Professor C (camren)

14 - Quasi

Lauren Jauregui should not be allowed to go out with her silky locks down, cascading over her shoulders like a beautiful, tranquil stream. She should not go out in skirts; accentuating the curve of her wondrous behind. And she sure as hell should not go out with tight-fitting clothes that obey the smooth contours of her shapely body.

It was simply a crime that would result to a homicide due to asphyxiation of the heart – Camila's heart.

Camila was barely able to survive as her eyes finally found Lauren; undetected, of course.

The winds that brought memories of yesterday were never gentle. They were always demanding, powerful; savages that cruelly invade a village and leave blood in their wake.

They'd always hit Camila at a precise spot; mercilessly twisting and turning the abused cardiovascular organ that she wondered how it remained beating.

It was broken and the cracks had prevented Camila to extend care, to extend love to the ones that ask for them – the ones that need them. It was a little challenging to overcome darkness or to wander to another bleak realm in the hopes of pulling a person out of their own misery when she was holding onto a cliff herself. And if Camila were to assess the odds; she would already be looking for a safe way to land, which was hundreds of feet away. With her luck, her fingers might dramatically slip one by one, or the piece that kept her in place might just chip off, leading to her demise.

"Lauren!" Milo suddenly exclaimed, luring Camila out of her thoughts.

The ecstatic sandy-haired woman's arms suddenly flew up in the air and found a home around Lauren's shoulders. Milo yanked the unsuspecting psychologist and hugged her with all her might, grinning contently Lauren didn't have time to react, only able to release a groan from the forceful impact.

"You're more beautiful than I remember." Milo rubbed the side of her head against Lauren's, purring like a kitten; eyes concealed as she savored the moment in her drunken state.

Lauren couldn't help but chuckle, tapping Milo's arm, which was draped over her chest – graciously landing on her breasts. Milo wasn't bound to remember how she had unintentionally slithered to second base but Camila will.

However, if her serene features were to say anything, it meant how genuinely happy Milo was in Lauren's shoulder.

She wasn't technically in her arms.

The comfortable ambience surrounding the pub was slowly being devoured by Camila's harrowing wrath. If she could summon fire, the blaze would have slowly crawled from the timber floor up to the walls; but not without incinerating Milo Otto – as if burning her at the stake.

Camila would callously watch as the witch...as her ex-girlfriend would writhe and scream in agony while her brown eyes would inspect Milo's skin boil into a scalding blister.

Needless to say, she was jealous.

Everything seemed to have irritated Camila that even the gentle sound of the country ballad infuriated her. Each strum of the strings of the banjo, the strikes on the cajon and the smooth voice of the singer rippled in her ear, shuddering every fiber of her being, pushing her to the depths of her rage.

It surely didn't help that her ears rung with the various disrespectful slew of voices that should have been directed towards the band. Milo's attention should have been towards the band and not at Lauren. And yet, even in her rage, Camila knew that the live music was intended to be nothing but a background soundtrack to a night of fun – a night for all of them to unwind.

And instead, Camila was wound – tight and her hands were definitely paling at the force that kept them from landing on Milo's face or reaching for her cigarettes. Something about blatantly smoking in front of Lauren caused Camila such shame, and she'd rather keep it her dirty little secret even if evidence would suggest she was guilty all along.

If Camila looked around, she would have found Dinah's eyes rolling away, angered by the scene unfolding before them. The only thing stopping the Polynesian was Lauren and how the psychologist didn't seem to mind.

That didn't mean she hated Milo any less though.

"Thanks?" Lauren slowly untangled herself from the uncomfortable embrace; having to lean awkwardly and sitting in a way that put weight on one leg. From the close proximity, she could smell Milo's alcohol blemished scent and couldn't help but comment on it. "You're drunk, Milo."

"I know, right?" Milo reaffirmed, sluggishly blinking as her lips formed a lazy grin. "Where's the beer?"

It wasn't long before the drinks arrived, and Camila was relieved to have found another object to pour her frustrations to. Her knee bounced as she impatiently waited for the server, who was setting each of their pint before them and hers happened to be the last one.

Fate was testing her once more and it was getting worse than irritating.

Camila would have sent the poor man a scowl but the desire to just drown her system and reduce her emotions into a slightly intoxicated stupor was strong. How they were going to go home was left to chance; she just needed the distraction.

Oh, there's always Luca, right?

Without any hesitation, Camila took a large swig, swallowing the first one easily and taking another. The way Camila threw her head back prevented her from witnessing Lauren frown and take a sip of her frothy drink to hide her adamant concern for the economist.

There were far more rational reasons why Lauren and Camila were both in the same place, at the same time and acting as if they almost-friends, desperately attempting to be cordial. The answers were simple; Dinah Jane and everything related to the Polynesian's sneaky plans were what brought them there.

However, why both had agreed to the invitation without so much as a verbal, coherent complaint was hidden.

There are versions of the truth, or a part of it, and for now, Camila was determined to keep it to herself. Essentially, that was Lauren's objective, too.

The night had just begun and it seemed as though it was intended to challenge Camila into doing something – anything that would expose her feelings for Lauren and eventually, stifle the tumultuous plague in her chest. It seemed as though fate was provoking her, relentlessly and annoyingly poking at her side, urging her to move when a man stood at the corner of the table, creating a barricade that hindered her perfect vision of Lauren.

