Chapter 15 #2
“I know it’s late notice. I’m sorry. This week’s been crazy with wrapping the film. Alex only reminded me this morning.”
“Umm...”
“So will you come? I really want my parents to get to know you better. This would be perfect.”
She swallowed. Her brain working overtime to find a way out. Then she hit on one.
“What about us not being open? The press could be there.”
“Why would the press be at my parents’ church?”
“Well… they’re a famous couple. Wedding anniversaries of famous people are documented. Some eager photographer might hang around hoping for a shot. And there I would be.”
He paused.
“I suppose that’s possible.” Another beat. “Okay, fair enough. You don’t have to come to church. But you can come to their house for lunch afterward.”
Her pulse quickened. There was no graceful way to decline twice.
“Sure,” she said carefully. “Sure.”
“Great. See you later. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She ended the call and stared at her reflection in a prop mirror. She needed to find a way to leave early.
After the next scene break for lunch at 12:30 p.m., she searched for Simon. He wasn’t on set. She dialed him.
“Hi, Simon,” she said when he answered. “I have to leave early.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“I’m not feeling well.”
A pause. “What’s the matter?”
“My stomach.”
Another pause. Suspicion threaded his tone. “Go see the nurse. Maybe she can prescribe something. Rest a bit. Then continue.”
She inhaled slowly. How things had changed. Once, everything revolved around her. He would have shut down production at the slightest discomfort.
“No,” she said evenly. “It’s not something that can be fixed like that.”
“Why not? How would you know? Are you a RN?”
“I’ve felt this way before. I know the symptoms. I need rest. That’s the only way it passes.”
Silence.
A full minute.
Finally, reluctantly: “Alright. Go ahead. But whatever you need to do, you do it. I expect you on set bright and early tomorrow. If you’re not, our deal is off.”
Her grip tightened on the phone.
“I’ll be there.”
She hung up.
One deception layered upon another. She told herself it was temporary. Necessary. Just a couple more days. For now, she would drive across town, smile beside Aaron, sit at his parents’ table, and pretend she had nothing to hide.
~*~*~*~
“Welcome,” Dana Cortelli greeted Camille at her home, wrapping her in a warm hug.
Camille handed over the gift she had rushed to the mall to pick up. Unsure what to buy the couple who had everything, she’d called Aaron for advice. He’d told her Dana’s favorite perfume and Robert’s favorite cologne, so she’d bought them.
“Oh, thank you, Camille. That’s so nice of you.”
“My pleasure.”
Tiny running feet sounded against polished floors and Madison appeared.
“Miss Camille!” she exclaimed, launching herself into Camille’s open arms. “I thought you’d have come to church with us.”
Camille pasted on a smile, but she was spared from answering when Aaron appeared.
And he looked good enough to eat.
That longish hair brushing his shoulders. Those sexy eyes. The trim beard. The black jeans topped by a soft grey jersey shirt that fit him just right.
When he leaned in and hugged her, it was all she could do not to collapse into his arms. The fact that his mother was standing there watching was the only thing that kept her upright.
Throwing his arm around her, he said, “The gang’s here. Now that you are, we can eat.”
“Sorry about the delay,” Camille muttered. “I was caught up in something else that was occupying my time.”
“What was it?”
She shrugged. “Just stuff.”
He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “That’s fine. Alex only got here ten minutes ago anyway.”
She followed him into the living area where the family were engrossed in a game of dominoes while Sunday football blared from the television.
“Look who has arrived,” Aaron announced.
Everyone glanced up, smiling in greeting, then returned to their tiles.
Aaron reclaimed his seat and played out his hand. A few minutes later the game ended, and Aaron was declared the winner.
“Yes!” he said jubilantly.
“Well, you had inspiration the rest of us didn’t,” Adam drawled, giving him a deadpan look.
Aaron shook his head. “I was winning before Camille got here, so don’t even try that.”
They all moved out to the terrace where the meal had been laid buffet-style. Waiting staff stood discreetly at attention, ready to serve.
Once seated at the long table already set for them, Robert offered prayers. Then they ate.
“So, what’s it been like working with these two Cortelli men?” Dana asked, turning to Camille. “And the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
Camille swallowed, dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
“Well, Robert was wonderful from the get-go as Mordecai. Very patient, very kind. Delivered his lines with accuracy.” She paused. “His son, however… well… he was a bit of a tyrant…”
“Tyrant? Really?” Aaron asked, watching her in mock outrage.
