Chapter 39 Camilla, Come Back
Saturday was pretty chill.
The sky was all cloudy, but the sun peeked through just enough to warm things up. Camilla got a bit sweaty during her morning jog, hit the shower when she got back, changed into fresh clothes, and grabbed a cab to Aurora's place with the meds she picked up.
"Professor Garcia, you gotta take these meds three times a day. Since it's cold out, no need to stick 'em in the fridge. Just warm 'em up before you take 'em."
Aurora wasn't scared of much, but she seriously hated the taste of medicine.
She eyed the dark liquid, scooted back a bit, and gave it one last shot.
"Do I really have to drink this stuff?"
"Yep, you sure do," Camilla said. "I already talked to your housekeeper. She'll make sure you take it three times a day, no skipping."
Aurora's face dropped. "Oh, great."
She didn't wanna let Camilla down.
Seeing Aurora's pouty face, Camilla chuckled. "Yeah, the medicine's pretty nasty, so I brought you some macarons."
"Every time you take the medicine, pop a macaron after. It won't taste so bad."
Aurora's frown flipped into a grin. "That's more like it."
After some chit-chat, Aurora got serious.
"Next year, the Biology Department at Harmony College is putting together a research team. Three spots are already filled, and there are two left. There are two conditions: killer grades and overall GPA, and you gotta have at least two A's in lab courses."
Camilla was kinda shocked by how tough the requirements were.
Aurora saw her reaction and explained, "Joining this team gets you extra credits at the end of the term. The top members can go straight into a Ph.D. program or snag an offer from BioFusion Technologies to join their lab."
BioFusion Technologies was a big deal worldwide.
Their lab's got the latest gear and a solid team, cranking out the coolest biotech research in the country, known as the "scientist's paradise."
Camilla remembered that BioFusion Technologies was owned by the Russell family, and Sebastian had mentioned it before.
"I know your grades are solid, so I never doubted you," Aurora said, her eyes soft. "The only thing you're missing is lab experience."
Camilla hadn't spent much time in a lab lately.
Aurora wasn't sure if she knew how to handle the new equipment.
Besides talent, it took a lot of time.
Practice made perfect, and experience built up over time.
Suddenly, Aurora's wrinkled but warm hands held Camilla's. She looked up to see Aurora's smiling face. "I believe in you. It's not too late to start now."
Camilla felt touched and nodded firmly.
"I'm not worried about your grad studies. There's still a few months until the retest. For now, just focus on the books and materials I gave you."
Aurora had another experiment that had been dragging on for five years without results.
She planned to have Camilla join as soon as school started. She thought, 'After all, this project was initially tailored for Camilla, though I hadn't expected... Anyway, it's all good now, and the drama in between ain't worth talking about."
Camilla knew how much Aurora cared about her. "Don't worry; I won't let you down."
Back home, Camilla dove into the books she brought back.
These were tough to get through since they involved specific operations and research results, needing lab experience.
She lost track of time while reading, and before she knew it, it was almost midnight.
Camilla rubbed her tired eyes and was about to hit the sack when a frantic knocking started. "Camilla! Open up! I know you're in there!"
Even through the living room and bedroom doors, Leopold's voice cut through like a knife.
The knocking got louder.
Remembering how he almost assaulted her at the villa last time, Camilla's lips went pale, and she clutched the blanket tightly.
"Camilla!"
"Open the door!"
"Camilla!"
She covered her ears, hoping Leopold would give up and leave if he got no response.
But five minutes passed, and Leopold was still banging on the door.
The old apartment had crappy soundproofing, and it was late at night. His noise would soon attract complaints!
Sure enough.
"Who's that? Have you lost your mind?!"
"Get lost, or I'm calling the cops!"
Camilla had no choice but to get out of bed, put on her slippers, and walk to the door.
"Leopold, are you nuts?" she gritted her teeth in anger.
"I knew you were in there."
"So what?!"
"Open the door and let me in."
"Why should I? You can't just barge in whenever you feel like it!"
Leopold smirked. "Fine, then I'll keep knocking."
"You jerk!"
"I'm knocking!"
Camilla had no choice but to open the door.
Leopold pushed his way in, afraid she would change her mind and slam it shut.
Leopold reeked of booze, his cheeks blushed unnaturally, and he swayed like he might collapse any second.
Camilla frowned and stepped back defensively. "What do you want?"
Leopold's dark, drunken eyes stared at her without speaking.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke softly, "Camilla, come back to me."
Camilla shook her head, pulling her coat tighter. "You know that's impossible."
"Six months, isn't that enough?"
"Leopold, I'm not playing games with you, do you get that?"
"I don't get it! What do you want? An apology? Money?"
This was as far as Leopold was willing to go, the most he could lower himself.
After countless arguments, he had never been this submissive.
But Camilla still shook her head.
"Enough! Don't push it!" Leopold shouted, panting heavily.
"You let me in; doesn't that mean there's still a chance for us? Tell me, what are your conditions? Just say it!"
Leopold gritted his teeth. He thought, 'I've already backed down this much; what more does she want?'
Camilla replied, "I let you in so you wouldn't disturb others, that's all. You said it yourself, when it's over, it's over. So what are you doing now?"
Leopold took two steps forward, trying to grab her shoulders.
Camilla, terrified, backed away, eyes full of fear. "Don't touch me!"
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