Pyke novel Chapter 40

Instead of getting offended, I find myself smiling while Camila is in a deep frown.

“I didn’t steal that. And just so you know, I was not proposing.” I release my arms from her, taking a seat in front of the dinner.

Her scowl deepens. “So, all those words you’ve said were not actually true? You don’t mean it?”

“What do you think?” I ask, provoking her.

She blinks, bites her bottom lip, and looks down at the miniature car in her hand.

Shit! She’s not gonna cry, isn’t she?

“I shouldn’t have believed you, you know,” she mutters.

“Come here.” I gesture my hand.

She hesitates for seconds.

“Sit, Babe.” I look up at her and hold her hands. “I mean every word I said. I can’t live a second without you. Who would have thought I will fall in love one day? But I never regretted falling hard for you. I love you so much, Camila.”

I take the car from her hand. “I should’ve let you find this out by yourself, but since you are doubtful about my intentions, open the compartment.”

She looks at me with confusion, then looks back to the car, studying it. “I don’t know it opens.”

“See? You’ve never taken a good look at how special your Uncle Levi made it for you.”

She rolls her eyes, opening the compartment after showing her the button. Her eyes widen when she finds a small folded paper stocked inside. She picks it up with her thumb and pointer fingernail, unfolds the white paper, and reads whatever written on it.

I used to play that car every night before I go to sleep, but I only found out about that paper after closing the door in her face. I was sitting on my couch when I found the small key button.

Her hand covers her mouth as she reads through. I know it was a message from her Uncle Levi and whatever it is, I know it means so much to Camila.

“Om my God, Pyke.” Her arms wrap around my neck as she cries in my arms.

“I wanna see, Levi.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I ask her again when I see her constant fidgeting in her seat.

“Yeah, Love. I don’t wanna start my session without meeting him first.” She looks at me with a smile of confidence.

“How about your mother? I can’t risk you again. We can just meet Levi somewhere far from her.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m the strongest woman you’ve ever met, remember that, Pyke?”

“That’s my girl. But you can always tell me if you want to back out, okay? We’ll turn around in an instant even if we’re already in front of their house. But don’t expect to see something fancy.”

She rolls her eyes. “I know, Pyke. I saw her once and it said it all. Her dress, her hair, and face.”

“Okay.”

“And I’m not going there to meet her, remember?”

“I know, Babe. Issa, my parents, and Wright will kill me once they know I’m taking you there.”

“They won’t.”

“I don’t care either. As long as this is what you want and will give you closure.”

“How much longer?” she asks.

I know she feels excited and terrified at the same time. She manages to relax when she finds a pop radio station in my car. She hums, drumming her fingers on her knees.

I feel relieved when she’s so loosened up back to the cantankerous Camila I knew. She even moves her body and sings along to some lyrics of Pink’s Walk Me Home—mostly to the chorus. A smile spreads across my lips to hear her out of tune a few times.

“Hey, I don’t know how to sing, okay?” She playfully slaps my arm.

“I’m not complaining.” I laugh. It’s good to laugh again now she knows that I love her and she’s mine to torment with my charms.

“You’re not complaining, but you’re mocking me.” She joins to laugh with me.

“You can dance though.”

“Not that good.”

“But you know better than me.”

“What is your hidden talent, Love, besides in bed?” My heart flip-flops every time she calls me Love.

“So, you admit that I have a talent in bed?”

Her brow arches. “Do you still need an ego-booster.”

I shake my head. “I’ve got the best ego-boosting woman for life. Don’t want anything anymore.”

“I forgot to ask you about your club when is the schedule of the renovation?” she asks with curiosity.

“It’s insured, Babe. Hopefully, they can start next month. I was thinking of selling it when it’s done.”

“What? Why?”