LOVE IN DISGUISE

That night!

“What.. Zayn... She awake!“ Cameroon mumbled in disbelief.

.....

*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*

AIRPORT

Cameroon rushed through the airport, his mind still reeling from the news that his sister, Zayn, was awake. He had to see her, had to know that she was okay.

As he approached the check-in counter, he quickly pulled out his phone to book the next flight to Japan. His fingers flew across the screen, but his mind kept drifting back to Maddie.

Their conversation had ended badly, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had messed things up between them. He thought about turning back, about going to her and apologizing, but his dad's words echoed in his mind.

"Get down here, son. My daughter.. your sister.. Zayn is awake."

Cameroon took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. He booked the next flight to Japan and rushed to the gate, mind drifting back to Maddie.

He couldn't help but wondered what she was doing, if she was thinking about him too.

The flight attendant's voice cut through his thoughts, and he stood up, grabbing his bag. "Japan-bound passengers, please board now."

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the plane, his heart heavy with thoughts of Maddie and his sister, Zayn.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

REED'S PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Mr. Reed's voice was low and soothing as he spoke to his daughter, Zayn. "Do you need anything, sweetie? Are you comfortable?"

Zayn lay motionless in the bed, her eyes fixed on some point beyond her father's shoulder. She didn't respond, didn't even flinch.

Damric, who was standing on the other side of the bed, looked at his sister with concern. He had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that it was finally here, he didn't know what to do.

The doctor, who was checking Zayn's vitals, looked up at Mr. Reed. "She's doing well, considering. But we need to run some more tests to determine the extent of her injuries."

Just then, the door swung open and Cameroon walked in. His eyes immediately met Zayn's, and a smile spread across his face. He took a step forward, about to approach his sister, but then his gaze fell on Ava, who was standing beside Zayn's bed, a look of concern on her face.

Cameroon's smile faltered, and he felt a s

ense of unease. What was Ava doing here? He hadn't seen her since their argument, and he hadn't expected to see her here, in his sister's hospital room.

Ava's eyes met Cameroon's, and she smiled, a small, tentative smile. Cameroon didn't respond, just looked away, his heart feeling heavy.

“Hi cam... I got here immediately I heard Zayn was awake” Ava muttered looking a him but Cameroon didn't respond.. instead he ignored her.. walking to his sister's bed.

The tension in the room immediately became awkward. Everyone could sense it.

The doctor immediately left.. noticing the tension between them.

“Erhm.. Ava.. he didn't mean to ignore you that way. He's only nervous about meeting his sister after.. everything that happened” Mr Reed interrupted and Ava smiled sadly.

“I understand Sir”

“Zaza.. how're you doing?“ Cameroon asked sitting close to her and she smiled which made everyone shocked.

They had been trying to make her smile all this while but she didn't... And now she was smiling.

“I'm glad you're awake... “ Cameroon paused taking a closer look at his sister's pale face.

She really changed a lot.

“You look beautiful as ever” he added and Zayn blushed looking away.

“Look what I brought you... Your favorite teddy” He smiled bringing out a blue medium size teddy and Zayn collected it and hugged it tightly.

And just when Cameroon wanted to say another word.. his dad cut him off.

“Enough.. she needs some rest..“

“.. Why don't you and Ava go get her something light to eat. She must be really hungry” He added with a commanding tone and Cameroon hissed before walking out not even throwing Ava a glance.

“Cam! Cam.. “ Ava called with a shaky voice running after him but he kept walking faster.

He didn't just like the sight of her.

“Cam.. please wait” he heard Ava say and he finally stopped turning to face her.

“Cam.. I know you didn't expect me here.. but Cam..“

“Point of correction Mrs, my name is Cameroon and not Cam... You don't get to call me that” He interrupted with a frown and ava sniffed before responding with a shaky tone.

“Yh.. cam.. uh Cameroon. I get it.. you don't like me.. and you don't have to pretend you like me either”

And after a long pause she added:

“Her name is Maddie right?“ She asked and Cameroon could feel his heart beating at the sound of the name. He felt shiver run down his spine.

“What are you trying to say?“ He managed to ask and Ava scoffed unbelievable.

“Maddie petal is the girl in Cameroon heart right? The same girl I met in lee's hotel... The same girl you went mute for.. the same girl that makes you keep rejecting me.. isn't she the girl in your heart?“

That was the question he couldn't answer.

His mind went blank.. He didn't know the specific answer.

He remained quite for a while.. not wanting to answer the question.

“I knew she was the one.. but I've got one question for you..“ she paused then looked around.

“If she loves you too.. why doesn't she care about you... Why isn't she here... She choose to stay with another guy instead of you.. Cam... Cameroon think of it. And you still choose to keep loving her.. And me? What about me? I'm just a trash to you?“ She asked but Cameroon remained silent.

“Well, wait until I get back” she added before walking away and Cameroon turned towards her, walking after her.

“Where are you going to?“ He asked and Ava kept walking till she reached her car.

“It's not like you care!“ She yelled before entering and driving off.

BACK IN THE WARD

“Zayn.. so do you remember anything from that night... Anything?“ Mr Reed whisper but Zayn expression remained blank. She looked like she didn't understand what Her dad said.

“Please.. try and remember anything.. we need it.. anything from that night you got shot “

“Dad . I think it's best we wait till she recovers fully “ Damric interrupted and Mr Reed nodded in return.

EVENING...

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

BENISON CARE CENTER

Maddie sat beside her mom staring out the window. She watched how doctors took patient from one ward to the other. She was the only one in the room as Austin had gone to get more clothes for she and Amanda. While Amanda accompanied him.

