Novel Storm
98
98
Half an hour later, Claire stood at the entrance of Cedarhill Estate, holding Camila’s hand in disbelief. “You live here?”
Camila nodded, leading her mother into the neighborhood as the security guard at the gate smiled and nodded politely. “Ms. Camila, you’re back.”
Camila smiled in response.
Only then did Claire truly believe that her daughter lived in such an upscale community, feeling a touch of unease. “What does your company do? How can they afford to provide such nice accommodations for employees?”
Camila explained, “This apartment belongs to my boss. He doesn’t use it, so he let me stay here as company housing.”
Once inside, Claire seemed a bit uneasy and restless. The lavish decor and the sprawling apartment made it hard to believe it was just employee housing. “How many people live here?” RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
“Just me.” Camila handed her mother a pair of new slippers.
“Just you?” Claire’s heart raced, unable to avoid thoughts of hidden motives. She trusted her daughter’s character, but her mind couldn’t help but wander.
She opened the shoe cabinet, checking for any men’s shoes. Finding none, she felt somewhat relieved.
“Yes, come in and have a look around.” Camila was oblivious to her mother’s concerns.
“How much would rent be for a place like this?” Claire asked.
“A few thousand, I guess. I’m not really sure.” Camila led her mother to see the bedrooms. “I sleep in this one. The master bedroom is over there. I don’t use it since it’s someone else’s property.”
Claire checked every bedroom for any signs of male belongings and finally relaxed a bit. “Cami, your boss doesn’t have any other intentions, right?”
“Of course not!” Camila chuckled, “My old place was too far from work. I have to be there by seven or eight in the morning, and I often work late. So, my boss lent me this apartment.”
“How old is your boss?”
“27.”
Claire murmured, “So young and already so successful. He’s from a different world than us.”
Back in the day, Claire and her ex–husband were from two different worlds. After marrying into his family, she endured disdain and was ordered around despite her genuine efforts until she was ultimately abandoned. She didn’t want her daughter to suffer the same fate.
Camila laughed. Was her mother thinking she might have a romantic future with her boss?
Well…
Admittedly, something did happen once, but it stayed like that – just one night.
“Mom, what are you imagining? It’s purely professional, nothing else.”
“I trust you. I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did,” Claire said, holding her daughter’s hand tightly.
“I understand, Mom.”
Claire sighed. Camila hugged her mother, comforting her, “You’ve given me so much love. That’s my strength.”
“Cami, I have some photos to show you.” Claire pulled Camila to the sofa with a serious expression.
“What photos?” Camila asked.
“An old client of mine has suggested some potential matches for you. See if you like any.”
Claire had asked a trusted client to help find suitors for her daughter. The locals knew, and many came forward with proposals, but Claire wanted none of them. The locals, living off their parents‘ legacy with rental properties, were often arrogant, self–important, and unambitious. Claire didn’t care about money but finding someone reliable, responsible, and loving.
“This one’s a college professor, very dependable. This one’s a colleague of Craig, and he’s a traffic cop…” Claire almost thrust her phone Into Camila’s face.
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