Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
The last time at that restaurant near their school, Cameron had seemed intent on setting her up with Bradley. Maybe she should try reaching out to
Cameron again.
Amelia picked up her phone and dialed Cameron’s number. Ever since Amelia helped Cameron expose Skyler, Cameron had unblocked Amelia’s numb
Cameron was surprised to see Amelia’s call. After a brief hesitation, she grabbed her phone and rushed to the stairwell to answer. “Hello, Ms. Chapmar
“Sorry, Cameron. Is this a bad time?” Amelia sounded polite.
Cameron asked, “What do you need?”
Amelia said, “Cameron, I know it’s uncomfortable to ask you for a favor since you’re my former fianc?, but you’re the only one who can help me with this.”
Cameron replied, “Tell me what’s going on.”
Amelia said, “Cameron, are you free tonight?” She felt this was better discussed in person, not over the phone.
Cameron said, “Tonight? I’m meeting Brad, so maybe we can…”
“Brad?” Amelia interrupted. “Do yo
Cameron replied, “Yeah, Bradley.”
Amelia asked, “He’s back in the country?”
Cameron replied, “He just got back this morning.”
Amelia was stunned. She thought, ‘Bradley returned this morning? But he told me he was still abroad! So did he not want to see me? Why?”
Cameron didn’t hear Amelia’s stunned silence and added, “Ms. Chapman, I already have plans with Brad. How about we reschedule for tomorrow?”
Amelia bit her lip. “Cameron, would you mind if I tag along tonight?”
Cameron froze, completely thrown by the request. ‘Tag along? She wanted to meet Brad?’ she wondered.
She knew Amelia had feelings for Bradley. Did that mean she’d be stuck as a chaperone all evening?
Cameron was quick to connect the dots. She instantly guessed why Amelia had called. “Ms. Chapman,” she said, “if you don’t mind my asking, is this about Brad?”
Amelia’s cheeks flushed, and she stayed quiet.
“Since you’re not denying it,” Cameron pressed, “I’ll take that as a yes. You can come tonight, but I need to run it by Brad first.”
“Wait, Cameron,” Amelia rushed to say, “can you keep it a secret from Bradley? Just for now?”
It was clear Bradley was avoiding her. If Cameron mentioned it, he’d probably say no. Amelia didn’t want to wait anymore. She was willing to set aside her pride and make a move.
If she hesitated, another girl might steal Bradley away once they started college. ‘Better to act bold than regret later,’ she thought.
“Not tell Brad? But showing up unannounced seems risky, doesn’t it?” Cameron asked.
“Please, Cameron,” Amelia pleaded, “just this once. Will you do this for me?”
Cameron hesitated. She did owe Amelia-twice, in fact. Once for intervening when Tyrell and his men caused trouble, and again for helping expose
Skyler.
Now that Amelia was begging for help, it was hard to refuse. But using Bradley to repay a favor felt unfair to him.
Seeing Cameron remain silent, Amelia asked urgently, “Cameron, is that okay? Can you help me?”
Cameron was silent for a long moment before saying, “Ms. Chapman, can you let me think about it?”
“Alright, I’ll wait for your answer,” Amelia replied.
Cameron ended the call. Standing in the stairwell, she hesitated before sending Bradley a message.
Cameron: [Brad, can I bring a friend to dinner tonight?]
Bradley was driving back to Noble Vista when he got the message. He pulled over to the side of the road to reply: [A friend? What friend? Do I know them?]
Cameron: [You do know them, but can I not say who for now? I’ll surprise you.]
Bradley smiled and replied: [Okay.]
Reading his message, Cameron felt a twinge of guilt. She thought, ‘Brad is so easy to fool Alas!
She’d pay back Amelia’s favor first, then apologize to Brad later. After all, she’d lost track of how many favors she owed him.
She called Amelia back.
“Cameron, did you decide?” Amelia asked anxiously before Cameron could speak.
“Fine,” Cameron said, “but just this once, Ms. Chapman. I won’t help with anything like this again.”
‘One trick on Brad is enough,’ she thought.
Amelia said, “Alright, just this once. Thanks, Cameron.”
“Alright, let’s add each other on WhatsApp. I’ll send you the address later,” Cameron said.
“Sure,” Amelia replied.
The moment Cameron hung up, there was a knock on the fire door. It was Larry Field, the R&D supervisor.
Larry frowned at Cameron. “What’s your deal? You’re distracted at work every day. You’ve been on the phone all afternoon. Do you think 200 dollars a day is free money?”
Cameron was at a loss for words.
“Get back to your desk now,” Larry snapped.
Cameron gave a faint smile and headed back to the office area without a word.
Larry shook his head. If not for David vouching for this “well-connected” hire, he would’ve fired Cameron ages ago. ‘Young people these days are pros at slacking off,’ he thought.
Back at her desk, Cameron planned to message Bradley after work but got a text from him first: [What should we have for dinner tonight?]
Cameron: [You pick. My supervisor caught me on the phone earlier. I’ll talk to you later.]
Bradley was stunned.
Cameron stashed her phone and opened the thick pile of documents in front of her.
Larry walked past her chair and snorted. David had told him to let Cameron stay in R&D but not assign her any tasks. Still, her relaxed attitude was annoying.
At 6 p.m. on the dot, Cameron left work. When she took out her phone, she saw messages from both Bradley and Amelia.
Bradley: [Cameron, it’s raining. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up,]
Amelia: [Cameron, have you set a location yet? Where should I meet you two?]
Cameron replied to Bradley first: [Brad, don’t worry about it. I’ll grab a taxi. No need for you to come pick me up and drive to the restaurant. It’s a wa of time. Just send me the dinner address.]
She then messaged Amelia: [I just finished work and am reaching out to Brad. Give me a sec.]
Bradley quickly replied: [With the rain, just go straight to Noble Vista. Bring your friend to my place. I ordered fondue from that restaurant we alway: to. It’s being delivered. I’ll be home waiting for you.]
Cameron: [Got it, heading back by taxi now.]
Cameron sent Amelia the Noble Vista address: [Ms/Chapman, I’ll wait for you at the main gate.]
Amelia: [What’s this place?]
Cameron: [Brad’s place.]
In excitement, Amelia thought, ‘Bradley’s place? I’m going to Bradley’s place?’
Amelia glanced down at the pretty dress she’d spent two hours selecting. She’d thought it was dressy enough, but now that she knew the venue, i underdressed.
She wondered, ‘What should I bring as a gift for the first visit?’ She hadn’t had time to prepare anything
Cameron: [Is everything okay, Ms, Chapman? Oh, right, we’re having fondue at Brad’s place. Is that alright with you?]
Amelia bit her lip. Cameron had finally agreed to help. She couldn’t blow this opportunity. She doubted she could ever ask Bradley cut otherwise.
Amelia: (No problem. I’m on my way.]
Cameron: [See you shortly.]