"Hey," The blonde stranger threw a hand close to Lauren to properly introduce himself. "Nick. I was wondering if you would, maybe, want to join me?"

"I'm fine here. Thanks." Lauren barely acknowledged the man, only glancing at him politely to offer an uncomfortable smile and in the process, ignoring the hand waiting for hers.

Of course, Camila couldn't see it and her restless mind began preceding everything.

It was creating the most absurd of situations, and everything ended up where Nick would sweep Lauren off her feet and the psychologist would leap into his muscular arms. The story would progress with the boarding a majestic stallion, which would lift its front legs and release a mighty neigh. Ultimately, they would ride into the sunset and leave Camila heartbroken.

It wasn't as farfetched of a scenario considering the guy's confident bearing. The man would be comparable to Lauren's jeep; jagged and handsome in black; leather jacket, old boots and all. His blonde locks were wild and his well-maintained facial hair carved his prominent jaw.

Camila could picture a beast in the form of Ducati in the midst instead of a horse, and that wouldn't be a letdown.

And during her haze, Dinah reached to hold her hand; detecting the discomfort Nick had brought to the professor. It prompted Camila to look up and find a sympathetic smile upon Dinah's face.

"Are you sure?" Nick persisted with that unwavering smile; only adjusting his stance to shove his hands in his front pockets. He c****d his head, raising his thick brows expectantly as if knowing Lauren would change her mind. "What's your name, beautiful?"

"I'm gay." Lauren sardonically grinned, nodding her head at the dedicated suitor; perturbed and desperate to see Camila's face.

"Come on." Nick chuckled, seemingly enamored by Lauren's attempt at deflecting his advances. "Oldest trick in the book, babe."

"I'm gay, too!" Milo extended her arm up in the air, demanding everyone's attention as she fidgeted in her place and frantically waved her limb. She was wearing a juvenile grin and the only way her excitement would be quelled was if everyone was looking right back at her.

Camila was awarded a limited time to relax after having heard Lauren deny the man for the second time. She didn't appreciate Milo's interruption as much as she would if Dinah said something, but the Polynesian was too busy hoping that the Nick person would bother Camila enough into channeling the intimidating Professor C, scaring him once and for all.

What Milo said next, everybody should have anticipated. And because they didn't, the jade-eyed woman's unrestrained voice came barreling down a steep slope and slamming vehemently against everyone's unsuspecting consciousness.

They should have known not to let a feral, intoxicated Milo on the loose.

"Cammie and I used to f**k!" Milo proudly stated and pointed an accusatory finger at Camila; nodding incessantly like she was a mindless bobble head, bouncing along to the tides that carried her. "And Dinah experiments and I kissed her today!"

The little detail hit two women harder than the other two people around the table. Dinah was already aware of Camila's situation with Milo courtesy of Luca and Nick was too dense to acknowledge the fact that Lauren wasn't just making excuses.

That left Camila and Lauren.

Camila's body crawled with prickling embarrassment; devoured by the indecisive temperature her body took that bit her hands and feet in chills and ravaged the rest of her skin with heat. Her brown eyes retreated behind her lids, exhaling a deep sigh of frustration that would take away the desire to just rip Milo's tongue out of her throat and leave her mute. She was suppressing the same movement that brought a stick between her lips at teeth and the one that would have delivered a punch aimed at Nick.

Camila began to nibble at her lips, craving the bitter taste of smoke that not even alcohol could quell. Beneath the table, she was fighting to stay in place instead of fleeing the scene and make a chimney out of her body.

The truth was out, Lauren knew and if that was intended to be revenged; Camila never expected to recoil and feel shame drowning her. If she could assess the damage it had inflicted on Lauren, she would choose not to; knowing that whatever hurt that woman hurt her more.

The accelerated speed of her pulse, a result of nicotine swimming in her body was a blissful high and far better than the marathon that depleted all her energy and resolve as she continued to sit there, pretending to be immovable.

Meanwhile, Lauren's vision was green with envy.

From the beginning, she had an inkling – something that told her to watch for Milo. And as it turns out, her gut was spot on. It was one of those instances where she hated being right. It was simply absurd that she didn't feel as threatened with Luca and the discomfort around Milo was palpable.

It could have been the physical aspect of Camila and Milo's relationship and the disrespect surrounding the act of simply relieving a s****l itch that bothered her the most. Camila was worth more than that. And the bond between the Clausnitzers seemed profound; granting Luca never cheated on Camila.

Lauren was caught in a spiraling whirlpool that vacuumed all of her energy, depleting the audacity that was left that brought her into that pub in the first place. She just wanted to go home and nurse her suddenly reeling head, and most importantly, her tired, wounded heart.

Between the former couple, the building's foundation was at risk.

"You're just saying that." Nick tried, significantly shaken by the revelation. His gaze frantically darted between Milo and Lauren, somehow hoping that one of them would tell her everything was a cruel joke.

But instead, Dinah intentionally released a huff that would have preceded an unbridled laugh but caught herself. She managed to raise her quivering hand up to conceal her uncontrollably grinning lips, shaking her head at the man – urging him to stop before Lauren or Camila snapped.

