No last name given, Cameron noted, though he already knew it. It was just engaging to see how she hid herself, enveloping the coat tighter around her frame as she offered him only bits and pieces of knowledge. Not that he could blame her, with all she’d been through, it was a surprise she’d even engage in a conversation with him. Yet then again, they say that time heals all wounds, and she had been out for a bit now. Maybe she was beginning to loosen her grip, to allow herself to consider that society may just forget about the crimson tinted finger that had once been directed towards her. “Lovely to meet you, Helena.” He didn’t offer a smile. Instead, he stared at his feet, analyzing the spotted pavement for a moment. Should he tell her without warning, just delivering a vault of secrets that would turn her world upside down? The thought had his head spinning as if he were a ship being influenced at sea. It was nauseating, and about the only thing that brought him back was the mention of another, someone Cameron hadn’t been sure how to feel about since discovering. Jonah.
“Excuse me?” Brows furrowed together, as his hues moved back up to her features. Attempting to form an accurate statement that would give the impression of casual dialogue. However, Cameron could only swallow pass the desiccation of his own throat before finally speaking. “Funny thing, that comparison there.” Pausing, he allowed no amount of desperation to cease his speech. “I’d say it runs in the family.” It was as smooth a transition as he could offer, turning his body towards her now as his cigarette fell to the asphalt. “Now I’m well aware of both your reaction and confusion that will surely begin arising now, so I’d like to ask you to wait before leaving. Otherwise, you will only prolong the list of questions that will slink back to your subconscious the moment you meet the next block and it’ll be too late to ask them. If you feel the need to yell, grow angry or whatever else, feel free. I hear it’s an entirely natural reaction, nevertheless Helena Draper, I am your brother and I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances that we meet. Though if I would’ve kept it from you now, you’d likely never forgive me for the lie, whereas telling you now will earn me a chance to grow your trust on an respectable foundation. So I believe the ball is in your court now to either accuse me of lying or to simply yell, whatever the course, please understand that I only found out about this months ago myself and it was as it is to you now, quite the shock. However, I have a very limited family left, and I do not wish to chance the possibility of missing out on a sibling. No matter your history or mine, blood is blood, and so I ask you to consider this…” With that, he reached into his back pocket and produced a folded paper to which he held out towards Helena. “It is not a fake, I assure you.” It was both his birth certificate and adoption papers. “Your ball now, Helena.”
I’d say it runs in the family. She gave him a wary look, confused by his words. As far as she knew, the male was probably just drunk and rambling — after all, there was no possible way he could have meant what he was saying. All of her life it had just been her, Jonah and Uncle Jerry. No other siblings, no other family, as far as she was concerned...but then Cameron kept talking. And talking. Dark eyes grew wide, her own cigarette falling towards the pavement and immediately snuffing out thanks to the rain that had dampened it only hours before. For once in her life she was utterly speechless, not only because he’d so easily lead her to believe he was a complete stranger, but also because of the revelation itself. The male was smart for not allowing her to get a word in, otherwise she’d have completely blown up by now. Brother had become synonymous with enemy over the past couple of years, and although she was suspicious of his explanation, it still left a bad taste in her mouth.
Hands shaking, she took the papers from his grasp, eyes scanning the documents despite not taking in a single thing that was written. It was all too bizarre, too crazy for her to fully comprehend. “That’s —” she sputtered, head shaking frantically. “That’s impossible this is — my parents, they...” her mouth couldn’t form the words that were racing through her mind at a thousand miles an hour, which frustrated her even further. After a moment, the blonde’s lips pressed into a tight line, daring to look at Cameron — at her brother — once again. “So what have you — you’ve been stalking me or somethin’? Waiting for your chance to swoop in and, what? What?” Helena let out a breath, jaw clenched. “I’m sorry to disappoint, but this ‘family’ you’re looking for doesn’t exist. It’s bullshit.”
