Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“I’ll tell you later,” he said curtly, gazing at Austin.
Taking a step back, Austin turned to Cameron. “Guess I should head out?”
She nodded apologetically. “Sorry, Austin.”
“Don’t worry about it.” His forced smile didn’t reach his eyes. “See you later, Cam, Brad.”
Once he turned away, the fake smile vanished. He thought, ‘Why does Bradley suddenly seem even more irritating than Xander?’
With Xander, he and Cameron both shared the annoyance. But now, while he couldn’t stand Bradley, Cameron clearly didn’t feel the same way.
Austin scowled, frustration knotting his brows.
Cameron and Bradley got into the car.
One hand draped over the steering wheel, he watched Austin disappear around the corner. “Since when are you and Austin attached at the hip?”
“Not a big deal,” Cameron shrugged.
Bradley let it drop, firing up the engine.
“Where to next?” she asked.
“The zoo first.”
She nodded. “Works for me.”
Forty minutes later, the sleek black sedan rolled to a stop in front of Viremont Zoo’s gates. They’d made it just in time, as the last visitors trickled out.
Inside, Cameron’s heart sank at the sight of Pearl. The tiger lay motionless in its glass enclosure of several hundred square feet, a shadow of its former self. Its coat was dull, and it’d lost so much weight that its ribs showed beneath its fur
The zookeeper said, “Mr. Wallace, thank god you’re here. It hasn’t eaten in days and just lies there all day. Even the vet won’t go near-too dangerous.”
Cameron bit her lip. At Fraser Villa, Pearl had roamed acres of land, free to come and go. Now this tiny, see-through cage? No wonder it was miserable.
It made sense it’d lost its appetite. Poor thing. This couldn’t go on, but where could she possibly take a full-grown tiger?
“Pearl.” Cameron rapped her knuckles on the glass.
The tiger lifted its head, ears flicking at the sound.
When its gaze landed on Cameron, those dull, lifeless eyes suddenly sparked with recognition. Pearl whipped around and launched itself forward, only to slam into the barrier with a thud.
“Awooo…” It pressed its muzzle against the glass, nuzzling Cameron’s outstretched hand.
“Let me in,” Cameron pleaded, turning to the zookeeper.
Bradley cut in, “Release it. We’re taking it with us.”
“Brad?” Cameron gaped at him.
She thought, ‘Taking a full-grown tiger back to Noble Vista? The neighbors will have a heart attack.’
He met her stare. “This isn’t the place for it. We have to get it out.”
“But Noble Vista isn’t, either.”
He smirked. “Who said anything about Noble Vista?”
“Then where?”
“Just trust me.” His grin held a promise. “You’ll see.”
Cameron hesitated, then nodded. There was something about that confident smile that made her shoulders relax. Brad always had a way of making even the craziest ideas feel safe.
With a click, the zookeeper unlocked the glass door.
Pearl bounded out, tall wagging as it danced around Cameron, rubbing its fuzzy head against Cameron’s legs like an overgrown housecat.
Cameron dropped to her knees, scratching behind the tiger’s ears. “I’m so sorry. You must have had a hard time these days. You won’t be stuck here anymore.”
Pearl let out a happy growl, prancing in circles.
Bradley headed off to sort out the paperwork.
When he returned, he said, “All settled. They refunded 25 thousand dollars to your account.”
Not bad, considering Cameron’d paid 30 thousand dollars originally.
Cameron nodded. “Thanks.”
She helped Pearl into the backseat of Bradley’s Mercedes. The car wasn’t huge, but there was enough room for the tiger to stretch out comfortably.
As Cameron climbed into the passenger seat, her blood ran cold. “Brad, I don’t have a wildlife permit. We can’t take it.”
Wordlessly, Bradley popped open the glove compartment and handed her a brown envelope. “Take a look.”
Cameron shot him a skeptical glance, then tore it open. Her eyes widened. “You got the permit? When?”
Bradley smiled and said, “Monday”
Cameron frowned. “But we had lunch together that day.”
“I sent a firm associate to handle it,” he said.
She softened. “Really, Brad, Thanks.”
“Don’t sweat it.” He waved her gratitude away and started the engine.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
“Pearl’s new home.”
“Your place?” Her eyebrows shot up.
He grinned. “You’ll see. It’s a bit of a drive.”
Cameron was stunned, wondering, ‘So Brad wants to keep Pearl at his place? Looks like I’ll owe him another favor!
She stole a glance at Pearl, who’d curled up in the backseat. She tamed the tiger to keep it safe, and rescuing it from Samuel felt like the right call
A wave of doubt washed over her. Had she acted too hastily? After all, she wasn’t sure she could handle it, leaving her with no choice but to trouble Bradley.
“Thank you,” she said again, voice thick.
“Save it until we get there.” His gaze stayed fixed on the road, but his smile lingered.
The car sped through the city. Skyscrapers gave way to open fields.
Cameron gazed out the window as the landscape rushed past in a blur. “Are we leaving town?”
Bradley nodded. “Almost there.”
She fell quiet, watching out the window. Pearl was curled up obediently in the back seat.
Finally, the car drove out of the noisy city, climbed a winding mountain road, and stopped in front of an estate that looked like a medieval castle.
The car horn chirped. Bradley gave a short, polite honk.
Four middle-aged people, two men and two women, emerged from the castle. A young man trailed behind them.
With charming eyes, the young man sauntered out with a grin. “Brad, I’ve been waiting forever.”
It was Eddie, Bradley’s fourth brother.
The intricately patterned gates swung open. Bradley drove in and parked.
He unbuckled his seatbelt. “We’re here, Cameron. This is it.”
Cameron stepped out of the car.
“Welcome, Mr. Saunders. Welcome, Mr. Wallace,” the four servants bowed respectfully.
“Hello,” Cameron replied politely, taking in her surroundings.
The castle sat mid hillside, encircled by mountains. Lush greenery surrounded it, and the setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the treas.
“Hey there, good-looking! Fancy meeting you again,” Eddie called out, waving cheerfully.
