Camilla (darknessiknow) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2011-10-20 22:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | 2009-08-23, camilla, dominic |
Who: Camilla and Dominic
Where: Savvy’s apartment to start, then her place at Cherryblossom
When: Late morning
What: Someone has to save the day
This had gone on for too damn long in her opinion. She hated the fact that her brother was hurting but more than that, she hated that she wasn’t around to help him. And to top it all off, he was living with that little bitch. How he managed to stand being around her, she’d never freaking know. Just the thought of having to go to Savvy’s apartment made Camilla’s skin crawl. She made a face as the driver she’d hired pulled up to the building.
Smoothing invisible pieces of lint off her dress, she rolled down the window and glanced up, her face clearly showing her disgust as she pulled her cell from her purse. One tape of her perfectly manicured finger and it was to her ear as she waited for him to pick up. There was no way she was letting her twin live here any longer. If he wanted to look for his mate, fine, but he wasn’t going to do it without proper support.
“If you want to live in a house without a bitch in it, come outside. I’ll be waiting,” she said as soon as he picked up, turning her face from the window and noting to amused smirk of her bodyguard in the rearview mirror.
This place wasn’t as bad when Savvy wasn’t home. Really, it was the only time Dominic spent any time in the studio apartment, aside from sleeping. And it was funny to hear Savvy try to creep around him in the mornings to keep him from waking up, because it wasn’t like he couldn’t hear her anyway. If he’d had a lot to drink - like that night he’d met Nicci, holy shit that hangover had sucked even as a wolf - then nothing mattered anymore. But he still woke up on her couch every morning, alone.
And that was where he still was, feet propped up on the coffee table, munching on stirfry that he’d made for himself, because like hell he would actually eat take out. Dominic had to keep some semblance of standards, after all. He hadn’t expected Camilla to call him right then and there, but it still brought a hint of a smile to his face. He missed his twin, he really did, even if he never told anyone about it.
“Oh really?” he asked, getting up from his seat and going over to the window. “Don’t lie to me, it’s a long walk back to New York from here.” He pushed the curtain aside to see that, yep, there was a car waiting. “Milla, you surprise me.”
She smiled. “You really think I could leave you alone this long? Especially given your current living arrangement. Honestly, Dom, I don’t know how you’re living there.” Even though he couldn’t see her, she was sure he could tell she was making a face. “Now come on down. I have an appointment with a decorator and I’m sure you still have to gather your things. You didn’t know you were being rescued.” Camilla had liked the idea of surprising her brother. She figured he deserved a happy one given everything he was dealing with.
“Most of the time, I can’t tell you how I’m dealing with it either.” One word: desperation. Dominic was at an all-time low point in his life and the only one who seemed to understand it was Nicci - and Nicci did not exactly have her shit together either, from what he could tell. He put himself in this situation and he’d find a way to get out, somehow. “I’ll be down in five.” With a genuine smile on his face, Dom hung up and turned back to his suitcase to grab his clothes, along with the invite he’d gotten for Hotel de Sei Ali’s opening. Now that was right up Camilla’s alley.
Normally, she might not have rushed him as much. Not that she would have gone upstairs to help but that had more to do with who he was living with than actually doing something to help her brother. She closed the window and slid her phone into her purse. Sliding across the seat, she glanced at her nails as she waited, thinking about the long list of things that needed to get done. Her line was being shipped and she knew the small staff she had were frantically working to make sure everything was moved. The penthouse she had at Cherryblossom was perfect but she was also looking into a space in town for her office. If she was going to start a line, she was doing it right and that meant a lot of work. But it left less time for dwelling, which was healthier for her in the long run.
It didn’t Dominic long to gather his things, considering that he hadn’t brought much and what he had was just enough to get him through. The rest was already in his car, and the only thing he had to do was nudge his familiar awake from under the lamp he’d claimed as his own. “Crowe, we’re leaving,” he told the snake, leaving his hand close by so Crowe could wrap around it.
We’d best be going somewhere with a decent heat lamp. Even Crowe’s voice sounded tired and annoyed - not that Dominic had known the snake to be anything less, in the brief time he’d been around.
“I’m sure Milla thought of that.” Without leaving a note for Savvy - fuck that, the girl could call if she really cared, and knowing Savvy she probably would - Dominic headed downstairs, suitcase in one hand and Crowe curled around the other. Making his way to the car waiting outside, he tapped on the passenger window. That was his sister, she always had to arrive in style.
Her cat was curled behind her as she opened the door for her brother and slid back across the seat. Her bodyguard got out of the car and moved to put Dominic’s suitcase in the trunk of the car. Mezza meowed and stretched lazily as she caught sight of the snake wrapped around the were’s arm. It wasn’t that she disliked the other familiar, but she had often thought about hunting the creature.
