Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

SUNDAY.

EMERTON’S RESIDENCE.

I moved backwards, maybe I’ll find solace in the kitchen, I did however maintain a vigilant gaze at the officer. I’ve seen how they treat criminals?

*Was I a criminal?* Possibly.

Mr Emerton had appeared from behind, his gaze motioning from the officers to mine.

My parents can’t be far back.

The other two looked like they preferred to shove me in prison, while the man from the night of the fire kept a straight face, but I could see a little pity at the back of his eyes.

Just then, my mother and father strolled in.

Perfect. My impending doom has appeared.

“Officers. Good afternoon.”

Mom greets them cautiously offering each of them a smile. She sent me a weird look and so did dad. They don’t know yet. If only these officers had arrived an hour later, or if mother and father weren’t so damn tardy for once. Fuck me.

“Is there a problem here?”

Dad asked sternly. I shook in fright even though the question wasn’t proposed to me.

“There is. In the case of the fire which took your house, we’ve discovered new evidence, your daughter has become a person of interest. We’d like to communicate with her.”

“Unbelievable. You were just going to come in here and arrest her! Without notifying her parents!? I doubt that’ll go well with her rights.”

Mom snapped with an aggressive glare.

“She’s not under arrest. Yet. We’re just taking her in for questioning.”

He replied, twitching his lips. Dad held her by her arm, preventing her from doing any further damage while I stepped out of the kitchen.

Mr Emerton resided silent, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I don’t see a warrant, you cannot take her without one. She’s not going anywhere.”

Father added and I sighed in relief. They can’t possibly have a warrant right?

“It isn’t an arrest. We were hoping she would come in willingly.”

The officer from that night spoke softly. Mother turned to him, hissing a little too loudly.

“She’s not going anywhere with you unless you have a warrant. Come back when you get one. Officers.”

They bobbed quickly, striding out of the house. Once the door clipped shut, I released a sharp breath. One I’ve been holding since their arrival.

I ran to my mother’s side, clutching my hands around her waist.

“It’s okay baby.”

She assured, pecking my forehead, her hands stuck in my hair smoothening my curls.

I heard footsteps striding down the stairs, I couldn’t hear who it was since my head remained over her bosom.

“They can’t do anything to you. You’ll be fine. They’re desperate to find a culprit so they’ve turned into bullies.”

She clenched her jaw. I gulped hard. My mother still thinks I’m her innocent child. I’m guilty of what they’re accusing me of. I sniffled then lifted my head.

My gaze was fixed and locked on Dylan’. He nodded slightly. That’s my cue. It was all I needed. It’s time to tell them the truth. Things are already out of hand anyway.

“Mom, Dad, may I talk to you about something?”

I gulped.

Dad shook his head in affirmation and mom brushed her fingertips over my face.

They don’t know I’m about to ruin their image of me. *For good.*

On the way back to my room, I prayed hard. I didn’t have one point, I just prayed for everything to turn out fine.

We got there and shut the door behind us.

Nervous as hell, I began fidgeting with my fingers, shifting over to the hem of my shirt, folding and unfolding it, my head drooped as I’m unable to look my parents in the eye.

*I’m disgusted by myself.*

“Is there something wrong darling?”

“You two were always away. Business trips and events, I grew up as an angry child and that weekend you travelled. I was alone in the house, the cook had left me with something I detested or there was no food at home, I can’t even recall much, but I went into the kitchen that night…”

I started, raising my head and holding my breath.

“I’m confused, you said you were in your room…”

Mother replied, blinking her eyes slowly.

“I lied.”

I retorted quickly causing her to gasp, but this was merely the beginning. What’s coming next will rip her heart to shreds.

“Cooking wasn’t a problem since I’ve done it more with the trips. I turned on the gas and tried to heat something. It was taking too long, so I wandered upstairs and got my phone. I kept chatting with a friend, and in doing so, I left the food. It slipped my mind. When the smoke alarm went off, it was too late, I was distraught and confused. I couldn’t think of what to do, I didn’t know who to call, so I ran. I ran outside and the neighbours did the rest. That’s the truth.”

I confessed, sniffling lowly.

I zoned on their faces, trying to read their expressions and get something. Anything.

Anger, disappointment or maybe even pain. I needed to see how they felt but there was nothing. Not even shocked. I think they’re numb.

****

I didn’t look away.

I gazed frantically, pleading with my eyes for them to wake up from the trance I just put them in.

“Mom. Dad. Please say something.”

“I don’t know what’s worse dear.”

Dad spoke up, scoffing then shaking his head lightly.

“The fact that you did something and put your mother and me in one of the hardest ordeals of our lives, or that you had no shame to let us know. You had to keep it a secret for this long. Do you know how much torture it has been!?”

I flinched at my own father’s harsh words, tears gathering quickly.

“Dad…”

“Don’t!”

He yelled. I trembled, a tear or two falling out.

“How could you be so silly? So immature!? How!?”

He thundered, scolding me further.

“I never meant to…”

I shook my head furiously.

“You never meant to? Seriously? You never meant to burn your house down on purpose. They can charge you for arson and you might go to prison! If you had told us earlier, we wouldn’t have pursued the case. Now they’ll think we didn’t know which is correct, they’ll think you’re just a spoilt brat who burned her house down to get back at her parents, maybe they aren’t so wrong after all.”Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

“No…”

I argued, shaking my head vindictively.

I turned to my mother who kept mute throughout my father’s rant.

She can’t possibly believe I did it on purpose.

“I didn’t burn the house on purpose. I could never do something like that!”

I raised my head, nearly choked by my tears.

“I don’t believe you.”

Father answered, shredding my heart apart.

“I have no idea how on earth I am going to solve this. I’ll try to withdraw all the cases we’ve filed. The fire is burning and I’m not sure we can put it out. The irony.”

Father announced with a deep scoff, raging out of the room.

“Mom…”

I cried. Her eyes stared at me with pity, she seemed as though she wanted to hug me, comfort me, but she didn’t. She trailed behind dad and left.

I fell to the ground, my heart pounding furiously, head throbbing harshly and with my entire room spinning, I shut my eyes and let the tears trickle out.

*ONE HOUR LATER.*

With my life falling apart before my eyes, I struggled to stand then left my room, blinking back my tears in search of Dylan.

He wasn’t in his room.

I took the stairs down and ran my eyes over the living room.

My heart kept slamming against my chest. I might faint soon. The room is spinning fast. I need to speak with Dylan.

“Dylan…”

I breathed, sighting him coming from the backyard.

His eyes swept over my body, rushing over to my side. My lips trembled as he approached. Can this just be one really bad dream? *Please*

Just about the same time, a knock came through at the front door. Fuck!

I whimpered underneath my breath, Dylan’s hands laced carefully with mine.

He moved towards the door, clicked the knob and opened it. I hid behind him, shaking like a leaf.

“Camilla Renée we have a warrant for your arrest and questioning.”

“What the fuck is she being charged for!”

Dylan yelled, tightening his hold over my hand.

*Arrest.* I’m going to prison. I’m going to an actual prison.

“Miss Renée is being charged with third-degree arson. She needs to come with us now.”

My life is over. I’m dead. I’m fucking screwed. My throat is dry. My head is banging. I think I’m going to vomit.

****

*Author’s Note*

*Had a busy day yesterday, couldn’t update much. Apologies. Please I’d like to hear your thoughts.*