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Chapter 45: Reminiscences & Resolutions
It was a cold New Year's eve in Silver Hills and as he watched the snow gently fall to the ground outside the window Eric was glad he had decided against making an appearance at the parties he'd been invited to. Driving back out to the estate would have been a nightmare and his sister would not have been pleased.
He'd expected Maddie to want to spend the holidays in the city, going to parties with her new friends from college but to his surprise she wanted to send her entire break at the estate, not just Christmas and the following day like they usually did. It wasn't until he found her pouring through old family albums that he realised that she'd been missing their parents and wanted to feel closer to them.
As he made his way downstairs he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. It had been almost twenty years since they'd lost them but he had been so caught up with work and everything else, he hadn't given them much thought. But Maddie and Spencer went all out to ensure that the old house was decorated just the way it used to be. Just looking around at every banister, doorway and arch dressed in its festive best reminded him of holidays with his parents. The annual Christmas party followed by week long festivities with just the four of them. Maddie couldn't remember much from that time and while he couldn't give her back those Christmases he did try to give her the family holiday she wanted.
He followed the sound of laughter to the parlour and stopped in the doorway. A quiet smile crept across his face as he watched his uncle sit in the large armchair by the fireplace, Wes across from him in the other chair with Dillon, Tenaya and Leelee on the couch while Maddie prowled around them, a wide grin on her face as she filmed them.
Their mother had a peculiar New Year's eve tradition, where they would sit around the fireplace and she would pull a classic off the bookshelves and read to them. Something about revisiting the past before heading into the new year for a fresh start. Maddie had somehow convinced their uncle to imitate his sister and Wes seemed all too happy to provide sound effects. It was definitely an interesting way to celebrate the end of the year. If either Dillon or Tenaya found this tradition odd they weren't complaining, they actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. The only one probably not having a good time was Leelee.
His cousin's gaze was fixed on the window, a displeased scowl sitting firmly on her lips. He couldn't blame her, this was definitely not her style. But crashing her car into the campus quad after a crazy night with her friends, being forced to pay for the damages herself because she wouldn't explain what happened and her father refusing to pay for a trip to London with her friends, relegated her to a family holiday. But with Kim and Tommy enjoying the warmth in Australia she was left outnumbered when it came to deciding what to do but was determined, it seemed, to sulk right through her break.
Eric's eyes shifted to Wes and his smile fell. It was, of course, good to see his cousin smiling again, especially since the last time he saw him, he was moping around. Kim's decision to send him to Australia to work on their contracts there seemed to have paid off. He returned full of smiles and stories. But it was only recently that he pieced together the real reason Kim sent her brother to do what she had originally planned to oversee herself.
He'd known right from the start that Wes' infatuation with Jen was more than just that. But after things played out as they did, he left Turtle Cove with a broken heart and after spending some time in Silver Hills flew off to the other side of the world. Wes didn't talk about Jen anymore so Eric didn't think about them either. At least not until he ran into Jen's sister who seemed to think he was the reason the two of them weren't together. It convinced him that Jen really did care about his cousin and that there was more to the story than they'd realised.
Then there was Katie's comment at Marcus' wake. It made him suspicious about Kim actively intervening to keep them apart. A suspicion that turned to conviction once Wes began talking about all the time he was spending with Kat.
Katherine Hillard, the daughter of his uncle's closest business partner and Wes' ex. A blonde haired, blue-eyed beauty Kat went to the same college they did. She was kind-hearted and was extremely passionate about helping others, something Wes ardently admired about her. They got along very well and were together for a long time.
When Wes returned from Australia he was all smiles and full of stories about Kat and the amazing work her foundation was doing for the homeless. If Kim was trying to push the two back together, it seemed to be working. Except, they'd tried the relationship thing but it didn't work out for reasons Eric would rather not think about. But now they were back where they started, and in a few weeks Kat would be flying in to wrap up the work they were doing. It was the last time they would see each other for work. And while they were once committed to making the long-distance thing work, they both had important things to do in different parts of the world. Which meant that Wes would have to make a decision, putting Eric in the difficult position of deciding whether he should tell him about Jen or not.
"It's not nice to brood in the doorway when you have guests."
"Huh?" He turned to the side to find Spencer enter the room with a tray laden with mugs of hot chocolate.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"That's going to cost you," Eric mumbled, sliding back against the doorway.
"Ah… an attempt at humour. This should be interesting."
Eric sighed and turned away, once again zeroing in on Wes. "It's nothing to worry about."
"Are you certain? Staring at Master Wesley is not going to make the problem go away."
"Annoyingly perceptive as always," he grumbled.
"Why thank you. It is a skill I'm rather proud of. Now, how may I be of service?"
Eric scowled, on one hand another perspective might help him make a decision but on the other his dilemma was centered on whether he wanted to open that can of worms in the first place. "At this point Spencer, I don't think anyone can do anything."
