Chapter 96: Two years passed
Two years later
Jade and Jude ran around the glass house with their little cousin Jasmine. Jasmine is a little blond girl. She’s beautiful and chubby like her cousin Jade.
Mirabel and Camilla had gone out together, particularly to Justin’s engagement and left their kids with their grandma.
Lola was always so excited whenever she got to see her grandchildren. The first time Camilla brought the kids to their great-grandfather for blessings, she couldn’t hide her excitement.
She doesn’t need anyone to tell her who they are. Immediately she saw them, she knew they were her grandchildren. The boy was a spitting image of his arrogant father.
She hugged them and sobbed. She really sobbed that day. Partly for her dear husband who did live to see his grandchildren and secondly for Rodrigo who had been deprived the right of a father by Camilla.
Larry Campbell had blessed the kids that day and she did as well. If Brian was alive, he wouldn’t have blessed them better than her and his father.
Since then, the kids were inculcated as members of that family. They could come in anyday and anytime without any form of restrictions.
That day, she had also apologised to Camilla for all she had done to her. The latter gladly forgave her and she had since then been welcomed as a future daughter in law.
But Rodrigo hadn’t been home for over two years already. He calls everyone once in a while but doesn’t seem interested in coming home just yet.
She really wanted him to be home and get back together with his woman. That has been her earnest expectation.
On fateful morning, Larry Campbell became very sick. He appeared he was not having much time left and he kept saying his wife was calling him over to Join her.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Sometimes, he would say he saw his son Brian smiling and welcoming him. Lola became very uncomfortable. She only had Larry left after her husband died, hearing him saying such words made her afraid that she would soon lose him as well.
She called Rodrigo and told him what was happening to his grandfather. The latter replied and said the best surgeon should be brought to attend to him.
He made some calls and for real Larry Campbell felt a little better. But after a week, his condition deteriorated and became worse.
He only asks for Rodrigo and hence Lola insists that wherever he is, he must come over. His grandfather kept calling out for me.
Rodrigo said okay and hung up. Next he told his assistant to get his private jet ready. They would be taking a flight in the next two hours.
He was supposed to meet with his partner to finalise a contract the next day and the process of their togetherness begin but he called her and told her they were finalising their deal the next week.
Camilla was called downstairs by her mother, who told her that someone was there to see her. When she saw the fellow before her, she frowned.
What the heck. What does she want with her as well? Her ex husband came looking for her she made him return with regrets and thoughts of suicide. Now the ex-wife too was there to see her?
“I hate some kind of people that come before me” Camilla declared, sneering at her and gazing at her as if she was some leprocytic patient.
“Hello Camilla” Lilliana was polite. She deliberately ignored Camilla’s sarcastic remark. She has every right to detest her but she has to endure whatever she says or do to her if she truly needs her forgiveness.
“What do you want here?” Camilla asked, not responding to her greetings. If she expects anyone to come see or visit her, it’s not the likes of Lilliana.
Lilliana bowed her head. Her eyes had gone red and her tears ran down her cheeks. She cleaned her tears and clasped her hands before Camilla.
“I came to seek your forgiveness. I am sorry about what I did to you, betraying our friendship. I regretted everything I did and wished you would find a place in your heart to forgive me…” Lilliana pleaded.
Camilla chuckled aloud. She probably hasn’t heard about her much since she humiliated Felix Freeman. Only later did she realise that they were divorced.
Now that things fell apart and they have wounded each other’s emotions, she now returned to apologise. She just stared at her, wondering if she should accept that debt she was yet to pay her.
On that hurtful day, Lilliana slapped her and said horrible words to her. Now, it appears the table has turned and she’s nobody here.
Her father was arrested for manhandling government funds and Felix Freeman has also lost his job courtesy of Lilliana’s father.
Staring at her made Camilla almost puke out blood. She looked devastated and depressed. Does she really need to do anything to such a person again?
“Camilla, all I want is your forgiveness. I’ve paid for my mischief already. The height of it is if you refuse to forgive me.
My dad pushed me into seducing Felix, it was I who wronged you the most, not Felix Freeman. You also know that my father was already paying for his own sin.
