Chapter 26

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We all walked back to the hotel in awkward silence.

I kept my distance from Joshua while he was glaring at his friends. They all had sly smiles on their faces.

Of all the times to walk in on us, they had to do it when he was about to kiss me. Thinking of that caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach all over again.

Did I want to kiss him? Better yet, would I have let him? Although I never got to dwell on it much because Elliot walked up beside me.

"So..." he said.

I groaned. "Don't okay? Nothing happened and nothing would have. Don't try to make a mountain out of a molehill that isn't there."

"I just said so," he mumbled.

"Elliot you know more than anyone that nothing would happen. I can't stand him," I said as I rubbed my wrists.

We walked through the main doors and headed to the elevators. He was about to respond to me when I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Amira?" Elliot asked.

But I wasn't paying attention to him. My focus was on the man who was now standing up from his spot on the couch.

He slowly walked over to me and stopped right in front.

"Mira."

"Cam," I said as my voice broke slightly.

I could sense everyone watching us but they all disappeared in the background. Cameron slowly stepped forward and cupped my face.

When he realised I was actually in front of him, he pulled me and crushed me against his chest. He tightened his arms around me so tight, but I didn't mind as I was doing the same.

"Mira, I knew it. I just knew it was you at that party. No matter how much you denied it, my heart knew it was you," he said as he pulled back a bit. "Do you have any idea how much I missed you? I looked for you everywhere and everyday. I only got a clue when you logged into the company server to do work and at the party."

"Cam-"

"No shut up. You've done everything you had to, now it's time to come home. I'm not letting you go away again. Come on, let's go." He tried to pull me along but I held his arm and tried to stop him.

"No Cam wait, I can't leave. Stop!"

But he wasn't having any of it and continued to drag me out. Joshua stepped forward and blocked his path.

Cameron stopped in his tracks causing me to bump into his back. "Move."

"I believe she said she doesn't want to go anywhere." Joshua said.

"And I believe I said move pretty boy." Cameron shot back.

Both of them stared each other down. I pulled Cameron away and made him look at me.

"Please, I can explain. Just listen to me once. Please Cam," I said as I cupped his cheek.

He stared at me a while before nodding his head. I smiled and started leading him to the elevators.

Everyone slowly followed us and we climbed into the elevator. It was a tense ride up. Everyone was eyeing Cameron suspiciously. I wanted to roll my eyes at their behaviour, Cameron was harmless.

He wouldn't let go of my arm, not even when we stepped through the penthouse doors.

We walked into the office board room where the guys walked over to computers. Only Joshua stayed close beside me and Cameron.

"Mira," Cameron said and I turned to face him. "Missed you."

I smiled truthfully for once and hugged him tightly. "Missed you too."

He pulled back and took hold of my hands but his smile dropped when he saw my wrists.

"What happened?"

I flashed Joshua a quick look before looking back at Cameron. "Nothing, it was an accident."

Although Cameron saw right through my lies and turned to face Joshua with a murderous expression.

"Did you do that to her?" He asked darkly.

Joshua didn't say anything and stared down Cameron. Apparently that was confirmation enough for him because punched he Joshua in the face suddenly.

"Cameron!" I shouted.

The guys charged forward. Elliot and Lucas helped Joshua while Ron and Johnathan held Cameron back.

"How fucking dare you hurt her?! She's been through more than enough, she doesn't need you making it worse you prick! Let me go!" He struggled against Ron and Johnathan but they had a tight hold on him.

"Let him go." I said.

Everyone turned to look at me but I was only looking at Cameron.

"He won't hurt Joshua again, just please let him go." I repeated.

Ron and Johnathan looked over at Joshua who nodded and they let him go.

I grabbed Cameron's arm and shook my head at him. "It was an accident, he didn't mean to hurt me. Calm down Cam."

He looked like he wanted to say more but seeing my expression stopped him.

"Can I talk to him alone please?" I asked everyone.

They all nodded and silently walked out. Elliot hesitated a little but I smiled at him and he walked out too. Joshua stared at Cameron and me before silently leaving as well.