Unfortunately, his underappreciated advances were jostled back to his face with a sharp scrape of the floor and a chair that was propelled back, wobbling until it settled again, safely landing on all four legs. The noise startled the three women but Dinah quickly recovered, sitting back on her chair and haughtily crossing her arms.

Let the spectacle begin.

Upon the wake of the sudden movement was an infuriated psychologist, drunk off all of her frustrations over the years that followed her break-up with Camila. She needed someone to blame other than herself and boy, did she need that liberation.

It was exhausting having to be angry and finding her own index finger, maliciously pointing at her. She'd been hell-bent and she was barely out of the destructive war that she apparently brought upon herself.

Lauren never once considered the good intentions behind her decision to leave her ex-girlfriend. The innumerable reasons were enough, her actions were justifiable. They should have comforted her, they should have calmed the storm that Camila brewed by herself.

But they didn't and they would never because Lauren was still madly in love with Camila, and she hated herself for turning her back when she could still endure even more suffering.

Lauren could have been a masochist; she would if she could.

Lauren realized how much she would willingly suffer the way she did in the months that led her to decide enough is enough. She would suffer for Camila but it was a little too late now.

Conveniently, there was Nick and he seemed to have been asking for Lauren's rage – the kind that built up through the years.

Lauren's enthralling green eyes zeroed in on Nick's. They were narrowed and the intensity of her gaze slowly dissolved the man's remaining hope of snagging her. Her jaw locked at the way she flexed, preventing her gritting teeth from moving freely with her speech.

Lauren stood tall, her fury bringing her confidence higher than she'd ever felt. There was no way she would calm down without allowing her mouth to run. There wouldn't be anything to be remorseful about after the whole ordeal; she didn't care for this man.

"Look, buddy. We came here to have fun, and d***s and hairy ass balls aren't fun to me. But if we were to talk about cunts, I'd be down." Lauren calmly began, curling her lips in disgust. She brought the height of ridiculing the man further by letting out a sardonic snicker through that attractive leer. "I tried being nice but you could dare me to kiss any girl, and however much girls in this place, and I will just to take away all the doubt in your muscular chest. Because, honey, I am gay."

Camila was almost certain that Lauren was simply saying those words to taunt Nick. She could faintly recall that day she raced to Jette and Ivy after Lauren phoned her crying and scared the day prior. She never failed to remember how she ended up grabbing a stranger and exchanging saliva with her just to spite Jette.

The thought of Lauren doing exactly the same as she did bothered her to great ends. It brought her attention to the people surrounding them and she could spot numerous girls, a sea of choices for Lauren.

Witnessing Lauren kiss another person would be torture. It'd snap Camila's broken pieces into even smaller ones, exacerbating the damage that may leave her beyond repair.

Lauren only paused to shrug and purse her lips, seemingly nonchalant about all the careless words she had unleashed to Nick. And while she took her time, it allowed the man a window to speak up, to defend himself or to ridicule Lauren the same way. Unfortunately, he was too stunned to even bat his eyes.

Dinah snorted in the background, taking the man's stunned expressions. Nick's discomfort was palpable. His features contorted in a way that he seemed to have been enduring the agony brought about by diarrhea of shame. He was no longer arrogant and if it was physically impossible, he would have disappeared into thin air.

Even when the theatrics was more than entertaining, the altercation never attracted unwanted attention, much to everyone's relief. Actually, much to Camila's relief.

"And you know what the problem with your 'impressive' chest is? It doesn't have boobs, Nick." Lauren's demeanor was unnervingly poised that no one would have been able to tell she was practically emasculating a stranger from afar. "I could make up the nastiest excuses to kill that pride you hold so dearly but I could always give you so many real reasons why I would never go anywhere with you, and you can be sure that every single one would castrate your baby making eggs and keep your spawn from embarrassing your name more than you're doing right now.

"And, Nick, you have no right to call me a b***h now." Lauren grinned, satisfied by her impressive work as she haughtily crossed her arms. "I tried to be nice to you. But you kept insisting that I wanted you in the depth of my stubborn mind, right? You couldn't have been more wrong. Please leave."

Lauren didn't wait for Nick to be on his way. She simply sat and faced Dinah as if she didn't just ruthlessly murder another person's ego.

Camila was stunned, aimlessly staring at Nick's back; the direction where Lauren would have been. She could only envision Lauren's state, and as far as Camila was concerned, she was relieved. It was as if a weight pushing at her shoulders had been destroyed, allowing her to breathe again.

As soon as she detected movement, Dinah rose to her feet, applauding Lauren and beaming proudly at her while a defeated Nick trudged towards his friends. Milo followed suit, clapping enthusiastically almost as if she had just witnessed the most entertaining performance yet - almost.

"Why are we clapping?" Milo curiously queried through her heavy lids, c*****g her head slightly at Dinah – looking for answers that would set her free.

Lauren couldn't help but laugh at Milo's bewilderment. She bellowed as much of her amusement out before managing to tug at Milo's arm, coaxing the drunk lady to sit back down. Even Camila and Dinah, Milo's newest arch nemesis, surrendered to the utter hilarity of the whole situation. Except, the professor managed to maintain dignity, concealing her lips with a hand as she cackled away.

