ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟞
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"Hey, Dix, can you unblock me? I'm still blocked on here."
Cameron says, scrolling through his phone while I am looking for an outfit to wear. My walk-in closet is all messed up from the weekend- I'll clean it later.
Today was dinner with Cameron's family. After dinner, Ralph West-Cameron's father- was going to host a business party to celebrate his company's 10th anniversary. His father was strict about him following the family business.
I remember asking Cameron why he didn't join and became a firefighter instead. He said something about making a name for himself, and not just as "Ralph West's son." I think that's what I liked about him. He wasn't afraid to separate from the crowd.
I glance towards him. "I don't think you deserve to be unblocked yet."
I hear him dramatically sigh before footsteps come my way. He wraps one arm around my waist while the other grabs my phone from the bookshelf. He leans down just enough to whisper.
I can feel his breath on my ear. "You know I can't stand it when you ignore me. Now what's your password?"
He puts the phone in my view. I try snatching it away but he's too quick.
My sports bra was still on and suddenly I felt exposed as his grip tightened. "I won't tell you- let go of me."
He doesn't.
"Cameron," I continue, "give me my phone."
He tilts his head like he's considering negotiations. I spin around so I'm facing him.
"You're really committed to this 'punishment arc,' huh? I didn't know you liked that- kinky, Dixie." he says, holding the phone just a little higher.
I feel my face get hot. I sure was grateful for my melanin at that moment, or else I would've been as red as a tomato. "You're filthy!"
I smack his side. That earns a short laugh from him.
Finally, he loosens his grip enough that I can step back and actually breathe normally again. The phone is still in his hand, but the pressure is gone. The moment deflates back into something closer to teasing than tension.
Still, I reach out again. "Hand it over."
"You're bossy today."
"Cameron, this is why you're blocked!"
He exhales through his nose, not backing down just yet.
"You know," he says, voice smooth. "this would be easier if you just gave me the passcode."
I snatch a hanger off the rack a little harder than necessary. "It would be easier if you stopped acting like my phone is yours."
His mouth curves slightly. He pushes off the shelf and comes closer again, slower this time.
"Dixie," he says, softer now, like he's trying a different angle, "just give me the code."
I finally turn to face him fully. "You already have it, Cameron. Stop bothering me."
"I forgot it," he admits, sighing.
That earns a deafening glare from me.
"You forgot your own way into my phone?"
"I remember important things," he replies smoothly. "Like your coffee order, your schedule, the face you make when you finish-"
I quickly interrupt his inappropriate words. "That's not the same category as my passcode."
"It is when I want access to my favorite person."
I roll my eyes so hard it feels like a full-body movement. "Gosh, you're annoying."
"Love you too." he says playfully.
He tilts his head, waiting in a way that's more persuasive than pushy. That's what makes it annoying. He doesn't rush me. He stands there like he knows I'll eventually cave just to move the moment along.
"5-32-35." I say, folding a sweatshirt I should've washed a week ago.
"Thank you, baby." he says. I can tell he's smiling.
"There, I'm unblocked." He continues, placing the phone back gently in my hand.
"Gosh," I say, already turning it off and tucking it into my bag.
Cameron leans against the bookshelf now, watching me dig through hangers like a crazy person. "You know," he says casually, "your closet is all messed up."
"I had a weekend," I reply without looking at him.
"Need help deciding on what to wear?" He comes closer, helping me search through my long rack of dresses.
"No..no," I push at his chest slightly, and he stumbles back a bit. "I just need to know what the vibe is supposed to be."
He exhales, thinking. "Formal, classy, elegant. Basically everything you are. I'm sure you'll look great in anything."
I scoff at his snappy compliment before moving a whole 'nother rack. "Your family's exhausting."
"Tell me about it. My dad loves this stuff."
I glance at him mid-shuffle. "What about you?'
His eyes sparkle like he got shocked I asked about him for once.
"I tolerate it, mostly for appearances. And because leaving early would start a whole speech about responsibility and legacy and whatever else he's rehearsed since I was twelve."
I nod slowly, filing that away in the depths of my mind.
I know what they expect from him. I also know how much his father hates the fact that he's a firefighter instead of sitting in some corner office wearing thousand-dollar suits every day.
"So you're going as the firefighter who disappoints his billionaire father in a well-tailored outfit," I say.
He smirks. "Basically."
