Before You Forgot Me

CAMILA

"What are you going to use those condoms to do?" Camila inquired, staring not so surprise at her.

"Oh common. Don't be so naive. You know what it's used for. " Evie nudged her.

"You're getting more corrupt. Day by Day. I still don't know why am still friends with you." She shook her head, taking out her phone to look at the time.

It's past 8 already. She sighed.

"We can never break up girlfriend." Evie chuckled, while she does a retouch of her makeup.

Camila thought of how the party would end like, seeing that his boss will definitely be there. What would he think of her? When she's supposed to be buried in the project work and to make it successful.

Whatever. It's just once. They might not even cross path.

Evie walked out majestically in her heels while Camila quickly fixed her dress and looked around the building. She really hates loud parties but Evie had begged and dragged her here and she's left with no choice as far as her apartment will be ready. 

Music blasting through the speakers loudly and the cheers of people dancing with one drink or two in hands.   

"Wow! You look stunning Evie." A man's voice got her attention that made her turned back. A dark brown hair dude with matching eye color. He's good-looking in that Hawaii shirt he wore and smirk that seems to stir something in her. 

 "Hey Stephen! Happy birthday! Thanks for the invite." Evie moved closer hug him.

"You're welcome. I see you brought a friend." The dude looked at him. His stares making her uncomfortable as he checked her out, licking his lips. "Hi, beautiful!" He extended his hand.

 Camila took his hand. "Hello, happy birthday to you." He held unto it and raised it up to his lips and kissed it before releasing it. 

 "Thank you, Lovely. Welcome to the party. Enjoy yourself. I have to catch up with my niggas. See you soon." He replied with a smile which she returned as well.

 "Okay, uhmm....is Nolan here?" Evie asked.

"Nolan? Why are you asking of him? I thought you guys aren't on good terms." Stephen arched his brows at her.

 "Answer the question."

 "Yeah, he got here already. The great majesty is here too. Came him some minutes ago." 

 "Okay, for now, we need to enjoy ourself first. We will come over soon." Turned to Camila, "Lets go show some dance moves over there." She pointed at the crowded dance floor.

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Camila breathed out. She was not used to dancing in public like this.

 The music changed and she took a step made her almost bump into the waiter carrying tray with champagnes. 

 "Sorry." She muttered an apology.

Then she felt eyes staring at her. She was certain, her hair stood straight on her skin and she turned to wherever her instincts took her to.

Up at the gallery, dressed in gray shirt that fitted that perfect body and rolled sleeves that showed his abs was Eric, staring at her. She shouldn't be thinking so much when it comes to her grumpy boss. She had wanted to avoid him at all cost but why is she having these tiny bits of thought about him. 

'Focus on he's still wicked.' She nodded inwardly. Him being here shouldn't be an obstacle. 

She gulped as their eyes met. None of them planning to break the contact. Camila's legs were beginning to get jelly. 

"Hey girlie," Evie interrupted. Before she could look back at him, he wasn't there. Like he was an illusion. "Let's go meet the celebrant and his friends. Oh! And your boss is there if you don't mind."

Without waiting for an answer, she dragged her out of the dance floor. They climbed the stairs up to a more reserved place, warm and dim lightning. Evie knocked once and entered. In the room, were three men. Two were laughing serious while the other, her boss glared at them. His attention shifted when the two girls announced their presence.

"Hey boys!" Camila shook her head on the kind of audacity Evie had. Maybe she'd forgotten Eric is her boss as well. 

Probably thinking he won't know her. Okay, time will tell.

"Oh! You're here! Come sit over here." Stephen urged them forward to sit; Evie sat between Nolan and Stephen while Camila sat beside Eric. Her heart racing as she clutched her purse tightly to herself. This is the second time today she'd been close to him.

"Wow! Can't believe starfish really got here? Hey little fish." Nolan waved at Evie who returned it a pinch on his lap that made him groan a little. He whispered something in her ear and caused her fury expression. 

"I'm going to cut it off before you even think of that." Evie warned. 

Okay, so what's going on here? Evie knew these guys like they've been friends for decades or something. She's starting to feel uncomfortable. She could feel Eric gaze at her few times and when she'd look to confirm, he turned his head.

"What's your name?" Nolan questioned, facing her.

"Camila." She answered, clearing her throat. 

God this feels like a blind date!

"Hmm....nice name. So you stay here or you're just like starfish?" 

"I work here, in TheSlyvester Inc."

"Oh! Eric, you have a beautiful employee right beside you. I hope you're not firing her tomorrow cause she's breathing the same air as you." Nolan wiggled his brows with a smile.

Eric ignored and drank the whole content of his drink and got up.

"I'm leaving. See you tomorrow." His thick voice sending shiver down Mila spine. Her thighs pressed together and bit her lips. 

She must be sick! God! This isn't what she wanted to feeling around him.

"Are you coming or not? Or you know the way already?" His questioned was directed to Camila. 

Mila tilted her head in confusion. "Sir? Me? Where? I do not understand you." She glanced at Evie who only shrugged.

Is this a set up or something? He wants to take her somewhere and do what? No, he thought she's going to be a one night stand? Well, fuck him if that's it. 

Eric turned to Evie and cocked his brow, "Vee, you didn't tell her? Anyway, I don't want to waste any further time here. I'm out." He took a step forward when Evie got up to her feet to hold him back.

Vee? Wow! They know each other? Can someone at least shed more light on this darkness that's covering the room right now? She stared at the two of them, obviously the confused one in the room as others were grinning from ear to ear. 

"Evie, what's going on?" Camila's voice was tight.

"Oh, baby girl! Eric is my cousin," Evie said. "My dad, Mr. Dante is his uncle."

The room tilted.

Eric. Sylvester. Was. Evie's. Cousin.

"And the apartment?" Camila barely recognized her own voice.

"Is mine," Eric said from the doorway. "Empty unit. My property manager suggested renting it out." His eyes met hers. "Evie vouched for you."

"I can find somewhere else ...."

"It's already arranged." He turned to leave. "But, yyou're welcome to look elsewhere, but I leave in ten minutes with or without you. Your things are already there."

Stephen whistled low. "Damn, Eric. You're really going out of your way for an employee."

Eric's jaw tightened. He didn't answer.

Camila stood frozen, her mind racing. Live in her boss's property? The same boss she'd been avoiding for years? The same man whose phone wallpaper had her photo?

"Camila?" Evie's voice was gentle. "It's just a house. And it's a really nice house."

Just a house.

So why did it feel like a trap?

Or worse, an opportunity she was terrified to take?

"Fine," she heard herself say. "But just until I find something else."

Eric's eyes flashed with something she couldn't name. "Whatever."

As she followed him out into the night, Camila realized two things:

One: she'd just agreed to live in her mysterious, grumpy boss's property.

Two: the man who claimed not to remember her had a photo of her on his phone.

And she was going to find out why. Why she also can't remember properly how or where she took that photo. But that person is definitely her.