Having Dinah around made everything easier and less grave; a breath of fresh air amid the polluted atmosphere. Camila needed that, especially with her occasionally dramatic mind.

Dinah settled onto her seat once more, satisfied with her little jovial display. Lauren thought she was off the hook, but as soon as she found her friend reach for her drink, she knew what was coming. Dinah raised her glass and urged her companions to mirror her gesture.

It took a bit of convincing for Camila and Lauren to do the same but eventually relented. Milo was too intoxicated to decide for herself; she was simply going where the wind took her.

Another round of beers came not long after courtesy of Camila, leaving Lauren with a pint and a half. The psychologist was merely taking little sips. Meanwhile, Camila wasn't convinced that the light air would linger around them; she was preparing for a storm. She was overseeing even more tumultuous revelations, ones related to her past with Milo's drunken state.

Camila would rather be drunk and dumbly laugh with Milo than obsess about her choices of the past, haunting her present.

"Where are you friends, Milo?" Dinah asked with a blatant disinterest and the only goal was to get rid of the unwanted guest to her crassly planned night out.

Camila never thought too much about Dinah's sudden antagonism against Milo. She had simply assumed that it was because of the kiss Milo forced her to engage in or how she clung to Camila and Lauren.

Dinah had always been protective and it was better to simply be confident that that was the answer, and appreciate her good friend.

"I don't know." Milo shrugged, bringing the glass up to her lips and gulping a mouthful. Suddenly, she slammed the mug hard against the table and pointed at Camila. "Cammie! Cammie is my friend!"

"Who did you come with?" Dinah pressed, squeezing what was left of Milo's cognizance, which seemed to have squeezed her patience instead.

"I don't remember."

Since Dinah had no chance of getting rid of Milo, she settled on intoxicating the girl instead. Every round that came, Lauren would pass and Dinah would send the spare pint to Milo. The sandy-haired woman had ordered most of them anyway.

Needless to say, they have had frequent bathroom trips and each time, they would go in twos.

The night went on with Milo navigating their conversation. She was morphed into a chatterbox, 10 times worse than her normal flamboyant personality. Apparently, even when intoxicated, she was more determined to get to know Lauren; asking questions about her job and just her general likes and dislikes.

While Milo was distracted, Dinah would spill most of her beer volume into the sandy-haired woman's glass. Her personal vendetta was funnier the more she executed it, even eliciting a slight chuckle from Lauren and Camila.

At the end of the night, Lauren had barely finished two pints; spending most of her time rocking her head to the rhythm of the music whirling around and effectively creating a façade that she was enjoying herself.

An image of Milo all over Camila was a persistent thought that clung to her mind like a leech, making it virtually impossible to shake off. Her discomfort was agitating her belly, and she could feel it rumble within.

By then, Milo and Dinah were significantly drunk but the former was miles into the lead; having enjoyed a couple of hard liquor with her friends prior to landing at the pub. With their minds down the drain, they began by arguing about crickets and lemurs until their eyes landed onto the line of pool table, commencing their battle about who was better at it.

Milo was drunk out of her mind while Dinah's senses were simply impaired. The latter still had the perfect ability to hear and remember things; something she was careful to maintain just in case there were eavesdropping-worthy intel that her beloved "camren" would unknowingly drop.

It would have been significantly easier if she didn't have a throbbing head to nurse and if her vision would allow her to stay upright instead of being strewn on the floor. Mind over matter seemed to have been the most idiotic concept as she was aware that matter would practically kick her down even if her persistent mind willed her to on her feet.

However, Dinah may have exaggerated her intoxication.

It was half past midnight when Lauren and Camila collectively decided to call it a night. Milo had practically lost her battle to the liquid sedative. Milo's body was too exhausted and her bloodstream had been overwhelmed with alcohol.

It was time to sleep.

After paying for everything, Camila fished for her phone. There was an audible sigh of relief when one of Milo's roommates picked up – her brother, prompting Camila to sit back. She informed him of the situation, emphasizing the severity of her ex-girlfriend's inebriation. Thankfully, he agreed to open the door and take Milo off Camila's and Lauren's hands after they graciously deliver Milo to him like an unwanted pizza.

With the help of a couple of servers, the lucid pair was able to bring their friends to the car; practically shoving them in. They wouldn't have predicted that Milo would be the most problematic. The jade-eyed girl seemed to have been a little wild, thrashing around as if fearing that she had been abducted.

"Thanks, Lauren." Camila huffed upon closing the door, pleased that the first part of the battle had already been overcame. She played with the keyring, twirling it around her index finger, grateful for the clanking distraction that saved her from fidgeting in place.

The former couple stood by the driver's side, awkwardly standing around but silently hoping to prolong their time together. As always, they were salvaging whatever time they had together with the knowledge that it is unfortunately rare these days.

The tension may always remain but they had learned to thrive like a pair of mountains amid withering storms that capped their summits with white, dusty snow. It didn't mean they weren't cold, though. In fact, they were silently quivering within and no other form of warmth would suffice; none other than the kind they felt from each other.

However, neither would make the first step because even when they both love each other, there was a significantly high possibility of them wounding the other apart from the obvious restraints – Camila's marriage.