"Cameron you can't just go punching people," I said when everyone was gone.

"He hurt you and no one hurts my Mira." Cameron said.

I gave him a sad smile. "You mean more than I'm already hurt?"

He walked over and pulled me against him. "What you doing here and who are these people?"

"Come, let's go to my room." I suggested.

"You have a room here?" He asked surprised.

"Temporary. Now come, we'll have more privacy there."

He nodded and we walked to my room. I closed the door behind him and told him to wait while I dried off.

I took a quick shower and dried my hair. I had forgotten my clothes so had to wrap the towel around myself.

Cameron was looking through the bookshelf when I opened the door. He smiled at me as I walked across the room. He stopped me and pointed at the bed. I saw he had laid out pair of sweats and one of his sweaters I had stolen.

I smiled at him and grabbed the clothes to change. I slipped the sweats on under the towel and removed it. I realised I had to change the bandages on my wrists first before I put on my sweater as they were still wet.

I sat down on the bed to remove the bandages. Cameron came over with the first aid box and re-bandaged them for me.

He had just finished when Joshua and Elliot barged into the room. When they saw that I didn't have a top on, they looked at Cameron questioningly.

Well Elliot looked, Joshua glared at him with fisted hands.

We both got off the bed and Cameron pushed me behind him so I was covered.

"Can we help you?" He asked them.

"We're just making sure Amira is okay." Elliot said casting a nervous glance at Joshua.

I smiled at him for being so caring even when I had yelled at him before.

"Well she's fine, the only danger she has of getting hurt is standing beside you."

Joshua was about to speak but Elliot held his arm out.

"Alright, we're just going to order some breakfast and wondered if you wanted anything." Elliot said before Joshua could say anything.

"You guys don't cook?" Cameron asked.

"Well before Amira, we would eat whenever we could from room service but then when she came, she would make us food. Right now her wrists need to heal so it's back to room service." Elliot explained.

"It's cool then, I'll make us something. Mira needs home cooked food to heal faster." Cameron said.

"You're our guest, we can't-"

"It's fine, I'm doing it for Mira anyways. I know she doesn't take care of herself." Cameron said.

"Guy, I'm right here and you know that I'm not a baby right?" I asked as I put on the sweater and stepped out from behind Cameron.

"Says the one wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater." Cameron teased.

"Hey! This is yours," I exclaimed.

"Yeah but you stole it." He shot back.

"Because it looks better on me, duh!"

"Everything looks good on you Mira," Cameron said smiling at me.

I returned the smile but it wavered when I looked back at Joshua. After the revelation I had back in the park, I didn't know how to feel around him.

"Mira?"

I turned back to Cameron who was looking between me and Joshua. I shook my head to make sure he didn't think anything was going on between us. He was quick to know what I felt with just one look so I had to assure him there was nothing.

He looked unconvinced but smiled back again nonetheless.

"Pancakes?" He asked.

My stomach instantly started growling. "OMG, yes! I have craved for your pancakes for months."

"All you had to do was come home."

My smile dropped and I started to feel guilty. "Cam not right now, please."

"Okay," he said nodding his head, "but after pancakes you have to tell me everything. And please call mom and dad, they miss you so much. Mom has asked about you everyday and dad feels like he failed both you and-"

"Yeah don't worry, we'll call them together." I said cutting him off.

He looked a little confused but thankfully didn't question me. I'll tell him later that I didn't tell them about Elena.

He walked past Joshua and Elliot but stopped when he realised he didn't know where the kitchen was.

"I'll show you." Elliot said and they walked off.

That left me and Joshua. I avoided eye contact and went to throw my wet clothes in my laundry hamper.

I could feel his eyes following me as I went around my room cleaning up.

"So that's Cam." He stated.

I froze midway between putting my hair up into a messy bun.

"You two sure are close."

I finished tying my hair up and walked out past him. I didn't have to justify anything to him.

"Are you together?" He asked me.

I paused when I heard him ask that but decided that what we were shouldn't concern him and kept on walking.

Just because I realised I felt something for him doesn't mean I'd act on it. Nothing is going to happen between us.

