Dance For Me

Chapter 17

Camila

My heart swelled as I watched Lauren's palms slide across the steering wheel, her careful driving and calm expression entertaining me the entire way back to her house. She was beautiful, her perfectly painted makeup not altered even a little by her soft sobs of agony earlier in the night

Eventually we pulled up in the middle of a large cobbled drive way, the front of her house serene and well cared for. She pulled the ignition and opened up her door to step outside, the bag in the back dragged over her shoulder before joining me to walk towards the tall front door

We shared only a few words, the silence between us mutual and clearly needed as she searched her bag for a set of keys. The calm across her lips was entrancing, but after hearing of her past, I couldn't help but notice the pain hidden behind her dazzling green eyes

She pressed open the door and kicked her sneakers off beside, the gentle smell of vanilla relaxing my mind as I glanced around at the Lauren like decor "Can I get you a drink or something?" She asked me with a rasp, her eyes settling over my shoulders and lips "Water? Juice?"

"Water's fine" I smiled back as I kicked the back of my sneakers beside hers. The walk to the kitchen was short but felt oh so long as I admired the thick rivers of black hair dancing across her lower back, glittering a glossy sheen that indicated just how well she took care of it

As we entered into the large space a familiar body stood wiping the counters with a white rag, her loose fitting sweater and clipped back ponytail reminding me of the last time we had met "Good evening Lauren, oh? And Camila too?" She gasped in delight "I wasn't expecting you to bring any guests tonight?"

Lauren walked around the counter with a small smile to greet her house keeper with a hug that looked almost to be motherly and warm? It was beautiful actually "Last minute plans" she spoke softly "Camila had a rough day so I thought she'd like some company" she glanced back at me and softened her gaze

"Bless you Camila" the woman nodded in my direction, her tiny stature and older face clearly proving her worth in Lauren's home "Lauren, can I fix you some food? What did you eat today?"

"No no, I'm not hungry but thanks" she replied, dragging away from the woman's embrace only to be followed like a toddler

"You have to eat my child, come, what can I make you?" Lauren rolled her eyes and threw her head back with a laugh "I'm not hungry seriously?" She groaned "I ate earlier!"

"Hmm" the woman furrowed, reaching behind her for a banana from the bowl of fruit in the centre of the unit "Take this up! I won't rest unless I know you have something!"

"Thanks" Lauren smirked, warming my heart as I watched the seemingly loving interaction from afar. It made sense, the only person in her life to care for her being the housekeeper? Sadly it wasn't a surprise, still, I admired the housekeeper's efforts in taking great care, it left me feeling confident and safe

"Here" Lauren hummed as she handed me a glass of water "You wanna go up?" I nodded back and followed the woman from the kitchen with a small wave back at the lady grabbing her rag "Have a good night girls! Lauren I will return tomorrow afternoon!"

Lauren offered only a thumbs up before we started up the long flight of stairs, the guest room I'd stayed in the last time I was here missed as she grabbed my hand towards a room at the end of the long hall "I'm staying with you?" I gasped

She turned her head back and cocked a dark brow "You wanna sleep in the yard or something?" She laughed "Yes Camila, I invited you back to sleep on your own!"

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms "I was just asking! Last time you had me in a guest room!"

"You were drunk, different!" She mocked with a laugh "Tonight you're more than welcome to stay in my bed with me"