Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“I met a girl when I was taking my driving test…” she began, and gave him a simple summary of what had happened honestly.
But to this day, Cameron still hadn’t figured out who that girl really was. All she knew was that the girl had two older brothers.
“Well, since the paternity test was done, I feel more relieved,” Elijah said.
Cameron smiled. “Elijah, do I really look like someone who’s easy to scam?”
Elijah said, “Not at all.”
The two of them kept chatting, and before they knew it, hours had passed. Cameron only realized it was already dinnertime when she got a WhatsApp text from Bradley.
Bradley: (Where are you?]
Cameron: (Noble Vista.]
Bradley: [Want to grab dinner together?]
Cameron: [Elijah’s at my place.]
Cameron looked at Elijah, asking, “Elijah, you wanna grab dinner together?”
“Sure,” Elijah said without hesitation.
Cameron added casually, “Brad’s coming too.”
Elijah didn’t respond, once again struck by how close Cameron and Bradley were. Good thing they were just friends. Otherwise, Elijah might’ve actually gotten jealous.
Bradley sent another text. [Why is he at your place?]
Cameron replied: [He came to talk me through things.]
Bradley: [Is it about the Yates family?]
Cameron: [Yeah.],
Bradley: [I’ll be there soon. Let’s talk in person.]
When Bradley said he’d be right over, he meant it and showed up in less than 15 minutes.
“Brad,” Elijah greeted, standing as the door opened.
“Elijah, you’re here too.” Bradley nodded at him.
Cameron glanced at the clock. “What do you guys want to eat? It’s about time for dinner.”
“Let’s just order takeout,” Bradley suggested. It didn’t make sense to eat out when they needed to discuss the Yates family’s matter.
“I’ll handle it,” Elijah said, pulling out his phone.
Bradley nodded. “Go ahead, Elijah.”
As Elijah browsed the food options, Bradley sat down next to Cameron. Across from them, Elijah looked up at Bradley briefly, then lowered his head and focused on the menu.
Bradley lounged lazily on the sofa, looking totally at home, like this was his own place. And honestly, it had been his home once.
Bradley asked Cameron, “So, have you made up your mind? Are you going to meet your parents?”
Cameron replied, “Brad, I actually met them for lunch today.”
Bradley looked a little surprised. “That quick?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah.”
Bradley smiled. “So, how were they? Did they change your mind?”
Cameron said, “They were great, and I’ve pretty much decided already. Elijah just talked me through it.”
Bradley adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and glanced over at Elijah. Hearing Cameron’s words, Elijah looked up, almost instinctively meeting Bradley’s gaze.
Their gazes met-one warm and smiling, the other cool and unreadable.
Bradley said, half-joking, “Looks like your advice worked better than mine.”
Elijah replied calmly, “She decided on her own. I just helped her think it through.”
In other words, Elijah was saying no one could sway Cameron’s decisions.
Cameron said, “Both of you helped me, actually. So, I’ve decided that I’m going back to reunite with the Yates family.”
Bradley smiled. “That’s a great decision.”
Elijah asked, “So Cameron, you’re not going to the company for now?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah, school starts in a little over ten days, so I’ll just take a break until then.”
David hadn’t disappointed her; he did a great job running Aurevia Biotech.
Cameron didn’t plan to get involved in the management side anyway. Her focus was-and always would be-
“That’s good,” Bradley said. “You should spend some real time with your family before school starts.”
After all, bonds and great relationships were built from the moments spent together.
Cameron nodded. “That’s my plan for now.”
Elijah said, “Then I’ll go resign tomorrow too.”
Cameron asked, “You’re quitting?”
Elijah replied, “Yeah.”
Bradley pushed up his glasses. “Elijah, don’t tell me you’re quitting just because Cameron is?”
-on research and development.
Elijah glanced up at him, then shook his head. “No. School’s starting soon, so I figured I should start getting ready too.”
Cameron said, “You were just there to get some experience anyway, Elijah. You don’t have to go in anymore. I’ll let them know, and you’ll still get paid.”
Elijah nodded. “Alright.”
Bradley leaned back on the couch. “Man, I envy you two. Still on break while I’m stuck working.”
Elijah said, “Brad, you’re way ahead of us.”
They still looked like students, but Bradley already carried himself like someone who belonged in a boardroom.
Even though Cameron owned her own company, she still didn’t seem as mature as Brad.
She raised an eyebrow. “Well, Brad… that’s what happens when you’re too competent. More skills, more work.”
Bradley smiled but said nothing.
The next day, Lance couldn’t hold back and called Cameron. To be fair, it was s only after his parents had pushed him to do it about a hundred times.
Coincidentally, it was exactly the same time she’d left the hotel the day before. A full twenty-four hours, down to the minute.
As soon as the call connected, Lance spoke first, “Hey, Cameron. Have you made up your mind?”
Holding her phone, Cameron said calmly, “Yeah, I’ve decided.”
Lance had his phone on speaker. At that moment, the three of them-Lance, Jacqueline and Levi-were all sitting in the hotel room, crowded around the phone.
The second Cameron said she’d made up her mind, all three of them held their breath simultaneously.
Jacqueline was visibly shaking from nerves. Levi wrapped an arm around her shoulders, trying to calm her, even though he was just as tense. Even Lance’s palms were sweating for no reason.
With his throat tight and his parents watching him anxiously, Lance asked, “So, Cameron, what did you decide?”
Cameron said, “I’ve decided to go back with you.”
“Cam!” The moment Jacqueline heard that, she burst into tears. “Thank you. Thank you for being willing to come back to me. Can I come pick you up right now?”
Levi jumped in, his voice full of emotion. “Cam, I’m so glad you’re coming home. Where are you? We’re still at the same hotel as yesterday. Can we pick you up?”
Cameron said, “I’m at Noble Vista. Lance knows where it is.”
For once, the cold expression on Lance’s face completely disappeared, and he couldn’t stop smiling. “Cameron, no, Cam. I’m your older brother now.”