Taking a deep breath she closed the window blind and turned to face her mom. The doctor had told her that she was going to wake up any moment from now.. after the surgery.

She gently held her mom's hand creasing it slightly, her mind drifting back to Cameroon. Just then her mom fingers twitch slightly and she gasp.

“Mom..“ she called looking at her mom who had her eyes half opened.

“Mom.. you're awake!“ She half yelled.

She couldn't believe her mom was awake.

“You called me mom?“ Alice voice sounded and Maddie replayed her previous words. She couldn't believe she actually called Alice.. Mom.

The words that irritated her after love.

“It's nothing mom” Maddie said and Alice smiled. Just then Damric and Amanda walked in.

“Mom!! You're awake!“ Amanda yelled running to give her mom a hug.

After the brief hug.. Alice turned to face Austin. She looked at Maddie and Amanda as if asking “ why's he here?“.

Maddie immediately understood her mom's look. And she spoke:

“ Mom meet Austin.. my.. classmate and friend” Maddie felt weird saying the last word. She didn't know if Austin was a friend yet.

“ You know he was my ex boss” Alice smiled and Austin quickly apologize.

“Ma'am I'm sorry for what happened.. I didn't mean to fire you”

“Oh, come on.. I already like you. You seems so nice and I know you'll take good care of my daughter”

“Mom!“ Amanda and Maddie yelled.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

REED'S PRIVATE HOSPITAL

After ordering food from the restaurant across the hospital.. Cameroon walked back to the ward but as he opened the door he didn't see anyone except from his sister who was sitting on the bed with a smile across her face like she was expecting him.

“Hey.. “ he muttered walking to her and she smiled.

“Where's dad.. Austin.. where are they? He asked this time sitting close to her. But Zayn remained silent looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh tke this.. I got you a new tablet.. you could use it to reply or say whatever you want” He smiled handing the tablet over to her and she smiled collecting it.

There was something about the smile that made him shiver.

It was the same smile he gave Maddie...

FLASHBACK.....

“Sorry, I... Why don't you type anything you want to say in my phone and then you'll show it to me” she suggested bringing out her phone and Cameroon opened her Notepad typing something. And when he was done he showed it to her.

“Thanks” the text read and Maddie raised an eyebrow.

“Thanks for what?“ She asked and he typed again showing it to her and she nodded.

“It's nothing...“ She muttered and closed her eyes placing back her headphone and listening to her music.

Cameroon just stared at her blankly then he went back to Maddie's phone and typed something.

“You look beautiful” He typed an showed it to her and she smirked.

No! It was actually a smile. He couldn't believe what he just saw.

This was the first time he saw her smile and it sent shivers down his spine.

“Thanks!“ She muttered the turned away.

BACK TO REALITY

Zayn gently tapped Cameroon bringing him out of his thoughts and showed him a text.

“Thanks” The text read and Cameroon shivered. Zayn was bringing back memories of Maddie.

“Who were you thinking about” Zayn texted again and Cameroon chuckled.

“No one” he replied bluntly.

“You're sure?“ Another text from Zayn read.

“Yh. You need to rest Zaza... And you're hungry too”

Zayn just ignored him typing something on her tablet and showed it to Cameroon.

“I know it's about a girl.. buh it's sure not Ava. It's someone else” The text read.

“Oh joy!“ Cameroon exclaimed. He knew his sister wouldn't let go easily.

“Ok.. ok you got me.. but I won't tell you who” He muttered and when Zayn was about to say say another word.. he quickly closed her mouth with his hand and pulled her closer to his chest.

“Go to sleep.. I'll cuddle you”

Cameroon pulled Zayn closer, trying to stifle her giggles. "Shh, go to sleep," he whispered, his voice muffled against her hair.

Zayn's laughter slowly subsided, and she relaxed into her brother's chest. Cameroon smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over him.

Just as he thought Zayn was drifting off to sleep, she suddenly stirred, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She pulled out her tablet and typed something, showing it to Cameroon.

The text read: "If you really like the girl in your heart, then go for her."

Cameroon's smile faltered, and he looked away, feeling a Sense of guilt. Why was Zayn saying this now?

The silence between them stretched out, and Cameroon could feel Zayn's eyes on him, waiting for a response.

Finally, he spoke up, his voice low and hesitant. "Zayn, can I ask you something?"

Zayn's eyes locked onto his, and she nodded, her expression serious.

"What happened that night?" Cameroon asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "The night you got shot... do you remember anything?"

Zayn's expression changed, and she looked away, her eyes clouding over. Cameroon's heart sank, realizing that he might have pushed her too hard.

But then, Zayn's fingers began to move on the tablet, typing out a message. Cameroon's eyes were fixed on the screen as the words appeared.

"I remember being in the hotel," the text read. "I remember feeling scared. And then... and then I saw her."

Cameroon's eyes widened as he read the words.

“So it was a her..“

"Who?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zayn's eyes locked onto his, and she typed out another message. "The person who shot me."

Cameroon's mind was racing. Who could have shot Zayn? And why?

He looked at Zayn, searching for answers, but her expression was blank. She seemed to be lost in thought, reliving the memories of that fateful night.

Suddenly, Zayn's eyes snapped back into focus, and she typed out another message. "I think I know why I was shot," the text read.

Cameroon's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice urgent.

Zayn's eyes locked onto his, and she typed out another message. "I think it has something to do with you"

Cameroon's mind was reeling. What did Zayn mean? And what did he have to do with her shooting?

He looked at Zayn, searching for answers, but she just shook her head, her eyes clouding over once again.