"That's a very presumptuous statement. What seems to be the problem?"
Eric didn't reply. Instead he focused his gaze on Wes who was laughing away with Maddie and Tenaya while Dillon leaned back into the couch watching them.
"Does he look happy to you Spencer?"
"Master Wesley? He certainly appears so."
The curiosity in Spencer's voice as to where this was going was not lost on Eric but he couldn't just come out as say it. "I meant since he got back from Australia."
"Well… he is certainly more cheerful that before he left."
"And what if I had something to tell him that might send him back to being less than cheerful."
"Then I suggest you wait until tomorrow. It would be a shame to ruin his evening. It is the last day of the year, you should at least let him have that."
"You think I should tell him? At all?"
Spencer's eyes narrowed as his face scrunched into a disapproving expression that Eric was all too familiar with. But he caught himself and turned away, adjusting his posture. "Of course, if it is bothering you so much it must be important, important enough that he should know whether it upsets him or not. After all, would he not be better off making a decision based on all the facts instead of looking back with regrets later on, especially where matters of the heart are concerned… I know you are worried about Master Wesley, but you cannot protect him from everything, it's not healthy, for either of you."
Eric's eyes widened as he watched the butler walk towards the others. With a light chuckle he shook his head and joined his family, putting an arm around his sister and nodding to Spencer as he reached for a mug. The elder man was right, maybe trying not to protect people so much should be his resolution for the next year. The past year was proof enough that it could come back to bite him. But for now, all of that could wait.
Meanwhile in Briarwood, no expense had been spared at Lady Necrolai Pimvare's New Year's Eve gala. Bright lights, music, champagne and food of every kind flowed freely through the manor's ballroom as lavishly dressed people danced the night away. To an outsider it would have been a spectacle to behold but to Camille Pimvare it brought nothing but a lonesome sigh.
She looked resplendent in flowing emerald green dress with soft blonde curls resting gently on her bare shoulders. Her lips were frozen in a poised smile as she glided through the ballroom pausing here and there to greet her mother's friends and acquaintances. Making her way to a table by the window, her eyes scanned the crowd for head of dark blonde curls in the form her best friend Lily. A real smile found its way across her pale features when she did spot her friend twirling on the dance floor in the arms of a young man she had probably only just befriended.
If there was one thing Camille envied about Lily, it was her innate kindness and friendliness. She could make friends with just about anyone, even if they pushed her away at first. The two of them were a perfect example. Lily joining Briarwood University's Performing Arts program, far away from her hometown Turtle Cove was the best thing that happened to Camille, it was so refreshing to have a friend who didn't see the world the same way most of the girls she grew up with did.
Her mother, of course, was not too fond of Lily - since she didn't come from the same social background as they did - but for some reason, Camille was grateful for it, she acquiesced to invite Lily to their party. Lily, of course was excited about it and even mentioned that a friend from Turtle Cove would be attending with his father. While there was no sign of this friend yet, she was looking forward to meeting someone as personable as Lily. It was a far better option that mingling about with some of the other guests.
Her perfectly painted lips twisted into a scowl when her eyes fell on a small group on the other side of the room. Standing tall with a beaming smile on her face was her mother's friend Lady Jellica and her husband General Carnisoar. The center of attention however was their daughter, Stingerella, a pointy faced girl, dressed in a figure hugging red gown showing off a ruby and diamond encrusted ring. It came as quite a shock when she heard that Stingerella had accepted Toady's proposal. The three of them had gone to school together and as far as she knew Stingerella didn't even know that Toady existed. Still they both came from very rich and very powerful families, something her mother was quick to point out.
"Having fun princess?"
Startled, Camielle turned to find her mother's assistant standing in the corner dressed in a dark suit. "Flit? What are you doing here?" she asked with surprise, knowing that her mother always kept him busy especially when there was a party going on.
"Oh… I'm on babysitting duty today, so as long as you be a good little princess I can actually have some fun tonight."
"I'm little too old for a babysitter, don't you think?" she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
"If you asked me?... Sure, but no one asks me anything. Besides, mommy dearest wants to talk to you, so I have to make sure you don't pull a disappearing act again. Why don't you make that your resolution for next year: Will stop running away from my mother, so poor Flit doesn't have to babysit me," he joked as he joined her at the table.
Camille rolled her eyes. Flit was the only one of her mother's staff who would dare speak about her like that. He was also the only one who let her have any fun, so she put u with him.
"Yours should be to shut up," she retorted. "What does she want to talk to me about?"
Flit shrugged and offered her his arm in a silent request asking her to keep moving. "Beats me. She's been holed up in her study for a while, so it must be important. And I was simply told to keep an eye on you while she played nice with Senator Grizzly."
She stifled a laugh but her eyes quickly filled with fear and she stopped short to look around the room. There, not far from the raised platform where the orchestra was playing stood her mother standing tall and graceful in an off-shoulder black dress, with intricate purple embroidery along the bodice that accentuated her frame and her hair pulled back into an elegant bun with a ring of diamonds around her neck. As usual, she was the mistress of the moment, commanding the attention of those that surrounded her and dazzling them with her poise and elegance.
