She felt a cold shiver run through her spine. She cannot imagine Andre going away from N.Y. a part of her suddenly became sad and unhappy. Andre simply turned and glanced at her before continuing “my mom doesn't want to leave this country and I needed her to come along…”
He was saying when the court manager walked over to him “Andre, there are people who would like to meet you” he informed, motioning for him to look beyond his shoulders. He saw two men staring at him with interest.
“Who are they?” He asked, looking away from the men. He was holding the ball and his gaze fixed on the manager. “They are from the sport council of N.Y and they said they've heard about your skill in basketball”
He glanced at Fred and then at Felix.
“Go and meet them,” Fred advised.
“Hear them out” Felix urged
He nodded and shoved the ball into Fred's arms and followed the manager. As soon as he left, Felix mumbled “I see great potential in Andre and I have a feeling that a sponsorship is on it's way”
“I will be the happiest” Fred chimed. They watched as he got into the car with them alongside the manager. Camella's eyes glared at the car. Have they come purposely because of Andre? As much as she wants him back to the company, she indeed wishes a sponsorship for him indeed.
A few minutes later, Andre returned and joined his team mates “let's play” . He urged them and they were surprised. Shouldn't he tell them what they said to him? But instead, he passed the football to Fred.
When they were done that day, Camella offered him water and he took it “thanks” he said and gulped his water down. She was dazed and smiled. She enjoyed watching him playing and seeing other ladies around him, trying to get his attention makes her feel jealous.
He would simply smile and say hello to them. She wished she could receive such smiles from him but once he glanced at her direction, it's either with a frown or a primer face.
That's if he notices her at all.
“I'm your number one fan Andre, and I enjoyed watching you play in the basketball court” Camella stuttered. She beamed with smile as she said it and Andre replied “I feel honoured, thank you”
On his way home, he was seated on Felix's bike. He didn't say anything to them when he returned from speaking with the men from the sports council. And the reason why he didn't say it was because of Camella.
“Who's that pretty lady in the company of Mr Fred?” Felix asked. He'd wanted to suspect that they were lovers but he shook it off. Fred was married with a daughter and he acts with respect before that woman somehow.
“That's Camella Wood, the only daughter of Benson Wood and the new CEO of the Wood's Electroworld” Andre informed. She looked different from the sophisticated lady she is when within the confine of her company.
“Oh my gosh!” Felix exclaimed in excitement.
She's so beautiful and young. One will think she's some sports lady or a spectator but that looks of a spoiled brat is evidence in her anyways. But she's so humble, interacting with them as if they are equals.
“What happened, why did you exclaim that way?” Andre asked, he doesn't know what that woman was capable of doing.
“I like her. She's so humble and treats us all like her friends” Felix stuttered and Andre pouted his lips. Humble? Did he know how many slaps that woman has given him in her office and before other employees?
“Don't judge a book by its covers“ Andre cautioned. He isn't going to say anything to anyone else besides his mom about Camella Wood. Telling his mom was because he needed to convince her why he would resign and seek a job abroad.
“I have already passed my judgement on this particular book. You can't tell me otherwise” Felix declared. He doesn't know about other books but this particular one, he'd already judged it and Andre cannot tell him otherwise.
“Okay” Andre replied simply.
“And did you know what I observed?” Felix went on and Andre didn't respond. He continued anyways “Her gaze was just on you all through. Sort of admiration or something” he blurted.
“Try and see an optician one of these days, your eyes need to be checked” he said.
That evening, Camella was in her room. She was feeling happy. She was able to get him to talk to her. She glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled. Today,a barrier was broken, she's a step closer to her aim.
She needed to share this milestone with her nanny. As she turned to step out, she saw Jack standing by her doorway, in his hands was a bouquet of flowers and her smiles faded away like a booming flower that got close to a high degree of heat.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Camella thundered, her fury surging like a volcano. Who says he could come in here? He had invaded her privacy.
“Hello my love…” he was going to coax her when she interrupted him sharply by raising her hand to silence him “don't make the mistake of addressing me that way. We might be engaged but that doesn't give you the audacity to use such words on me.
Now tell me, how dare you invade my privacy?” Camella bellowed, her eyes screwing him and the sight of him made her feel uncomfortable. Doesn't he have some decency in him?
“I didn't mean to, your father told me that you are in your room and I could check on you…” Jack tried explaining. What sort of nonsense is this, how can a woman make him feel like an imbecile and yet, he doesn't love her, he loves someone else, the mother of his secret baby.
“Wait, you mean my dad ordered you to come and invade my privacy?” Camella demanded, her eyes spitting fire.
Jack's temple went blank.