“Just see her blushing dear. Isn't she beautiful?” Alice chimed, not understanding her son's surprised gaze. She only was excited to see her son staring at Ella that way because, he probably was surprised that she got to know their new address so soon.
But Andre didn't respond, just kept staring at Camella. She's the Ella his mom has been talking about. She told him how Ella was her colleague at work and stopped by to check on him. She even went ahead to tell her that the CEO regretted treating him the way she did.
She was talking about herself but his mother didn't know. He tried searching through his memory, he couldn't remember a colleague by the name Ella who also happened to be his friend. Who could afford such groceries and gifts for his mom.
Only now, did it occur to him that Ella was none other than Camella Wood. She carved the middle letters of her name and introduced herself to his mom with it.
Smart girl.
“Hi Andre” she said shyly, stretching her hand to him for a shake. She acted naive like a teenager who was being introduced to a man she was arranged to be married to. She is entirely different from the feisty woman he knows her to be.
“Hi Ca…Ella” Andre stuttered, almost selling the truth out before his mother. He took her hand and held it firmly within his grasp. How dare she take up a different identity before his mother?
He could sense the pure love emanating from his mother to her already. His mom already likes her and has opened her heart to her as her son's friend.
“I'll just shower first, “ Andre said, pulling his hand off and walking past her briskly. He couldn't think of anything else to do because he is not fond of lying and if he stays too long, he would reveal her real name and his mother would become suspicious.
He went towards the elevator, just before getting in, he turned and glanced back at her, Camella turned Ella. It appears hilarious but he sees beyond that, what does she intend to gain by doing that?
Their eyes locked and he saw the pleas in her eyes. She doesn't want him to expose her to his mother, why. He sighed softly and gave a quick nod before getting me to the elevator. As it shuts, he sees her smile towards him but he doesn't know maybe to smile too or just remain calm.
“Andre is my life and all that I have left in this world. And I am fortunate to have him. He is my strength in this old age and I wish him thousands of happiness in this life” Alice said, smiling as her eyes clouded with tears.
“I count you fortunate that you have a son like him. Even knowing him for such a short time, I know he is a great guy” Ella said, holding Alice's hand and bringing her to sit on the sofa. What will happen, if the older woman one day, realises that she's not Ella but Camella Wood, the one she once felt unhappy with?
Will she still like her this much?
After she received the new address the previous evening, she didn't stay long at the gym but drove her car to the new address. She took her dad's sports car and parked it at the parking lot, she's sure Andre wouldn't recognise it when he saw it at the parking lot.
But Alice had insisted that she wait a little longer to meet her son. She'd scolded her for neglecting her and not coming to see her again. She concluded that it's because she now sees her friend and colleague at work that she has forgotten to check on her again.
She'd apologised and they kept talking until she stood up to use the restroom and Andre arrived. Now, she feels highly uneasy and cannot tell if Andre is pleased with her or not, especially with the feigned personality she portrayed herself before his mother.
“Thank you dear. You're such a sweet girl,Ella. I pray that you get plenty of happiness too all your life. And above all, I wish a life with you by Andre's side” Alice said and took the younger woman's hand.
Camella paled. This woman already likes her as Ella. But she's actually Camella, the CEO she once complained about. What had she done? She also wants to be by Andre's side, that's the reason for the acts she'd put up since the first day she visited her.
“Thanks Aunt,” Camella said and glanced towards the elevator. “Do you think he would like me, Aunt? I love him so much” she blurted.
“I don't know. He hadn't healed from his last relationship. I'm worried sick and I could only pray that the Holy Virgin Mary soften his scared heart so that he can embrace love again..” Alice responded helplessly
That morning, a helicopter arrived in N.Y the royal family of the Ashanti Kingdom had landed on the soil of that city. The governor and its security officials had awaited the coming of the Prince of Ashanti Kingdom.
It is no news that the crown prince had passed away recently and had been given a quiet burial, without much noise about it until he was buried. Without doubt, Prince Clifford Kamal is now the crown prince, a fact that is indisputable.
As he stepped out of the helicopter, holding hands with his beautiful wife, princess Charlotte Kamal, the couple looked radiant and cute together.
Men and women of high calibre all came over, holding a bouquet of flowers and bowing before them “Welcome Prince Clifford and princess Charlotte Kamal to the city of N.Y…” they bowed, holding the large portrait of the couple.
The governor came forward too and bowed “It's a fortune accumulated from ten thousands of generations to have you visit N.Y in my tenure in office. I am highly privileged to have you here, prince and princess of the great Ashanti Kingdom” he said, his head still bowed.
“Thank you Governor Kelvin Jared. We appreciate your warm welcome within such a short notice. Thanks once again” Prince Clifford appreciated. His words were few but held high tension and were breathtaking.
It was less than twenty four hours that the governor was informed and he was impressed by his prompt response. N.Y was one of the cities that King Bashmal had never visited. Of course Jamal has visited the city twice after he was crowned the prince.
The live streaming was being broadcasted. There were flashes of cameras everywhere and the couple shaking hands with the governor and ministers present. They were surrounded by a formidable team of security officials that the journalist couldn't come closer than a few distance.
It was a grand welcome for the royalties.