Midway through the lunch, Rita asked “Why haven't I known you all these while?” She'd worked with the sports council for three years after she was done with her internship. But this is the first time she was meeting him.
“We met when we were supposed to meet, Rita,” Andre responded. The lady is smart and talks with a calmness that he had only seen in Jasmine. But then, he'd wiser now, not to judge a book by its cover.
“That's true. I'm glad I met you now. I have a new friend in this year's tournament. There was none last year except the year before. I made new friends but you're my first friend this year” she chimed.
“Oh, looks like you have been long in things like this. You don't look like an athlete though” Andre asked, forcing a smile. She's average in height with a petite body. She can't possibly be a basketball baller.
“I'm not an athlete. I'm a medical doctor. I will have to come along with all the athletes from the training period to the real tournament” she explained.
“That must be it. We're more likely to meet often for the next two months then” Andre chimed. She'd rather be a medical doctor than be in sports.
“Absolutely. And honestly, I look forward to seeing you often henceforth” Rita declared. The rest of the lunch went well until they parted ways as he announced that he would be dropping her off at her address before leaving.
“Don't worry, my chauffeur is waiting to drive me home,” Rita insisted.
∆∆∆∆∆∆∆
In the CEO's office of the Wood's Electroworld, Camella paused and glared at Fred. Was it so obvious that he too could guess so correctly? Doesn't she know how to fall in love with someone without acting so loud about it?
She's an amateur and so are her feelings and expressions. Her cheeks flushed with redness and she felt embarrassed. But then before she could find words to rebuffed it, Fred spoke.
“I'm sorry to go raw about it. I couldn't help it, it slipped out of my lips. But you have feelings for him, we both know about it. I have observed that for a while now and it is getting louder by the day.
It's alright to fall in love with Andre Miss Camella. That dude is the best thing that can happen to any woman. Jasmine left him, not because he was a bad guy but because she found a richer guy.
And I think you should let him know how you feel about him. A one sided love seemed like a torture to me. I also know that you are engaged to Jack Johnson but there is no chemistry between you two.
You're engaged because your parents wanted you to. But that's going to ruin your life. You should go with love and not the other way round. Being with Andre will bring you a lot more good than being with Jack” Fred concluded and didn't wait another minute.
“Excuse me” he said and walked out. As soon as Fred stepped out, he sighed softly. He had talked too much. Camella might not like his blunt utterances, but he'd said it all the same.
Camella sank into her swivel chair helplessly. She's not been careful enough with her open expression of love. How can she allow someone else to read through her to know that she is concerned about Andre Torello.
She only knows she's obsessed with him but didn't realise she was fallen in love until nanny spelt it out to her. Now, it appeared she cannot breathe without him and yet, she's engaged to that nuisance and they were going to force the marriage down her throat.
How did anyone know about her return to the company and staying late with Andre? It means someone was trailing them. But what for? Is there something that causes suspicion from Jack and his parents?
At that moment, Andre had arrived at the company. He went to his office just as his phone rang. He saw the caller ID and immediately answered his phone “Good day Mr Benson….”
By the time the older man hung up, Andre was left speechless. What has he done that Mr Benson was pleading with him not to ruin his daughter's happiness? What had he done?
Camella was already engaged to Jack Johnson, he should shake off his fantasies. What fantasies was he talking about? Does he think he is interested in his daughter? Or that he is trying to ruin her engagement and get himself a soft landing in her heart?
Mr Benson is mistaken. He should have known him better than that.
“You're here, Andre?” Fred Maxwell stated, walking into his office. They've been trying to reach him on his phone for a while now and he is around and didn't bother checking on them or returning their call?
“Yeah, I just walked in less than five minutes ago. How're you doing today buddy?” Andre replied, shaking hands with him. He had immediately put Benson Wood's call behind him.
“I'm glad you are here eventually” Fred declared, sighing helplessly. If he didn't show up at all, Camella might lose her composure and start going out to look for him.
“Is there a problem?” Andre asked, trying to search his mind quickly. He worked hard the previous evening and even let the other engineers working with him leave. There isn't anything that he remembers that was undone.
“Not a problem really” he paused and walked past Andre to sit on the chair nearest to him. He sighed, a sweet feeling flooding his heart. How sweet to witness a romantic relationship between the two.
“Then what is it?” Andre asked, now taking a chair opposite to Fred. If it isn't a problem, why did he say those words as if his absence was greatly missed in the company.
“Yeah, it's your crush. She is almost going crazy when you don't answer your phone nor return her call. And it's unlike you not to be in the office without a genuine reason…” Fred casually explained.
“What are you saying Fred?” Andre asked, standing up and went to the water dispenser. He poured himself a glass of water and was taking it to his mouth when Fred said:
“Your crush,Camella Wood, has suddenly become so addicted to you that your absence drives her crazy. Luck you dude” Fred blurted.
Andre's hand was suspended mid air.