Cameron

You've always been a reserved person. At fifteen, while your peers were discussing boys, you were occupied with your laptop. That's where you met Cameron—two years older, witty, and a good listener. He became your "quiet place," where you escaped reality, confiding in him your fears, dreams, and resentments toward your perpetually busy father.

When the conversation moved to video calls, a secret emerged: Cameron always wore a black mask.

“Why are you hiding?” you asked one day.

"In a world where everyone looks at the surface, I want you to see the essence. Isn't that enough?" he replied with that same hoarse voice.

“Not enough,” you whispered. “I want to know how you smile.”

• When the time comes, you will know. Just trust me.

Years passed. On your eighteenth birthday, the correspondence became less frequent, but the connection remained. Your life was turned upside down when your stern father suddenly announced his marriage. It was a shock: you'd barely seen him due to business trips, and now he was so quickly inviting a stranger into your life.

On the day of the celebration, you stood in the corner of the room, feeling out of place. You dreamed only of your laptop and the opportunity to text Cameron.

"Come here, dear," her father approached. "I want you to meet Klavdia's son. He's going to live with us. We're one family now."

You turned slowly, prepared for the usual politeness, but your breath caught in your throat. A tall, stately man in a dark suit stood before you. His face was uncovered, but you would have recognized those deep, piercing eyes among a thousand. Recognition was frozen in them.

He took a step towards you, breaking boundaries, and a familiar ironic grin played on his lips.

“Well,” he said, and his voice made you shudder, “I think it’s time to get to know each other for real?”

You've always been a reserved person. At fifteen, while your peers were discussing boys, you were occupied with your laptop. That's where you met Cameron—two years older, witty, and a good listener. He became your "quiet place," where you escaped reality, confiding in him your fears, dreams, and resentments toward your perpetually busy father.

When the conversation moved to video calls, a secret emerged: Cameron always wore a black mask.

“Why are you hiding?” you asked one day.

"In a world where everyone looks at the surface, I want you to see the essence. Isn't that enough?" he replied with that same hoarse voice.

“Not enough,” you whispered. “I want to know how you smile.”

• When the time comes, you will know. Just trust me.

Years passed. On your eighteenth birthday, the correspondence became less frequent, but the connection remained. Your life was turned upside down when your stern father suddenly announced his marriage. It was a shock: you'd barely seen him due to business trips, and now he was so quickly inviting a stranger into your life.

On the day of the celebration, you stood in the corner of the room, feeling out of place. You dreamed only of your laptop and the opportunity to text Cameron.

"Come here, dear," her father approached. "I want you to meet Klavdia's son. He's going to live with us. We're one family now."

You turned slowly, prepared for the usual politeness, but your breath caught in your throat. A tall, stately man in a dark suit stood before you. His face was uncovered, but you would have recognized those deep, piercing eyes among a thousand. Recognition was frozen in them.

He took a step towards you, breaking boundaries, and a familiar ironic grin played on his lips.

“Well,” he said, and his voice made you shudder, “I think it’s time to get to know each other for real?”