His Lethal Love by Monika Singh (short story to read txt) 📗

Chapter 24

Present

Camille

“Are you sure you don’t want to do it?” Conan asked a sixth time as he slammed the newspaper on the kitchen counter. “Well, you’re gorgeous, Cami. I’m the director of this movie, so you can play the lead role. You have a better chance of earning a good reputation and getting rid of Maura. I don’t like seeing you working under her.”

“I think you should leave since Maura and her friends could show up anytime,” I said as I rushed to the microwave. 

He scoffed while leaning against the counter and crossing his arms over his chest. “So you think I’m afraid of that homewrecker?” 

“No, you’re not, but I’m afraid.” I snapped while taking the meat out of the microwave and putting it on the counter. Maura had ordered me to prepare dinner for her friends as she was planning to invite them for a celebration on the occasion of her another successful movie. 

“Will Scott also be attending the dinner party?” As soon as I heard his name after two weeks, my heart started thudding. I hadn’t seen him since my mother’s death anniversary because he flew back to Norway the very next day to resume his movie shooting. What touched me was that he paid a visit to my mother’s grave before I had and placed fresh lilies on her tombstone. I felt terribly disappointed with myself as I forgot my mother’s anniversary. 

“I don’t know where he is.” I lied and grabbed some fresh produce and chopped them up. 

“Please, I want to date you, Cami,” Conan begged like he was a fifteen-year-old teen boy. 

“Unfortunately, it’ll never happen.” I drawled. “Now you may leave.” 

“I’ll stay for dinner,” he said, and I stared at him in surprise. A mischievous smile spread across his lips after catching my surprised look. 

“No, you can’t…” I gritted my teeth. “You’re not invited.” 

“Is this a problem then?” he fished out his phone from his pocket and dialed the number. After a moment. “Hey Laura, this is Conan Arthur…” 

“Conan!” I frowned when a girl on the other line blurted out in excitement. “How… how can you?” For a moment, she seemed like she forgot breathing. 

Conan rolled his boringly. “I heard you’re attending Maura’s dinner party tonight. Are you willing to take me with you?”

“Of course, I’m…” she said eagerly. “I can’t believe you’re asking me.”

“By the way, you looked tempting in that award show.” 

“Mmm... thanks…” 

“Okay, meet you at the party. Bye.” 

He hung up before she could say anything and slid his phone into his pocket before giving me a cheeky smile. “So I’m invited now.” 

“Who is invited?” Archie asked, stepping into the kitchen and glancing between both of us before he fixed his eyes on Conan with a scowl. “What are you doing here?” 

“It’s none of your business.” Conan straightened himself and grabbed his leather jacket before turning to me. “See you at the party, babe.” He gave me a wink before leaving from the back door of the kitchen. 

Archie stared at his back until he vanished from the kitchen before looking at me with a puzzled expression. “Does he like you, Cami?” 

“You should ask this to him,” I said with annoyance and walked to the sink and washed the chicken before rinsing it again with lukewarm water.

“I mean, he seems interested in you,” he said with a hint of amusement. 

“Don’t make me laugh, Archie. I know what men always want.” 

“He’s not after your pussy, is he?” His words made me wince as I threw my frosty glare at him. “I’m sorry. I mean, he doesn’t seem to lust after you. He appears genuinely happy with you.” 

“Well, I’m not interested.” I marinated the chicken with spices and lemon and refrigerated it. 

“Well, that’s fine.” He shrugged before grabbing an apple and walking away. 

I received Maura’s list of items that would be served at the party; fruit smoothies, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken pot pie, baked chicken, and chocolate pie. I prepared a couple of items, but there were still two more items that needed to be prepared before seven p.m. As I glanced at the clock, it was already five in the evening. I had two hours to sort everything out as soon as possible. 

“What are you doing, sweetie?” Kat asked as he entered the kitchen. His light pink leggings with a tight tank top made him look bizarrely beautiful against his ivory skin. Kat was a handsome guy with a lot of moles on his face and arms. He was tall and lean, but slightly muscular.

“Preparing for dinner.” I sighed heavily before giving him a faint smile. At least he didn’t force me to date and pretended to be his girlfriend. I adored him the most, though I liked Archie and Conan. They put me under pressure over the last few weeks. 

“Poor Camille...” He quickly approached me and snatched the bowl of chopped vegetables from my hand. “Let me help you, girl.”

“Do you know how to cook?” 

“Perhaps a bit.” He grinned with a hint of nervousness. 

“Okay, you follow me. Do as I say. Maybe this will work out.”  

“That’s great. Thank you for letting me help you.”

 

********

 

I scowled when Maura’s friends burst into loud laughter. Grabbing a tray, I headed out and winced at the combination of cloying perfume, salt, sweat, and alcohol. 

 

“Hey, buddy!” I jumped back when the red-headed man smacked my butt and broke into a chuckle. My jaw flexed in fury, but I didn’t react and moved ahead. 

 

I looked around, but Conan was nowhere to be seen, nor was his red leather-dressed date. Kat was in bed with Archie as they were enjoying their time alone.

 I really envied them as they always had their backs, no matter what. I wished I had someone who was always by my side, like Rika. I could pick Conan, but he seemed not trustworthy as he had slept with half the population of women in the world. 

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