𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟓

CHAPTER FIFTEEN predictably unpredictable

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WE STROLLED AIMLESSLY around the shopping plaza for the next few hours, gathering all the essentials I needed for my stay at the Cameron residence. We spent the hours joking, smiling, and overall enjoying ourselves- which surprised me considering whose presence I was actually in.

"Where to now?" I inquired, sitting down in the car.

"You hungry?"

"More thirsty."

"Then I know just the place." he grinned, starting the car.

"Are you gonna tell me where we're going?"

"Nope." he shook his head, making a popping sound at the end of the word.

I sat back in the car seat, the consequences of walking for hours on end catching up to my lower back. Luckily with the new job, I wouldn't have to stand around for half as much time as I had to at The Wreck, meaning I could finally cut my back some slack.

Just as I started getting comfortable, I noticed the car stop at a gas station. I raised my eyebrows, shocked that this was 'just the place' Rafe wanted to take me to.

"So we're getting gas station drinks?" I looked at the boy, clearly confused.

"Mills, do you really think that low of me? I stopped here 'cause I want you to get changed into that dress I picked out for you."

"I thought you liked me in blue." I frowned, trying to get on his nerves.

"I do. There's just a strict dress code at the place I'm taking you to, and unfortunately I don't think this polo will cut it." he took the bottom of the shirt between his fingers, lifting the material up slightly.

"Is there a dress code or do you just want me to wear the dress because you chose it?"

Rafe bit down on the corner of his lip, turning his head away from me to hide his grin. His hand rubbed his jaw before linking his eyes back on mine, a look of defeat on his face.

"Okay, fine. There still is a dress code though—"

"Knew it." I smiled, feeling a warmth grow present on my cheeks.

"Did I just make Camille Fox blush? I must be dreaming."

"Shut up."

Reaching into the backseat, I searched through the bags before I found the dress, also taking out the deodorant and hairbrush I bought in the meantime.

Remembering how unflattering the boxers I was wearing were, I grabbed a white thong from the lingerie store bag- the one and only store Rafe refused to go into with me. I hid the small material amongst the dress, not trying to give the boy an insight into the underwear I was going to wear.

"I won't be gone for too long, don't start missing me." I smiled, leaving the car shortly after.

I walked into the gas station, heading straight for the bathroom. Getting changed in a toilet cubicle wasn't perfect, but it wasn't like I had any other option. I locked the stall door behind me, wasting no time in removing the clothes I had on.

Before taking off the Calvin Kleins, I took the price tag of the underwear and placed it between my teeth, breaking the plastic with one swift movement. I kicked the boxers off of my legs, replacing them with the delicate lace.

I repeated the action with the dress tag, pulling the silk fabric over my body swiftly after. Like I had presumed, the dress ended just at my mid-thigh, exposing almost the entirety of my lower body. Being 5'7, most of my height was contained within my legs- which now could clearly be seen.

My arms travelled to the back of the dress, pulling up the zip in one swift motion. I pinched at the silk, making sure it hugged the right parts of my body. Being done with getting changed, I sprayed myself with a generous coat of deodorant. The scent didn't compare to that of expensive perfume, but it was certainly better than running the risk of smelling like body odour.

I raked the hairbrush through my hair, untangling all the knots from the wind earlier. My eyes screwed shut at the feeling of my scalp being tugged on, attempting to bear the pain for the last minute.

Now that I was ready, I quickly washed my hands of the public bathroom germs and headed back to the car. My stomach turned as I started getting butterflies, shocked at the unfamiliar feeling since I wasn't the type of person to get nervous easily.

"Finally, you're— Wow." Rafe's jaw hung ajar, his eyes falling on my body.

"Alright, don't jizz your pants." I giggled, opening the car door.

"I'm a genius."

"Must say, you're a great shopping partner."

"I know."

His right hand rested on my thigh whilst the other was glued to the steering wheel, his fingertips playing with the hem of the dress. His touch was unexpected, yet I didn't want him to let go. There was something about him that drove me insane, making me wonder if he put pheromones in his cologne; I wouldn't put it past him.

We drove onto one of the main streets of the town, the familiar architecture of the buildings making me realise we weren't far from the shopping plaza. If not for our pit stop at the gas station, we probably would've already been at our destination.