Camilla was busy on her phone which was slid into her pocket as soon as she confirmed her arrival time with the decorator. “Sweet freedom. How does it feel?” She leaned over to kiss his cheek, smiling at him. For the first time since she left New York, she felt a little more relaxed.
Your sister’s familiar continues to dislike me, Crowe informed him, not paying the cat any more mind. Dominic just shook his head. He didn’t like cats much either, but that was because there was a wolf living inside him now too, and those instincts were not easily ignored. Instead, he just slid into the car, closing the door behind him and leaning over to give his twin a hug. It really was good to see her, and it was one of those things he never realized until he spent time away from her.
“It’s good, of course,” he said, giving her a smile back. It was a shadow of how he’d been before he lost Keira, but at least he was trying. “I’ve got my car here as well, but I figure you can have him” - he gestured with his head towards her bodyguard - “drive it back to your place. Where is your place, anyway?”
She smiled at him a little more. There was no denying his smile was different, that he wasn’t himself yet. He seemed a little better, even if they both knew it wasn’t much. Sighing a little, she leaned forward and nodded at her guard who took Dominic’s keys. He was already well informed about where they were going and the car drove off.
“Cherryblossom Place. It sounds horrible, I know, but it actually is rather nice. I was debating getting a house and having an office there. Would have plenty of room for rituals as well but I think the apartment is the smart choice for now.” She got the biggest one she could get, knowing it would be the two of them there. And it would do her some good to leave her work at work and not take all of that nonsense home with her.
“How are you?”
If Dominic could trust her bodyguard with his sister’s life, he could probably trust the guy with his car, too. It wasn’t like he couldn’t watch it out the back window if he got that paranoid, which he might. After all, it wasn’t like he’d brought everything with him from New York, just his car and his familiar and a few clothes. Having Camilla here, it would ground him a little more, and Dominic needed that more than he was willing to admit. She kept him sane - or saner, anyway.
He leaned his head back against the seat of the car, closing his eyes. “It sounds good. Don’t get pissed when I steal myself a bedroom.” Knowing Camilla, she’d already planned for that, which was good because he was doing it anyway. Spending how many nights on Savvy’s couch had not exactly been the best option ever. He managed a small chuckle, a little darker than normal. “I’m still here. You might want to ask a different question.”
She laughed. “I would be disappointed if you didn’t take the room I got for you.” They both knew everything had been planned out for the two of them in town. There was no way that she would have allowed him to sleep on her couch. That wasn’t good enough for him. Camilla wanted to support him. If she couldn’t find his mate, or get him a new once since it was impossible, she could do this.
Her hand touched his, quiet for a moment. It went without saying how hard this all was on him. Giving him a squeeze, she hoped her being there was helping. “Alright, then what is the bitch up to and why in hell would you stay with her?” The witch would rather live out of a car or a box than move in with Savvy.
“Good, I’ll take it and make my own.” Knowing Camilla, she’d hired a decorator for him, which would be nice. He just wanted a place to call his own, a bed to sleep in. It would be better if Keira was wrapped up with him... no, he couldn’t think about that right now. It would only make things worse, and if Camilla was here then he should enjoy spending time with her. At least, that was what he told himself.
Dominic squeezed her hand back, that simple touch saying more than words could. Camilla knew what he was going through - or as much as she could know without being a wolf. At her question, he shrugged. “I had a moment of weakness. Besides, the only hotel I could find here was some shithole with the word ‘Budget’ in its name. Fuck that.” He grabbed the hotel invite from where he’d stashed it. “I did find something you’ll like here, though.” Dominic passed said invite to her, waiting for the look he knew would be on his twin’s face.
The blonde made a face. There was no way either of them would stoop to stay at a place with Budget in the name. That was more beneath them than Savvy’s couch, if that were possible. “Oh?” She took the invite and one well manicured eyebrow inched up as a smile spread across her lips. “This is the perfect way to announce my presence in town. Good thing I brought you a new suit.” Camilla loved a good party like this, especially if she could go with her twin. It made her feel safe enough that she would enjoy herself.
How exactly they’d found him to get him the invite, Dominic still wasn’t sure. The fact of the matter was that he’d been invited and he wasn’t one to turn down a party. He was an Agostino, he had appearances to keep up. And Camilla would love a party like this, he just knew it. “You brought me a suit?” Dominic glanced over at his twin. “So let me guess, you’re going to have me sit through a fitting or twelve to make sure it’s perfect?”
“Twelve? Dominic, my darling brother... you will sit through two. One to find out what minor changes need to be made and the second to make sure that it’s perfect. Which it will be.” Of course. Camilla never did anything half-assed. In her mind, she was going through the dresses she’d brought with her and she was thinking of the cream and red one. That was dramatic enough to make a statement about her designs. It was perfect, actually.
