Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron glanced at the butler.
‘Miss Yates?’ she thought. ‘How does the butler know my last name?’
Before, the butler had always called her Mr. Wallace. It had to be Bradley who told him.
In the end, Cameron didn’t refuse. They walked into the dining room together, where a table was set with five dishes and a soup. The food smelled amazing.
Bradley pulled a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet.
“Care for a drink?” he asked.
Cameron shook her head. “No thanks, I have to drive home later.”
Bradley nodded, a faint smile playing at his lips. He glanced up at the butler, who was busy opening the wine. The butler caught his eye.
Bradley asked, “Cameron Wallace? Cameron Yates? Which do you prefer?”
Cameron just shrugged. “Either’s fine.”
“Then can I call you Cam?” Bradley asked. It sounded almost the same.
Cameron thought he meant Cameron, so she nodded. “Sure.”
Bradley smiled, “Cam, what would you like to drink?”
Cameron replied, “Orange juice, please.”
The butler had just poured Bradley’s wine and nodded. “Miss Yates, one moment.”
He quickly brought over a pitcher of orange juice and was about to pour it for Cameron.
Bradley stood up and took the pitcher. “I’ve got it.”
The butler, sensing the moment, quietly stepped out.
Bradley poured Cameron a glass of orange juice and placed it in front of her.
“Thanks,” Cameron said.
Bradley sat back down, picked up his wine glass, and they clinked glasses lightly.
As he took a sip of his wine, Bradley asked, “Why did you turn me down?”
Cameron took a slow sip of her orange juice and replied honestly, “Brad, I’m really happy with how things are right now. I don’t want to mess that up.”
Bradley chuckled softly, “So, you don’t dislike me?”
‘Like?’ Cameron wondered. She couldn’t deny that being with Bradley was easy and pleasant. But that wasn’t really liking him, was it?
Back in her old life, she’d never fallen in love.
After more than a thousand years of world-hopping, she was even supposed to be. was basically just a machine, always finishing missions, never really understanding what love is love really more important than making money? No,’ she wondered.
Cameron said, “Brad, you deserve someone way better.”
As he peeled the shrimp, Bradley said, “You’re the best.”
Cameron was stunned for a moment.
Bradley casually slid the peeled shrimp over to her. He wiped his hands clean. He looked up, fixing his eyes on her. “Cam, could you not turn me down this time? Can we try being together-just see how it goes?”
‘Try being together?’ she thought. ‘Since when is dating something you just try out?’
Seeing Cameron fall silent, Bradley tried to coax her gently. “Cameron, you said you’re not ready for a relationship right now.
“But sooner or later, you’ll want to date and get married. What’s the difference if it’s a little earlier or a little later? Trust me. I’d be a great boyfriend”
“Let’s give it a shot, just for a month,” Bradley suggested with a smile. “If after a month you still don’t want to date, I promise I won’t bother you again.”
‘Try it? For a month?’ Cameron thought, feeling incredulous. ‘This is just absurd.’
She shook her head. “Brad, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.”
Bradley fell silent.
He let out a soft sigh and finally spoke. “Let’s eat first. The shrimp will get cold.”
“Okay.” Cameron nodded.
As they ate, Bradley casually mentioned, “I saw something on Austin’s Instagram.”
Cameron froze. Her hand, holding her chopsticks, paused in midair. She quickly explained, “Brad, don’t get the wrong idea.
“Austin has been pestering me for a while, and it’s honestly getting on my nerves. That’s why I deliberately let him misunderstand.”
“He’s been bothering you?” Bradley frowned. It had long been obvious that Austin had a thing for Cameron.
“Did he already know you were actually a girl?” Bradley asked.
Cameron nodded. “Yeah.”
Bradley asked, “How did he find out?”
Cameron replied, “I told him.”
Bradley stared at her. “So do the guys in Room 316 all know you’re a girl too?”
Cameron nodded again. “Yeah, they all know.”
Bradley asked, “So I’m the last to know, huh?”
Cameron said, “Looks like it.”
Bradley went quiet. Suddenly, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
‘Who cares if I’m the last to know?’ Bradley thought to himself. ‘Love isn’t about who gets there first anyway.’
Dinner went by with some light chatting.
Cameron got up. “Brad, i should get going.”
Bradley nodded. “Alright.”
Cameron looked at Bradley. “Brad, can we still be friends?”
Bradley adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “Cam, I wish I were your boyfriend”
Cameron left the dining room, went back to the living room, and took her down jacket from the coat rack to put it on.
Bradley walked her out to the yard.
Cameron’s car was parked out in the yard.
Bradley stood by the car, watching her as she was about to get in.
As soon as Cameron opened the door and set one foot inside, she could tell something felt off.
She got out, closed the door, and took a couple of steps back to check the car. That’s when she noticed both rear tires looked kind of flat.
Cameron was stunned for a moment.
Bradley noticed as well. He bent down to check. “Cam, looks like res are busted.”
Cameron sighed, “Brad, did you really have to do this?”
Bradley replied, “To make you stay.”
When smart people dealt with each other, there was no need to play games.
Cameron winced. “Ugh, my tires cost a fortune.”
Bradley said, “Here, take my debit card-just use it to get them replaced.”
Cameron frowned at him. “Brad, I’ve already told you how I feel. You really don’t have to do this.”
Under the night sky, Bradley slowly took off his gold-rimmed glasses. Without his glasses, his long, narrow eyes looked even more piercing and profound.
Bradley braced his hand against the car door, caging Cameron in. “Cameron, I’ve made myself clear, too. We can try.”