I lost Felix, all the properties of my parents were confisticated, we have suddenly become poor and my faint heart is almost giving up.
But you know what I lost the most, the most important thing in my life, my son. I lost my son to illness and now I seemed to be naked, left in the rain with no one to call my own…”Lilliana started sobbing.
She went on her knees and sobbed profusely. Now, it wasn’t the forgiveness from Camilla that is making her sob so much but the memories of Jack’s death.
No mother ever finds it funny to lose an only child. The death of Jack was the hardest part of her misery. She wished she had died and her son lived.
Sara looked at Camilla and nodded to her, signifying that she forgives her and let the sobbing woman go in peace. The fact that her son whom she claimed to be pregnant with and for married to Felix Freeman was dead, there was no greater punishment for a mother than that.
“You may leave,” Camilla declared. That’s enough. What other actions can she take against such a broken woman? She would rather let her go away and nurse her wounds for the rest of her life.
Lilliana suddenly stopped sobbing. She cleaned her tears with the back of her palm and looked up at Camilla. It was a great scene to behold as Lilliana kneeled before Camilla and the latter towered over her staring down at her.
A faint smile appeared on Camilla’s lips. Such a day would come when all those that looked down at her would come kneeling at her feet.
Felix Freeman did, Emma Martins and her parents did and now, it was Lilliana. What goes around, comes around.
Lilliana smiled and thanked Camilla. She clasped her hands together in appreciation. At least that guilt was gone. She wasn’t going to bear that weight of guilt on her conscience anymore.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave, “Camilla declared. She looked expressionless, her facial appearance devoid of smiles.
Lilliana tried hugging Camilla but the latter raised a hand that she shouldn’t come any closer. She is not so stupid to hug people who once betrayed. They might stab her back next time.
Lilliana sighed and asked “Is there a chance for us to still be friends Camilla?” She wished that they return to the besties they used to be.
“No” Camilla replied and sneered. She really went too far to request friendship again. Didn’t she say she came to seek her forgiveness? Why are you requesting a second chance of friendship?
Looks like the phrase second chance has been coming to her so often for a few years now. Rodrigo sought for a second chance.
That idiot surnamed Freeman also came to seek a second chance and now, Lilliana also wants a second chance. She’s fed up hearing those two words again.
While Camilla kept her gaze on Lilliana, the latter felt those eyes were breathing fire. She nodded and picked-up her bag and walked towards the door.
Before stepping out, she looked back to find her old friend still staring at her retreating back view and she waved at her. But Camilla just pretended that she didn’t see her waving.
“Everyone that has hurt you in the past has come to seek your forgiveness. Even Rodrigo apologised to you too. I think now, you have become an important person different from the poor girl they used to know.
But among them all, only Rodrigo impresses me the most. If he comes before you again, forgive him for real and let him have access to the kids just as his family members does” Sara persuaded.
Camilla nodded. She doesn’t need anyone to advise her again concerning Rodrigo. She loved him and just realised she can’t move on without him.
His grandfather and mother were pleased with her when she took the kids to the glass house. His mother hugged her so tight as if she was making Camilla disappear into her belly.
She doesn’t know if Rodrigo is aware yet, but that is a step closer to getting reconciled with him. Mirabel also has become her bestie and they get along so well.
“I know you still love him very much, right?” Sara asked and Camilla said “I love him very much and I don’t think I can do without him” she confessed.
“Do what you can to get back to him” Sara instructed and kissed Camilla’s temple before walking out into the garden.
Whatever happens, she must get her man back. Rodrigo left and it’s been over two years, she hadn’t seen him. Had he given up on her already?
The misunderstanding that happened that night before he left her place had probably sealed his heart against her. He might have considered it that she was dating Justin Swaras and put her off his heart completely.
She tried to make a call across to him, but he blocked her off. On his social media handles, he blocked her and it was obvious that he doesn’t want to have anything to do with her.
Once Mirabel had called and before hanging up, she told him that She was there and would like to say hello. Next that they knew was that Rodrigo hung up from his end and Mirabel told her that Rodrigo blocked her too immediately.
It took months before the siblings could talk with each other again. Since then, she never attempted using Mirabel to reach Rodrigo again.
But she hoped he would come home soon, especially now that his grandfather wasn’t feeling well.