He was secretly hoping that she’d tell him it was already perfect and he wouldn’t have to sit through any, but alas, no luck. “I have no doubt you’ll dress me perfect,” he said. Of course, he could have tried to dress himself, but he knew Camilla wouldn’t let him leave the apartment in something not of her line. Dominic was a good brother, at least in the sense that he’d do this for her. “I’m glad you’re here, otherwise I was planning on going to this thing alone.” After all, Dominic didn’t know where Keira was, and like hell he’d spend a night out on the town with Savvy.
They were pulling into the complex as she slid the invite into her bag. “Well, we can’t have you looking back next to me,” she teased, nudging his shoulder. Her brother was always her support, even when she wasn’t sure she could do menswear. He was her first customer when it came to it, so to speak. “And I wouldn’t have you going with anyone else.” Save his mate but that went without saying. “Come on.” Her familiar leapt gracefully down next to her as she opened the door. “My assistant is already inside with our keys.”
“You say that like I could ever get away with looking bad,” he teased back, climbing out of the car. The only people who could really tell that Dominic was not the man he’d once been were those who knew him well, like his family. It wasn’t his intention to make them worry or to show weakness, as he was trying to make things right again. If he could just get to Keira... “Thanks, Milla.” He followed Camilla up into the apartment, nodding in his approval. His sister always did have good taste, even when it came to living arrangements.
She gave him an amused look before she headed inside. The assistant was new but she was doing alright. She could be better. The perky young woman was standing there, waiting for them to arrive. Camilla put her hand up to stop her from whatever drivel she was about to spew at her. “This is my brother, Dominic. Anything he needs, you are just as responsible for as if I asked you to do something.” The girl nodded and then followed her as she swept into the room, rattling off phone calls and emails that she’d been tracking for the designer. She tuned her out and then glanced over at her brother, winking at him. She knew that he hated showing weakness and she wouldn’t allow him to feel badly for needing her around. If she couldn’t have Keira, at least she was there. “That will be all for now,” she said, dismissing the girl and turning back to Dominic. “Come on. Your room is this way,” she said, indicating a door to the right. “You should let me know if you need anything so I can order it.”
Dominic gave the assistant the once over and didn't give her a second thought. If she wasn't up to Camilla's standards, then Camilla would take care of the problem. If Dom himself had to step in... well. It wouldn't be pretty, but then again, he never claimed to be Mr. Perfect. Camilla's little speech was touching, but unnecessary - if Dominic wanted something done, then he'd just do it himself. While Camilla rattled off things to do, he glanced around the apartment, taking in the little details that said this was an Agostino's home. He expected no less from Camilla. "I will. Just having something like my own place will be nice." Why had he stayed with Savvy again? ...That's right, desperation. Dominic was ready to be done with that. "So, are we ordering out for food tonight or am I to assume you'll want me to cook?"
She dismissed the assistant, knowing she’d given the woman a long list of things that needed to get done and she was going to be adding to that later. “Good. I’m glad.” The blonde smiled at her brother and settled herself on the sofa. The room was as elegant as her designs, something she was rather pleased with. “And yes, yes you’re going to be cooking. I’ve lived without your cooking for so long and you want to suggest take out in a place I’ve been less than twenty-four hours.” She shook her head, smirking. They both knew she was particular about many things and food was one of them. “But I would love for you to make something for dinner, Dom.”
Leaving his suitcase in the hallway - someone would grab that later and Dominic doubted it would be him - he went over to join his sister on the couch. This place was easily as nice as their parents’ home back in the city, and recognizing that made him feel a little more at ease. “Always so demanding,” he said, shaking his head. He didn’t mind it, coming from Camilla, but that was only because she was his twin and his beta. He’d already proven that he’d give his life for her if he had to. “You’ll need to get one of your assistants to get us food. Unless you’re granting me with an already-stocked kitchen.”
She laughed, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment. “Yes, I am. But you’ve known this for years.” There was no use denying it and most people who were in her life knew it. But it was just how she was. There was no reason to make any excuses for it. Besides, they were family. “And sure. Make a list. Some of the basics are there but I’m sure you’ll need more than what’s in there.” But the kitchen could be as stocked as he wanted. It would be his domain entirely. It felt good to have a place with him again.
That earned her something of a genuine smile, or as close as he was capable of at the moment. Dominic gave Camilla a quick hug before letting her go, knowing she would not appreciate him putting his feet up on her coffee table. “That I have. Don’t worry, you’ll eat well with me around.” Having grown up in their father’s restaurant, more so than Camilla had, of course Dom knew how to cook and he knew he was better at it than most, hence why he was so elitist about it. “It’s good to see you, Milla.”
“It’s good to see you too,” she said softly, nudging his shoulder. And it was. Having Dominic around helped her as much as she hoped it helped him. She needed her brother around, not just because he was the alpha. She needed him because he was her other half and she felt a little off with him being so far away. Now all they needed was to get his mate back and they could go back to New York. It was all she really wanted and she hoped they could get back there sooner rather than later.</lj-tag>