She Won't Forgive - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Early the next morning, Camila got a message from Johnathon—he’d settled everything with the landlord and secured her a place at well below market rate. They agreed to meet at 4 p.m. after her class at the music studio.
As soon as they wrapped up the conversation, Camila rushed to tell Jasmin the good news. Jasmin blinked and said what was really on her mind, "Why does this whole thing feel like a scam to me?"
She thought, 'What are the odds? A super cheap place, right when she needs one, and the landlord's conveniently leaving the country? Sounds fishy as hell.'
Camila paused to consider it. "No way. Dr. Hemming's quite trustworthy."
Jasmin suddenly got curious about "Dr. Hemming". She bumped Camila's shoulder and said, "How about I take a couple hours off this afternoon and go with you to check out the place? I kinda wanna see what this Dr. Hemming guy is all about."
Camila raised an eyebrow. "You sure your cheapskate boss is gonna let you leave early?"
"Worst case scenario, I'll fake a migraine or something and call in sick," Jasmin replied.
Camila thought it over. "Sure, why not? After the apartment tour, we can grab dinner together."
"Alright. I'll have to start working on my excuse as soon as I get to the office."
"Good luck with that."
With that, they each headed off to work.
The day flew by, and before Camila knew it, her last class was done. She walked out of the music studio and texted Johnathon.
He sent her a location pin and then texted: [I'm waiting at the gate of the complex.]
Camila: [OK.]
Seeing that Jasmin hadn't arrived yet, Camila gave her a call. The second the line connected, Jasmin's whiny voice came through. "Ugh, Cami, I can't make it. I'm bleeding out over here."
Camila's heart skipped a beat as she asked worriedly, "What happened? Are you okay?"
"My period hit like a damn freight train," Jasmin groaned. "It was so bad I ended up in the hospital."
Concern immediately flashed across Camila's face. "Which hospital are you at? I'll come see you."
"No need. It's nothing serious. It's just super heavy this time. And I think I overdid it on the cold stuff these past two days. I got some cramps, that's all," Jasmin said.
She then lowered her voice. "But get this—my boss is the one who brought me to the hospital. I'm mortified."
Camila asked, "How so?"
Jasmin mumbled, "I didn't even realize it started. It was all over my pants. I only found out when I went to ask for time off and my cheapskate boss pointed it out.
"I swear, Cami, I wanted the ground to swallow me whole right then and there."
Camila let out a laugh. "Yeah, I'd be mortified too."
"You're the worst," Jasmin grumbled.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. But seriously, are you sure you don't need me to come?"
"I'm sure. You go check out the place. If anything feels off, call me right away."
"Okay. You take care of yourself."
"Will do."
When she arrived at Youkingh Bay, Camila looked up and immediately spotted Johnathon standing tall and composed beside the security booth. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black slacks, his figure was lean and striking, with an air of quiet elegance.
He was looking down at his phone, his brows somehow slightly furrowed. The golden light from the setting sun spilled across his profile, casting shadows and highlights like the boldest brushstroke in an oil painting.
As if sensing her gaze, Johnathon lifted his eyes slightly. Camila didn't have time to look away. She met his brooding, striking eyes head-on.
She thought, her heart skipping a beat, 'Busted.' She gave a quick, awkward smile and walked over. "Hope you didn't wait long, Dr. Hemming."
Johnathon slipped his phone into his pocket and stepped forward. "I just got here." His tone was calm and smooth.
Still flustered from getting caught staring, Camila quickly tried to steer the conversation somewhere safer. "This complex is actually pretty close to where I work. It's only about an eight-and-a-half-minute walk."
Johnathon nodded to the security guard, then led her into the complex. Hearing what she said, he smiled faintly, "It's close to Emberwick Medical Center too—ten minutes by car. Plus, all the shopping and transit options are right around the corner."
Camila's mood lifted even more. "That's perfect. It'll make getting to my treatments way easier."
Johnathon glanced at her beautiful profile, his tone deliberately ambiguous as he remarked, "If the timing works out, you could even catch a ride with me."
Camila blinked, then caught on, her eyes lighting up. "Wait, Dr. Hemming, you live here too?"
He lowered his gaze slightly, hiding whatever flickered in his eyes, and said, "Your landlord's actually my landlord. Looks like we'll be neighbors."
"Wow, what are the odds?" she said, surprised.
"The landlord happened to mention he was urgently looking for a tenant right before I spotted your tweet about apartment hunting," Johnathon explained. Then with a meaningful pause, he added, "This place was meant for you."
"Totally meant to be," she agreed. "I have to get this apartment now."
Johnathon chuckled softly and led her further in. As they walked, Camila took in the surroundings. No wonder this place was considered upscale—the environment was great, tons of greenery, and the amenities were top-notch. Honestly, the only downside was the price.
She'd looked it up the night before. Even the cheapest unit here cost more than two million dollars. 'I could play violin for the rest of my life and still wouldn't be able to afford that,' she thought.
The fact that she got to rent a place here at such a ridiculously low price was pure luck in her eyes.
Soon, they reached the building where the apartment was. Johnathon held the elevator door for her, gesturing politely for her to go in first.
Camila stepped inside and noticed him press the button for the seventh floor. She asked, "Really though, I have to thank you, Dr. Hemming. If it weren't for you, there's no way I'd have found a place like this."
The cold, white light above cast a shadow across his face, making it hard to read his expression. She could only catch the warmth in his voice as he said, "I'm just glad I could help."
"You're honestly such a kind and helpful person, Dr. Hemming," Camila said sincerely.
"Kind?" Johnathon gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Now that's a first."
Camila smiled, "Well, either way, thank you."
Johnathon was quiet for a few seconds before speaking again, "You know, I think the thing you've said to me most often is 'thank you'."
Camila paused, realizing he was right. She remarked, "Now that you mention it, yeah. I keep saying I'll treat you to a meal, but I still haven't followed through.
"Let me know when you're free so I can finally make good on it. Otherwise, I'll feel guilty living in this apartment."
Johnathon thought for a moment, then replied in his usual calm tone, "How about tonight?"