It was a hedgehog's dilemma really.

The spines of doubt and resentment that crawled all over their skins could puncture the other's barely healing wounds.

And so, while everything stayed innocent, they were allowed to relish in each other's distant warmth.

"It's fine. I promised I'd help you." Lauren waved her hand dismissively, making sure to offer Camila a genuine grin. She leaned against the driver's door, letting out a sigh in the hopes of clearing her cluttered chest. "You didn't have to pay for everything. We could have split it."

"It's okay. It wasn't much." Camila returned the gesture, shrugging just to downplay just how she struggled to breathe when she noticed their proximity.

"How many drinks have you had?"

"A lot but I'm fine. It wasn't enough to get me drunk." Camila answered truthfully as she dared to look up and into Lauren's eyes beneath the incandescent light of the lamppost. "You?"

Camila may not have consumed enough alcohol up to the brim of her tolerance, but she did have enough to mess with her tenacious brain.

Without her consonant desire for control or the crippling heartache she still held against Lauren, Camila could feel a bed of grass beneath her feet where the concrete sidewalk laid. The puddles from an apparent drizzle that left a vestige in the form of droplets, of dew that decorated her SUV was a nourishing, refreshing pour that sprouted life. The bland colors of gray were sprinkled by the grace of rainbows and the dim light of street lights were an illumination of great and bright sun, dawning a new day.

With those lighter thoughts obscuring her normal vision, Camila could appreciate just how beautiful Lauren matured. And her beauty will remain divine.

"Just two. I was mostly listening to the band." Lauren explained, adjusting Dinah's ginormous purse over her shoulder. She still had to retrieve her phone and wallet. "I think, it'd be safer if I drive you guys home. I can catch a cab back."

Lauren wasn't certain where the audacity to speak of her suggestion even came from but she knew it came from a good place. Part of the reason why she barely had any drink that night was because she was worried of their road safety.

If she allowed Camila to drive and somehow, as fate would have it, they would be involved in a car crash, Lauren would never forgive herself. The collision would remain to be an emotional and mental scar that will never heal unlike the wounds that would have been carved on Camila's skin.

And as soon as she envisioned the worst, Lauren was aware that she wouldn't be able to get some sleep if she did not personally see Dinah, Camila, and even Milo safe in the confines of their homes.

"We have a driver. I can ask him to come get us."

"It's late." Lauren insisted, she opened her palm and moved it closer to Camila – anticipating the keys. "Besides, we'd have to wait for him anyway. Come on."

Camila could protest but she knew - in the depths of her heart and mind - that she didn't want to. Even in her most lucid, most sober state; she could never deny that to anyone.

And because she allowed herself to be happy, to wallow in the time she was awarded to be with Lauren, a small smile traced her lips.

Lauren observed as Camila hesitated but nodded in the end. The professor had unknowingly held the hoop in her palm and held onto it tightly as if she was afraid to entrust the most precious object to another person. But then, without a word, the professor extended the key ring towards Lauren and dropped it on the waiting hand.

It may not be much but it was a declaration of her trust; giving Lauren complete control of her life somehow.

Looking up, she found a satisfied grin playing at those enticing plump lips that she could not help but return albeit bashfully.

Camila never failed to notice how her heart leaped, skipping a beat with the gratification that she was the one who caused it; not Dinah, not Milo or anyone.

Camila made Lauren smile and she celebrated it as if it was the greatest achievement of her life. In a way, it was.

Lauren brought the group to Milo's apartment with Camila giving her helpful directions. Apart from that, they kept to themselves, hiding the smallest smiles to themselves like middle schoolers debilitated by introversion while their bodies tingled with excitement.

There was inexplicable relief to Camila when Milo's brother followed through and quite literally, yanked his sister out of Camila's arms. The sandy-haired woman had morphed into the largest koala in the land, clinging onto Camila and deflected everyone's attempts at breaking her grip.

It was a commotion that both Lauren and Camila laughed about as they continued the journey to the Clausnitzer estate. Inconspicuously, Dinah smiled to herself but remained still – grateful for the progress she had observed. She made herself comfortable in the back seat, finding the best spot to watch a real life movie unfold before her eyes.

The quiet atmosphere in the cramped space was surprisingly tranqyuil. The faint sound of the radio pierced through the stillness, soothing Camila's qualms about sitting out front with Lauren.

It was a momentary reprieve and the world outside the luxury SUV didn't exist. The former couple were allowed to pretend that there weren't so many words left to say and so many wounds that needed to be healed because within the car, they were allowed to be whoever they wanted to be.

The forces outside may be persistent but the desire for bliss was even stronger.

And they both chose to be happy that they were together and everything was alright even when they were lying to themselves.

Quietly, they praised the sedative that is the alcohol in their veins. It was probably because of the same serum that Camila decided to invite Lauren to just stay the night without rambling about the advantages of the set-up. She simply laid the option out on the table and it was Lauren's for the taking.

When Lauren drove through the gate, Camila wasn't sure if she would be relieved or saddened that the illusion had come to an end. The reverie had come crashing down when Lauren shut the engine off, albeit reluctantly. All the anxiety and tension came back, slipping through the opening and careened towards the two, reestablishing their grip around their chests.

