Chapter 35
“Let me take you home.” Cameron has said and at that point in time, it both sounded and
looked like a bad idea.
But did Ivory really have an option?
With her car broken down and all ride seemingly avoiding that area, or charging hefty sums,
she was stuck.
And so, after much debate, she finally caved in and accepted the ride, and that was how she ended up in the passenger seat of Cameron’s car.
The ride had been going on smoothly, the silence between them comfortable in a way that no
one rushed to break.
But then, Cameron, being who he is, decided to speak up.
“So, you were married to Gadreel?” He glanced at her, noticing how her temperament visibly changed at the mention of his best friend. “I’m still having a hard time believing it.”
“Well, believe it,” Ivory responded, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “And drop it.”
Cameron chuckled, but did not say a thing further, simply turning his attention back to the road, while Ivory shifted in her seat, crossing her legs, and looking out the window.
The car’s speed noticeably slowed down and it was then she realized something weird.
“Hey,” she straightened up in her seat and scanned the road they were currently on. “This.. this isn’t the road to my place.”
“Oh, I know.” Cameron said. “We’re taking a detour.”
Ivory’s eyebrows shot up.
“Detour?” She questioned and Cameron nodded.
“Yes, I have something very important I want to show you.” He pulled into the parking lot of what looked to be a museum and turned off the car.
“Let’s go,” He got out, and before she could respond, was already opening the door for her.
Ivory didn’t waste any time in getting out, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she folded her hand across her chest and glared at him.
“What’s this about?” She asked but before he could respond, she continued. “You know what, I don’t even want to know.”
With that, she turned to leave, but Cameron caught her wrist.
“Ivy, wait. Wait, please stay,” He bit his lower lip, considering his next words before adding
It’s my mother’s birthday…my late mother. She usually brings me here, on each of her birthday. I couldn’t allow today pass without coming here. Please, I’ll take you home once we’re done here. Please….
His voice trailed off, and there was a brief moment of silence, one that made Ivory realize if she were to walk away or say no, now, she’d probably be seen as a heartless monster.
And even if she wanted to, reputation be damned, she wasn’t someone who didn’t feel sympathy.
Ah, curse her soft heart.
“Fine,” She conceded with a sigh and ripped her hand out of his hold. “But only for an hour.”
Cameron brightened up, or at least, the smile on his lips suggested so.
“Then,” he pointed towards the entrance. “Shall we?”
Although reluctant, Ivory sighed and began walking in the direction of the museum’s entrance.
However, when she arrived at the entrance, she was stopped by two security guards.
“I’m sorry Miss, but the museum is closed for now.” One of the security guard informed and just as Ivory was about to spin around and lash out on Cameron, his arm suddenly stretched past her, holding a golden card.
“Here,” he offered it to the security guard. “It’s not a problem right, the museum should be open now.”
The security guard, after collector the card, examined it for a few seconds before he quickly moved to open the gate. “Of course, have a nice evening, Mr. Hayes.”
Ivory watched this play out, frowning and curious.
“What’s that?” She asked as they walked through the gates.
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Cameron simply winked at her. “One of my many tricks,” He said. “Stick prolong enough, and I’ll show you another one.”
Rolling her eyes, Ivory huffed and followed him in.
The moment she stepped in, her eyes widened.
The museum, was nothing like what she had ever seen. It was huge, and every inch of the place
was covered in art.
They had everything, sculptures, paintings, and even the floor had a design painted on it.
“Wow,” Ivory gasped, unable to contain her excitement and forgetting her earlier reluctance to come here. “This place is amazing.”
“Glad you think so,” Cameron said. “My mother brought this place.”
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“Indeed.” He said and went silent for a few seconds then being torty Now Brea, stall we proceed?”
Ivory blinked a few times, taken ak by the sudden shift in his behavior, but didn’t press on and simply nodded.
‘Alright.
Cameron, then, led her through the entire musm. They looked a ech and every one of the art pieces.
By the time they were approaching the end of their journey through the museum, Ivory could tell that this place meant a lot to Cameron.
He had memories here with his mother, beautiful ones that he obviously cherished. Those samme beautiful ones, brought about that look of longing and nostalgia, every time he looked at one of the pieces.
And each time that happened, Ivory saw a little bit of herself in him. She recalled how she had Bazed at her mother’s belongings with that same look, months and even years after she had passed on
Even now, she still did it. So, to see someone else doing it truly felt depressing
“Hey,” Her hand subconsciously reached for Cameron’s and pulled him to a stop as they passed one of the decorative fountains.
She wanted to say something nice, but all she could say was. “Sorry, about your mother.”
Cameron paused, stunned by her words and her touch. Then, a small smile graced his lips and his gaze fell on their joined hands.
been years, along while ago, but, thank you?” He said, then looked at the fountain.
He studied it for a few seconds then sighed. “This was her favorite spot,” he murmured.
Ivory studied the fountain, its water shimmering under the soft glow of overhead lights. The sight stirred a memory from her own past, and she hesitated before speaking.
“When I was little,” she began, her voice hesitant, “I came up with a way to send messages to people who aren’t here anymore.” She looked at him, gauging his reaction before she added. “A way to talk to my mother.”