Late that evening, Rodrigo’s private jet arrived at the glass house. Lola’s joy knew no bounds when she saw her son again.
Mirabel had come to see her grandfather and was going to leave when her brother arrived. They all seemed happy to welcome him.
But this time, Rodrigo looked different. It’s just two years and he looked different. He probably had been working on himself and his physical appearance was more charming than before.
His skin seemed whiter than before and his pink lips on his V shaped jaw line was capable of making any woman lose her senses in admiration.
When Mirabel saw him, she sighed. Between herself and Rodrigo, she knew he was looking more attractive than herself despite she’s a female.
Such a great gene he’s got from her father, he had also passed it to Jude. It appears the male species of the Campbell’s family were so blessed.
“Hi Jasmine”Rodrigo called and raised his niece off her feet, taking her up in the air. The little girl giggled, she appeared to like what her uncle was doing with her.
When he lowered his hands, he kissed her temple and hugged her, not wanting to place her on her feet yet. It’s obvious that he likes kids.
“How have you been mum?”Rodrigo asked, came over and gave his Mother a side hug. He did the same with Mirabel and proceeded to his grandfather’s room.
“Grandfather”Rodrigo called, sitting by his bedside and still holding Jasmine. He saw his grandfather and knew, it doesn’t seem as if he has much time left.
He looked thin and very old. Yes he was an old man but seeing him at that time, he looked like he was some old ancient man.
Hearing Rodrigo’s voice, Larry Campbell forced his eyes open. He seemed to want to tell him something important or happy that he came to check on him.
Lola and Mira got in as well. Larry Campbell tried sitting up and Rodrigo placed Jasmine down and went to help him sit up.
“How are you doing grandfather?” Rodrigo asked, adjusting him to be comfortable. He knew his grandfather was not feeling good and didn’t expect him to respond to him that he was doing well.
“I’ve not been feeling well Rodrigo. Why did you stay so long before coming around?” Larry Campbell asked and Rodrigo said he was sorry.
There was so much work and he has allowed unnecessary distraction to accumulate the work at hand. Everyone knew without being told that the distraction he meant was Camilla.
It appeared his grandfather lacked the strength to talk much. Hence Rodrigo doesn’t ask him any questions but asks to see the doctor’s notes on his treatment so far.
He checked his drugs and the prescription. The private nurses hired to look after him and help him with administering his drugs were called in.
When they saw Rodrigo, they knew at once that he was Jude and Jade’s father. Pleased with his medical treatment so far, he let his grandfather lie down with the excuse that the drugs he was taking needed him to rest for it to work effectively.
When he returned to the sitting room, he asked his mother if his diet was being taken care of. His mother told him that his grandfather has only been living on drips and infusions for weeks now.
She told him that the doctor said he should enjoy his few last days happily with his family. She didn’t know he would hold on till he arrived.
Hearing that his grandfather would pass away any moment, Rodrigo felt bad. He missed his father and his grandfather did his best to fill the vacuum a little.
He wished he didn’t die. But his liver was already damaged. Rodrigo said he might not be staying long. He hoped to Return the next day very early and he would just stay a few days and then return.
Lola said he couldn’t just leave his grandfather like that. He would definitely ask of him when he wakes up the next morning. He wasn’t going to feel good if he heard he had returned already.
Business and cooperation should wait because its founder was dying and needed attention. He should let official affairs be handled by his subordinates till he returns.
Rodrigo chuckled and said he wasn’t going for business or work. He was supposed to be married and can’t keep his fiance waiting. After they got married, they would come over and stay in City A for as long as his grandfather lives.
“Getting married?” Lola asked and turned to glance at Mirabel whose facial expression had suddenly gone gloomy.
“Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. We’ve been on it for a while now and tomorrow we will tie the knot,”Rodrigo explained.
He looked at his mother and saw she was speechless. He squinted, why this long face? At Mirabel and that one just looked away, avoiding to meet his gaze.
“What is happening, is there a problem?” Rodrigo asked, discovering that the atmosphere looked tensed up.
“There’s no problem. But what will happen to Camilla and your kids?” Mirabel asked, turning to glared at Rodrigo with reddened eyes.