Oddly enough, Camila's act never wavered – even managing to smile as she watched Lauren's brows furrow, attempting to size the strength they both needed to haul Dinah to her room. She quickly solved Lauren's problems, calling for two of the guards to assist Dinah up the stairs and into her room. Lauren was on their tail, quickly following while Camila wandered off into her bedroom/office, mumbling something about getting some Advil and water.

It wasn't much of a mystery to find the reason behind why Camila took longer to retrieve the item she promised. It couldn't have been because she drowned in the glass of water or that the pills were as heavy as an elephant.

The secret was the easiest to uncover when her body was preceded by the smell of stale smoke.

Lauren wouldn't dare say anything. Instead, she smiled to acknowledge the professor and continued tugging at Dinah's tight pants in the hopes of getting her into some appropriate clothes for a comfortable slumber. She had managed to yank her boots off, barely keeping herself from toppling over onto the floor.

At least, Camila was significantly calmer.

Upon placing the glass of water and bottle of pills on the bedside table, Camila jumped to Lauren's rescue. Together, they dressed Dinah in a pair of scanty silk burgundy pajamas that barely covered her voluptuous physique. All the while, the Polynesian kept her eyes sealed and lips at a neutral, when all she ever wanted to do was laugh in their faces.

Lauren stood next to Camila after adjusting her friend's duvet. She crossed her arms, looking for something to ensure Dinah's comfort while Camila worked up to courage to speak and start a casual conversation.

"How's Pebble?" Camila suddenly spoke up, slowly looking up to Lauren; congregating every strength she had left to withstand the tremendous beauty she sees in those green eyes.

"I've been really busy." Lauren let out a pained sigh, dropping her head in disappointment. "Rob hasn't brought her to the office."

The remorse in Lauren's voice was palpable and thrummed Camila's body. She knew just how Lauren loved the little girl; it radiated and encapsulated her aura. Lauren's heart had always been pure and often times, she'd forget her own happiness for the sake of others. But when it's her job that interferes, there was only so much she could do.

"Elf?"

"He's doing well." Camila began gently, hoping to lessen the blow that she was about to deliver. "He really wants to see you, too. But I couldn't just bring him with all the meetings you had to attend. He understands, though. What's all the commotion at the college, anyway?"

"Vice-chair resigned for a better position elsewhere and it's part of my job to help choose candidates to fill their positions." Lauren explained, glancing up to meet Camila's glossed eyes to see if she was following. "Not only that, they're thinking about granting a professor tenure. Are you interested in that? But I mean, it's a community college. You could find better opportunities. Still though, everyone still wants it."

"Everyone but me." Camila shook her head, gaze fixated on Dinah, who was doing one heck of a job pretending to be asleep. "I have enough on my plate."

"I understand."

Camila excused herself to change and promised to return with something to wear for Lauren. Having to stand next to Lauren and actually hold an articulate conversation scared her. The anxiety looming about made a striking appearance, pushing Camila to remember how Lauren's presence caused a physical and mental discomfort that only nicotine could suppress.

It was agonizing to realize that even when she allowed to stand an inch away, she couldn't hold Lauren anymore.

It was exhausting and excruciating but while her brain functions had dwindled down from fatigue and alcohol, Camila would slither to be next to Lauren.

They still had time before the sun that would chase away the bleak areas that Camila had garnered her unreliable voice of reason from. They still had time before the mighty star could cast a light upon the painful reality.

The only thing that mattered then was that they had time to pretend.

Camila slipped through the door wearing a silk robe over her cotton shorts and tank top. It was still rather chilly and she made sure to bring Lauren actual pajamas that reached her wrists and ankles, unlike Dinah's.

"Are you tired?" Camila suddenly asked as she approached Lauren.

The professor did not know where the question came from; she didn't even know why she asked. It was just a little apparent that her heart had taken over where the inhibitions of her mind had been taken hostage by the night. Rationality's mouth had a sock, and its hands and legs were bound and no matter its futile attempts at wriggling itself free, it made no difference.

"Not really." Lauren accepted the change of clothes, mumbling a quick thank you that Camila was quick to interrupt before her cowardice surfaced.

"I was thinking about finishing my short night with some brandy and a movie." Camila began timidly, hands clasping onto the placket of her robe and wrapped her arms around her body. "Would you like to join me? You didn't really drink much."

Lauren let out a chuckle; laughing at how safe her lifestyle had been. She could not remember the last time she had gone on a night out with some friends and just forgot about all of her problems and responsibilities. It was definitely within her years at UPenn.

Upon graduating, Lauren had grown into a responsible adult whose priorities were straight. Essentially, she became boring to her standards. Other than wine, she had not quite indulged in the calming effects of alcohol these days. A glass or two would have usually sufficed and it would have helped her get some sleep or begin the process, at least.

"Why not?" Lauren smiled, prompting Camila's lips to break out into a wide, proud grin. "We could use the break."

"I'll leave you to change, then." Camila couldn't even contain her excitement; she almost leaped in place at how ecstatic she was that Lauren agreed to spend the rest of the night with her. "Join me downstairs?"

"You bet."

