- Cameron, what are you doing here? I just finished my day and I really don't have the energy to do it.
- Was I the cause of your depression nine years ago?
Violet looked at him, amazed before showing a panicked look.
- How do you know about that?
- The question is not how do I know it, but rather is it true?
Violet remained silent, avoiding his gaze and then put her things away casually. Talking about her past was the last thing she wanted to do with him.
- Your silence confirms my question. Violet...
He got closer to her the next day as she stepped back, without her even noticing.
- Non, Cameron, recule...
- I'm sorry, sincerely.
- It's not apologizing that you're going to make up for ten years of absence, so now clear the way for me.
- I am aware of this.
Violet sighed in annoyance before trying to make her way under his arms. But he got ahead of her, pressing her a little more against the wall and brought his face closer to hers.
- Cameron Quincy, let me pass.
- Since we saw each other again, you have started hostilities. You talk to me sarcasm, or you avoid discussion. But this time I'm not going to let you go.
- And what do you want us to talk about? Because I personally have nothing to say to you since I didn't have a say before you ended our relationship.
- I didn't want to inflict a long-distance relationship on you that I knew I wouldn't get involved in.
- You didn't ask my opinion that I know of! And my feelings in all this?
- I know that they are still there, they are still present.
- W.… What?
He took her chin between his two fingers and raised it to reach her eyes and lips.
- I know very well that you still have feelings for me.
- Whether I have it or not is not the problem. I let you break my heart once ten years ago, I'm going to let you break it once more and more of my soul.
- And do you think I was doing well when I abandoned you?! I hadn't even planned to leave, my trip was unexpected and urgent. I had no choice.
- Just like me, I had no choice but to forget you or else, I would never have gotten over it. Because you were the only man I loved so much in my whole life.
- But you haven't forgotten me. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been so upset when you saw me again.
- Nice to see that you are still so sure of yourself.
She abruptly disengaged herself before being held by the arm and pressed against his chest. At that very moment, shivers ran through his body. It had been a long time since she had had this closeness with him, but she also knew that she was no longer the same and that she had to resist at all costs.
- I know I'm going to wait a long time before I get your forgiveness but believe me I'll make sure you don't resist me for long.
- I have... Can't wait to see that.
Finally, he freed her from his grip. She gave him a tense smile before leaving her office. Fortunately, tonight, she didn't need to worry about closing it since the cleaning agent came an hour later to clean up before the next day and therefore would block after her passage.
Next day.
Layla arrived with a smile on her face, happy to see her friend back in her apartment. But as soon as she saw his stern face, she frowned, taken aback.
- Uh, did something happen to you? Why this murderous look?
- It's up to you to tell me.
- What am I ugly? Or did I promise you something I didn't do?
- No, you're very pretty and yes you broke a promise. Does a past depression of your best friend mean anything to you?
- Oh...
She sat down next to her and covered her with an affectionate look.
- Violet, you know me well enough to know that this kind of thing... I had to say it, he had the right to know that he had shattered my best friend's love life and dreams. It's not because he's at fault that he shouldn't know anything, otherwise how do you expect him to be forgiven?
- But you could have at least warned me before telling him!
- We both know that you would have refused.
- If you really did this in order to help me, then let me ask you a question. What do you really think of his return?
- Like any loving and normal sister, I am happy that he is back with us. But I'm also angry with him for what he did to you and he knows it.
- And you believe him when he tells you that he is really sorry and that he wants to redeem himself.
- Yes, I believe it, Violet and you too should try to believe it. I know he's not the perfect man but for you, yes, because you go very well together and, no need to deny it with me, I know that since he came back your feelings have returned.
Layla smiled again to lighten the atmosphere.
- At the same time I can't blame you, after ten years, he's hot, charismatic, and much more mature than before. He has also become one of the most handsome and single men but that's just a detail because I don't intend to let a single woman get a hold of him and I'm sure he doesn't either. He still loves you Violet.
- Are you in his camp or in mine?
- In both.
Violet sighed as she leaned back on the couch and plunged into her thoughts. Maybe Layla was right, but she couldn't help but still have a little mistrust of him. After all, it was normal, ten years had passed and there were certainly things she didn't know about him yet.
- I bet he had conquests like all the men of this earth.
- Yes, but his last conquest dates back four years, he was the one who told me. And she's married now. And no, not all men on earth necessarily have conquests but exes, yes.
- Yes...
- But tell me, yesterday you got out of it? You managed to sleep or you had dreams...
Seeing her friend's smile and mischievous look, she threw a cushion in her face.
- Layla Quincy! No, but what kind of ideas cross your mind, finally! Nothing happened, we talked like old friends getting together.
- Violet, Cameron and you, you never managed to become friends. During your first year of university; I remember you tempted him but we know how it ended: He was the first to kiss you in a way that made you understand that he wanted you more than a friend. And every time it was like that, you were the faithful friend of your so-called friendship and he, as soon as he found the opportunity, he kissed you without you expecting it.
- And in short, what do you mean by that?
- You can't be friends, friendship between you is impossible. Only love. And I know what I'm talking about. Now shopping spree. And in speed!