A gush of uneasiness descended on him. He sighed softly and said “If you feel hurt, I'm sorry. But I'm not recalling a past that I have walked away from. I only told you that my mom knows about what happened back then.
If I was still holding on to it, would I become friends with you now? Will I even sit on the same table with you? Please Cam, don't make me feel guilty over nothing” he cautioned.
There was silence and Camella swallowed hard. How she wish, she could delete the memory of that past from him forever? How about Mrs Alice, his mother, wouldn't she feel broken and repulsive towards her when she gets to know the truth?
“If you're thinking about what my mom would think of you, don't worry. I'll explain things to her and she won't change her attitude towards you. I give you my word” Andre assured.
He can see through it all, she feels insecure when his mom gets to know about her true identity. He will have a way of persuading his mother to take her just the way she is, nothing should change.
Camella nodded, a ray of hope flickered through her eyes.
“I'll get us a drink. We don't have a servant yet” he was going to leave when Camella held his hand and said “sit down. I don't want any drink, I just want to stay around you, gazing at your cuteness” she dragged him back.
Andre chuckled and said “your naughty” he teased, sitting back. He stared at her face and a louder chuckled followed.
She's so impossible. He doesn't seem to know her at all. She's feisty and at other times, she's naughty. Such a temperament amused him.
“Whats your ending like, with Jack Johnson? Since you claimed I was like him, I feel uneasy talking about him” Andre asked, picking his phone and dialling a number.
“It's over. We broke up in the presence of our parents when I found out everything about him...” Camella explained everything to him and Andre squinted, listening with rapt attention.
It wasn't long, his mother brought them coffee, one black and the other flavoured. It was freshly brewed and the aroma of it made Camella grabbed the glass of flavoured coffee and took a sip.
“Thanks mom. I'll get us some employees before the end of next week. I don't want you stressing around” Andre informed. He knew his mother wasn't going to sit still, and not bring him a glass of coffee.
“Aunt, your coffee tastes so great,” Camella complimented. She likes it. From the first time she visited, she'd always carved for Mrs Torello's coffee. It was so tasty and nice.
“Thanks dear. I owned a coffee stall back then before I joined the orphanage…” she explained. She'd owned her stall, brewing freshly made coffee and making a living out of it.
“That must be it. But you still can do it. Hire more hands, get a big stall and you can be sure, I will be your number one customer” Camella suggested.
She's a businesswoman. She'd already seen through the profit making end of it. With so much skill, she's definitely going to make a good income from it.
“I've thought about it too, but mom's health can't take it. I wouldn't want her to get exposed to any form of stress” Andre replied. His mom has been managing her health and she's on a daily medication to keep living.
“Oh…I'm sorry” Camella's excitement went low.
“It's fine dear. You are thinking of a better job opportunity for me, but my heart is too weak to carry such burdens. I don't have many more days to live, but for the few ones left, I want to live according to however my son wants me to” Alice explained.
Ella is a sweet girl. How she wishes, her son would see through her sweet nature and create a place in his heart specially for her.
A smile spread across Andre's face.
Soon, Alice left them. Then Andre asked “you decided to categorise me into Jack's group? Yes, it's true that Sona is Jasmine's best friend. Why would I shield Sona after what her friend did to me?
Do you think within that line? Jack and Sona are lovers. To be candid, you are the third wheel in their relationship and it's because you are a wealthy woman. He loves Sona and not you, but needs you to secure a financial future for her and their daughter.
When I learnt the truth, I decided to see how it's going. I had planned to expose him before everyone and save you but I shouldn't do it as revenge on Sona but as bringing the truth to light.
Then you thought the worse about me. Mary also helped you affirm your unhealthy thoughts as well by being dramatic. Why would I date someone in my workplace? Why would you not always give me a chance to defend myself and give reasons why I do the things I do?
You're bruising my ego and I don't know why you kept acting towards me like that. First I was your employee but I am a partner now. You can't keep treating me this way. I am so insensitive to you?” Andre bellowed.
There was a silence that followed. Camella couldn't respond. She had never heard Andre talk so angrily before. He was fuming out his displeasure and yet, in doing so, he was still more mature and respectful than she would have been.
“If you don't want me to cross you again, I think it's better we keep a distance. You've told me not to come to your office uninvited, I won't do that. I respect people's opinion and undoubtedly, I do so towards you as well” he concluded.
Camella took his hands “I am sorry Andre, I was muddled headed and talked without thinking. I also know that Mary was just acting, trying to get you to accept her and not as I thought. I'm sorry please” Camella apologised.
“You're always sorry. You mess me up and the next minute you say you are sorry. I'm beginning to lose interest in your words of apology. You're a boss with hundreds of employees under you and yet, you claim to talk without thinking?
Who does that? Why transfer the aggression of Jack's misdeed on me?
And you claimed to be in love with me? A lot of people know that you have feelings for me, but you talked me down so much and you think I would be able to fall in love with you in return? How do you expect that to happen?
Love isn't enough for me to crave for you, I need something more from you, I need you to know this fact!”