Camila breezed downstairs, keeping the pitter-patter of her bare feet at a minimum to get the drinks down to their home cinema, which was right across the dining hall. She left Lauren practically sprinting to the bathroom to change out of her clothes and into the pajamas Camila brought her. Out of her clothes meant shedding everything from her skirt and top down to her matching lace underwear. The fabric of the pajamas were long enough to conceal whatever missing undergarments she refused to wear.

Lauren simply appreciated the freedom to move freely without restraint. In her quest to sleep better, she found that she was most comfortable sleeping without anything directly clinging to her body. Apparently, when the body is able to stay cooler, it was easier to cross the realms of slumber and stay there long enough to wake up bright and fresh.

Since then, she'd made a habit out of sleeping in the nude.

That was before and after Sean Tremaine, of course.

Camila didn't need to know any of that; she was free to assume that Lauren had something underneath.

Lauren later found Camila at the foot of the stairs, bashfully smiling at her and holding two old-fashioned glasses filled halfway with golden liquid. She offered the other glass to Lauren, who accepted it gratefully.

Silently, Camila lifted her glass for a toast. Lauren caught the signal and followed suit, gently clanking the crystal and taking a gulp right after.

To one unforgettable night.

Camila led Lauren to their 18-seat home theater that was streamlined to perfection, all directing towards the center of attraction – the glorious and magnanimous LED TV. The seats came in black leather and the walls, a darker shade of gray. Strips of light lined behind the wood panels, creating dramatic lighting that wouldn't be achieved by the bulbs above the ceiling.

They settled at the last row, the third, which Camila found the most comfortable. It was elevated in a way that made the screen at par with their heads. A crystal decanter and a bottle of brandy were already standing on the spacious cup holder, wedged between Camila and Lauren's seats. Sitting next to each other was an unavailable option that both were still trying to win.

When both were settled, Camila pointed the remote towards the front and soon, the movie commenced.

But something wasn't right.

Camila was almost certain she picked a classic, or a cartoon about a good dinosaur for Elf. However, it was neither. When Camila found the male protagonist dancing to a song with some old boom box over his shoulder, she knew she was doomed.

For over an hour and a half, Camila was doomed.

The movie is set in 1996, at least. That's a classic, right?

Within five minutes, Camila could see her demise during a scene where said protagonist hoisted a girl over a giant speaker, prompting her to feel the bass tremble. She began sinking in her seat while Lauren was a little better at concealing her building want. Lauren simply brought the old-fashioned glass up to her lips, taking sip after sip of the brandy, which taste she couldn't register with the ongoing movie.

It was nothing compared to the minute their eyes were graced with the female protagonist's left breast; the same organ that Lauren pointed out to Nick at the pub.

It was then that skins burned, encapsulating by the heated desire and their breathing were more shallow and rapid; compensating for their maniac of hearts that decided to send tremors to rack their bodies. Camila swallowed thickly; it was only then that she was able to snap her slightly agape mouth as her drink hovered before her. Meanwhile, Lauren had crossed her legs, squeezing them together and regretting her decision to lose her underwear.

The movie progressed with intimate scene after intimate scene, and the former couple frantically drowned themselves in alcohol; never daring to glance to their side in the fear of worsening their dire situations. They barely tilted their heads to take hold of either the decanter or the bottle.

It seemed to have been the best route to heighten the obscurity of their functioning brains once more.

Camila was ready to wage a war against the person who had adjusted the room's thermostat, even when she knew no one would dare stand up to her. The beads of sweat that broke out of skin decreased the effects of her choice of sedative, making her hypersensitive to Lauren's gripping presence.

The movie invitation was only the beginning of her worst decision; glancing at her was unfortunately, only the second of many.

Against the flickering light of the screen, Camila found Lauren's chest heaving. Those glossy green eyes remained trained towards the movie – most likely enthralled by the scene but it couldn't have been the same intensity as Camila's interest in Lauren.

At the end of the movie, the former couple remained in their seats, aimlessly watching as the credits shot up from the bottom of the screen. There were crippling thoughts that whirled in her heads, emotions that have been uncovered at the c****x of the story; the one that left two hearts broken while the rippling awakening of their s****l urges continued to haunt their overwhelmed senses.

Camila pointed the remote control towards the front to shut everything off, having to take a deep breath to cope with the devastation that had shaken her.

"I'll show you to your room." Camila mumbled upon loudly clearing her throat, rattling Lauren's bones in a way that targeted a specific area that made her shudder in response. The strain in her voice worsened the rasp in her speech, emphasizing just how mesmerizing the hoarseness in it is.

"Y-yeah..." Lauren croaked out in the brand of roughness in her own tone, unleashing the sound of Camila's downfall.

Carefully, Lauren pushed herself off the seat; cautiously avoiding too much friction between her legs and hopeful that she had not ruined the fabric of her bottoms, or worse, create a visible traces that Camila might caught sight of.

"Should I leave these here?" She queried, motioning towards the pair of glasses, the empty decanter and bottle.

"Maids will come get it in the morning." Camila answered evasively, hurriedly vacating her seat to lead Lauren to her room and allow her some privacy in her own, and perhaps, take care of herself.

The strain of the situation was back and this time, there was no escape. The flood of their s****l tension had climbed up to the ceiling, barely leaving them enough space to gulp air and maintain survival.

