7 STRONG GUARD

"Father we're at home."

Camilla called out as they both entered the mansion, located in the posh area of NewYork.

"We're  !

Nice starting my love."

Ed teased her by rolling his fingers into her hair lock and pushed her against the wall in that damn alleyway.

"Oh damn honey you smell so caramel. I don't know how I'll control myself right now."

His raspy voice turned into a whisper. As he bend onto her. Camilla closed eye giggled deep down still resisted on outer.

"No-no Ed !"

She didn't want him to find the truth that her treacherous heart was already falling for him.

"Hhushh stay still."

He placed a finger on her lips to cut as this was a great chance obviously not to be missed.

"No Ed. Don't....."

He knew she badly wanted him to kiss, her breath was fastly running on his face. Maybe she really was falling for him but it wasn't love at that instant. Perhaps he was growing on her but unsure. Changed his mind

Ed decided to tease again hovering over her face, fanning his warm and sensual breath on her eyes, lips, and neck trailing over her beautiful features.

"Ohh please let me do. Your lips are so tempting."

Camilla tucked to the wall by him felt her body heated a slight whimper left her lips, held her breath perhaps she really was waiting for him to kiss with a little pout and close eyes !

"Hehehe  !"

But she heard someone's giggle as his grip loosened upon her arms. He was laughing hard with one hand on tummy and other on mouth. Trying hard to catch breath.

"Wwhat really? "

He outburst into laugh again rushed & lifted her chin.

"You wished for a kiss ?"

Embarrassed upon her stupid action still Camilla tried to resist his charms.

"No I didn't say that. Remember I refused a few moments ago."

Camilla pushed him back with all might making room for her escape.

"Oo really ?"

He thrust his lips onto hers and with a mastery of tongue forced her to open, rolled his tongue in exploring every part and tasting her Caramel scent.

Camilla melted into his embrace, an electric wave of rising emotions led her to respond equally placing her fingers into his hair & one hand on the back of his neck.

"Cam, Ed....where are you hiding ?"

Their private moment was interrupted by Mr. Hudson when he called out from the lounge waiting anxiously for his gift.

"See your body loves me, wants me, so you do !"

Ed played with her hair flip and settled it at the back of ear making her realize of her own feelings. Of course as he said before no one ever dared to show her, made her feel like this it was new but having Ed around she felt something__some magnetic spark between them.

"Let's go."

-----------------

"Aww it's so beautiful Cam. Thank you both of you."

Mr. Hudson was sitting placing the painting in front zoned out perhaps in some deep thought.

"Dad what's so special in this one ?"

Camilla was curious why her father wanted only this painting too bad. And now his face was creased with some painful expression.

Mr. Hudson wasn't in the position to answer.

"Dad !"

He snapped out of his mind back into present as he wiped off his tears.

"Are you alright sir ?

Why are you..."

"Yes yes I'm fine."

He glanced at the painting again & then towards the young couple. Who was fighting with their emotions rather than cherishing each other in this short life.

"It's just I - this view in the painting reminds me of something special."

Ed shot up from his seat & immediately sat in his feet holding one knee.

"Do you want to share it sir ? We're listening. Right Cam? "

He suspected the memory from his past.

Ed waved her as Camilla followed and sat besides him on the ground.

"Yes dad. We're listening."

"Hum.....Actually Cam your mum wanted me to take her abroad to Niagara falls. But I started my business at that time. It went on busy but she never complained nor wished that again. Time passed and I struggled to reach the heights. But you know life is just a blink of eye__and then....."

He wiped the tear which fell off on his cheek.

His voice stuttered.

"She left me alone. I couldn't get a chance to fulfil her wish."

A muffled cry echoed in that quiet room.

"Oh dad. Don't feel it that bad. I believe mum knew the reasons that you just started handling the business at that time. And everything you did , struggled was for her. I bet she would understand."

Camilla added it was hard  to see her father like this.

Ed held Mr. Hudson's hand and chapped making the atmosphere pleasant.

