The Holiday Hoax

The Man Who Came Before

Cameron was everything Miles was not. I noticed the stark contrast between the both of them.

He was polished were Miles was rough; practiced where Miles was unpredictable.

He moved through the farmhouse like he still belonged here, greeting relatives by name, referencing inside jokes from Christmases past, slipping back into my family like the last three years never happened.

I wanted to act indifferent, like I didn’t care. But acting was proving too difficult for me.

I watched Miles watch Cameron. There was a cold look in his eyes as he watched Cameron silently.

‘Thea,’ Cameron walked toward me. ‘I love what you’ve done with your hair.’

‘Yeah, it’s nice.’ I gave him a wan smile. I had gotten a hair cut to shoulder length, and it made me look more mature.

‘Aunty Marie still thinks I should have my bangs on,’ he laughed.

I glanced at Miles, who just sat quietly watching us.

He didn’t try to outcharm Cameron or compete with him for my attention- as most men would have done. He just sat there, cataloguing every interaction.

From the corner of my eyes, I watched him.

‘How’s the weather over in Boston?’ Cameron’s hands rested on mine.

‘The weather is just fine,’ I replied. ‘Vegas must be really good for you. You’re practically glowing.’

‘Anywhere’s good for me. I adapt quickly.’

I gently removed my hand from his and glanced at Miles.

He was watching.

‘Aunt Carol,’ Cameron went to greet one of my aunts.

I hated the air of familiarity he wore around this house; his voice, his steady steps like he belonged here; I hated it all.

‘Hi Thea.’

I turned to see Cameron’s fiancée close to me, with a toothy smile plastered on her face.

‘Hello Bree,’ I smiled back. She was so warm and genuine and so far, I could tell she was clearly in love with Cameron.

‘Isn’t it just romantic that you and Derek found each other so beautifully?’ She said to me.

‘Yeah,’ I nodded. ‘Everyone says it’s a fairytale.’

‘You should really give me some relationship advice, because…wow!’

I laughed like I had any real advice to offer. If only she knew.

The thought alone made me burst out even more in laughter.

‘Seems you’re keeping Thea entertained,’ Cameron walked up to us, but lingered by my side.

‘Just normal girl chats,’ Bree replied.

‘Excuse me,’ I said to both of them before taking my leave.

I didn’t want to get involved in any conversation with them.

All the chatterings, amusements and conversations made us unaware of how fast time ran, and within what felt like minutes, grandma has already announced that it was time for dinner.

The table was set, the meals were placed and everyone sat down at the table to eat.

‘So Derek,’ Cameron began a new line of conversation, facing Miles. ‘As a fellow architect, I’d need your advice on something I’m working on.’

My stomach dropped. Cameron was about to start an interrogation over dinner. What if Miles didn’t know what to answer?

‘Shoot,’ Miles replied.

‘How do you balance energy efficiency with natural lighting in high-rise projects? Do you rely more on tech or design solutions?’ Cameron smirked.

Miles sipped his drink before replying:

‘Honestly? It’s always a mix. You can’t just throw tech at a problem and call it a day. I usually start with design- orientation, window placement, shading devices- get the natural light working for you first. Then, tech fills in the gaps: automated blinds, smart lighting, energy-efficient HVAC. Makes the whole thing feel intentional instead of… like a gadget showroom.’

‘Interesting,’ Cameron scoffed quietly. ‘So when you’re redesigning a space, do you usually start with how people move through it or just how it looks?’

‘Honestly? I start with the people first,’ Miles leaned back slightly. ‘If a space doesn’t flow, no amount of fancy finishes will make it feel right. I like to watch how people naturally move, imagine their routines. Then the aesthetics come in to support that flow-colors, textures, lighting- it’s all about guiding the experience without them noticing it.’

I listened as the duo rattled on about architecture and all the jargon’s. Hearing Miles speak made me impressed. He doesn’t falter in his answers, critiques industry trends and references.

He clearly spoke with the confidence of someone who had done his homework.

More than homework actually.

He was prepared for this threat, and had built his defense. I didn’t know when he researched architecture or why he bothered, but one look at Cameron and I could tell he was getting frustrated that his traps weren’t working.

The conversation drifted to other trivial issues and everyone else got to be involved in it.

Dinner was soon over and I helped in taking the plates into kitchen.

As I arranged the dishes, I couldn’t help but reminisce on how well Miles had handled that interrogation. The memory brought a smile to my face.

‘What a beautiful smile,’ Cameron came into the kitchen. ‘Makes me remember when we were still together.’

My smile faltered immediately. ‘I thought you’d join the rest of the family for a little chit chat.’

‘I need to talk to you Thea,’ Cameron came closer. ‘I’m worried about you.’

‘What for?’ I scoffed.

‘Your- Derek. I don’t know if you see it but that dude seems off. He’s too smooth, too perfect. He rehearsed his actions too well, Thea.’

‘Why would you think that-‘

‘Don’t play with me, T,’ he raked his hands through his hair. ‘I know you; I know when you’re performing. And right now, I know you’re hiding something.’

‘You know what, Cameron? You lost the right to worry about me the minute you walked out from what we had. So keep your worry to yourself and run along.’

I saw him flinch a little, but he didn’t back down.

‘I never stopped caring about you, T,’ his expression changed to that of someone seeking sympathy. ‘Just because we ended doesn’t mean I stopped.’

At that moment, footsteps came at the doorway and we both turned to see who it was.

It was Miles, or Derek, as Cameron knows him.

I didn’t know how long he had been standing there or how much he heard, and I was about to ask when I saw his expression.

It was perfectly neutral, but his eyes were wrong. They were too dark and intense.

He walked over to me without as much as acknowledging Cameron.

He locked gazes with me as he slid his hands around my waist and gently pulled me closer. We were so close I could feel his warm breath on my face; I could see the brown shade of his eyes; I could even feel his heartbeat so rhythmic and steady.

Then he looked at Cameron and smiled.

Cameron was still standing there and I understood at that moment what Miles had done.

It wasn’t a friendly smile; it was a warning.

And Cameron received it loud and clear.