Page 9 of Camila's Dom
They both sat, but their eyes continued to scan the area.
“Who’s Lucia?”Aubrey asked.
“She’s our cook.She’s been with the family since my husband was born.”
She hid a smile at the anger that flushed their skin.They hated the fact that she was living the life they both wanted more than anything.She knew her family liked to pretend that they were rich, but she knew they struggled.Maybe if her sisters moved out or, God forbid, got jobs to help with the bills, it might help.
Camila filled the glasses.“Try some of the cookies.Lucia loves to bake, and everything she makes is wonderful.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
“You know it would be nice if you helped our parents out,” Penelope said.
Camila knew this was coming.“How?”
“Maybe give them money.You have enough of it.”
“It’s not my money to give.But tell me why they need help?”
“They’re both thinking of retiring soon, and they don’t have a lot to live on when they do,” Aubrey said.
“But why?They both have good jobs.”Camila bit her cheek at the expressions on their faces.She asked another question when they didn’t answer.“You guys aren’t still living with them, are you?”
“Yes, what’s the big deal?”Aubrey asked in a snarky voice.
“It’s just that you’re what ...thirty-two and Penelope is thirty-three.Isn’t that a bit old to live with your parents?At least you have jobs and help with the bills, right?”
Penelope got a hard glint in her eyes.The look she got before she hurt Camila.Camila stiffened but instantly relaxed when Smithy, the gardener, walked around the corner.
“Oh, my, Miss Camila.Is it okay if I work right here?I have to get these planted before they droop any more.”
“Of course, Smithy,” Camila said.She guessed Drake was watching over her as much as he could with help from the servants.“Smithy, these are my sisters, Penelope and Aubrey.”She looked at her sisters.“Guys, this is Smithy.He’s the one who made this backyard beautiful.”
“With your help, Miss.”
Camila smiled at the old man.“I enjoy every bit of it.”
Smithy looked at both and nodded before turning away.
From the look on his face, Camila guessed he’d been told about the situation.
They were silent for a moment.“You’ve had a long day.Do you want to go up to your rooms to rest before dinner?”
“We’d like to walk around and check everything out.”
Camila didn’t like the sound of that.“My husband wouldn’t like that.I can walk you around a bit.There’s a pool you can swim in.”
Their eyes lit up.
“I’d like that,” Aubrey said.
“Let me show you.Did you bring suits?”Camila asked.
They shook their heads.
“That’s okay.We have several you can borrow.”
She led the way through the house, stopping if one of her sisters asked a question about a room or a piece of art.She pushed through the frosted glass door and into a warm room.
