Pyke novel Chapter 33

My eyes widen in amazement to see Hughes' residence for the first time. An Italian-inspired mansion stands tall in front of us. Even at night, I can see the neatly manicured huge lawns, and in between the U-shaped driveway is the beautiful Trevi-inspired fountain.

A woman wearing a white blouse and black pants welcome us inside the house. Her dark hair tuck in a neat bun with light makeup on her face, and she introduces herself as Mrs. Boyes, Mrs. Hughes’ PA.

The whole house of Auntie Carissa can fit into their living room alone. My eyes instantly find the man that haunted my mind every second of my day. I know for the fact that I am going to meet him here, so I brace myself as I enter the house.

“Hi, Pyke,” I find myself greeting him. After my encounter with that woman in the restaurant, I asked the driver to send me to Auntie’s home. I was glad when I found Kyland there. He did a great job of diverting my mind from Pyke, but I couldn’t help myself not think of him sometimes. Okay, most of the times especially when I was alone.

His eyes instantly widen when he sees me. Doesn’t he know his dad invited the Wright for the New Year’s Eve?

“Camila,” he mutters but doesn’t say another word. We just look at each other for seconds until a soft hand touches my arm.

“Camila,” a soft voice of a woman jars me away from Pyke then squeezes me into a hug.

“Um, hi.” I smile shyly at the tall blonde with mesmerizing blue eyes. I notice her baby bump is prominent in the blue fitted dress she’s wearing.

“I’m Emily, Parker’s fiancée.” Her smile widens. Fiancée? Uh-huh, the rat owner. That’s when I notice the huge diamond ring on her left hand.

“I’m Camila. I’m sorry for almost killing Twinkle. I’m just not a pet person.”

She bursts into laughter, holding her maybe four months baby bump then winks at Pyke. “I heard about that. I’m sorry for the trouble Twinkle had caused you.”

Did Pyke tell her everything? My face heats with embarrassments.

“Come here and meet the boys’ mom. She’s waiting for us already.” Emily grabs my hand, and I have no choice but to follow her leaving Pyke behind.

I’m jealous of Pyke’s mother because she has a striking beauty. Her Italian blood stands out from her father’s American side. Her thick raven wavy hair is cascading down her shoulder. A body looks like she spent a lot in the gym with a strict diet during her younger years.

She hugs her boys and kisses them both on their cheeks. The guys don’t care even their mother treats them like babies. I feel a sudden pang in my chest when I see how their mom is sweet with them.

Parker indeed looks like Pyke. They dress differently though. Pyke is more casual than Parker who wears a jacket suit with a crisp shirt and pants.

Kyland shakes Pyke’s hand with his jaw clenches most of the time. I can sense the tension between them, but they seem to behave throughout the night without punching each others’ faces. He gives Parker a brotherly hug, I guess he’s of the same age as Kyland.

“Thank you, Issa, Kyland, and Camila for joining us this evening!” Mr. Hughes joins us in the living room in a more relaxed manner. He’s not the same intimidating man I met a week ago—he even smiles at us.

“Sweetheart, thank you for spending your New Year’s Eve with my family,” he says as he gives me a hug.

“My pleasure, Mr. Hughes. You have a lovely home.”

“Please call me, Paul, Cam. You meet my wife and my other son?”

“Yes, sir, and she’s beautiful.” I compliment and look at his wife who is smiling brightly at me. Their two sons chuckle.

“What?” Paul asks looking at his sons. They both shrug like identical twins.

I feel all my energy drains out answering every question they throw at me. Pyke smiles and nods every time I mention his name. They ask me from my childhood until how did I end up hitting Pyke on his face. I answer them truthfully, of course, minus the event before I slapped Pyke. I notice him freezes across the table, then sighs when he hears my answer, giving me a small smile of appreciation. Oh, God, how I miss his smile?

The food is delicious—from the entrée to the desserts. The red wine is very tempting, but before I can sip.

“Don’t, Babe,” Pyke interrupts before I can even smell the wine. Heat creeps from my neck to ears.

Everyone’s eyes focus on him—including Kyland who is eyeing him like a hawk. I take the glass of water instead as my mouth dries instantly.

“Something wrong?” Emily asks him.

“She doesn’t drink,” Pyke simply answers.

“Oh, good. At least I’m not alone.” Emily grins at me.

“Because you are pregnant, Baby,” Parker joins, “Camila is not pregnant, right?”

I almost spit out the water from my mouth. Kyland gasps beside me. My eyes widen. Dear Lord, please take me now or make me invisible. I notice everyone’s eyes are on me now, but they don’t look judgmental, more on waiting for my answer.

I look at Pyke who’s as white as the shirt he’s wearing.

I swallow hard. “Of course, not,” I chuckle and roll my eyes dramatically.

Kyland squeezes my knee under the table, and Pyke sighs in relief. Why do I feel disappointed at his reaction? Of course, he doesn’t want a commitment, duh! He doesn’t want to be a dad. Worse is he doesn’t want to have a baby with you, Camila!

“This my first time to spend at Hughes’, Cam.” Emily sighs, leaning her back against the comfy sofa at the veranda with me.

Auntie Carissa is with Paul and Sandra. While the guys are in their own world probably playing games.

“I don’t spend the holidays with my parents since I turned eighteen. They both have families on their own,” she continues.

“I’m sorry, Emily. I guess you heard about my parents, too.”

She nods slowly. “Parker is not Paul and Sandy’s, do you know that?”

“What? How? Why?” My eyes widen. That’s the last I ever expected because he looks like Pyke. How does it even possible?

“Anyway, you are a part of their family now, Cam. His dad is serving a life sentence in jail, but I think Paul talked to his lawyer and Parker’s father might be out of prison soon. Parker just found out yesterday, the point is, you are not alone, that we are still lucky to have the people who treated us as part of their family. You grow up in a beautiful home. A lot of foster families don’t treat foster children well. I grow up with Dad who isn’t always around. I once like a Cinderella who has a terror step-mom. Dad found out how she treated me then divorced her, then Dad re-married again to another woman. Mom is somewhere in London who doesn’t even care if I’m still alive or not.”

“Thanks for telling me this, Emily.” I squeeze her hand.

Her eyes light up. “Tell me about you and Pyke.”

I swallow. “Nothing’s going on between me and Pyke.” My voice sounds defensive, and Emily chuckles. I wrap my arms around my self and feel suddenly exposed. My coat is thick enough to make me shiver, but I still do at the intensity of scrutinizing gaze Emily is throwing at me.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, Cam. I can feel the tension building up every time your eyes locked his.”

“There is really nothing going on, Emily.”