Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
They stayed so long that their legs started to go numb.
“My legs are completely dead,” Jacqueline finally murmured.
Levi carefully helped her up. “Alright, let’s go get some rest. Our baby’s home now, and we’ll get to see her every day, stare at her all we want.”
Still, even as he said that, he couldn’t stop glancing back at Cameron. At the door, neither of them could bring themselves to leave.
“If she were still little,” Jacqueline sighed, “we could’ve just climbed in and slept with her.”
Levi chuckled. “We still could. But I think our precious girl might not be so into that.”
Hearing this, Cameron didn’t move, but her chest tightened. Tears welled up and slipped silently down her cheeks.
When she was little, all she ever wanted was to sleep with her parents.
Milena had gotten that. From birth until she turned ten, she slept nestled between her parents every night.
Little Cameron, on the other hand, was left alone in the next room. She didn’t know how to pull up the covers and would often wake up cold in the middle of the night.
She’d lie awake, listening to the laughter coming from Milena and her parents next door. All she could do was envy them.
She wanted to call out to them, but they’d already closed the door behind them.
It didn’t matter if they slept beside her; what mattered was that they loved her, and she could feel their love in everything they did.
A smile tugged at her lips. She thought this must be what happiness felt like, and it was an even better feeling than scoring first place in the college entrance exam or getting the three-million-dollar cash prize.
Later, her parents came by to check on her a few more times. Cameron pretended to be asleep, and before she knew it, she really did fall asleep.
She slept through the entire night, and no one came to wake her up. Her parents just wanted her to get a proper rest.
After Cameron got up and washed her face, she opened her bedroom door, only to be stunned by a whole row of designer handbags stacked right outside.
“You’re up, Cam?” Gavin perked up the second he saw her. He’d clearly been waiting outside her room forever. The moment he saw her, his usually unreadable, handsome face lit up.
Cameron shot him a glance and started heading downstairs. But Gavin stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
Cameron frowned. “Could you move?”
“Cam…” Gavin was still all smiles. “Look, all these bags, jewelry, and accessories are my gifts to you. Check them out and tell me if you like them.”
Cameron had no words. She glanced over, and behind the row of designer bags was a pile of expensive necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and whatnot.
Gavin looked at her expectantly. Cameron glanced at him and said flatly, “Gavin, you really don’t have to do this. I know you don’t like me, so you don’t need to put up an act.”
Gavin was disappointed that she spoke to him so coldly, but even so, he was still smiling. “Cam, I don’t dislike you.”
Cameron gave him a look. She was 18 years old, not eight. She could tell when someone meant what they said. Frowning, she said, “Excuse me.”
Gavin could tell Cameron didn’t really want to talk to him. Afraid she’d end up hating him even more, he finally stopped pestering her and stepped aside.
Cameron made her way downstairs, and Gavin followed after her. Lance and their parents were in the living room downstairs, waiting for Cameron.
As soon as Jacqueline heard her coming, she looked up and broke into a big smile. “Good morning, Cam. You’re up.”
“Morning, Mom.” Cameron stepped into the room.
Jacqueline took her hand gently, while Levi asked dotingly, “Sweetheart, how’d you slo
Cameron smiled. “I slept great.”
Her parents exchanged a glance.
Her parents exchanged a quick look, thankful that Cameron didn’t s seem to know they’d crept into her room the night before.
Lance teased, “Wow, new bed and you slept like a rock?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah, it doesn’t bother me.”
Truthfully, with all the love and comfort she was surrounded by, there hadn’t even been time to feel out of place.
Gavin stepped forward again, grinning. “Cam, are you hungry? Breakfast is amazing today. Want me to take you to the dining room?”
“No,” she replied.
That totally caught Gavin off guard.
Lance burst out laughing, totally unsympathetic. Meanwhile, their parents said in unison, “Cam, just ignore him.”
Cameron nodded. “Okay.”
Gavin was rendered speechless.
“Come on, Cam. I’ll take you to breakfast,” Lance said, raising his eyebrows at Gavin on purpose.
“Sure,” Cameron agreed this time.
Once again, Gavin had no words. He could only watch as their parents and Lance all crowded around Cameron as they headed to the dining room together.
Gavin let out a sigh, knowing he deserved this for treating Cameron poorly in the first place.
Gavin followed them into the dining room and sat across from Cameron, with Jacqueline and Levi sitting on either side of her.
The once warm and lively family vibe instantly froze the moment he walked in.
Gavin was stunned, thinking, ‘What did I do this time? Why did everyone clam up as soon as I showed up?’ again.
A few moments later, the dining room was buzzing with chatter and laughter agai
“Cam, what do you usually have for breakfast? Do you like pasta?” Jacqueline asked with a smile.
Cameron replied, “I love it, Mom. I usually eat breakfast at the company cafeteria. I’m not picky with what I eat.”
Lance said, “I almost forgot you’re working a summer job.”
Hearing that, Levi looked heartbroken. “Sweetheart uit that summer job, okay? However much you need, I will wire it to you.”
Gavin jumped in, “Cam, I got money too. Just give me your bank account number and I’ll transfer you some.”
Cameron just shot Gavin a glance, then turned to Levi. “Dad, I really don’t need any money right now. I just… want to experience life a little.”
She wasn’t planning to tell her parents about her company just yet. It was still in its early days, and she wanted to wait until she had some accomplishments before letting them know.
For now, she really wasn’t short on cash.
A month ago, Eric called to tell her that her collection, titled “The Starry,” which she designed, was almost ready and would be hitting the market soon.
Once her collection launched, she’d be getting a pretty nice payout.
Levi doted on her. “Even if you don’t need it, I’ll still give you some. You’re about to start college, so you need pocket money. Don’t worry up. Your dad’s got money.”
Feeling the love, Cameron didn’t bother rejecting him again. She smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”
Jacqueline smiled. “Cam, I will give you some pocket money too. Spend iter you like.”
Cameron grinned. “Thanks, Mom.” y about saving
“Cam, you’re going to get pocket money from me too. Even though I’m still a student like you, I’ve been making some investments on the side, and the returns are pretty decent. Send me your bank account number later and I’ll transfer you some money.”
Cameron nodded. “Thanks, Logan.”
Gavin quickly chimed in, “Cam, me too. I’ve been working for years and I’m doing pretty well. However much you want, just let me know.”
Cameron took a slow sip of her soup before looking at Gavin and said, “How about 300 trillion dollars? Can you give me that?”
Gavin was stunned, wondering exactly how much was that.
Lance started counting on his fingers. “Cam, how many zeroes is that, anyway?”
Cameron smiled. “No idea. I just made it up.”
Lance burst out laughing. “Someone’s probably regretting things big time right now.”
Gavin stayed silent, but he absolutely regretted it, not just how he’d acted toward Cameron when she first came home, but also for not having 300 trillion dollars.
If he actually had 300 trillion dollars, he thought maybe Cameron would forgive him.
Gavin looked at Cameron hopefully. “Cam, if I really made that much for you, would you forgive me?”