"I do believe she'd have forgiven you sir. She loved you truly even if you weren't able to fulfil her  wish. Still she cherished many beautiful memories with you. That's what matters. She knew your love is far much more."

"Ah ! yes yes. I wish to rest her in peace soon I'll join her !

This painting presents almost that scenery."

Mr. Hudson stood up for a sleep. As he reached the end of the sofa something shot up into his mind n he turned back.

"Ah ! I completely forgot. You both haven't went to your honeymoon. I want you guys to live every moment and cherish each other when you've time. Life is short my children.

I've planned and set everything you both are leaving tomorrow morning & going to Switzerland."

"What ? "

Camilla snapped n immediately stood up from the carpet. This was no less than a nightmare spending days with him alone without any disturbance.

"But dad we can't leave you here alone."

Ed was quiet as he was aware of the whole planning. That Mr. Hudson planned this intentionally so that he'd get closer to her in no time.

"I'm not alone honey. Mr. Miller would be my companion. And about work your secretary Mr. Rhodes will manage everything. Now no arguments you both are going."

He announced his decision and went towards his room. No doubt he was her dad she may be the boss at the company but the decisions of her life___he was the boss regarding that.

"Why didn't you refused ? "

Camilla turned around  glaring at Ed who was smiling with his arms folded, amused by her reaction.

"Why should I  ?

I really want a break to spent a week with my lovely wife."

He wrapped her and pulled closer.

"But I don't. And you aren't my husband. "

She threw spades from her eyes towards him.

"Oh my ! You're being hyper it's mean you're feeling something for me even if it's hatred. Your cold heart has started to melt !"

Since he was here and his teasing brought out some results as she was showing symptoms of being a normal human !

She struggled to break free. He was doing something unspeakable to her.

"Shut up I'm not feeling anything & not going anywhere."

She growled venomously.

Ed knew she was hiding herself behind this mask. And building these huge walls around her, but why ?

"Then you should've refused him yourself. Well I'm not going to do that. So be ready we're going."

He replied and carelessly  moved towards the staircase leaving her in the lounge blank & dumbfound.

"Ugh ! This man is getting on my nerves. I wished I'd turn back the time wheel to the point where I proposed him that stupid agreement. Now there's no other way to turn around. I can't hurt my dad so I've to endure this idiot till next 5 months."

Camilla gritted & muttered to herself.

AFTER 30 MINUTES

She stepped inside the room tiptoed__pin drop silence. Actually she peeked in to confirm whether he was asleep or not. Upon finding the lights turned off she let a 'relieved sigh' and close the door behind. She didn't want to face him more.

LIGHTS ON !

Ed was standing behind the door with his one leg tucked.

"You're late wifey."

"I-I was busy downstairs."

Jumped on her placed by his sudden voice.

"Oh really?

Doing what ?"

He stepped closer narrowing his eyes as Camilla took a few baby steps backward with a pounding heart.

"Actually I ...."

Her voice was shaky & being a traitor leaving her in this critical situation.  That's why she was afraid to be alone with him. Words used to leave her.

"Don't try to lie. I can sense your loud beat whenever I'm close to you I can feel you hesitate."

His voice was soft but his words were true__a mirror to her feelings. Ed lifted her chin.

"Tell me are you afraid that you'll fall in love with me ?

Tell me Camilla you stayed out only to come inside when I fall asleep ?"

Some sort of 'disappointment' was in his tone. Maybe he got hurt badly.

She slapped his hand away.

"No it's nothing like that. And I'm not afraid of you.

I said I was busy."

Higher & firm in tone she slipped away from him and sat on the side of bed.

"You better not. I'm not going to hurt you__ever. Mind my words.

Good night."

He assured despite his wounds.

"Good night."

Her voice came while Ed stayed up on the sofa. Facing his back towards her. Camilla slipped into some kind of hurtful thoughts.

"I'm sorry Ed I can't love you. I can't hurt myself again. I'm used to this kind of sweet talk even if you're true to your words I still can't love you."

She closed her eye-lids and a few pearls of water rolled down from her eyes onto cheeks & got absorbed into the pillow cover.