Chapter 6

Camilla’s POV 

I was the one driving together. My black Bugatti was ready and I just got inside waiting for Emilio who soon arrived in a pair of black joggers and yellow hoodies with a nice new model of Air Jordan. My eyes ran down his dressing, then back to his face. 

“Good morning, Emilio.” I greeted, flinching my face away. “Are you coming to the company dressed like this? You should be on corporate.” 

“Good morning, Camil.” 

My nerves stiffened. What did he just call me? I didn't turn but pretended not to hear this part. His response was left hanging, one thing that would have caused me turning but I resisted the temptation. 

“Alright, let's go.” 

My eyes focused on the way before me, I could sense his lingering gaze on me but it was my duty not to succumb to the pressure of looking at him.

Throughout the short journey, silence engulfed between both of us and I liked it. I didn't want him asking me any questions or saying something that would make me uncomfortable. 

We arrived at my company within fifteen minutes. I packed the car at my special garage and walked out with him. 

“Why did you really have to come here today? Do you have any concerns with the company?” The anxiety in my chest from yesterday was still rocking me. Only here did I manage to look at his face to check out the reason behind the delayed response. Emilio chuckled, falling to his face. 

“Am I not entitled to check out my fiancee’s company?” His voice was laced with some iota of sarcasm. I flinched my face, breathing hard, then turning back to him. 

“If you didn't know, I want to let you know that I'm in charge of this company and wouldn't let any intruder have access to it.” I'd never been serious like this before, he himself got so surprised. 

He raised his hand to brush my hair behind but I quickly pushed his hand away. “It's good you know you're with my mom, so behave officially. I won't love you creating scandals for me.” 

“No, you don't need to sound so harsh.” 

I looked away, feeling the weight of his words. Part of me was angry with mom for linking up with him and the other part was trying to be loyal to mom by not thinking anything funny about her new husband-to-be. 

“How long will you keep pretending as though we are strangers?” 

This, even hit harder. I didn't say a word in response but kept walking. The next moment, I felt his hand coming close to my wrist, something told me he was going to grab me. I hastened my speed immediately leaving his side, he was now walking behind me. I walked up to the special elevator, ignoring the greetings of the staff down here. 

They knew me already by now, sometimes I detested being greeted when I'm not in a good mood. I hated giving fake smiles. I'd told them not to greet me when I'm not in the mood but guess they are afraid to follow this order. 

The sensor on the elevator got the door opened as I approached. I pressed the wait button so Emilio could come in. It could accommodate only five persons and so far it's mom and I who ride this, the rest use the general elevator. 

Emilio walked in and the door closed. “This is the ten storey office and production building of Lux Fashion Hub.” I started. 

“Before we proceed, may I know your real reasons or mission for the company?” This time around, I was more serious, he couldn't avoid the question. 

“I'm here to check out how the company is, I want to become one of the company's top shareholders.” 

“Really?” 

My brain began to calculate a whole lot as I stared at his face with a stern look. I folded my lips, looking away for a second. He elbowed me, grabbing my attention. 

“What are you thinking? You're thinking I'd take the company away from you?”

Exactly what I have in mind! 

“Maybe that's your wish but know it wouldn't work.” I lowered my voice, saying this in a cool but firm manner. He simply nodded, giving me another reason to think more. 

What does he mean by the nod? 

“That's not what I'm here for.” His tone got equally stern. The elevator stopped on the second floor and the door whirled open. 

“Alright, let's move on to business.” I said to him. We walked out and the door closed behind us. The staff were all seated behind their desks with their desktops in front of them, all seemed so focused that they didn't immediately notice my presence. They rose up to greet when they did but I flipped my fingers, urging them to sit. 

“Please continue with your work. I'm here on a tour.” 

“So this is the clerical section of the company, we have the clerical staff here.” He should know what their job is in a company. Without spending too much time here, we took the next elevator to the third floor which had the researchers. Every company ought to have those searching for and bringing in new ideas, it was most needed in the fashion world. 

From here, we moved to the next three floors. These too were offices, from the sixth had the main thing. I showed him to the floor where all the materials used to produce our clothes, shoes, bags and all other accessories are stored. 

“You wanna check out some of the materials?” I asked and he nodded. He seemed really interested and amazed by the way everything went on in the company, even as we got to upper floors. After this, the next three floors contained the actual production. 

“The seventh floor is for clothes, eight for shoes and ninth for accessories,” I told him beforehand. “We produce both male and female stuff. You can even patronize us.” For a moment, I thought he was one of those top clients we have, even if he needed anything, I'm sure mom would just get it for him herself, paying with her own money. The money still belonged to us. 

He nodded to all of my explanations, giving wonderful compliments all along. His disposition soon got me helplessly admiring him and wanting to spend more time with him. I took him to the tenth floor which had my office. 

It was a really massive one, beautifully decorated in the VIP office style. My PA, Caroline, came to greet us. She would be excusing us for a while since I had no work to assign her this morning, all appointments for the morning had been canceled. I'd already let her know this last night. 

“Do you care for anything?” I asked Emilio upon having made sure that Caroline got all the light food, snacks and drinks prepared and stored in the refrigerator by the chef. 

“Anything light,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“Okay.” I nodded. 

We ate together for brunch at the dining room I had which was attached to my office. Towards finishing our food, I turned nervous because I didn't want him to go. I thought of what to say next. 

“So you want us to talk about how the shares go?” 

“No, thank you.” He declined my offer and I furrowed my brows in surprise. “If at all, I'm still interested, I'd let your mom do that. I guess I've already stressed you enough.” 

“I have one request,” he said with a witty grin. 

“What's that?” 

“Can you take today off? Being my eldest daughter, we need to talk.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Maybe we can hold a serious discussion between we and your mom.” He winked at me. “How do you see that?” 

I turned away, wanting to say no but another voice in me was urging, “Say yess! Say yess!!” 

“Don't you still want to spend more time with him?” 

After a brief contemplation, I succumbed to his request. I texted Caroline to inform her of my decision, she could manage everything. Going back to my car downstairs, we got in and headed him. We must have spent barely two hours. 

It was summer and Carlos was on vacation. My mind was already imagining how glad he'd be seeing me come back, he'd think I'm coming back for him. 

Just as I'd thought, when I walked out of the car with Emilio beside me, he ran out of the house heading straight to me. I grabbed him, jacking him up and holding him in my arms. “Mom, you're back!” 

“Yes, darling.” I patted his head with a smile. I don't know who asked me to turn to Emilio, his deepened glare was on both of us. Those eyes weren't those of excitement but suspicion. 

“Heyyy dada,” Carlos called, reaching out his little hand to him. “I was gonna greet you next.” 

“What did you just call him?” My heart raced, I nearly had a panic attack upon hearing this. 

“Dad!” He repeated, even worsening the situation. 

“Why?” I defended. “He's your grand–” 

“Wait!!” Emilio interrupted and I turned to look at him. He must have sensed something with the way he looked at Carlos. 

“His dad looked similar to you, that's why I deep stared at you yesterday.” 

Turning around to walk into the house, I bumped into mom. She was just standing a few meters away from us, by the entrance of the house. 

“What's wrong?” She asked. 

“Don't worry mom,” I stammered. “It's some misunderstanding.” 

“Yeah, but you haven't met his father ever since you gave birth to him?” Those words caught me right on track as I was about entering inside, my legs came to a halt and I froze. It was none other than Emilio himself asking.