. I am angry, but most importantly I was hurt by the fact that he hid everything from me.
We had a silent dinner. Brandon tried holding conversation that was far away from the topic we were suppose to. With the many space we had after that last phone call, I reflected and thought things through and made a decision that I was sure none of us will like it. I hope, I really hope that he can change my mind before it is too late.
“I think we should talk.” He finally said as he noticed that how I was not really in a mood for any conversation.
“Maybe tomorrow?” I said to him because I wanted to spend sometime with him before I tell him my decision.
“I think we should talk about it now.” He said.
“You said you wanted to sleep?” I said pointing out.
“I won’t get any sleep unless you know the truth and forgive me.” He said.
I really didn’t want to have the conversation now. I really wanted to, few days back but I know my decision at the end and I was not ready for it. I want to spend as much time with him as I can.
“I think we should talk about it tomorrow.” I tried again.
“Please.” He pleaded with his eyes and I couldn’t say No to him.
We went to his office to talk about it as I sat silently on the rolling chair as he looked at me.
“Where should I start?” He asked me.
“From the very beginning.” I said to him.
“Okay.” He took a sharp breath. “I really don’t know where to start.” He said honestly with a sigh as he rubbed his forehead..
“When did you put people around me?” I said with a monotone voice.
“I first had Ethan looked out for you, then you chose Caleb when you went for hiking with Grayson that day, so he became the head of security in charge of you.”
I scoffed. “When did it happened?” I said. “Putting security behind me.”
“I thought you were beautiful when we first met when you were drunk.” He said with a small smile. My face burned with embarrassment.
“It was you?” I said remembering the moment. “That was your coat?”
“Yes. At first, it was just a random encounter and it was not like I was following or looking for you that time, but then you got hired to the company.”
“Did it have to do with you- me getting hired?” I asked him.
“No-No.” he said absolutely shock. “I didn’t even know you were applying. Jason was the one who hired you, he was with me when we first met.” He said.
“What about the files?” I asked him.
“What files?” He asked confused.
“The files that have my informations.” And his eyes widened at my words.
“How-Did you find it ? Did you go through it?” He asked.
“You were going to hide it from me?” I asked with a glare.
“No.” He said scratching his hair nervously.
“When did you?” I said.
“Like I said before I used to come to the office, secretly and then I found you pretty interesting when I passed by you and that’s when I was curious about you.” He said.
“You do know it is stalking and it is a crime.” I said clearly annoyed.
“I know.” He said. “I really am sorry.”
“Do you do this often?” I asked.
“Do what? Stalking? No!” He said.
“Brandon, we were doing great! You could have told me.” I stood up glaring at him.
“I know, baby.” He said to me clearly sad and surprised by my outburst.
“You- you fired them. Why?” I said.
“They bullied you.” He said with fire in his eyes.
“How do you know? Maybe nothing happened.” I said to him.
“It happened. We installed cameras everywhere during the weekend long ago and no one noticed.” He said honestly.
I was fuming now. “Brandon, this is not protecting. This is crazy.” I snapped at him.
“I couldn’t let anyone do that to you.” He said.
“Brandon, I wished things would have been different. I wish you would have told me these things.” I said to him as I whispered.
“You should have told me about those women too.” He said
“Now you are blaming me?” I said to him.
“No baby.” He said quickly.
“That was not a really good explanation.” I said to him as I handed him an envelope.
“What is this?” He asked taking the envelope.
“My resignation.” I said with a straight-face.
“Camille.” Brandon said looking lost. “What? Why?” He said as he came to me.
“I am moving.” I said to him.
His face turned shock, then broke. “Camille, please.” He pleaded.
“I don’t want to be in a relationship where I am constantly watched and looked around and plus you interrupted in my workplace. You fired people because they said something to me? That is the reality, Brandon. Workplace have their own stories and you stepped in to all of this.” I said shaking my head.
“Please baby.” He pleaded. “Please understand me.”
“I want to Brandon, but this is not how a relationship is. We don’t keep secrets, we tell the truth and most importantly we don’t do these crazy things of getting information about the other person. This is so wrong. The reason why you are with me is because you did your search on me before knowing me personally.” I fumed at the end.
“Please baby.” He said pleading again.
“Brandon. I want to understand you. I really tried but I cannot. This is not what we wanted. This is not how I expected us to be.” I said.
“I-I love you.” He said looking at me and I froze at my place.
“What?” I said shocked at his confession.
“I really love you. Please don’t leave me.” He begged.
“Brandon.” I said. “Relationship is about trusting. You don’t even trust me.” I said to him.
“I do.” He said.
“Did you sent the people after Mia and I When we went to Japan?” I said accusing him and he give me a guilty look.
“I can explain that too.” He said.
“See- you don’t even trust me. When were you going to tell me these?”
“It’s not about me trusting you, I don’t trust the people.” He said. “There are many people who are not that nice. I wanted to tell you for a while, but I didn’t know how to bring up the topic.”
“Brandon, I am someone who is not use to all of these things.” I said to him.
“Can we make this work? Can I have a second chance?” He said.
“We won’t be able to work out.” I said.
He touched my shoulders with his hand.
“We can make this work, give me a chance. Give us a chance. We just started our relationship and you are ending now.” He said.
“We started thinking we will work out. I thought we will work out, but this is not working.” I said.
“Let’s try again.” He said pleading.
I shake my head. “I am sorry.” I said as I turned around.
“You can’t do this.” He said as he stopped me by taking my hand.
“Brandon, please.” This time I pleaded.
“I-I can’t.” He said.
“And I can’t do this either.” I said as I looked at him with a pleading look.
His hand left mine hesitantly as he looked at me. He looked broken and I was ready to cry at this moment. He looked so broken that I wanted to make this work, but I know we won’t be able to.
“Thank you.” I said to him as I left him in his office all alone. I felt so guilty for doing this. I broke him.Our insecurities broke us apart and now I am running away from the fantasy to the reality where I belong.