The grip from my thigh was lifted once the car started reversing, Rafe shifting his arm to hold onto my seat. I never understood why he would change into that position when reversing, but at least he looked good doing it.

Shortly after parking, we both got out of the car and walked towards what looked like an abandoned building, due to the boarded-up windows and lack of restaurant sign. Considering the mention of a 'strict dress code', I couldn't lie and say that I wasn't confused as to where I was being taken.

"Are you taking me to a fucking crackhouse?"

"Mills, if I tell you, that scraps the concept of a surprise. You'll see when we get inside."

His secrecy made me even more nervous than I was already, the weird feeling in my stomach increasing by the second. As if he could read my thoughts, Rafe wrapped his arm around my shoulders, reassuringly pulling me closer into him.

Using his free hand, he typed a code into the keypad beside the entrance. We waited a brief moment before a buzz sounded, signalling that the door had been unlocked. He pushed the door open to reveal a set of stairs leading downwards, lit up by nothing other than red lighting.

"After you." he gestured to the staircase, letting go of my shoulder.

I held onto the metal railing whilst carefully walking down the steps, my vision limited because of the dim light. I could hear Rafe's footsteps behind me, his presence making me feel slightly safer.

At the foot of the stairs hung a velvet curtain, a faint sound of jazz music coming from beyond it. I looked back at the boy behind me, seeing him nod as a sign for me to unveil the fabric.

I opened the curtain to reveal a mirrored hallway, catching a sight of myself in the various reflections. Rafe pressed his body up against mine, tying his hands around my waist as we both looked at the mirror in front of us.

"We'd look good together." he whispered into my ear, his lips forming a smirk.

"Too bad it'll never happen." I turned my face into his, the tips of our noses colliding with each other.

I continued walking down the hallway, the sound of jazz music increasing in volume. After a short moment, I caught sight of a bouncer standing in front of a tall black door. He was also dressed in all black, almost blending in with the background.

"Name?" the man spoke up.

"Cameron. Ward Cameron."

Despite my confusion, I kept a straight face in order to mask whatever Rafe was scheming. There was more than enough time to interrogate him later, so for now I just stayed quiet.

"And the lady?"

"Rose Cameron." his arm returned to my waist, letting his hand rest on my hip bone.

"Can she not speak for herself?" the bouncer questioned again, clearly suspicious of us.

"I don't appreciate the way you're speaking to my wife right now. We have a booth reservation under the name 'Cameron', I'd like to be let in before I call up Lorenzo."

The suited man's expression loosened at the mention of 'Lorenzo', opening the door for us instantly after the threat. Rafe took my arm under his, nodding at the bouncer before leading me inside the room.

My eyes took in the sight around me, staring in awe at the 1920's themed bar. The same red lighting from the hallway remained here, accompanied by dim spotlights that were focused on the jazz singer up on the stage.

The boy took me over to one of the booths located by the bar, letting go of my arm in order to let me sit down. I fell back onto the soft cushion of the seat, readjusting my dress to avoid exposing anything.

"So I'm your wife now, hmm." I fluttered my eyelashes, gazing at Rafe.

"For tonight, yes. Only way I could get us into this place."

"Never expected to end up in a speakeasy today, but oh well."

"You said you were thirsty, here." he passed me a menu, taking one for himself too.

I scoured through the list of drinks, my attention quickly drawn onto the 'Catalina Margarita'. Although the large percentage of tequila intrigued me, I was sold on the mention of my favourite alcohol in the cocktail.

Peach Liqueur.

"Done, you?" I placed my head on the back of my hand, admiring the appearance of my 'husband'.

"Mhm." he raised his arm, to which a waitress came scurrying over.

"What can I get y'all?"

"I'll take a whiskey, one ice cube please. And my wife will have—"

"A 'Catalina Margarita' please."

"Put that on my tab, it'll be under Ward Cameron." he smirked, seemingly enjoying pretending to be his father.

"Right on it."

"You're enjoying this too much." I shook my head, laughing at his schemes.

"And you're telling me it's not fun to be my wife for the evening?"

"I'm not actually your wife, I'm pretending for your sake."

"I'm more than happy to change that." he grinned, taking his signet ring off his finger.

I watched his actions intently, knowing he never took his ring off. He played with the gold in between his thumb, middle, and index finger before holding it still- his blue eyes glued onto mine.

"Camille Fox, do you take me to be your unlawfully wedded husband?"