Chapter Nine
“Camila! Get over here!”
She rolled her eyes at the loud call for her. She left what she was doing in the kitchen to attend to Adrien, who was draped over the couch. He looked up at her as she entered the living room, but his eyes didn’t look particularly focused.
“Yes, Adrien?” she said, her voice calm. “What can I do for you?”
“Hand me that bottle over there.”
He pointed to the seat opposite his. She arched an eyebrow, staring at the several empty bottles already strewn on the coffee table. It was beer, so she wondered if he really had brought some alcohol for himself when he brought them out here. Neither of them had left the farmhouse since they arrived, so she didn’t think she was wrong.
She walked over and picked up the beer bottle, then handed it over to him. She hadn't seen him drink this much before, although this alcohol was weaker than the hard liquor he’d found in the basement.
“Should I open for you?” she offered.
“Whatever,” he muttered, waving a dismissive hand as he handed it back.
She opened the beer bottle before putting it back in his hand. Adrien took it and started drinking. She left him alone once more, going back to the kitchen.
Adrien wasn’t well. Her stomach also complained in the worst moments, too. They’d finished off the last of the meat in the freezer. Now all they had left was canned stuff. It wasn’t great but it was better than nothing. She took her time warming it up on the stove instead of the microwave, so she wouldn’t have to be in the living room with Adrien.
Besides, the smell from the food cooking distracted her from the smell of Tansy’s rotting corpse.
Neither of them planned on doing anything about it, she wondered if they even could. With Adrien in his condition, he would only make himself sicker with how susceptible he was to bacteria in his weakened state. As for herself, she couldn’t get too close without retching. Luckily, when she was in her room, she could keep the window open, now that she’d pried the nail out, even if it meant she froze at night with just a thin sheet and blanket as covering. Adrien no longer demanded she wear the red lace nighty and hadn’t since she’d had her bout with ‘flu’, thankfully.
She was finishing up with the food, and decided to pull out some plates. A part of her felt so guilty for acting so at home in the house of a woman that was murdered, but she couldn’t dwell on that.
Finding the plates, she set them down and served the food, then added spoons and picked them both up, taking them back to the living room. There was no reason to pretend to be a domesticated couple anymore by eating at the table, as Adrien had wanted in those first few days. It was a little early for dinner, but since they’d skipped breakfast, she was feeling hungry. She couldn’t eat earlier because of the smell making her sick. Adrien had been annoyed with her, but he was already getting drunk himself, so he didn’t eat, either.
She set the food on the table before putting the strewn bottles aside.
“It’s time for dinner,” she said with fake cheer. “Would you like some, Adrien? Or do you want to wait for it to cool down?”
He glanced at her, then the table.
“Just leave it there,” he muttered, taking another swig of his beer. “I’ll eat it.”
Camila just hummed and did as he said, leaving his own plate and sitting back with hers to start eating. She kept an eye on Adrien as she did.
This is so damn annoying,she thought. But he’s definitely letting his guard down.
“Would you like me to check on your wound once I’m done?” she offered. She could see him shift, only to wince when it jostled his shoulder. “You’re not looking too good.”
He huffed. “Well, I’m not feeling it, either. Sure, you can look if you want.”
She shot him an insincere smile, then went on eating.
Being honest with herself, Camila was severely tired of playing house and pretend-nurse for Adrien. At least, he was letting her out of his sight more often, and she had the chance to do what she’d wanted in the beginning.
After eating, she left Adrien to go and look around. She’d been slowly learning the lay of the house away from him. Also, she’d been looking around for anything that could be helpful for her, but it seemed like Adrien had hidden things too well. And unless he was out, she didn’t dare to be away for too long. He wouldn’t get up to follow her, but he would call for her.
She was only willing to push the risks so far.
This time, she looked all over the room he slept in. It wasn’t the first time she’d checked, but every time, she hoped he had moved things and forgotten, so it was easier for her to find them.
She had realized, already, how carefully Adrien had hidden every potential weapon and communication device. Even the damn remote to her collar, she couldn’t find it. Besides a bunch of spoons and a couple of forks and butter knives, there wasn’t anything sharp in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house.
Even as sick as he was, he was still keeping a cool head. It was why she didn’t dare try anything too rash.