Chapter 6

Camelia removed the pair of shades from the eyes and peered closely at the couple displaying their public affection. 

It was indeed Hillary, she remembered the blue floral dress clearly. But who was the man and why was he not Francis? She wondered, her attention still on them as she cleared her luggage with the security.

“Dad!” A tiny voice cried out, causing people to turn their attention to them again.

Camelia turned and saw the little boy she had noticed seated beside Hillary on the plane. ‘So Hillary had a child for another?’

“Oh my!” She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth that was wide open and she turned back s

“Is something wrong, mum?” Angel asked her innocently, her cheeks puffed up as she blinked her eyes in anticipation.

A deep breath escaped from Camelia and she patted her daughter’s head, her worries suddenly disappearing. “I'm fine, darling. Let's just get our bags.” 

She moved over to their luggage but was stopped abruptly by a deep voice behind her.

“Let me get that.” He moved ahead of her without waiting for her reply and took their luggage.

“Thanks, Gary.” Camelia smiled warmly, scolding herself secretly for forgetting about him. She let Angel run happily to his side, chatting happily about her flight experience.

Her gaze moved to Hillary again and she confirmed again that the man was Francis. The same Francis that had sent a message to her minutes ago and the one that had left her crumbling on the street of New York years ago.

Their complete family and affection made her heart turn, she felt the urge to run to them and pull them apart, removing the happy smiles on their faces.

‘We shall see, Francis.’ She said inwardly to herself, excited about the plan she had in mind. She made a mental note to go through his mail when she got to the hotel.

“Shall we?” Gary directed towards the entrance of the airport. He now had a chauffeur dragging the luggage while he carried Angel in his arms.

Reluctantly, Camelia peeled her eyes away from them, walking side by side with him.

“How is the application going?” Gary turned his head to her and questioned.

Camelia sighed, dropping her shoulders low a little in exhaustion. “I haven’t heard from any of them,” she answered, “But the one with Charis seems promising.”

Gary nodded his head slowly then his eyes went dim suddenly, “Do you think they saw us?” 

Camelia’s gaze darkened and she felt a surge of anger again. She remained silent refusing to answer the question.

‘Had he seen her or was he pretending not to?’ 

She tried not to be bothered about it even as they drove away from the airport to the hotel but couldn't help thinking about it.

Clearly, Hillary had intentionally done the unnecessary display to make her jealous but she cared less. For what is was worth, she was done with Francis, their marriage ended years ago. 

The only thing she was concerned or rather curious about was the little boy she saw with Hillary and in Francis arms.

He looked like Hillary no doubt and she could see the sculpture of Francis nose on his face.

If she did her calculations well, the boy seemed like he would be the same age as Angel.

‘So she had been pregnant during their divorce times.’

“I hope you haven't forgotten the mission,” Gary broke through her thoughts.

“Never!” She blurted out without thinking. She cleared her throat, embarrassed at her loud pitch. “I haven't forgotten it.”

She hadn’t forgotten about it but what was Franvis up to?

***

Francis stared in the direction that Camelia and her group had gone, his gaze lingering there longer than he wanted.

“Are you okay, darling?” Hillary placed her hand on his arm warmly, bringing his attention to her.

Francis shook his head, “That person looked like Camelia, she…” He paused when the noticed the shift in her countenance. 

“You know what, forget about it. It couldn't be her.” He gave her a small smile and dragged her into his arms. “I miss you, how was the seminar?” He switched the topic smoothly 

Hillary blushed, happy that the attention was on her again. “It was so educating…” she started, gesticulating excitedly with her hands as they walked to his car.

“We had fun, right, Joe?” She asked Joe who shook his head repeatedly in response.

“See!” She beamed, taking her seat in the car.

Francis sighed inwardly; he knew he was back to her chatter. This was something he didn't miss about her during her two weeks away.

He couldn’t help himself from comparing Hillary with Camelia. He had loved Camelia, no doubt, but he loved Hillary now, he reminded himself. 

He turned the ignition and the car drove off, the atmosphere calm and quiet until Joe spoke.

“Mum, who was that woman you greeted on the plane earlier?”