Camila only slowed down enough to keep the door agape and allow Lauren to cross through the entrance and let herself into the foyer. After that, it was a race to the neighboring room, right across Camila's with the intention of practically leaving each other to their own devices and away from temptation.

Camila twisted the knob and pushed the door all the way in. Her hand remained glued to the knob; something she perceived as an object of her strength, the thing that would keep her in control. She stayed by the door, knowing just how little her restraint is and at the time, it was nothing but a minuscule speckle of dust that Lauren could easily blow away into oblivion.

It was unimportant, and definitely not persuasive.

They gazes connected when Lauren leisurely crossed the threshold, taking note of the colossal size their dilated pupils had taken form in. Each quiet, stifled step the psychologist took, their aching hearts hammered; in perfect tune with each other and every ticking of the clock expanded the lump in their throats.

That was Camila's third mistake.

The odds were provoking Camila once more, just as Lauren and she could feel herself crumble to the ground, a rubble of the perfectly in-control woman with a short temper. Every ounce of her prudence had been diluted, suffocated by the combined poison of alcohol and lust.

They both knew that something changed when they both set foot in the private confines of the room, allowing Lauren to lower all of the walls the years of loneliness had created in the hopes of catching a fleck of Camila's heart.

It had been so long since either of them were intimate with another person and the prospect of joining up their broken pieces was too deliciously sweet to pass up.

Lauren paused right in front of her ex-girlfriend, inebriated by the most prevalent emotion in her body; the very one that craved Camila. The speed of her heart was intimidating, a cause of concern that haunted her up to her ear canal as she sought for a blatant stop sign from Camila but found none.

Lauren latched her trembling hands onto the fabric of Camila's robe, pulling her close and in turn, the door. She brought Camila just enough to stare deep into those silky, chocolate pools. Lauren unconsciously poked her tongue out, wetting the surface of her drying lips as her gaze found Camila's mouth.

There was a moment of hesitation, a split second of reticence that feared Camila would resent her more than she already does.

However, the mild snap of the lock caught Lauren's attention, with which her eyes widened – utterly surprised. It was louder in her head that it bounced against every surface of her aching skull. The door slightly creaked as Camila gently pushed it to traverse through the space in a dramatically slow pace until it reunited with the doorframe with a click.

Camila's cold, clammy hands soared until they found place against either side of Lauren's jaw. She took the time to admire those green eyes that she missed so damn much and memorized the way her youthful, teenage features transformed into the face of the woman she was looking at.

They knew what they wanted to do, and that was what they did. They let go.

Upon the shakiest of breaths, Camila overcame her nerves and drew Lauren in; catching her lips with her own and engaging in the deepest, most ardent kiss of her life igniting the violent fire of their passion to devastate the entire room. It was a stark difference compared to the harrowing tension in Lauren's office each and every single time Camila made an appearance.

The pair blindly shuffled towards the bed as Lauren hastily pushed Camila's robe down her forearms. Lauren crashed down onto the bed and immediately crawled to the middle, leaving Camila enough time to free herself from the unwanted fabric.

Camila hastily joined Lauren in bed, straddling the psychologist and reclaiming her psychedelic lips. Her own hands began unbuttoning Lauren's top, blindly throwing the piece of clothing haphazardly on the floor. Her right hand reached up to Lauren's neck, slowly dragging it down to her chest; leaving the trail of her touch burning.

Camila gently pushed, coaxing Lauren to lay down and she followed her, never breaking the kiss. She bestowed her weight upon her hands that rest on either side of Lauren's head as the psychologist's nimble fingers traced her sides from her hips, up until she held onto Camila's cheeks, drawing her impossible closer.

Camila moved down to Lauren's jaw, deftly outlining the curve with amorous kisses until she reached her neck. It was then that labored breaths were in chorus with enchanting moans and hums that fed to Camila's frenzy. Each peck rippled like a calm water disrupted at the surface, beginning to prickle more than just at the agitated skin. Camila began to suck at the area behind Lauren's ear, imbibing not just her skin but her broken soul; she breathed life to it.

As Camila's head descended, her hand found Lauren's hip bone; thumb gently caressing the protruding skin. The delicate movement ignited goosebumps to rise and their arousal to drive them wild. Camila's hand began rising up Lauren's body; her wrist barely scraping the smooth contours of her abdomen until it came to a full stop, delicately palming Lauren's breast as her mouth encapsulated the other.

Camila moved her knee between Lauren's legs, creating the friction that Lauren so desired. It prompted a sharp breath to resound from Lauren's abandoned lips, arching her back as the jolts of pleasure shot cruised through her veins. It seemed to be the most painful to draw air in but at the same time, it was a great relief.

They were both too sensitive to each other's touch, and it wasn't just because of the agonizingly long time they had kept themselves from relishing s****l pleasure.

The pair had almost forgotten how it felt like, to profess their love to a person without the use of words.

It was the beginning of the late night that they spent making love until the breaking dawn. They savored in the emotional connection that transcended beyond the physical aspect of amorous dalliance. And even when they weren't bound by a relationship they so craved, they were together in a quasi-relationship that would someday be insufficient.

Buried in her resentment and anger, Camila still loved Lauren and she just indirectly told her.

Thus was the greatest mistake that Camila will never regret.