Camille

 

Camille wanted to touch the photographs hanging on the walls but knew that she couldn’t. The ones that were getting the most attention from people attending the art show were of Devin. He had a deep, intense stare as he peered directly down the lens of the camera.

 

In all the photographs he was shirtless on his bike or at the breakfast table with scruffy hair, his jeans low on his groin, and the elastic band of his underwear sticking out. His torso, his washboard abs, the light dusting of dark hair on his chest, the tattoos on his back, his large masculine hands, his muscles… they were all making Camille’s head spin. Everywhere she looked, women were pointing at the photograph - laughing, giggling, and ogling.

 

Camille knew she had no right to feel jealous. Who was she to Devin? They had been on one date together and had sex… but so what? Camille wanted to leave, she had a terrible feeling that she wouldn’t be able to bear to be around the photographs for too much longer.

 

Shayna was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Devin. The gallery was stuffed with people carrying champagne glasses in beautiful expensive-looking dresses, and Camille felt out of place. She didn’t feel worthy to be there. Then she caught sight of Devin again. He was standing underneath one of the framed photographs and shaking hands with a few people dressed in tuxedos. She smiled because suddenly she realized that he looked as out of place as she felt.

 

He hadn’t traded in his usual attire for a suit. He was still in a pair of dark jeans, with a plain white t-shirt, black leather jacket, and muddy boots. Even his hair looked the same. Devin had put in no extra effort for the art show despite it being held in his honor.

 

He caught Camille’s eye as she stood in the corner with a smile on her face. When he started walking towards her, she bit down on her lip.

 

“Sorry I had to go away, I hope you’re not bored,” Devin said when he finally approached her. She could see that everyone was turning to look at them, they all wanted to see who this handsome hunk of a model had come to the gallery with.

 

“No, I’m not bored at all. This is lovely,” Camille replied. Devin smiled and stared into her eyes. Whenever he did that, it always made her feel uncomfortable because it reminded her of their naked bodies pressed together on the beach. He’d looked at her the same way he had that night when she bounced on his lap.

 

“This would be a great place to hold an art exhibition,” Devin added, interrupting her thoughts and Camille’s brows crossed. She didn’t know what he was trying to say.

 

“Yes, it is good.”

 

“You’re an artist, don’t you have some art to show?” Devin took a few steps closer to her.

 

Camille felt her cheeks flush. She couldn’t believe that he would even suggest a thing like that.

 

“My art at Evangeline Fox’s gallery? Don’t be ridiculous.” Camille rolled her eyes, but Devin was still staring at her, with an encouraging smile on his face.

 

“I told you I’m friends with her, and I know she is always on the lookout for new talent. I’m sure she’ll be open to at least seeing your work,” Devin said, catching her embarrassed gaze. Camille tried to smile; this man was something else! And he didn’t even know the truth yet about her comics.

 

“I don’t need your help, Devin. And also, I told you, my art is just a hobby.” Camille was twiddling her thumbs as she stood in front of him.

 

“So make it more than just a hobby,” he suggested, and Camille shook her head.

 

“You haven’t even seen it yet. What if it’s absolute crap?” Camille gave a nervous laugh, but Devin wasn’t laughing.

 

“I know it isn’t. I know you have some hidden talent in you that is waiting to come out. I won’t be doing it as a favor; I’ll just help you get a lucky break. What’s wrong with that?”

 

Camille bit down on her lip, smiling unabashedly at him. She could feel her stomach churning; he was looking at her in that same way again.

 

“Guys, this is amazing. I had no idea, Devin!” Shayna had appeared next to them, and Camille turned, surprised. She hadn’t expected Shayna to suddenly change her tune, she actually sounded like she was impressed.

 

Camille smiled as Shayna gave her an obvious wink.

 

“Thanks, Shayna. I’m glad you both like it,” Devin said, and then turned back to Camille.

 

“She’s right Devin, this is amazing,” Camille told him. Then Devin’s face changed, as he looked past her. Camille turned to look as well.

 

“Oh great, there she is. I should introduce the two of you.” Devin hastily walked away from them, towards a woman who was standing across the room.

 

“Oh my gosh. Is that Evangeline Fox? Did you know that she’s the one who photographed him?” Shayna was speaking excitedly beside Camille.

 

Devin had reached the woman by now and had leaned in to speak into her ear. Camille noticed the way Devin’s hand gently touched her waist. There wasn’t anything overtly sexual in their relationship, but even from a distance, Camille could tell that they knew each other intimately. It was more than just a photographer-model connection.

 

They had started walking towards her and Shayna, and Camille needed no introduction to this woman. She had known it instantly; Evangeline Fox was Devin’s ex-girlfriend.