Cameron turned to her, his brows lifting slightly. It was clear that he was intrigued. “How?” He asked.
“It’s silly,” she said quickly, suddenly self–conscious and perhaps regretting the fact that she had brought up something so silly.
“Just… something a child would think of.” She added, but suddenly, she felt Cameron’s hand tighten around her, a reminder that she was still unconsciously holding his hand.
“I want to know,” he insisted, his gaze steady on her. “Please?”
Ivory paused, contemplating whether to share it or not. Eventually, she decided to just go for
- it.
“Fine,” She muttered and walked closer to the fountain, releasing his hand.
She then sat down and reached her hands in, cupping them.
“The key is to make sure there’s enough water in your hands.” She instructed.
“Afterwards, you close your eyes, make a wish, and when the time is right, let the water trickle through your fingers, the same way you would when writing a message.”
“Once done, the person whose message you’re trying to send, would have received it.”
For a few seconds, Cameron stood staring at her like she had just done something out of the ordinary.
Then all of a sudden, he was by her side, going on his knees and mimicking the very thing she
had done.
He cupped water In his hands and closed his eyes, his lips moving silently before he allowed the water trickle out of his palms.
When he opened his eyes and turned back to her, his expression was unreadable, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“Did it work?” He asked with a childlike innocence to his words.
Ivory who had been surprised by his actions, honestly not having expected him to follow her,
slowly nodded her head.
“It’s supposed to,” She responded and he nodded, accepting her answer.
“That’s good.” He stood up and extended a hand. “Thank you, Ivy.”
She didn’t immediately reach out, instead, she stared at his extended hand, before slowly looking up and meeting his eyes,
There was a strange glint in his eyes, an unfamiliar one that Ivory couldn’t quite understand, but under seconds, it was gone.
“Come on,” he urged. “Let’s take a moment stro before I drop you off.”
With a hesitant nod, Ivory grabbed his hand and stood up.
“Sure,” She muttered and they left the museum shortly after, stepping into the cool night air.
The lights of Paris shown along the Thames, and Cameron gestured for them to walk the path.
As they strolled, he broke the silence. “That praying thing you showed me… where did you learn it?”
Ivory hesitated.
Her mind flicked back to when she had first learnt it, when she had been a child, when Gadreel had suggested doing something like that.
They had come up with the ritual together, a silly innocent way to communicate with the deceased. At first, it was meaningless to Ivory, just a game, but as they grew, or rather, as SHE grew older, it became dear to her.
But she couldn’t tell Cameron that. As a matter of fact, it was something she wished to forget.
“I made it up,” she lied, partially, quickly steering the conversation in another direction. “The Thames has a lot of interesting stories too, you know.”
Cameron arched a brow. “Does it, now?”
Nodding her head, she began. “During the 17th century, Eleanor Whitby was a noble lady betrothed to a high ranking politician by her father, but she loved another, a sailor. Their union was looked down on by all, so on the night of her wedding, Eleanor made a bold decision; she eloped with Thomas, her lover. But her father’s men chased after them. They fought at sea and Thomas happened to lose control of the boat. It tipped over and Eleanor fell into the water, but never resurfaced. To this day, some claim to see a figure wandering the several Thames. Some say it’s Lady Eleanor, still searching for her lost love.”
Chuckling, she looked at Cameron who had diligently listened to the story her mother had always told her.
“Intriguing, isn’t it?”
He was silent for a few seconds, then he chuckled “You know, for someone people like
Evangeline dismiss as a uneducated hick, you’re surprisingly well–read. How do you explain that?”
Ivory chuckled softly, though the comment stung. “People see what they want to see,” she replied. “It’s easier to label someone than to understand them.”
Cameron seemed to consider this for a moment. Their loss,” he said quietly.
They continued walking until they came across a mistletoe tree, its branches dipping low under the weight of the berries. Cameron stopped and grinned.
“Since we’re discussing topic of myth, do you happen to know the one about the mistletoe?”
Ivory’s brows creased and her head snapped in his direction. “What-?”
Before she could complete the question, Cameron leaned down and pressed a kiss against her lips, cutting her off.
His touch was brief, fleeting, almost, one could have mistaken it for a mere illusion. But it was real and the second his lips left hers, Ivory found herself blinking in shock.
“Get a kiss under the mistletoe and your wishes will come true.” Cameron’s smile was wide, and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction, especially since the kiss had managed to catch Ivory off guard.
She was frozen in shock for a few seconds, before her face hardened and every trace of the girl who had sympathized with him earlier, disappeared.
“Mistletoe myth?” She questioned. “Does it look like Christmas to you?” Pointing finger at him, she warned. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
Before he could react, she turned and began walking away. Cameron chuckled lightly and chased after her.
“Ivy.” He called. “Please slow down, Ivory. I-”
Before he could complete the sentence, they were both startled by a sudden and loud bang that echoed through the quiet park.
They stopped and turned around.
“What was that?”
Ivory asked, but unmistakably, it was clear that the sound had been a gunshot.
