Camella turned and glanced at him quietly. She'd heard that he was adopted by Mrs Torello when he was a little boy. And he grew up knowing her as his only parent and family.
“They came to find you eventually?” She asked and Andre shrugged “they came to find my mom and that's one of the reasons why we had to move from our former apartment to the villa. I really don't want a complicated life, I wish they can just forget about me completely” He explained.
“I think you should hear them out first. There must be a reason why they left you at the orphanage…” Camella was saying when Andre interrupted her “for twenty eight years, they left me for so long and I would listen to whatever their reasons are?
No Camella, this is never going to happen. If they can live without me for twenty eight years, why are they coming to look for me now? Why would they want to know me? I am never going to acknowledge anyone as my parents except my foster mother “Andre concluded.
They soon arrived at the hotel and Andre got out of the car, Camella did the same. As he approached the entrance. Two men were waiting at the grand floor and they bowed at the sight of Andre “This way sir”
Andre and Camella exchanged glances and sighed softly. Perhaps things are not the way they thought it to be. They followed one of the men while the second one was following them behind.
Andre was led into a mini conference hall. Exquisite sofas were placed there and heavily equipped men were standing, all dressed in a black suits and shades. Camella subconsciously searched for Andre's hand and interlocked hers with his.
“Is my mother being held here?” Was the question Andre blurted out. He glanced around, the men were supposed to look scary but they equally appeared not.
“She wasn't held here, she was invited, your Highness” one of the men spoke, walking closer and standing before Andre. He bowed slightly before him.
Andre was lost. Camella turned and glanced at him, her hands getting firmly held by Andre. She doesn't understand the kind of words spoken to Andre and the respect this older man was showing him.
“There's a mistake here. I want to meet my mom, Alice Torello. Where is she?” Andre asked and the door by his left opened and he turned abruptly, only to see his mother walk out, smiling broadly.
“Mom” Andre called, his eyes fixed on her glancing at her from her head to her toes. He seemed to be scrutinizing her and to ensure she's safe from harm.
“Aunt” Camella blurted and left Andre going over to her. She didn't think twice before hugging her. “Are you alright? Did they harass or bully you?” She asked, staring at her beautiful smile.
“No, it's nothing of the sort. Come on kids, we need to talk” she said and brought Andre and Camella to sit down but Andre wouldn't agree. How can he possibly sit down in such an unfamiliar environment?
“No mom, let's go home first. Whatever you want to say, you can do that on our way home. But first, we need to leave here already” Andre rebuffed.
“No son. Home with me is not as important as the bright future ahead of you. And despite the fact that I was propelled to be selfish, you also deserve to be who you were born to be.
It's time, you take up your real identity. The ridicule of the past will not define your future anymore. Your parents are here, they have come to meet with you and you deserve the life that you were born into…” Alice was saying, holding Andre's hands firmly.
“I don't understand mom. My parents? What nonsense are you talking about?” Andre bellowed. He guessed as much. Those people who claim to be his parents, have come for him.
“I'm not talking nonsense. I have met them, they're here to meet you dear…” Alice was saying when they heard footsteps behind them. Camella turned first and glanced at the couple who now magnificently took their seats on the exquisite sofa.
“Prince Clifford!” She exclaimed and immediately everything seemed so clear to her. She tapped Andre who heard her words and turned to come face to face with the Prince and princess of Ashanti Kingdom.
There was a momentary silence. The hall seemed to be so quiet and stilled that a needle could be heard dropping. Camella was not staring at the royalties anymore, she was staring at Andre.
Her arm circled firmly around his biceps. She saw the looks, his eyes and entire appearance was not much different from that of the Prince. She didn't know how long everyone stood transfixed on a spot, but she knew that her tears suddenly dropped before she realised it.
Andre couldn't take his eyes away from the couple. He saw them on the TV, he felt he'd known them somewhere but couldn't place them. Was it blood, was it his soul that recognised them when he saw them?
The Prince didn't say anything but his eyes had gone reddened. He couldn't take his eyes away from his son. Twenty eight years, he was away from him. Had lived in lacks and desires, had been through difficult times and yet, he is a prince.
Now staring at his son, he felt the weight of losing him for so many years. He is standing before his own son and yet, they appear to be strangers to each other. How pathetic.
Why did Jamal do this to him? Why would he separate his son from his family? How can someone be so inhuman towards his own nephew for no just reason other than envy and jealousy?
Princess Charlotte couldn't hold back, her hands stretched out, eager to hold her son. Since he was born, she'd never held him in her arms. Her tears were uncontrollably, she was yearning for him and her complexion ashen.
“My baby…my son,” she blurted.