Chapter 4 Unbreakable Bond

Camila's POV

"So, you want to fuck the dude?"

When Alice spluttered forth such rubbish, I nearly fell in my tree posture. She is still in the ideal tree position, as far as I can tell. I'm currently practicing yoga via video chat with my best buddy Alice.

"That's what you get from my whole story?" I asked, my body trembling a little. Alice and I occasionally do yoga together to maintain our flexibility and because it's good for us.

I moaned before imitating Alice's position as she lowered herself for a chaturanga dandasana. "You did say you touched his South Dakota."

Plank position, then go a little forward. I said under my breath, "South Dakota," wondering how she always thinks of these terms. With my upper arms parallel to the floor, I bowed my elbows to a 90-degree angle or whatever angle my body chose to give me. "You know-" I said with a low moan, pulling my front ribs into my spine and raising my shoulders off the ground. As I reach my tailbone toward my heels, I exert every ounce of force to raise my upper thighs toward the ceiling. "That was an accident." Look forward. I exhaled, experiencing a scorching sensation in my triceps and abdomen.

This entire time, she didn't even perspire. "How did he look again?"

Just to remind myself, I muttered, "So fucking-" and stopped talking. "I have a boyfriend," I said.

Everyone is aware of that. Camila, you're not buying the thing; you're only window shopping."

"How does Neilson feel about the way you think?" Alice's elder, long-term partner is Neilson.

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him...or the guy I'm checking out." Without missing a grunt, I follow her as she transforms into an upward-facing dog. But why is it acceptable for guys to check out girls? But it's wrong when girls do it. We are powerless to stop our eyes from wandering.

She let out a breath, "You know, they say attraction is largely subconscious." She decided to embrace her geek side. It is impossible to avoid being attracted to other people since our brains are programmed to interpret visual information and develop snap judgments based on physical characteristics. It is said that a crush or attraction to someone else won't affect the relationships that are already in place.

"It feels wrong; I shouldn't talk to him that long," I say, feeling my shoulders and chest open up. I stretch my hips and abs to relieve stress.

Alice rolled her eyes. "What makes it incorrect? It's okay that you connected with the person you met. He got a dick, and that's the only reason you're feeling down. If he had a pussy from birth, you wouldn't feel this way. Why does his gender require a change in the situation?

"If you're in my situation, would you still talk to him?" I exhaled sharply.

"Yeah, why not?"

"What if it makes Neilson feel uncomfortable?"

After that, he had to learn how to cope with the pain. He should have faith in me if he truly loves me. He needs to change his perspective if he makes me stop talking to people just because he's jealous. "

I give a short laugh and say, "Alice Lee, you are one tough cookie. "

A beam of light is visible on the screen. Alice said, "Hi Muffin," before changing positions. "How was work?"

Then Neilson appeared on the screen. "Same as always." He removed his coat with a shrug. "Hey, Camila."

Along with Alice, I change positions. "How's everything going?"

"Good." He never responds in a friendly manner and always gives a succinct response. Neilson takes his suitcase and exits down the hallway, most likely making himself comfortable.

But I'm being serious. You should speak with the man if you wish to do so. You also need Camila as a friend.

"You're my friend."

"One of your very few friends."

"Neilson is also my friend."

She proclaimed, "Neilson is my boyfriend." "He won't be your friend if he isn't my lover. He is, therefore, irrelevant.

"I got other friends."

"Fine."

"Fine, what?"

"If you don't want to talk to Greg, then don't."

I felt a wave of unease in my gut, as if I had been let down. "Then, I won't."

"So, are you going to do it?"

"Do what?"

"Message him that you're not going to meet him tomorrow."

"Does that make me flaky?"

She raises an eyebrow, "Are you making excuses?"

I assumed the attitude of the camel. "I'm not explaining. Simply said, I don't want to spend any more money on another pair of headphones because they are pricey."

Alice laughed and then struck the same position as mine. "Then, tell him in person that you don't want to meet him anymore."

I exhale, feeling the dampness of my sports bra and yoga trousers. "I will."

"What are you two talking about?" Neilson came into the screen holding a bottle of beer and wearing sweatpants and a blue t-shirt that was a little damp. After settling upon the couch, he let his feet rest on the table behind Alice.

Knowing I lacked Alice's skill set, I tapped out when she assumed the crane stance. I took a seat on the ground, picked up a bottle, and rinsed my throat to clear the dryness. "Camila is going to end her non-existent relationship with this guy she may or may not feel a connection towards." Neilson and Alice don't have any secrets. When I decided to tell Alice, I was aware of that reality.

"Why?" When his gaze landed on Alice's ass, I felt like throwing up. He held the bottle between his lips. I understand why he decides to sit there.

"Because Kevin wouldn't feel comfortable," I clarify.

He says with a nod, "Understandable."

Alice straightened up and turned to face me. "She should stop talking to someone because her boyfriend feels uncomfortable?"