“Well… your mom asked me to be truthful,” she replied, batting her eyes.
“You’re a traitor, that’s what you are,” he said. “Let me tell you about this one. She decided at some point during filming that she knew better than me and began to do her own thing.”
“I did?” she asked, all innocence.
“Yeah. You did. But she repented and changed her ways. So I forgave her.”
Camille laughed. “I thought it was you who repented and changed your ways, Xerxes.”
“Oh, is that the story you’re going with?” he asked, laughing.
“Yeah, that’s my version and I’m sticking with it.”
They dissolved into laughter.
Conversation drifted after that—to the sermon at church, to politics, to movies. Aaron asked if Camille if she had gone to his church or hers.
“Neither,” she responded as she focused on slicing her meat.
She noticed from her peripheral vision that Aaron seemed about to question her further but his brother, Damian, asked him a question about his church.
Aaron turned to respond to him and never returned to the question he was about to ask Camille, much to her relief.
She was wary now of heaping deceit upon deceit.
After the main meal they collected dessert and drifted back into the living room. Camille sat next to Aaron on the couch and became engrossed in the football game with the Cortelli men.
Soon Dana invited her to join a game of Garbage with her and Alexandra.
“Garbage? I’ve never played that.”
Alexandra waved a hand. “We can teach you in no time.”
Within minutes Camille understood the rudiments. It was simple—players tried to fill their ‘slots’ in numerical order. It required little strategy, perfect for chatting while playing.
Camille asked Alexandra if the art showing had been successful.
“Yes, I was really pleased with the reception,” Alexandra said. “I sold many pieces.”
“I ordered one, but they told me it was already sold.”
“Really? Which one?”
Camille glanced over at Aaron, who was animatedly commenting on the football. “The one of him.”
“Oh. That was returned.”
“What? Why?”
“The person who ordered it apparently didn’t have the money. She made a down payment, but when the deadline passed she couldn’t pay the remainder, so it was returned.”
“They didn’t tell me. I asked the attendant at the gallery to inform me if anything changed. She didn’t contact me.”
Alexandra shook her head. “This only unfolded late last week, so perhaps they are planning to contact you this week. Just give me your address and contact information and I’ll make sure they reach out to finalize the purchase.”
“Oh, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I love that painting. You did such an amazing job reflecting Aaron’s personality. Can you keep the purchase a secret? I want to surprise him.”
Alexandra nodded. “Sure and thanks for the compliment. He’s fun to paint. He may be better at taking direction than giving it.”
Camille shook her head. “Listen, I was only kidding back there. Aaron is a terrific director. I was the one who was a pain to direct—but we worked it out in the end.”
Dana laughed. “We know. Robert gave us the rundown.” Then she grew serious. “Thank you for what you’ve done for him.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s been a light missing from his eyes for a while. It has reappeared since you. I am so grateful he has found love again.”
The evening unfolded beautifully—more games as a family, then one of Robert’s classic movies. He sat cuddled up with Dana, while Camille and Aaron sat close together, sharing popcorn, nachos with cheese, and coffee.
At the end of it all, Aaron walked her to the door.
“I feel as though I should drive you home,” he lamented.
“And do what with my car?”
“I’ll let one of my brothers drive it behind me. That’s what.”
She laughed, leaning into him as his arms enveloped her. “No, that’s not necessary, Aaron. I’ll be fine.”
“I really missed you at church today,” he said into her hair. “I almost left to go pick you up. I didn’t even care if some paparazzo saw us anymore. Hang them.”
Her heart began to thud in her chest. What would have happened if Aaron had turned up at her house and she wasn’t there?
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
The saying echoed in her mind.
Perhaps he felt the tension in her body, because he leaned back and searched her face.
“Are you okay?”
She swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. I’m probably just tired.”
“That’s it. I’m calling Damian. I am not letting you drive home tired.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not too tired to drive home, Aaron. I promise. Plus, it’s only twenty minutes. I’ll be there in no time.”
With a reluctant sigh, he let her get into the car. “Call me as soon as you get home, alright?”
“Yes. I will,” she said, meeting his lips as he leaned down and gave her a searing kiss.
As she drove home, Camille reminded herself that the deception would soon be over. Just one and a half more days—and she would confess everything to Aaron.