I can feel his gaze on me as I look for what to wear. He pushes off the wall, and picks up a hanger I already passed.
"What about this one?" he says, gently, running his hands through the fabric. "You'll look stunning in this beauty."
The dress hangs from a black velvet hanger, long and elegant. It's a dark red. It actually matches perfectly- Cameron would be wearing a scarlet suit. How'd I not see this dress before? I roll my eyes and take it from him.
His grin immediately widens. "Oh, she's considering it."
"I guess." I say, walking into the bathroom and getting changed. The moment the bathroom door shuts behind me, I lean back against it and stare at the dress hanging from my hand. I glance at my reflection in the mirror.
It was just a piece of fabric. I don't know why I was being so difficult. Perhaps it was because the last time I had a dress on I actually liked my body.
My hair is still clipped up messily from this morning, my sweater hangs halfway off one shoulder. I look less like a successful lawyer and more like a homeless person.
I peel off my clothes and carefully step into the dress, making sure not to cause any rips. Hey, you never know if a dress from three years ago still fits. The material slides against my skin smoothly.
Once it's fully on, I turn toward the mirror. For a second, I genuinely don't recognize myself, the red is darker than I remembered. Very elegant. Rich, if you must.
The dress hugs my waist before flowing down toward the floor. My fingers smooth over the fabric. Maybe Cameron was right.
Outside the bathroom, I can hear drawers opening and closing. Cameron also deciding on what to wear. I wonder what he would think of my dress- but then I remember, why do I care about what he has to say?
I move toward the sink and begin fixing my makeup. I wasn't trying to impress anybody, especially not Cameron's family. The less I thought about them, the better.
Cameron's mom-Polly-was infamous for her unnecessary nitpicking on me. The woman could probably criticize oxygen if given enough time.
By the time I finish my makeup, my hair has become the next task.
My hair wasn't that hard to deal with, I think. I basically just spray water on it, and brush it into a low ponytail for work. Or I just let it all out if I'm not feeling it.
Twenty minutes later, I finally settle on a half-up style- simple curls falling over my shoulders while the rest is packed into a simple red claw clip.
Finally, I was done. When I finally step out of the bathroom, Cameron is standing in front of the bedroom mirror adjusting his cuffs.
He looked ridiculously good- his scarlet suit fits perfectly, the white shirt underneath is crisp and ironed, his dirty blonde hair is pushed back neatly with a few strands out just for style.
The expensive watch on his wrist catches the light.
I hate rich people. Specifically, this rich person.
The moment he looks up, he smiles. "You look.."
His words drag off, his gaze slowly travels from my heels to my face, then back down again.
"Just stop, Cameron." I frown, already expecting some mediocre comment at best.
He furrows his eyebrows, his smile faltering slightly. "No, no. Sorry, I was trying to find the right words to describe how amazing you look."
His throat bobs. When he finally speaks, his voice is quieter. "You look incredible."
I immediately look away. I really didn't need to be fawned over. It was ridiculous-I wasn't that special. Yet somehow Cameron never seemed to get that memo.
I reach for my earrings on the dresser, pretending to be very interested in fastening them correctly. Behind me, I hear his footsteps. What more could he want from me now?
"Cameron." I groan.
"Mrs. West." he groans back sarcastically.
"You make me sound dangerous." he continues, glancing at me.
"You are dangerous."
"How?"
I gesture vaguely toward him. "Look at yourself."
His eyebrows lift. "What does that mean?"
"It means you look dangerous."
He looked dangerous as in his looks were captivating.
"You look beautiful though." He tells me.
He laughs quietly before wrapping his arms around my waist. I almost gasp. "If anybody says something to you tonight, they answer to me." His voice is low.
I laugh despite myself. "What are you going to do?"
"What do you think a firefighter can do?"
"A firefighter would probably fight fires." I say, sarcastically.
"Probably." He says.
If Cameron could physically crawl into my skin and live there permanently, I think he'd consider it. The thought makes me laugh.
"What?" He notices me laughing,
"Nothing."
"Tell me."
"No."
"Dixie." He immediately starts poking my side.
I jump. "Cameron!"
"What were you laughing at?" he laughs quietly
"Stop that. I'm not telling you."
"Are you ready to go? It's almost time." I ask, looking at the time on my phone. The Wests did not like lateness.
Cameron smiles at me before yanking my arm, pulling me with him. "Let's go."
~