Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron pushed the gift through the doorway.
Bradley came out wearing slippers, his expression curious.
He looked at the large package behind her. “What’s all this?” he asked.
Cameron smiled, “It’s for you.”
Bradley blinked.
She was pushing a sleek black mountain bike.
‘He is giving me a mountain bike?’
His lips curled slightly with surprise and amusement.
No matter what it was, getting a gift always lifted one’s mood.
But that model…that brand…was expensive. Where had Cameron gotten the money?
Seeing Bradley’s frown, Cameron paused. “You don’t like it?” she asked, a little unsure.
She’d spent a small fortune on this.
Bradley was into fitness and biking-she figured he’d actually use it.
Bradley’s smile softened. “No, I do. It’s great. Must’ve cost a lot?”
Cameron held the handlebars and replied casually, “Yeah, for me it was pricey. But for you, it’s probably nothing.”
Bradley didn’t beat around the bush. “How much?”
“Sixty thousand,” Cameron said.
Bradley stared at her.
‘Sixty grand? Seriously? He spent sixty thousand dollars-probably most of what he has-on a bike? For me? Is that from the hundred grand he earned tutoring Elijah?’
He took the bike from her and gave it a test ride in the courtyard, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses as he came to a stop. ” Not bad,” he said, genuinely impressed.
“I’m glad you like it,” Cameron smiled.
“I do.” He nodded.
Bradley parked the bike neatly in the manicured courtyard, the green hedges trimmed into crisp geometric shapes. “Come inside,” he said, motioning her toward the house.
Cameron followed him into the villa’s living room.
If her villa was already considered extravagant, then Bradley’s new villa was a whole different level-pure luxury.
“Sit,” Bradley offered, placing a cup of perfectly warm coffee in front of her.
“Thanks.” Cameron sat down and asked, “Why’d you buy another house here? Didn’t you say mine was just sitting empty?”
‘Did he have to buy this place because he gave me the old one?’
Bradley nodded. “Yeah, your house was sitting empty. I usually stay at the one near my firm. I bought this one because…” He glanced at her. “I wanted to be your neighbor.”
Cameron froze.
‘He spent that kind of money-just to live nearby?’
Bradley sipped his coffee and then asked, “So why the mountain bike?”
Cameron answered honestly, “I owe you a lot. I figured I should give something back.”
Bradley gave a soft sigh. “Didn’t mean to make you feel indebted.”
From his perspective, it wasn’t a big deal.
Cameron gave a vague nod.
Debts between people weren’t always about money. And they were the hardest to repay.
Bradley looked out toward the courtyard. “Do you have the receipt for the bike?”
Cameron blinked but nodded. “Yeah. You want it?”
Bradley nodded. “Yeah, I need to register it with the 104”
“I’ll go grab it,” Cameron said, already on her fe Successfully unlocked!
He didn’t stop her.
Once she was out of sight, he stepped into the yard and walked around the bike, inspecting it from every angle.
‘Sixty thousand dollars-for this? That’s nearly all the money he has.’
Bradley exhaled and shook his head.
A few minutes later, Cameron returned with the receipt and handed it over.
Bradley gave her a pat on the shoulder.
“Sit tight,” he said. “I’ll call someone from property management.”
Cameron nodded again.
A short while later, the HOA staff arrived.
Bradley spoke with them briefly in the courtyard and then handed over the receipt. They wheeled the bike away for registration.
Back in the living room, Bradley checked his watch. “It’s almost dinner. What do you feel like eating?” he asked.
Cameron asked, “Do you have any groceries in the fridge?”
Bradley raised a brow. “You cook?”
She nodded. “Kinda.”
Bradley stood and headed to the kitchen. He opened the fridge to reveal shelves packed with fresh ingredients. “The housekeeper stocked it. Think you can work with this?”
Then, after a short pause, he added, “Actually, why don’t we just eat out? Or I can call the chef from across the street. No need to go through the trouble.”
Cameron sifted through the fridge and said, “It’s no trouble. Any food allergies or dietary restrictions?”
“None,” Bradley replied.
“Alright. I’ll need about an hour. If you’re hungry…” she began.
“I’m not,” he cut in.
Cameron shot him an OK gesture and started pulling out ingredients.
Bradley sat down on the leather couch, picking up a law book from the small round table beside him. He flipped through a few pages, but his eyes kept drifting toward the open kitchen.
Cameron, still in his blue school uniform, stood by the counter with his sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing pale, slender wrists.
He was gutting a fish with fluid, practiced movements, his sharp, androgynous face unreadable.
Bradley couldn’t help but think, ‘Cameron really is…objectively good-looking.’
And that was saying something. Bradley had six brothers, all of them ridiculously attractive. He should’ve been immune to beauty by now.
But still, there was something magnetic about Cameron’s presence.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d been staring before the aroma of fish drifted into the living room. The scent broke his focus. He set the book down and got up.
“Smells amazing,” Bradley said as he approached the kitchen.
Cameron nodded. “Yeah. The fish looked fresh. Figured I’d cook it tonight.”
Bradley eyed the prep counter. “It’s just the two of us, so don’t go overboard.”
“I didn’t,” Cameron said while slicing vegetables. “Portions are small.”
Just because there were only two of them didn’t mean she’d half-ass dinner. Especially not when Bradley had done so much for her already. A home-cooked meal was the least she could do.
Bradley smiled faintly, helplessly.
