Chapter 148
In the afternoon, Connor went back to the office for a meeting.
Camila was left alone at home. Sitting on the sofa, she suddenly felt an emptiness inside her. She headed to the storage room and dug out some boxed–up books. It was time to pick up Arabic again, which she hadn’t touched in two years.
***
On her rare holiday, Camila visited her mother, Claire..
“Happy Thanksgiving, Godmom!” Erica, beaming with smiles, entered carrying bags full of health supplements.
“Erica, you really shouldn’t bring so much every time you come. The house is nearly overflowing,” Claire said, slightly furrowing her brows in a helpless tone.
Erica chuckled and turned to Cole, teasing, “With Cole here, we hardly need to buy fruits anymore.”
Cole, embarrassed, scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.
Camila couldn’t help but laugh quietly to herself. She looked at her mom and Cole, understanding that their relationship was like a butterful in a cocoon, ready to come out and change at the next moment. Camila believed her mother had feelings for Cole. Her mom was always joyful when he came around, and her face would lighten up at the mention of his name, her tone filled with tenderness.
However, Claire always avoided discussing her relationship with Cole. Whenever Camila tried to bring it up, Claire would change the subject or find an excuse to leave. Camila knew that her mother was afraid of being hurt again, fearful that her heart would once more be let down by someone else.
“Where’s Craig today? Haven’t seen him,” Erica curiously asked.
“Craig had to work today, but he’ll be joining us soon,” Cole replied.
As Claire was setting up the meals, she said with a smile, “Craig’s colleague will also join us. He’s from out of town and spending the holiday alone seemed too lonely, so I asked Craig to bring him along.”
Erica and Camila exchanged knowing glances, so Claire was setting up a blind date for Camila.
Camila nodded resignedly, thinking how genuinely well–meaning this was.
Ding–dong-
Camila stood from the sofa to answer the door. Upon opening it, she was greeted by a familiar figure–Craig.
“Hey, Craig,” she greeted with a smile.
Craig, tall and dressed casually in a T–shirt and jeans, wore a friendly smile. “This is my colleague, John, Craig introduced.
Camila nodded at him, “Hello, welcome to our home.”
John paused, his dark eyes flashing with surprise; he hadn’t expected the girl from the blind date to be so attractive. He’d thought Craig was just boasting, but it turned out Craig wasn’t lying at all.
Shyly, John greeted Camila, “Hello,” his voice trembling slightly with nerves.
“Come in, have a seat,” Camila said politely.
“Come on in, dinner’s ready,” Claire called out warmly, her smile forming a lovely curve.
Claire eyed John appreciatively, thinking, *What a good–looking young man–he’s quite pleasing to the eye.*
“Ma’am, I brought some pumpkin pies,” John replied nervously, clutching a beautifully wrapped gift box.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, I love it,” Claire laughed as she took the pumpkin pies, gesturing for John to sit down and turning to Camila, “Make sure our guest feels welcome.”