“My baby, my son” Charlotte cried, holding her son so dearly. She was barely above his chest but not to his shoulders. He was a bit taller than Clifford because she was still able to reach her husband's shoulders when she hugged him.
“I thought I was abandoned by my parents. I didn't want to ever meet them. I developed only hatred for them in my heart because I assumed I was unloved. I couldn't easily accept you…” Andre choked and sniffled.
“Princes don't cry, Andre, leave tears for the princesses. You should keep cool and keep your tears until you are alone, behind closed doors "Prince Clifford cautioned.
“This prince here cannot help it, father,” Andre replied, still holding his mother. He felt secured in her hands. As her feminine hand wrapped around his waist, he could only feel love in its purest form.
Camella was right, he was surrounded by those who truly loved him. He leaned over, kissed his mother's temple and held her further. He knew she was sobbing and a tear dropped from his eyes.
Alice and Camella hugged each other too. Now, Alice was pleased with Camella, her dear Ella. She was indeed the right woman for Andre. She only hopes her dear son loves her in return.
“We didn't abandon you, we could never do that to our flesh and blood. We love you son, we do” Princess Charlotte mumbled, burying her head in his chest. Her son, her dear son. She couldn't hold him at birth, but she was fortunate that he now holds her in a hug.
Prince Clifford coughed slightly “Aren't you holding my wife too long, prince Andre?”
Charlotte snapped her head off Andre’s torso and said “Are you jealous of your own son now, huh?” She was smiling broadly. She knows how happy her husband felt on the news that he now has a son of his own.
“My son is a full grown adult and that makes me uncomfortable somehow” he complained. Now, everyone was laughing. Andre let go of his mother and turned towards his father.
“Not only a grown man but taller and more charming than you, isn't that what you mean to say?” Andre asked, winking an eye at him. The sudden familiarity he now feels with them, seemed as if he had known them for decades.
“You think you are more handsome than I am?” Prince Clifford joked. It's a blessing to have a son so strikingly sharing a resemblance with him. Except that he really takes after father, not him.
“You just said it dad and I guess I stole this handsomeness from you without you realising it” Andre declared. The atmosphere was filled with humour as everyone laughed. The family of three definitely have this side in them.
“You're right on that, son. And I must confess that I have been longing to hold you in a hug for a long time now” he declared and Andre hugged him.
“You're my son Andre, my seed and the product of my body. We love you, your mother and I have never been happier in our lives than we are now. We couldn't possibly abandon our own son, it was your uncle who stole you away.
He was jealous because you are a male. He wants to birth the future heir but destiny denied him and we had the son instead. But karma fought on your behalf. Thanks for accepting us, thanks for accepting your real identity…” Prince Clifford whispered in his ears.
A few minutes later, he was hugging his mother, “you sure know how to threaten someone right?” He said and Alice said “silly boy, do I have to use my last trump card to make you accept your real parents?”
And as a matter of fact, that trump card worked. Now, the purpose and aim was achieved. She knows Andre would do anything at the mention of her, committing suicide.
When he turned to face Camella, he said “You are an intelligent woman, Camella and I think I'm falling for you as the day passes” he confessed.
“Thank you, my obsession,” Camella replied. She was dating a prince without realising it. Now, she has to pursue her love. Nothing is going to come between herself and Andre, ever.
She saw him caressing her hair, she expected a hug but he gently raised her chin and stared into her eyes. She saw him look beyond her eyes, his eyes rested briefly on her lips and Camella anticipated a kiss.
But instead, he kissed her temple briefly and let her go. Camella forced a smile but secretly swallowed hard. She wished he kissed her. She expected it from him, she wants him to publicly make her known to his parents.
“Dad, mom, this is Camella Wood, my girlfriend” he introduced. They know his foster mother already, but not Camella.
“Come over sweetheart” Charlotte said, bringing Camella to sit next to her. Camella shyly fondled her fingers as she said “It's nice meeting you, your majesty” she said.
“The pleasure is all mine darling” Charlotte replied, kissing her temple. Andre watched as his mother already accepted Camella without questioning her or her identity.
Camella bowed before the prince “Nice meeting you, your Highness” she said shyly. Andre's parents are such sweet souls. She hopes they remain this way towards her.
“Blessings be upon you, my child” Prince Clifford said. It wasn't long, they all set out to have dinner. The table was filled with different dishes.
The waiters were all around, dishing their meals with utmost carefulness. Charlotte hadn't stopped glancing at her son and smiling. She's happy and her joy knows no bounds.
“I already know you are a mechanical engineer. And you work with the Wood's Electroworld, right?” Clifford asked, staring at his son.
“I used to be an employee with the Wood's Electroworld but now, I'm a partner with them,” Andre replied. His parents already knew everything they could about him. Is that one of the things that royalty is all about?
Subconsciously, he glanced at Camella and took her hand, smiling at her. Clifford saw them and squinted. He introduced her as Camella Wood, is she related to the Wood's Electroworld?
“Camella, are you related to the owner of the Wood's Electroworld?” Clifford asked. He thinks this girl is somewhat classical in the way she talks or carries herself.
Camella smiled and nodded. She glanced at Andre and he nodded, assuring her that she can answer him accordingly.
“I'm Camella Wood the CEO of the Wood's Electroworld sir” she replied and bowed her head. It's a fortune accumulated from thousands of generations to be seated on the same dining table with the Prince of Ashanti Kingdom.
“I suspected that too. Andre is audacious to be dating his boss” Clifford joked. His son is truly a prince and acts in that way without realising it. He wants her and despite her class and position, he made her his girlfriend.
Or perhaps, his cute face drew her closer easily. Anyways her identity is such that is expected of a future princess of Ashanti Kingdom. He hopes their relationship blooms to the stage of marriage.
“No your Highness, my partner. We are equal in every sense of it” Camella corrected. She glanced at Andre and he chuckled before saying “she was my boss first, before we became partners”
“Someday, I'll want to listen to your love story. How it all began…” Princess Charlotte chipped in.