Cameron was flipping a pancake when I walked into the kitchen.

"Something smells good." I said coming to stand beside him. I jumped on to the counter as he poured some more batter in the pan.

He smiled as he continued to flip the pancakes. When he had made enough, he turned off the stove and started cleaning up.

I helped him so we'd finish faster. Everything was ready on the table when everyone else walked in.

Cameron and I were already sitting and eating when they started digging in. Cameron had my hands in his and was playing with my fingers.

"You okay?" He asked.

"No but I'm sure you expected that answer."

He grinned sheepishly. "Wishful thinking for an alternate answer."

Joshua walked in and stopped long enough to glare at Cameron. He sat down in his seat but didn't bother taking any pancakes.

"Holy shit, these are amazing. They're even better than Amira's," Lucas said with a mouth full.

I glared at him but he just continued stuffing his face. I rolled my eyes at him and turned to face Cameron again who was looking at Lucas with a bemused expression.

I smiled at him when he looked back at me and said don't bother asking. A strand of hair came lose from my messy bun and Cameron quickly tucked it behind my ear.

He was looking at me but my eyes were focused on Joshua. He looked ready to snap. I ate the rest of my meal with him glaring at me and Cameron. I was really contemplating whether I should throw a fork at him.

When we finished breakfast, Cameron dragged me back to my room so I could finally tell him everything.

I showed him the letter Elena had left me before I told him everything about River Pearson. When I had finished explaining the deal with Joshua, he remained silent.

His expression was unreadable but knowing my best friend, it meant he didn't think what I was doing was a good idea.

"Revenge is never the answer Mira," he said when he finally spoke, "you're going to land yourself in jail."

"I don't care. As long as that monster is dead, I'm willing to do anything." I said my rage boiling.

"Is that what Ellie would have wanted?" He asked me in a soft voice.

My anger immediately dissipated when he mentioned her. "I wouldn't know, her right to live was snatched from her."

"Mira, she took her own life-"

"Because she was raped and beaten multiple times by some psychopath! She endured everything so I wouldn't have to. She tried to protect me and it killed her. Now I'm going to kill that bastard if it's the last thing I do." I yelled.

"It very well may as be. You're treading on dangerous waters Mira." Cameron said.

"Cam, I can't live knowing whoever did that to my baby sister is still alive and free. I couldn't do anything for her while she was alive but I'll be damned if I don't do anything now." I said crying.

Cameron pulled me close and I buried my face in his shoulders. He let me cry until I finally pulled away.

"Well if you're going to try no matter what I say, then I'm in too. I'm not letting you fight this monster alone."

I smiled at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Did I ever tell you that you're my best friend and that I love you?"

"Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to hear it more often." He said smiling.

"I missed you so much," I said looking up at him.

He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. "I missed you more."

The feeling of being watched overcame me and I looked at the doorway to see Joshua standing there looking more mad than I've ever seen him.

"Elliot wants everyone to come and review last nights footage." He said through gritted teeth.

I nodded and lead Cameron out of the room. When we got to the board room, they had just finished setting up. We all took a seat as the footage started to play.

"Nice wig by the way," Cameron said when I came on screen.

I snorted a little and elbowed him silently. I saw Joshua watching our exchange but turned his attention back to the screen when we saw me looking.

The footage of me tricking Pearson played through before Cameron cut in for a dance. Soon after, the video of me finding Pearson getting it on with another girl filled the screen and I made Elliot turn it off.

"I have no words to describe him." Cameron said when the video turned off. "Did he really kill all your parents?" He asked everyone.

Everyone either gave a sullen nod or mumbled a quiet yes.

"I can't believe this psychopath is free still. Mira I don't like you being so close to him, it's dangerous. How can you guys just let do all this? Aren't you the least bit concerned about her safety?" Cameron asked accusingly.

"We don't like it either but it needs to be done if we're going to put Pearson in jail. Besides, we won't let anything happen to her, we're always in the background ready to help." Elliot said defending themselves.

He wanted to argue more but I silenced him by putting my hand on his arm.

