Page 41 of Grumpy Bossy Billionaire Enemy

Camille chuckled, “Plus that too.”

I was right. Henry had put her up to this. He thought I’d talk to Camille, and she could help me walk through my new phase.

One of the house staff interrupted us when he came in with a cup of juice for her. “Thank you,” Camille whispered to the staff member as she took a sip of her juice.

“What’s going on with you, Camille?” I asked. “What’s living with Troy Robinson like?”

Camille shook her head. “Don’t change the subject of this conversation, Amelia,” Camille ordered. “I’m here to talk about you and not me.”

“We can do both, can’t we?”

Camille sighed. “Living with Troy is great. He’s in love with me, but his mom is still against the marriage. I think she senses the attraction between us. Now, she hates my guts.”

I didn’t expect anything less from the queen bee of the empire herself. She was watching her two alpha male sons get lost in the affection of two women. I was sure she wouldn't fold her hands and do nothing.

“I’m sorry you have to go through that,” I consoled her. “In a few months, Mrs. Robinson will forget about all of that.”

“Now tell me, what’s up with you?” Camille’s eyes were fixed on mine. “Is this about your stepbrother showing up at the house?”

“It’s more than that,” I replied. “I’m not jealous or angry that my father didn’t love my mother. I’m not that insensitive.”

“Then what is it?” Camille asked. There was a long minute of silence between us. “Your parents are worried about you. Your husband is worried about you as well. Troy says you won’t stop taking sick leaves.”

I looked around to make sure that Henry wasn't somewhere, eavesdropping on our conversation. “I feel robbed,” I pronounced as hot air invaded my lungs. “I feel like my parents ripped off my childhood.”

“You are the perfect human I’ve ever met.”

“That’s the problem.” I continued. “I appear perfect because that’s what my parents wanted. That’s the daughter they want to show off to the world.”

“I continue with this identity because I thought they were perfect themselves, only to realize that they are as messed up as everyone else in the world.”

“So you also want to get messed up?”

“No!” I answered, miffed. “I want to get to choose which life I want.” I paused to swallow. “I want to choose who to marry and the job I want to do.”

Camille frowned. “Are you doubting this marriage?”

“Not just this marriage. I’m doubting everything my parents have made me do. My job, the wedding, being a Robinson.”

“Does it change how you feel about Henry?”

“It doesn’t,” I replied. “It’s crazy that I still love Henry so much despite all that has happened.”

“You need to speak with your parents,” Camille suggested. “Tell them how you feel, how they’ve betrayed your trust, and let them make it up to you.”

“Okay, I will,” I promised Camille.

“You need to be at the hospital soon; everyone misses you.”

Camille and I went on to talk about everything going on in her life. Her mother was back home, and being cared for by a hired nurse. Then her mother thought marrying Troy permanently would change her life and, most especially, their financial status. Camille was mad at her mother for thinking so lowly of their family, but I thought her mother was right to look after her.

I kissed Camille on her cheeks as she stepped out of the house. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” I felt bad for making a promise I wasn’t sure I'd keep.

I couldn't say for certain if I’d be at work tomorrow. I couldn't tell if I’d be mentally psyched to do it. As I watched my best friend leave the house, it hit me that I may actually need to speak with a professional therapist.

I had a good thing going on with Henry and wouldn’t want to ruin it by being selfish. Henry leaned by the kitchen counter as I closed the door behind me. “Do you feel better seeing someone else other than me?”

“I’ve always felt better seeing you,” I told him as he squeezed my hand.

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