CAMERA'S PAST!

CAMERON

"Rose is the reason for my pain!"

I stopped talking and succumbed to memories.

"Your girlfriend?" She asked hesitatingly.

A small smile crept on my lips as I shook my head a little.

"No. Rose... she was my... sister. Younger sister!" She made an O with her lips in understanding.

"I don't know anything about our biological parents. We grew up in an orphanage. There was this old lady, I don't know her real name, but we called her Granny, who ran that orphanage. I and Rose were her favourite kids... well that's what I believe. We were happy there!

Rose was three years younger than me. One day a couple came to adopt a child. And they fell in love with Rose at first sight. They decided to adopt her...only her. But Rose... she was adamant that she will not leave me.

She wanted to live with me and only me! Granny tried her best to convince Rose, but she refused to leave me. She tied our hands with a rope in fear that granny would take her away from me when we were sleeping." A soft laugh echoed around.

I could feel Bria's surprised eyes at me, and I understood her. Who would think that a mafia man like me could have such sweet memory of my past?

"That day granny decided to not put Rose or my name on the adoption list. As we grew up granny arranged for our education with the help of little charity and contributions the orphanage received. We both were bright students. I wanted to be a lawyer and Rose wanted to be a teacher. Our school was not the best in the area but it was good enough than nothing."

I paused as that was the end of my happy life, and what began later turned me into the monster I was!

"One day... Granny... she died. There was no one to take care of the orphanage after her, so it was closed after her death. We got separated from all our friends. That all took a great toll on Rose. We had not enough money to attend school, so I took a job but convinced Rose to continue her school.

As time passed, I started working more and was making enough money to survive. It was the hardest time of my life. I used to work the whole day and late at the night. I wanted to give everything that Rose needed. But I never realised that what she really needed was not materialistic things. She needed me the most! She needed me to sit beside her, talk to her, and listen to her pain. But I... I was not there for her!"

Bria sat silently, listening to me uncover my old and deep wounds. She was so silent as if she was afraid that if she made even a sound of her breathing, then I might shut myself.

But not today!

"That night... I reached home early to surprise Rose. It was her birthday the next day. We didn't know our birthdays so granny celebrated our birthdays on the same day. The day she found us on the streets and brought us to the orphanage. Rose was turning fifteen and I was eighteen. When I reached home and unlocked the door with the keys to surprise her I never thought that I would be the one receiving a shock. Rose... she..." My voice cracked in pain.

Bria held her breath in anticipation.

"Rose was on the floor with a white powder on the table in front of her. Unruly hair covered her head, red and puffy eyes failing to steady and the particles of white powder on her face and skin. She... she was taking the drugs."

I felt her eyes widening in shock, yet she remained silent, wanting to listen further.

"We had a big fight that night. She cried and begged to forgive her. She promised me that she will never take drugs again. But I was furious. It was hard for me to believe that my little Rose was doing all that behind my back. I asked her where she got those drugs and who made her take them in the first place. She told me that there was a gang of some boys. They sold drugs to the students in secret.

One of Rose's friends introduced her to them. I dragged her with me to take her to the police station. I wanted them to get punished for doing this to my sister. Also, I didn't want it to happen with anyone's sister or daughter. She cried that they were dangerous people, but I refused to listen. On the way to the police station, the same gang stopped us. Rose informed that friend of hers that we were going to the police station. And that friend passed the news to that gang."

Sensing the tension growing around me, Bria finally opened her mouth in the hope to stop me. "Cameron. I-"

But I ignored her. I needed to let it out of my chest, or else it would kill me more than it already had!

"I fought... I fought with all my might, Bria. But I was weak! I couldn't put up a fight against them. My body was covered in bruises and wounds, bones broken. I told Rose to run... I told her to get the hell outta there. One of the guys pulled his gun and aimed it at me. I was terrified and closed my eyes for the impact, but it never came.

Only the sound of a gunshot rang in my ears. That sound is still haunting me after all these years, Bria!"

A loud sob escaped my mouth, and I didn't hold back even a bit.

Her hands shot to her mouth as she heard me.

"When I opened my eyes, I saw my Rose falling on me. The bullet pierced her chest. Her cry of pain cut through my very being. Then I got hit in the head and blacked out."

I saw the same tears and pain in her eyes that I wished to see all my life. As if she understood what I felt, what I had been through. She held no pity in her eyes but the look that said- I am there for you, and I understand.

"Wh-what happened after that?'

"I lay there unconscious with the dead body of my sister when... when King found me!"

I could tell she was not expecting that twist from the look on her face.

"He helped me with Rose's funeral. I told him everything from the scratch. And after two days he stood beside me when I put all the bullets in the skulls of those bastards who killed my sister and also that traitor friend of hers."

Bria was speechless. For a minute, she didn't find any words to say to me.

Before she presented an argument about my actions I clarified. "I did what was the right thing for me to do. And before you ask... I don't regret it a bit! The only thing I regret is that I failed as a brother. I was not there for my sister when she needed me.

From that day, I decided to always be by King's side. He was the only person there for me when I was broken. He was the only one who guided me through my misery. He was the one who taught me the significance of power and led me to achieve it." I spoke passionately about King, which only made her frown in distaste.

Bria had tears in her eyes. She jumped down on the ground and walked to sit on the sand, resting her back on the car's door.

We took some minutes to gather ourselves because the emotions we both felt were unbearable for us.

Once ready to speak, I went to sit beside her. "Today's Rose's birthday." I said softly.

She didn't say anything for a moment before she turned to face me and smiled.

"Happy birthday, Camera!" It felt weird to hear after all these years.

But I knew her smile was genuine, and so were her wishes.

After a minute, she spoke again. "You were wrong when you didn't give attention to Rose. You made a mistake when you ignored the little changes in her behaviour. It's not like she just woke up one day and started taking drugs. If you had noticed the changes in her health, habits, appearance or anything then you might have changed everything."

I gulped the lump that formed in my throat because I knew she was right.

"But that does not fail you as a brother. You sacrificed your education for Rose. You worked hard for her. I know how hard it must be for you to do it all alone. I have also gone through some similar shit, but at least I had Benji with me. But you were alone and not experienced. You made her happy as much as you could when you also needed someone to take care of you and make you happy.

You always wished the best for her. And that's what really matters! We all make mistakes, Camera. But that's what makes us human. Acting strong for your sister was your way of facing the situation. When you killed her killers and started a new life, you accepted the truth. But you haven't yet decided how you want to live the rest of your life."

"I want this pain to go away." I said after a short pause.

She scooted closer to me and hugged me. I flinched at her touch at first but then relaxed slowly.

"I will not say that it will go away in one day. But yes! I want you to move on and get done with the guilt. You can choose to be happy again. You have a new chance to shape your life the way you want, Camera. You have Nora, Gabriel, Adam and of course that asshole boss of yours. But they care for you, Cameron. You can choose to live for them.

I never got a chance to meet Rose, but I think she would have wished the same for you. She must be watching you from above, and seeing you sad and hurt is not going to help her soul to rest in peace. And remember that this guilt will take you only to the dead end!"

I didn't try to stop my tears as her words and her touch comforted me the way Rose used to.

She didn't say another word after that giving me time to cry my heart out until I was left with only numbness. We pulled away after what felt like ages, and I was about to thank her when she screamed in alarm.

"CAMERON!!"