"I'm perfectly safe Cam, besides I only ever meet him in public locations."

"Bro she doesn't even need us to help defend her, she's a damn good fighter. The amount of times I've seen her beat dudes up for being inappropriate. Heck, she even punched Pearson in the face." Lucas said excitedly.

"Inappropriate guys?," Cameron asked worried. "What inappropriate guys? Did guys try to get physical with you Mira?"

I glared at Lucas who chuckled nervously.

"Relax Cam, it was handled." I said reassuringly.

"Mira I can't relax, how do you expect me to? This is all so dangerous, I just can't-"

"Breath Cam," I said cutting him off, "breath. I'm fine, see? No damage physical whatsoever."

"I beg to differ," he said indicating at my wrists.

I saw Joshua tense a little and the other guys threw nervous glances between Joshua and Cameron.

I shook my head at Cameron to tell him to stop instigating Joshua but he just rolled his eyes.

"Okay come on, mom and dad are waiting to talk to you," Cameron said standing up.

He pulled me to my feet gently and dragged me back to my room.

We video-called them on my laptop. I fiddled my hands while the call went through.

This was nerve-wracking. How would I face them? I just up and left without so much as an explanation. They were bound to be so mad.

However my worries were futile as they were just happy I was okay. Aunt Monica started crying the moment she saw me. Uncle David was much calmer but I could see unshed tears in their eyes.

They were like my parents, in fact they were practically my parents. They raised me and Elena when our parents died and loved us so much. I felt terrible for leaving them without telling them why.

But Cameron explained everything I had told him. To say they weren't happy would be an understatement.

"Revenge? Amira do you have any idea how stupid and dangerous that is? Come home this instant." Uncle David said angrily.

I shook my head with tears in my eyes. "I can't, not until Elena's rapist and murderer is either in jail or dead."

"Amira, baby girl, you'll get yourself hurt." Aunt Monica said crying.

"I have to do this aunt Monica, Elena won't be at peace otherwise."

"You really think your sister wants you to kill someone for her?" Uncle David quipped.

I cast my eyes down and fiddled with my hands. "What she wants doesn't matter anymore, she isn't here."

They both grew quiet and I knew I struck a cord. Elena meant the world to us and having her gone was hard on all of us.

"Just please be careful and Cameron," uncle David said turning his attention to his son, "look after her. Bring her home as soon as you can."

"Always, I won't let her leave me...I mean us, again." Cameron said looking at me.

They both stated that we were to call them everyday to check in and that we be safe or else. I hung up after saying I love you.

I leaned back in my chair smiling. They weren't mad.

I felt a kiss on my forehead and opened my eyes to see Cameron smiling down at me.

"Missed you." He said.

"You have said that to me like a billion times today."

"Well it's true, I did miss you. Every minute of every day." He said smiling sadly.

I stood up and hugged him. "I'm sorry for leaving but you know I had to."

"I know, just don't do it again." He said ruffling my hair.

I pulled back and nodded.

"So want to give me a tour? This place seems huge."

I nodded again and led him out of the room. We went up to the higher floors until we got to attic where I made a makeshift movie theatre.

"This has your handy work written all over it," he said as he plopped down on the cushions.

I shrugged and put in a movie before going to sit beside him. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to his side.

"I'm guessing this is going to be a Disney movie."

"Big Hero 6." I said as the movie started.

He chuckled a little but then quieted down.

Since I didn't sleep last night, I dozed off within the first 15 minutes of the movie. I woke up slightly when Cameron lifted me and started carrying me down the stairs. I snuggled in closer and went back to sleep. I awoke again with a start in the middle of the night. These nightmares will be the death of me.

I heard a slight snoring from beside me and looked over to see Cameron sound asleep.

I got out of the bed slowly and walked out onto the balcony. However I wasn't alone, Joshua was also out on his.

"Your best friend finally left you alone?" He asked when I stepped out.

I ignored his jibe and focused my gaze out onto the mountains.

"Elliot offered him his own room but he insisted on sleeping in your room."

"Doesn't matter, he's done it many times

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