Andre's phone chirped. They immediately got disconnected, Camella opened her eyes abruptly to see Andre pulling away from her, his face calm and expressionless.
Quickly she looked away, avoiding his gaze, her cheeks flushed with redness and she was blushing. He let go and said “excuse me”
“Buddy…oh I'm sorry. I should have called you right away but I got carried away by someone prettier” Andre teased and Camella smiled.
“...oh really, wait right there. I'll be with you” he concluded and hung up. He chuckled aloud and glanced at Camella “My friend Felix is waiting for me back inside” he informed.
“Felix, the guy at the gym…” she trailed off. She remembered Felix, he was so close to Andre that day and she knew they definitely would be friends.
“Yeah…sure he's the one. Come on, let's get going” he said and held her hand. They didn't say anything but he was filled with several thoughts as they went back into the mansion.
He feels it will work. This relationship will work between himself and Camella. But at first, he isn't going to give his heart to it in order not to feel too attached to her too soon.
But in her heart, Camella was uncomfortable. He should have kissed her. Then she would be sure that they're together but that last step was interrupted. She hopes nothing comes between them in the future to interrupt their bonding.
“Andre,” Felix said and hugged his friend. He was surprised when he saw the woman that stepped in after him. He immediately paused momentarily and gazed at her, his face went pale.
He glanced from Andre to Camella and vice versa. He said he was carried away by someone prettier and he was happy but didn't expect that that prettier person was Camella Wood, completely different in looks from the elegant boss lady she is.
Jane recognised her immediately too. Who wouldn't recognise Miss Wood? And to see her so simple by Andre's side could only mean they are doing a thing together.
Has Andre found love in her? Can she possibly be the woman to set things right in Andre's life again? After that heartbreak that he experienced, he became a cold man.
“Nice meeting you again, Miss Wood” Felix chimed, quickly changing the tension that glued him to a spot. He smiled and glanced back at his friend who now held Camella's hand and brought her to sit next to him.
“Same here, Felix. How have you been?” Camella replied, now her words were like the CEO indeed. She'd momentarily forgotten that she's Ella before Alice Torello and none of them paid attention to the differences at the moment.
“Welcome to my new home, Jane” Andre said, taking Jane's hand and pulling her into a hug. It was brief and he was going to introduce them when Jane said “Nice meeting you in person,Miss Camella”
She'd hear stories about this woman and her recent fuss with Andre. Felix even told her that she plays basketball now, at the same court that Andre does.
She's a recognised figure in the society and her name does ring a bell. And here she is, sitting next to them in the same beautiful sitting room. This is amazing.
Now, Alice was uncomfortable. She glanced at Ella again. Felix referred to her as Miss Wood and Jane called her Camella. What exactly is going on?
Isn't she Ella again?
“The pleasure is mine,” Camella replied, a megawatt smile spread across her face. She glanced at Andre and their eyes locked, they smiled at each other again.
“Excuse me Ella” Alice Torello interrupted. Gazing at Ella intently, she felt something wasn't right. She really is the daughter of Benson Wood. Why didn't she see it all along?
“Yes Aunt,” Camella replied, still wearing that nostalgic smile on her face. She remembered she was still Ella to Mrs Torello.
“Who are you really? Are you Ella or Camella Wood, the CEO of Woods electroworld?” Alice bellowed. No, this can't be happening. It better not be.
Camella's smile dissipated immediately. She glanced at Andre and stood up abruptly. The room fell deadly silent and the guests present appeared lost and confused.
Didn't Aunt know she's Camella Wood? Is she looking so furious with her?
“She’s Camella Wood mom. She's Benson Wood's daughter and the present CEO of the Wood's Electroworld. That's her identity and I must say, it was my error not to have introduced you to each other properly…” Andre said, standing up to stand in front of Camella.
In her heart, Camella sighed and was grateful a million times that Andre's tall figure was a shield for her. Skenhide behind him and didn't say anything.
“You mean she lied to me about her identity?” Alice bellowed. Holy shit! And to think she once discussed with her how Andre's boss was mean and unthoughtful in her actions.
“No mom, she didn't. It was a misunderstanding. She is Ella, there isn't anything there that is difficult to understand. Isn't the word Ella carved from the middle letters of her name Camella?
She's my colleague now, not my boss or employer. Remember that I am a partner with the Wood's Electroworld and that explains how this house could be acquired so quickly and easily without taking a loan.
We are partners which means we can as well be called colleagues. She didn't appear at your doorstep as the almighty Camella Wood of the Wood's Electroworld but as a simple woman.
This is because she has learnt that her position and power has nothing to do with her relationship with people outside the office and business. She comes here as a woman and not as a boss…” Andre defended.
“You're already defending a woman before me, Andre? Your softness is the reason Jasmine…” Alice was saying. A woman comes with a disguise and her son wouldn't frown at her actions?
First impressions matter most.
“Please mom, I won't take it when you feel I don't know what I'm saying. Yes, she came to you as Ella, so what? She's not Jasmine. She's Camella!
And please, we're together now, I don't want you to compare her with my ex, she's not Jasmine, she loves me” Andre pleaded.
“Yes Aunt, I saw it with my eyes when I accompanied Andre to the basketball court. I saw her, her actions, expression and support was a sincere expression of love. I can vouch for it, that she loves Andre” Felix added.
Camella snapped her head up and stared at Felix. He also knows about her love for Andre since way back as the time they saw at the basketball court?
Andre stepped aside and held her hand. He turned and glanced at her “Say something to my mom” he urged.
“I'm sorry Aunt. I couldn't come to you as Camella Wood. And I needed to get closer to Andre because I love him. I deliberately come to visit you when he isn't home. I wanted you to see through me that I love him.
I'm sorry for coming through the wrong door. I'm not the same Camella Wood he used to know, I'm a different person now. I'm really sorry, love made me act the way I did. Please forgive me Aunt” Camella apologised.