Neilson shrugged languidly. "Yes. I would like you to stop someone from talking to me if it makes me uncomfortable.

She leans it slightly to the side and places her hands on her waist. "Then, why did you talk to that girl I told you to stop talking to?" she yelled.

Neilson raised both of his hands. "My secretary is her! I must speak with her.

Alice scoffs and blows off her face's non-dampened hair. "Yes, continue to justify her. She schedules all of my appointments, therefore, I need to talk to her," she says, her voice growing deeper as she leaves. "She treats you as if you were a piece of meat! Is she unaware that you are my meat?

"Angel! She does schedule all of my appointments at work! I must ta-" Both of us flinched when the door slammed. Neilson places the bottle on the table and then presses his fingers to his nasal bridge. He realizes after a while that I'm still visible on the screen. He wiped his lips with his hand. "See what I have to deal with?" He pointed to where Alice had gone.

I grinned, knowing that a major war was about to begin. I murmured, "Good luck, Neilson," and then disconnected the connection.

I started preparing dinner after cleaning up the living room and taking a shower. "Hi honey," I greeted with a smile as the front door opened. Kevin puts his work tools down. He stoops to plant a kiss on me. "Long day?"

With a sigh, he strokes his hair before putting his arms around me. "Super long, but I'm feeling better now."

As I keep stirring the vegetables, I smile. "Go rest and take a shower. When dinner is done, I'll give you a call."

He pulls his legs up the stairs and nods. With a sigh, I carry on with my cooking. The aroma of fresh food fills the air as the pots and utensils continue to clank against each other. I'm so absorbed in my thoughts that I continue to move like a robot until the phone rings.

Without glancing at the screen, I pick it up. "Hello?"

"Camila?" His tone.

I ceased moving and remained motionless. I can't take my eyes off the steam floating through the air. "Greg?"

"I was wondering if we are still meeting tomorrow?"

I turn to see Kevin toddling down the stairs as I hear footsteps rolling down. He approaches the couch and collapses. He picks up the remote control and flips the TV on idly. I took a bottle of beer out of the refrigerator and placed it in front of him.

"Who are you talking to?" Kevin inquired.

"Greg. I answered, "A friend I met at the park."

"Who's that?" Greg's query.

I watch as Kevin presses the bottle to his lip, his body tensing in some way. "My boyfriend."

I felt as though I was wedged between two solid walls, and the scenario was unpleasant somehow. I return to the kitchen and carry on preparing food. When Greg remained silent, I spoke up. "Yeah, we can meet tomorrow."

Without the connection we had the other day, there was still some talk. The remorse comes along with the butterflies, which for some reason won't go away. I put the plates on the table after I was done. "Kev, the food is re-" Kevin was on the couch, sound sleeping. With a sigh, I pick up the folded blanket from the sofa's edge and drape it over his body. Before getting up to pack him lunch, I sat on the side of the couch, put my palm on his cheek, and gave him a small grin.

Kevin's words, "You can meet him, you know," made me paralyzed. He is facing me, his stomach resting on the couch, when I turn around. "Go out, meet friends."

I take a seat next to him. "And you won't feel uncomfortable?"

Kevin's lovely brown eyes drifted into mine as he laid his head on my lap. "I trust you." He encircles my waist with his arms. "Plus, you need friends besides Alice and Neilson."

I lift one of my fingers. "Repair. Neilson would not be my friend if he weren't Alice's boyfriend. I reiterated what Alice had said.

After giving me a cheek pinch, Kevin got up and walked over to the couch. My body tangles with his as we both crawl beneath the covers. "Tell me." He runs his fingers through my hair and yawns. "Is he better looking than me?"

"Do you want words of comfort or the truth?"

He touches his chest with his hand. "Oh, ouch." I laughed when he pretended to be hurt. "Give me words of comfort."

"He is a thousand times inferior to you. Much more attractive. So much smarter. Much more-"

He squashes me between his biceps and drags my face against his chest. "That's enough, you're making me feel terrible." Before the hush eloped around us, his chest rustled. "You can become pals without my consent. I recognize you, Camila.

I wrapped my toe in tiny circles around his ankle as our legs became entangled. "And what am I?"

He said, "You're faithful," without hesitation. He kissed me on the forehead.

"You're not afraid some other guy will sweep me off my feet?" I ask, grinning as I gaze up.

"I'm afraid the wind will carry you away. Consume more food.

We chuckled and carried on discussing trivial topics till Kevin disappeared into the night. I give him a quick peck on the cheek and then pull him in closer.

How could I possibly mistrust our relationship at all? Do you have any doubts about my feelings?

Greg is really attractive, but that was all. He's the object of my infatuation, which will eventually fade. A passionate but fleeting passion is infatuation.

But Kevin and I-we have a different thing. We have an unshakeable friendship and have been together through thick and thin.