WHOLE NIGHT RUINED
1365 Words
SKY
“Camille… yo.. you are back.”
Levi’s voice carried a note of surprise, and my eyes followed his gaze instinctively.
Camille? So this is the same one he would mention from time to time.
Why do I clearly still feel there are lingering feelings between them?
She stood just inside the dining room, tall and composed, dressed in a beautiful silver knee-length gown that whispered old money rather than announcing it. Nothing about her was loud, yet everything about her demanded attention. For once tonight I am pleased that William ruined my outfit and got me another one that looks more elegant.
The way Camille smiled made it clear she had walked into this house a thousand times before.
“Well,” she said lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “I told your mom not to let you know I would be joining you for dinner… wanted to surprise you.”
I let out a quiet, humorless breath, so that was it.
That explained the sudden insistence, of why Levi's mother had practically demanded my presence tonight.
“Welcome, my dear,” Levi’s mother said warmly, already moving toward Camille. “I have been expecting you.”
The difference was immediate. She hadn’t looked at me much, and she also didn't have that warm look when I arrived.
Levi’s father stood and offered a polite smile. “Welcome, Camille. It’s been a long time.”
“Thank you, sir,” Camille replied graciously, then turned back to Levi’s mother as if drawn there by instinct.
“You can all sit,” Levi’s mother said. “It’s nice you arrived just as dinner is being served.”
Camille slipped easily to her side and placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Please, sit. You shouldn’t strain yourself.”
Levi’s mother smiled as if genuinely touched and allowed Camille to help her into her chair.
Only then did Levi glance at me, as though remembering I was still standing.
“Oh… Sky,” he said softly. “You can sit too.”
I pulled out my chair angrily and sat, my fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the table.
Camille moved to sit beside Levi, but his mother stopped him with a pointed look.
“Levi,” she called calmly. “Camille is your close friend. Why don’t you be a gentleman?”
“Mum…” Levi began, then paused.
He stepped around the table and pulled out Camille’s chair.
“Thank you,” Camille said with a smile and I looked down at my place setting, irritation curling low in my stomach.
I shouldn’t have come.
The servants began placing dishes on the table, one after the other, filling the space with the rich scent of spices and sauce. Levi leaned toward me without thinking, spooning food onto my plate.
“You barely ate today,” he murmured. “Here.” My breath caught the moment I saw it.
I touched his wrist gently. “Levi,” I whispered. “I’m allergic to seafood.”
And he froze instantly.
“Oh.. ” His brows knit together. “I am sorry, I totally forgot.”
Forgot? I thought with a scoff, even Willaik knows I don't like it. I shut my eyes in frustration. Why in the world have I been comparing both of them?
He quickly reached to change the plate. “Don’t eat it. I will get you something else.” Across the table, Camille paused mid-motion.
“You’re allergic?” she asked softly. I nodded.
“Oh.” She smiled and reached for the dish. “Then I will have it.”
Levi looked up at once. “Camille, you don’t eat that.” She blinked at once as I stared at Levi in shock.
“I don’t?”
“You never liked it,” he said easily. “You always complained about the texture.” Something sharp twisted in my chest. So he remembered that.
Camille laughed lightly. “That was years ago. People change.” She took a bite anyway, then glanced at me briefly, having that victorious look on.
Levi slid a safer dish toward me. “This one should be fine.”
I nodded and forced myself to eat, though my appetite had vanished.
Levi’s mother watched the exchange silently, like she was enjoying this.
Then, as she adjusted her napkin, her gaze turned to me.
“You didn’t bring anything?” she asked casually. The question landed clean and sharp.
Heat rushed to my face. “I am very sorry,” I said quickly. “I had something prepared, but there was a mix-up earlier today.” Her lips pressed into a thin line.
“A mix-up,” she repeated, and I needed no one to tell me she didn't believe me one bit.
Levi cleared his throat butting in to help me. “Mom, Sky had a long day. You didn’t tell us about dinner in advance. Let’s not start like this.”
She glanced at him coolly. “I am simply asking. She is going to be my daughter-in-law. Why shouldn’t I be open with her?”
I swallowed, my fingers curling under the table.
Camille turned toward me with a pleasant smile. “Oh, Sky… I have heard so much about you. I’m Camille…Levi’s childhood friend.”
She chuckled softly. “People used to mistake us for a couple. Some even thought we would get married. But circumstances didn’t allow it.”
I stared at her weirdly, I hadn’t asked why the whole story?.
Still, I forced a smile. “It’s nice to meet you. Levi talks about you.”
“That’s sweet,” she said brightly. Then, tilting her head, “I heard you work with the team. Assistant coach, right?” Levi’s mother’s gaze snapped back to me at that moment.
“I also heard,” she said calmly, “that you were suspended.”
The room went still, as I felt Levi stiffen beside me.
“Mom.”
She tilted her head. “What? People talk. It’s hard not to hear when my son’s team suddenly loses a very important match to that bastard..”
My face burned at this moment.
“It wasn’t her fault,” Levi said quickly. “That decision had nothing to do with Sky.”
“Oh?” she replied. “Then why did it happen after she joined the picture?”
“Mum,” Levi said firmly, “we have won matches with her there. You shouldn’t blame her for one loss.”
“I am surprised by your reaction,” she snapped. “I am taking her as my daughter, so I should be allowed to speak freely.”
Levi reached for my hand beneath the table, his thumb brushing my knuckles but it didn’t help.
“I am just concerned,” his mother added. “I don’t want distractions ruining my son’s future.”
For the first time that night, humiliation settled heavily in my chest.
Camille cleared her throat gently. “Mrs. Grant, please. It was just one game. Mistakes happen.”
Levi’s mother’s expression softened instantly.
“There you go,” she said warmly. “I will let the topic rest, my dear.”
Camille smiled and reached beside her chair. “Oh, before I forget.” She placed a sleek velvet box on the table.
“I brought you something,” she said. “An antique tea brooch. Handcrafted in Switzerland and it's a Limited edition.” Levi’s mother’s eyes lit up instantly.
“How thoughtful,” she said, lifting it. “You always had such taste.” Then her gaze flicked toward me.
“Some people,” she added coolly now staring at me, “understand presentation better than others.”
At that moment I hoped the whole ground would swallow me until Levi’s father finally spoke. “That’s enough. She explained it was a mistake.”
Levi’s mother scoffed. “I don’t care.”
Levi exhaled slowly. “Mom. Stop please.”
I only sat there, silent, my appetite gone, my hands trembling, and making everything worse. My entire night was ruined.
- Writer
