Chapter 28 Has She Finally Come Around?
Camilla wrapped up her morning jog, hit the shower, and stepped out to find a new pink succulent chillin' among the green ones on her balcony.
She gave it a gentle poke with her finger, and just looking at the soft, tender plant lifted her spirits.
Her phone buzzed on the table.
"Oliver" flashed on the screen, and she picked up, curious.
"Oliver? What's up, calling me this early?"
"Hey Camilla, how you been?"
"Not bad. You?"
Oliver thought, 'Here's my shot!'
He straightened up. "Honestly, not great."
Camilla frowned. "What's going on?"
"Maybe it's all the late nights and booze, but my stomach's a mess. Camilla, I don't know why, but I can't think of eating anything except your porridge. I'm really craving it. Could whip some up for me?"
He didn't dare mention it was actually Leopold who wanted it, so he hinted around.
Even though she met Oliver through Leopold, they'd become good friends over the years.
Since Oliver asked, and his stomach was really acting up...
Camilla glanced at the clock. "Sure. I'll grab the ingredients now. Swing by at noon to pick it up."
"Thanks, Camilla! You're a lifesaver! Love ya! I'll call you later."
Camilla chuckled.
At noon, Oliver got the address from Camilla and followed the GPS to a spot near Harmony College, winding through a bunch of alleys before finally getting close.
He parked, walked down a tree-lined path, and found the building. She mentioned the seventh floor, no elevator.
Oliver looked up and gulped.
Five minutes later, he was at her door, panting like he'd run a marathon, drenched in sweat.
Camilla opened the door and let him in, handing him a glass of water right away.
"You okay? Was it that bad?"
Oliver caught his breath and waved her off. "That was rough. Camilla, why'd you pick such a hidden spot?"
He wanted to say "shabby," but thought better of it.
"It's quiet and easy to get around."
She brought over the porridge she’d made. "It's fresh. Eat it while it's warm. There are some snacks in there too. Don't spill."
Oliver opened it and the smell hit him. No wonder Sebastian was craving it.
He nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Camilla. I'll treat you to a meal later."
As he left, he hesitated and looked back. "Camilla, you..."
Before he could finish, Camilla checked her phone. "It's almost one. I gotta head out. I'll walk you downstairs."
He swallowed his words and nodded. "Okay."
Camilla watched the sports car drive off before her smile faded.
She had a pretty good idea what Oliver wanted to say, but right now, she didn't want to hear it.
Speeding to the hospital, Oliver placed the lunchbox on the small table in front of Leopold.
"This time, you'll be happy."
Leopold opened the lid, took a sip, and his expression softened.
She talked tough and acted all decisive, but in the end, she still had a soft spot.
Leopold took another bite and glanced at the door. "Where is she?"
"Who?" Oliver was clueless.
"This was made by Camilla, right? Has she finally come around? Is she planning on coming back to me??" Leopold raised an eyebrow and snorted. "What does she think this is? A hotel? She can just waltz in and out whenever she feels like it?"
Marcus, lounging on the sofa, caught Oliver's awkward look and smirked. "Don't sweat it. Oliver here fibbed about wanting the porridge, so Camilla made it. She's definitely not coming back."
Leopold's face darkened, and he shot Oliver a cold glare. "Did I ask you to do that? Who told you to take matters into your own hands?"
Oliver shrank back and coughed lightly. "I was just worried about your health. You haven't eaten much these past few days. If Camilla hadn't made the porridge, you'd still be starving."
Leopold kept his icy demeanor and said nothing.
"By the way, I went to Camilla's place earlier. She's living in this tiny, rundown spot with no elevator, climbing seven floors every day. She seems to be having a rough time," Oliver said, watching Leopold's reaction.
He noticed that despite Leopold's tough talk, a flicker of concern flashed in his eyes.
'Guess he still cares,' Oliver thought.
Just as Oliver was about to say more, a sweet "baby" came from the door.
Oliver and Marcus couldn't help but shiver. Too cheesy.
Amara hadn't heard from Leopold for days, and her calls went unanswered. She asked around and found out he was hospitalized with a stomach bleed.
She freaked out.
Skipping her classes, she rushed to the hospital.
Seeing Leopold in a hospital gown, looking pale, she pouted and tears started streaming down. "Baby, I'm so sorry I just found out you were in the hospital. Are you still feeling bad? You look so pale. Want me to call the doctor?"
Amara's barrage of questions was annoying, and her constant crying was even worse. Everyone found it noisy.
Leopold rubbed his forehead. "I'm fine now. Stop crying."
He suddenly missed the days with Camilla.
If it were Camilla, even if she was sad, she'd have everything under control.
Amara was good at reading people. Seeing Leopold's change in demeanor, she knew she needed to tone it down. She sniffled a few times and stopped crying, but her eyes were still red, full of worry and concern.
Leopold saw her silent, tear-filled eyes looking at him, and his heart softened a bit.
"My illness came on suddenly, but it's not serious. I'm fine now. You should go back to school."
Amara bit her lip. "Are you sure you don't need me to stay with you? I can make you some pumpkin porridge."
Oliver couldn't help but laugh. They had gone through so much trouble to get the porridge, and now another one was offering to make it. How funny.
Amara hadn't interacted much with Oliver before. Hearing his laugh, she felt annoyed and thought, 'Is making porridge that funny?'
Leopold understood and frowned. "No need. You should go back to school."
Amara heard the impatience in Leopold's voice and didn't dare to argue. She said goodbye and left.
As soon as Amara left, Marcus, who had been silent, suddenly stood up. "You still gonna have the porridge?"
Leopold wanted to say no, but looking at the delicious porridge, he coldly said, "Who said I wouldn't eat it?"
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