Page 47 of Staging Love
Uncle Robert leaned forward in his chair, his expression growing serious. "Is everything alright?"
Camilla hesitated. The weight of what she was about to reveal pressed heavily on her chest. How could she explain the lie she had constructed, the charade that had led her to themost genuine relationship she had ever known? She looked at her uncle and aunt, these two people who had been pillars of support throughout her life, especially in the aftermath of her father's passing. Their faces showed nothing but love and concern, which only made what she had to say more difficult.
"I... I'm not quite sure where to start," Camilla admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aunt Lara reached out, patting Camilla's knee gently. "Take your time, dear. Whatever it is, we're here to listen."
Camilla glanced at Jade, drawing strength from her presence. Jade's eyes were full of encouragement, silently telling her that it would be okay, that they would face this together. Taking another deep breath, she straightened herself. "It's about... it's about the engagement. And the will." She paused, watching as confusion flickered across her aunt and uncle's faces. "I haven't been honest with you, with any of the family, and I need to set things right."
Uncle Robert's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Camilla? What about the engagement?"
Camilla felt a lump forming in her throat. This was the moment of truth, the point of no return. Once the words left her mouth, there would be no taking them back. But she knew she had to do this, not just for her own conscience, but for the future she hoped to build with Jade - a future based on honesty and trust.
"The engagement wasn't real," she said, her voice trembling. "The relationship wasn’t real, at least not in the beginning. When I found out about the clause in Dad's will, about needing to be married to inherit control of the company, I panicked. I didn't want to lose Dad’s legacy, so I made it up."
She could see the shock registering on her aunt anduncle's faces, but she pressed on, knowing she needed to get everything out in the open.
"I hired Jade," she continued, her words coming faster now. "She's an actress, and I hired her to pretend to be my fiancée for the holidays. I thought if I could convince everyone I was engaged, I could buy myself some time to figure things out. The reason I said I was engaged to a woman was…" She paused. “Well, I’ve never been in serious relationships, so I thought it would make it more believable that way. Pretending I’d been in the closet and all that.”
The room remained silent, and Camilla could hear her own heart pounding in her ears as she waited for their reaction. Uncle Robert's face had turned a shade paler, while Aunt Lara's hand had flown to her mouth in surprise.
Uncle Robert leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face. "I don't understand," he said slowly. "You’re not gay? But you’re here with Jade now. And how were you even planning on solving the whole ordeal if it wasn’t a real engagement?"
“I was hoping maybe Jade would enter into a marriage of convenience with me eventually,” Camilla admitted. But I couldn’t ask her right away. I didn’t know her back then and she would have never trusted me enough to agree, even if I paid her a fortune. Anyway, I now know that Jade is a hopeless romantic. She’d never agree to it, so it was pointless to begin with.” She shook her head. “No, strike that. It wasn’t pointless. It was the best mistake I ever made because it led me to Jade.
Tears prickled at the corners of Camilla’s eyes as she scooted closer to Jade and leaned into her. "I’m so sorry. I was scared. I didn't want to lose the company. It’s the only thing remaining that makes me feel close to Dad. Ithought... I thought this would be a practical solution. But it turned out to be anything but simple."
Jade, who had remained silent throughout her confession, put an arm around her. “I’m sorry too,” she said. “To me, it was just a job to begin with, but you welcomed me into your family, and you’ve been so wonderful. I feel terrible.” She looked from Robert to Lara and back. “But as Camilla said, it wasn’t pointless because in the midst of it all, something beautiful happened… I fell for Camilla.”
"And I fell for Jade," Camilla said, her voice softening, "She’s the best thing that ever happened to me."
Uncle Robert and Aunt Lara exchanged a look, seemingly having a silent conversation. The tension in the room was palpable as Camilla waited for them to speak.
Finally, Uncle Robert sighed heavily. “I did think something was off,” he said. “But I never suspected it was this. You were both very convincing when you arrived, but then after a few days, you were ten times more convincing and that just seemed… strange.” He frowned. “We witnessed you falling in love.”
“For the very first time,” Aunt Lara added, looking equally puzzled and amazed.
"Yes.” Camilla looked at her aunt and uncle. “I know what I did was wrong. I betrayed your trust, and I'm so, so sorry for that. But something real and beautiful came out of it and what we have is genuine. We're together, and I hope we will get married one day. It’s just not happening anytime soon.”
"Camilla, I won't pretend I'm not disappointed,” Uncle Robert said. “What you did goes against everything your father and I believed in. Honesty, integrity - these were values we held dear in business and in life. But," he continued, his tone softening, "I can see how much you care foreach other. And that was the whole point. That’s what your father wanted for you. To be open to love. I’m so glad you found it."
Aunt Lara cleared her throat. "So, what are your plans now?"
"We're going to come clean to the rest of the family. As for the company… I guess that will fall into Theresa’s hands and that’s okay.” Camilla shrugged. “I’m happy and I choose love.”
Love. The word echoed in Camilla's mind, crystallizing the swirl of emotions she'd been experiencing. It was as if a fog had cleared, revealing the truth that had been there for a while. The constant pull she felt towards Jade, the way her heart quickened at the sight of her smile, the deep-seated desire to share every moment, big or small - it all made sense now.
Camilla's breath caught as she looked at Jade, seeing her in a new light. She was overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings, the all-encompassing warmth that spread through her. It was more than just wanting to be near her; it was a profound need to be part of her world, to support her dreams, to face life's challenges together.
“I love you,” she whispered, forgetting all about her uncle and aunt in front of them.
Jade's lips parted as she stared at her. For a moment, she was silent, her gaze locked with Camilla's. Then, a soft smile bloomed on her lips, radiant and sweet. “I love you too,” she said. "I love your strength, your vulnerability, your beautiful, complicated heart. You're the most authentic story I've ever had the privilege to be part of."
Camilla's eyes welled up, as the intensity of the moment overwhelmed her. Jade gave her a sense of belonging, andthe scattered pieces of her life had finally clicked into place. This was love. Real love.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Camilla was enchanted by the quaint charm of the small French bistro, from the exposed brick walls adorned with vintage Parisian posters to the white tablecloths, the delicate clink of wine glasses and live piano music in the background. The aroma of garlic and herbs wafted through the air, mingling with the subtle notes from the red roses at their table.
