They were escorted to their car as a line of vehicles moved before and behind, a convoy of cars. The number one presidential hotel in N. Y has been prepared for them and no one else was admitted into the property until the stay of the Prince is over.
“Are you feeling okay?” Clifford asked, turning to glance at his wife. She's very beautiful and graceful. Despite being together for many years, their love had only grown stronger for each other and this truth of knowing that they were going to meet their son, the first bond of their love was superlative.
“You mean to say, am I excited? And if that's what you intended to say, yes. I am super excited to meet my son for the first time since he was born” Princess Charlotte responded.
The breaking news was showing on all the television channels in N.Y and all the social media handles. Within minutes, the visits of the royal couple were all over the place.
“This is the Prince of Ashanti Kingdom. I've read about him and I was privileged to be in an event in Australia when he was invited as a special guest of honour. I haven't met him in person but he is rare to come by…” Ella exclaimed.
Then she saw his name Prince Clifford Kamal. She nodded, she's right, the second prince of the Kingdom but fortunately for him and unfortunately for the crown prince, he's the only surviving son left and definitely becomes the crown prince.
“I've only heard about them but I was so low in the hierarchy of the people in the society that when Prince Jamal visited, I couldn't even get a glimpse of him except on TV and newspaper” Alice also chipped in.
When important dignitaries visit like this, it is not people like her that they come to see. A low class woman like her can only see them through the screen in her sitting room. They were so engrossed in the excitement of the visit of the Prince that they didn't see Andre standing next to them.
Andre was watching the TV but beyond that, he seemed to have met this prince somewhere. But as he got into his car, no one saw his face nor that of his wife anymore. He felt very uncomfortable, he'd met them somewhere but cannot place where exactly.
He'd studied his first and second degree in N.Y and hadn't gone outside that city and yet, they felt familiar to him. Anyway, he shrugged and said “Nice to have you Ella”
Camella turned and glared at him, a megawatt smile spread across her face. She stood up quickly and came over to him “Andre, how're you doing today?”
“I'm fine,” he replied.
Camella stared at him, raising her chin to do so. He looked astoundingly handsome in a short sleeved shirt and jeans. His hair is chestnut and his lips pinkish. He looked ordinary but possessed a kind of air of dignity around him.
His cologne was nice and his sharp jawline makes him undeniably attractive and charming. He didn't say anything because right at that moment, he didn't know what to say to Camella.
“You're here Andre, coming over for brunch” Alice said, insisting that he should. She smiled and nodded to him calmly. He moved his gaze to his mother and forced a smile “Alright” he said.
As he ate, his mind drifted off to the prince of Ashanti. He is still trying to figure out where he'd met him and his wife. He knows them both from somewhere. But for the love of heaven, he couldn't shake it off his mind.
“I'm glad you now recognise Ella. The other day, you told me you can't remember who is working in the Wood's Electroworld and goes by the name Ella” Alice teased.
Andre chuckled “yes, it was just a little negligent, I would have known you were talking about her. Anyways, welcome Ella” he said, smiling broadly.
Ella choked and smiled back. She quickly got a glass of water and gulped down a mouthful.
The uneasiness was rending her, yet, she doesn't know what to do about it. Anyways, she tried to compose herself.
As soon as he was done, Andre suggested “How about we go somewhere to spend time alone” he said and Ella shrugged, glancing towards Alice.
“Yes, I agree with Andre. Go with him and spend time alone, together” Alice approves. That way, Ella picked her bag and hugged Alice.
As soon as they stepped out, Andre blurted “What the hell do you mean by acting so pretentious?”
What the heck!
This is not her real self. She's portraying an image that's not hers. Her looks were simple and plain, her name was shortened and rather saying she was his boss, she said she's a colleague of his.
“I just wanted to get close to you, that's why I did it. I couldn't come to your mom as Camella Wood because I was afraid I won't be welcomed and accepted by your mother…” she was saying when Andre interrupted her.
“Of course she wouldn't have opened the door of her apartment to Camella Wood for whatever reason. How would she? I told her everything about my reason for resignation back then and how I spent hours in the police custody…” he snapped at her.
Camella was momentarily quiet before she continued “that's why I came as Ella and a colleague. I disguised myself to hide my true identity and I did it because I wanted to get closer to you” she said in a shaking voice.
She felt guilty. Each time that past is brought up, she feels really bad. She was wrong back then but she accepted her fault. Why bring it up and now, even his mother knows about it.
Her instincts were right that she didn't come to find Andre as Camella Wood the CEO but as Ella a colleague and co-employee under the Wood's Electroworld. How long will she live with this guilt whenever she's around him or his mother?
Andre didn't say anything but took her to the bar section at the extreme end of the villa. It's built directly opposite the swimming pool, a beautiful place for lovers to hangout.
“Whatever your reasons were, they don't justify the fact that you have an identity that is not yours in a bid to get accepted by my mom. Isn't that deception and cheating?” Andre scolded.
He brought her to sit down and he took a seat opposite her. He suddenly realised that he had no drinks or anything to serve before her. He stood up when Camella held his hand.
“I was wrong, I accept it. But please whatever happens henceforth, do not keep recalling my ugly past” she pleaded, her eyes clouded, her gaze on him.
Andre went speechless.