Camille smiled, she loved seeing her mother standing so strong but as her eyes fell on man on whom her mother's arm rested her scowl returned. Senator Bearend Grizzaka was a big beefy but well-toned man. There was something very gruff about his nature that made her conjure the image of a vicious grizzly bear when she thought of him. He was rich, influential and extremely powerful. She did not how her mother became acquainted with a man who struck fear in his opponents, subordinates and peers alike, but for several years now he had been a strong presence in her life.
His reasons were clear, he was smitten by her mother and had on more than one occasion proposed to her. Whether her mother shared Grizzaka's feelings or not Camille did not know. In fact, she had never known the woman to speak fondly of anyone. She was very young when her father passed so she had no clue of the kind of relationship her parents had. But wherever her mother's feelings lay, she had turned down each proposal, assuring Grizzaka that she was not rejecting him but simply wanted to see her daughter secure in her own life before she moved on with hers. What exactly was going on between the two Camille was never sure and Flit refused to throw any light on the subject. But she did know that she did not like that man.
Her mother turned and caught her eyes, offering her a warm smile, almost as if she knew they were looking at her. Camille watched curiously as she whispered something into her escort's ear before excusing herself from the company they were with and glided over to them. Flit immediately let go of her arm and disappeared into the shadows.
"Hello darling," she said sweetly, taking Camille's hand into her own. "Are you enjoying yourself? It's such a lovely turn out, wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose so," she replied, as she was tugged along in a slow graceful walk around the room.
"Of course it is. King Mondo and Queen Machina flew all the way here. Remind me to introduce you to their son Prince Gasket and his new bride Princess Archerina, they are a delightful pair."
Camille rolled her eyes but her mother ignored her as she continued to pull her around the room. "And look there's your friend Morgana, her uncle, General Grumm tells me that she might soon be marrying a prince of her own, but it's all hush hush at the moment. Though frankly, I don't see the point. But to each their own. Oh and there's Councilman Dekker with his wife Dayu."
She stared curiously at the duo her mother just pointed out. She had never met them before, the woman was very beautiful but the man for some reason reminded her of an older, bearded but better dressed version of Cole. The resemblance was uncanny. If she didn't know that Cole's parents were in fact dead, she would have thought this man was his father. But her mother didn't give her much time to wonder about it.
"It's a shame Eric could not make it, he would have liked to meet them all. Nevertheless, once the two of you are married, he will not be allowed to turn down my invitations."
Camille sighed, for as long as she could remember her mother had told her that she would marry Eric Myers, the son of one of her dearest friends. As a child, she'd dreamed of a dark haired prince coming to sweep her off her feet. And when she met Eric she was completely taken in by him. Even as a boy he was handsome and as they grew older so did her crush. He was not charming or excessively polite, in fact sometimes he was outright rude and condescending. But he was always there when she needed him and for that he was perfect. If she was honest she still liked him and marrying him would be a dream come true. However, Camille wanted love, true, unrelenting love and as much as he respected and cared for her, Eric didn't love her, now if only her mother could see it.
"Mom… don't you think it's time you gave up that idea. Eric is clearly not interested in me," she tried reasoning.
Her mother's smile fell and her grip on her arm tightened as they continued to move through the ballroom. "Don't be ridiculous. Eric cares about you, the two of you are perfect for each other."
"He doesn't love me," she argued. "Not the way he should."
"Then make him love you, the way you want to be loved. Marriages are not that simple darling, you have to put in a little effort. Go to Silver Hills if you must, spend more time with him use your feminine wiles to convince him that it's time the two of you made things official. He is just a man after all, all he needs is a little push to remind him of his priorities."
"But what if...?"
"No buts, this is not an option Camille." Her mother let go of her hand and turned to face her, placing a cool palm against her cheek. "You are a beautiful woman my Camille, there is no man who would deny you your heart's desires, even Eric. And I assure you my darling, that there is nothing in your way, you just have to put it a little effort and Eric is all yours."
Before she could react to that, her mother let go of her and drifted off into the crowd, leaving her standing there dumbstruck.
"Cam... Cam?... Cam are you okay?"
She blinked as her brain registered worried blue eyes, framed by curly blonde locks staring at her. "Sorry Lil, just spaced out there for a bit. I am so glad to see you, you won't believe…"
She stopped short when she noticed the dark haired stranger standing behind her friend. Her eyes locked with his and there was something mysterious in them that made her forget what she wanted to say, even as a hint of amusement played on his lips.
"Camille I'd like you to meet Jarrod, the friend I told you about."
"Uh… nice to… meet you," she stuttered.
He inclined his head forward and reached for her hand, greeting her with a gentle kiss on the back of her fingers, "The pleasure is all mine."
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