 

***

 

The best word to describe Evangeline as she walked towards Camille was elegant. Evangeline was in a long navy velvet dress that clung to her body and had a slit at the waist, so that every time she took a step, her long pale legs were revealed. She was slender to the point of perfection. She was wearing a dark bejeweled choker on her neck and matching long earrings. Her makeup was dark and silvery, and her hair was long, brunette and fell like a satin curtain around her shoulders.

 

Evangeline took small tender steps in her high heels and Devin walked beside her, talking into her ear. She held out her hand to a few people who crossed their paths, and they all kissed her hand like she was a queen among her subjects.

 

Camille felt too small, too nervous, and could feel her neck burning up with jealousy. She felt like she was no match for Evangeline Fox’s grace, charm, wealth, and incredible talent.

 

“She is absolutely stunning, isn’t she?” she heard Shayna’s voice beside her, and Camille shook her head to set her brain straight again.

 

“Yes… yes, she is,” Camille admitted, her nervous smile twitching a little.

 

“Do you think they’re friends? Is Devin going to introduce her to us?”

 

Camille gulped; she didn’t want Devin to introduce them, as she was afraid of how Evangeline would look at her.

 

She had not looked at Camille yet. Instead, Evangeline was allowing Devin to simply lead the way. She kept her attention focused on the other guests at the gallery - waving, smiling and extending her hand. She was the perfect hostess, absolutely flawless, and it was easy to see why Devin might have been attracted to her. Maybe he still was.

 

“Yes, they are friends,” Camille replied dejectedly to Shayna’s question. She wished she could disappear. Evangeline and Devin were close to them now, and all Camille wanted to do was run away.

 

But then she looked at Devin - at his handsome face, the face of a man she felt safe around - and she felt a little better. She didn’t know if she could trust him or what he wanted from her. All she knew was that she felt uplifted around him; confident and happy.

 

But he was with Evangeline Fox.

 

“Camille, I would like to introduce you to my photographer, Evangeline, Evangeline Fox,” Devin said. He had placed a hand on Evangeline’s waist as he made the introduction. Evangeline’s eyes finally rested on Camille. She had an icy cold stare - gray eyes and no smile. At that moment, when Evangeline first laid eyes on Camille, it was clear that Evangeline despised her.

 

Camille knew instantly that Evangeline had seen her earlier when they first came into the gallery, obviously from a distance. She had watched Devin with her, and she knew that they had come to the gallery together. Yet, she made a show of not noticing Camille and being disinterested in her.

 

Evangeline raised her eyebrows and extended her hand to Camille, still without a smile on her face. With Evangeline’s long fingers floating in front of her, Camille wasn’t sure if she was meant to kiss her hand or shake it.

 

“Hello, Evangeline. This is a lovely exhibition,” Camille said nervously and took her hand softly and gave it a shake.

 

“Hello, darling, Devin warned me that he was bringing two unexpected guests.” Evangeline’s voice was polished and sophisticated. She used small curt words, and her tone was as icy cold as her stare.

 

“And who is this charming young woman?” she asked, turning to look at Shayna. Camille could sense Shayna’s anxiety beside her.

 

“This is Camille’s friend, Shayna,” Devin told her, and Camille looked at him for support. But he had no idea the effect that Evangeline had on Camille. He was only politely making introductions.

 

“How lovely. Hello, Shayna.”

 

“Hello, Evangeline. I’m a big fan.” Shayna gulped like a teenage girl. Evangeline shook her hand as well and then turned to Camille again.

 

A strange silence hung in the air between them until Devin spoke.

 

“Camille is an artist herself. She is too humble to show her work to me, but maybe you can persuade her to show it to you,” Devin said, and Camille felt like she would melt into the floor. She didn’t want him to discuss her art with Evangeline. In fact, she didn’t want to be in Evangeline’s presence for a second longer.

 

A smile suddenly broke out on Evangeline’s face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her lips stretched over her face, and she reached over to Camille, placing a long hand on her shoulder unexpectedly.

 

“You shouldn’t be shy about your work, dear girl. If you are an artist, you must express yourself,” Evangeline said in a wise, rich tone, and Camille felt like she could burst out crying.

 

“I have to go and talk to Mark. I’ll be back soon. Evangeline, why don’t you give them a tour?” Devin suddenly said and threw a quick look at the graceful photographer before he disappeared into the crowd. He hadn’t even turned to Camille, and she began to feel worried.

 

The smile vanished from Evangeline’s face as quickly as it had appeared. “How sweet of Devin to have invited you two to the show.” Evangeline held her hands together with poise.

 

Shayna giggled beside Camille and nodded. Camille stood quietly, staring back at Evangeline’s icy gaze. She wasn’t sure what to say or do in her presence; she felt like the photographer was constantly judging her.

 

“Come along with me darlings, as Devin said, you at least deserve a tour. See for yourselves how absolutely stunning he is,” Evangeline declared and after turning on her heels, began to walk away. Camille didn’t want to follow her, but she had no other choice. It was too late to not be a part of Devin’s world now.