Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron pulled over, her tone soft. “Of course, I remember you, Mrs. Murphy. What can I do for you?”
During her tutoring days, Xander’s parents had been overwhelmingly kind, a stark contrast to their annoying son.
Gwen’s laughter tinkled through the speaker. “Oh, Cam, I’m so glad you remember me. Xan just told me you’re a girl. I’ve always dreamed of having a daughter. Would you mind if I came to see you sometime?”
Cameron’s grip tightened on the wheel. It was Xander’s scheming again.
Seeing that Cameron didn’t respond right away, Gwen continued, sweetness undimmed, “No pressure, dear. I just wanted to thank you for tutoring Xan. You refused our check. Oh, good girl. Are you free this weekend? We could go shopping.”
Xander, sitting next to Gwen, gave her a thumbs-up. He thought, ‘Once Mom gets Cam out shopping, and I stage a chance encounter. Genius plan!”
Gwen shot him a warning look. Cameron hadn’t agreed yet.
Cameron’s true gender had stunned Gwen, but she had immediately recognized Xander’s intentions. Cameron was exceptional, and if Xander wanted to pursue her, Gwen wouldn’t object. That was why she agreed to make the call.
Cameron replied politely, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Murphy, but I have to go home today. Maybe another time for shopping?”
“Go home?” Gwen asked, confused. “But your adoptive parents are…”
Cameron explained, “I meant my birth parents’ house.”
“Oh, you’ve found them? How wonderful, sweetheart.” Gwen sounded delighted.
After a few more minutes of small talk, Cameron firmly declined.
Xander’s face fell. Gwen patted his shoulder consolingly before switching tactics. “Cam, how about dinner tomorrow? I’d love to see you in a dress. You must look stunning.”
Cameron hesitated.
“Too busy? No worries. You pick the date, dear. Just let me know whenever you’re free, okay?” Gwen’s voice dripped with warmth.
Cameron finally relented. “Fine, Mrs. Murphy. Tomorrow night, my treat.” After all, her pharmaceutical startup’s seed money had come from tutoring
Xander.
“Oh, sweetheart, I couldn’t possibly let you pay.” Gwen trilled. “See you tomorrow night.”
“Alright, Mrs. Murphy. Just the two of us?” Cameron asked.
Gwen shot a glance at Xander, who was practically vibrating with anticipation. “Of course. Xan is always off at university, and his father’s buried in work.”
Cameron said, “Alright, “See you tomorrow then.”
The moment Gwen hung up, Xander engulfed her in a bear hug. “Mom, you’re the best! The best!”
Gwen laughed, patting his back, “Ease up. I can’t breathe.”
Xander released her. “Yes!” He jumped for joy at the thought of seeing Cameron the next day.
Watching his antics, Gwen’s expression softened. “Is this serious?”
Xander blinked. “Huh?”:
Gwen smiled, “Cameron. Are you serious about her?”
Xander scratched his head, grinning. “Dead serious. I fell for her at first sight, Mom.”
Gwen gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. “If this works out, you better treat her well. If you break her heart, I’ll break your legs myself.”
Xander froze.
Cameron drove to the Yates family’s private airstrip, then boarded a helicopter that carried her across the sea to Yates Manor’s rear garden.
As the cabin door opened, a line of staff in black suits stood at attention. The butler extended a gloved hand. “Welcome home, Ms. Yates.”
“Thank you.” True to her germophobic nature, Cameron bypassed his offered assistance and leaped down.
“Be careful, Cam.” Jacqueline rushed forward, arms outstretched as if to support Cameron.
Cameron embraced Jacqueline. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s not high.”
“It’s not about how high it is. You shouldn’t just jump like that,” Levi added, following closely behind.
They had been waiting in the garden for her arrival.
Linking arms with Levi, Cameron smiled, “Got it, Dad.”
Jacqueline kept looking at her, gently reaching out to touch her face. “You’ve lost weight. It’s only been a week. Has university days been too stressful?”
Levi studied her with equal intensity. “Yeah.”
Cameron smiled.
“We’ll fix that,” Jacqueline chuckled. “The kitchen’s prepared all your favorites.”
Levi ruffled Cameron’s hair affectionately. “Your mother has been planning this feast since yesterday. Time for some proper nourishment.”
Warmth bloomed in Cameron’s chest. “Thank you, Mom, Dad.”
This unconditional love still felt surreal. The happiness she had once never dared imagine before. She owed Bradley and Elijah for convincing her to reclaim her family.
Jacqueline smiled, “Silly girl. No thanks needed between us.”
“Helen is here too,” Levi added.
Cameron nodded. “Good.”
“She brought a handsome mixed-race boy,” Jacqueline said.
Cameron raised an eyebrow, curious. “Is Helen dating him?”
“She claims he is just a junior from school.” Jacqueline winked. “But judging by the way she looks at him, I’d say she likes him.”
Levi shrugged. “She’s nineteen. Dating is normal.”
“Oh?” Jacqueline teased. “Who decreed our daughter must wait until twenty?”
Levi said, “That’s different.”
Jacqueline tilted her head. “How?”
Levi paused, not sure how to respond.
Cameron watched her parents bicker with a smile.
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked into the main hall. At first glance, Cameron noticed two men sitting in the living room.
One was Gavin-dressed in his usual tailored suit, laptop’in hand, typing away. Despite his packed schedule, he had carved out time for this family lunch.
The other man was the mixed-race boy Helen had brought home.
At the sight of him, Cameron’s smile froze. Her face turned a bit cold. She thought, ‘Austin? Helen’s junior? Is this really a coincidence?’
“Cam!” Helen sprang from the couch, beaming.
“Helen.” Cameron nodded at her.
Austin, who had been sitting next to Helen, stood up politely. He and Helen were both music majors at the same music academy.
Helen bounded over. “Cam, this is my junior, Austin Fraser. Same year as you at Langford Academy. You must know each other?”
“Yeah, we’ve met.”
“Never seen him before.”
They spoke at the same time. Cameron’s denial sliced through Austin’s acknowledgment.
Austin smiled, “I know Cameron Wallace. Perhaps I simply didn’t make an impression.”
Helen corrected brightly, “Cam is back. She’s Cameron Yates now.”
Austin said with an apologetic smile, “My mistake.”
Cameron barely glanced at him before moving to sit beside Gavin. “Hey, Gavin.”
“Cam.” Gavin nearly fumbled his laptop, stunned by her proximity. Cameron had accepted him after bringing Pearl back to Yates Manor, but this was the first time she had voluntarily approached him.
“Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired?” The usually unflappable Gavin now fussed like an overeager butler.
