Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Camilla stepped out of the private elevator into her penthouse, the soft ding of its arrival barely audible over the music drifting from the kitchen.
She paused, a smile tugging at her lips as she recognized the melody of "Killing Me Softly.
" The scent of garlic and herbs wafted towards her, warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the usual silence and emptiness that typically greeted her upon returning home.
The past week had been pure bliss, with Jade staying longer than initially planned.
What was supposed to be a few days had seamlessly stretched into a week, and Camilla found herself hoping it would never end.
Each morning, she woke to the warmth of Jade beside her, and each evening, she returned home to find her girlfriend had breathed life into the apartment.
Quietly, she slipped off her heels and padded across the polished hardwood floor, drawn towards the heart of the apartment where soft light spilled from the open kitchen. As she approached, she smiled at the sight before her.
Jade stood at the kitchen island, wholly engrossed in the task of assembling a lasagna.
Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy bun, wisps escaping to frame her face.
She wore one of Camilla's oversized shirts, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and a pair of leggings.
A smudge of flour dusted her cheek, and her brow was furrowed in concentration as she carefully layered pasta sheets.
But it was Jade's voice that held her transfixed. She sang along to the radio, her clear, sweet tones filling the kitchen. As she worked, Jade swayed to the music, lost in her own world of melody.
Camilla leaned against the doorframe, content to watch unnoticed for a while.
Her heart swelled with an emotion she couldn't quite name - a mixture of tenderness, awe, and a deep, abiding affection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
Jade was so beautiful like this, so utterly herself, free and unguarded in a way that made Camilla's chest ache with the privilege of witnessing it.
As she observed Jade, Camilla was struck by how different her kitchen looked.
The space that had once felt cold and unused now hummed with life.
The marble countertops were dusted with flour, a collection of spices and herbs scattered nearby.
A pot of sauce simmered on the stove, and the rich aroma of baking garlic bread filled the air.
As the song drew to a close, Jade belted out the last chords as she placed the final layer of cheese on top of the lasagna. Camilla couldn't help herself; she began to applaud, startling Jade out of her reverie.
She spun around, her eyes wide with surprise. A blush crept up her neck as she realized she'd been caught in her private performance. She let out a laugh, a mix of embarrassment and delight. "How long have you been standing there?"
Camilla grinned, pushing off from the doorframe and stepping into the kitchen. "Long enough to know that I'm dating a star," she teased. "Hi, honey. I'm home."
Jade's blush deepened, but her smile was radiant. "You're making me shy," she protested weakly.
"Don't be," Camilla said, crossing the room to stand before her. "That was beautiful. Will you sing me another song?"
Jade laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe later. Right now, I want you to taste this sauce I've made." She reached for a wooden spoon, dipping it into the remainder of the sauce on the stove. "Careful, it's hot," she warned, blowing on the spoon before offering it to Camilla.
Camilla leaned in, her eyes never leaving Jade's as she tasted the sauce. The flavors exploded on her tongue - rich tomato, fragrant herbs, a hint of garlic. "Mmm. That's delicious."
"Yeah? It's my mom's recipe. She swears by adding a pinch of nutmeg. Says it's the secret ingredient."
"Well, tell your mom her secret is safe with me." Camilla reached out to brush a stray lock of hair behind Jade's ear. Her hand lingered, cupping Jade's cheek. "Though I might have to steal her daughter along with the recipe."
Jade leaned into the touch, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I don't know," she teased. "I might be too much trouble. I have a habit of turning kitchens into disaster zones."
Camilla glanced around at the flour-dusted counters and the pile of dishes in the sink. "I think I can handle a little chaos," she murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jade's lips. "Especially if it comes with home-cooked meals and private concerts."
Jade hummed contentedly against Camilla's lips before pulling back slightly. "How was your day?" she asked, her hands settling on Camilla's waist.
"It was great, actually. We just signed a contract with a big manufacturer who does customizable banners for wedding proposals. They do the biggest banners in the world."
"That's wonderful!" Jade said. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you. What about you? Any news on the audition front?"
Jade shook her head. "Not yet. But..." she paused, biting her lip. "I do have some other news."
Camilla raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparked. "Oh?"
"I told my parents about you. I've been on the phone with my mom all afternoon. I told her everything."
"Everything?" Camilla asked, her heart racing. "As in..."
"Everything, everything," Jade confirmed. "The fake engagement, how we fell for each other for real, all of it."
"Wow. That's... How did she take it?"
Jade chuckled. "She didn't believe me at first. Said it sounded like something out of a movie. But then she could tell how happy I was, and... well, she wants to meet you. They both do. They're insisting we come to Ohio."
"Really? They want to meet me? Even after you told them I hired you as my fake fiancée?"
Jade nodded. "Yeah. Mom says she needs to meet the woman who's managed to sweep her daughter off her feet. Her words, not mine," she added with a laugh.
Camilla's heart swelled. The idea of meeting Jade's parents, of being welcomed into her world, filled her with a warmth she couldn't quite describe. "I'd love to meet them," she said softly. "And see where you grew up. There's still so much I don't know about you."
"Well," Jade said, her eyes twinkling, "I guess we'll just have to change that, won't we?" She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Camilla's lips. "But first, dinner. The lasagna won't bake itself."
As Jade turned back to the oven, Camilla watched her once again, marveling at how hard she’d fallen for Jade.
"Hey," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "If you keep cooking like this, I might just have to keep you around."
"Oh really? And here I thought it was my stellar singing voice and charm that won you over," Jade shot back at her.
"Well, those certainly don't hurt. But a woman who can make lasagna like that? That's marriage material right there."
Jade laughed as she pointed a finger at her.
"Careful, Parkes. A girl could get used to compliments like that.
" She leaned in, her lips inches from Camilla's.
"Though I have to say, your kitchen has some very compelling arguments for sticking around.
" Just as Camilla tried to kiss her, she pulled back and handed her a knife and a chopping board.
"Now, are you going to help me make a salad, or are you just going to stand there looking pretty? "