Chapter 0009

•CAMILLA•

“How dare you, Alisha?!” Olivia roared on the phone. “After everything that my son did for you — picking you up from the damp and bringing you inside our home — you have the guts to send someone to threaten him so that he would sell his company to him?!” she snapped.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I left your home as you instructed and allowed your son to be with the one he wanted. So, what do you want from me now?”

She scoffed. “You’re going to regret this, Alisha. When my son regains all that he has lost, you’re going to come back and beg for his forgiveness. In fact, I give you a week. You’re going to come crawling back on your knees, begging him to take you back in.”

“Olivia, tell your son to stop implicating me in his business because I will not take any more insults from either of you, and stop calling this number.”

I hung up the call and got rid of the phone since I was no longer using my old identity.

I scoffed as I thought of how Santino might have gotten Lucius to sell his company to him.

Francesca walked into my room and gave me a cell phone. I didn’t ask questions as I put it to my ear.

“Yes?”

“It’s Sakai, Camilla.”

“Oh, hey!” I was thrilled. “How are you?”

“I am very good, actually. Dad called to inform me about your marriage to Santino to secure the Banks and Ross collaboration. Well, I must say that I didn’t think you would go ahead with it, and with you being pregnant with his child, I am very shocked.”

“When are you coming home?” I chuckled.

“My wife and child will come to the States in a year and stay there for good. I hope to see you in good health, little sister.”

“Me too. Thank you for calling, Sakai. Please send my love to Onika and little Charlotte.”

“I will, Cammy. We’ll talk soon.”

I hung up the call and gave Francesca back her cell phone. I then sighed as I sat down on the couch.

“Lucius’s mother called, saying Santino threatened Lucius into selling his company. I don’t know if I should confront him or just let it be. I’ve already accepted the company as a gift and planned to host the handover ceremony when I’ve given birth.”

Francesca closed the door as she came to sit down next to me. “I think you should put the handover ceremony on hold until further notice, and Camilla,” she placed her hand on top of mine."You don’t have to feel bad about this. Lucius brought this upon himself. He wasn’t a good man to you. You’re the one who helped him save the company from the brink of bankruptcy when you sponsored him anonymously. Consider this a repayment for the 2 billion dollars that you spent to save the company."

“It was his inheritance, Francesca.”

“He lied and cheated on you. Besides, he wasn’t making a living through this company alone. He will be okay.”

I sighed. “Santino shouldn’t have done that. What if he involves his lawyers and the media in this whole thing?”

“Even if he does, Santino will take care of it for you.”

“Here you go again,” I rolled my eyes, chuckling.

She chuckled. “I told you that the way he was looking at you in the garden, he was thinking of the many ways he was going to win your heart back.”

I rolled my eyes. Even if Santino were the only man left on Earth, I wouldn’t look at him twice.

“Go away, please.”

She chuckled as she got up from the couch and left.

***

“I have something for you.”

“You do?” Santino smirked as he walked toward me after closing the front door behind him.

“Well, after buying me a new company and taking me to Beverly Hills for my vanilla honeymoon, I got you something as well, just as I promised.”

“Okay,” he blushed.

I smiled as I handed him a small jewelry box. He took it, opening it, and when he saw the watch inside, he smiled.

“I remember this one,” he looked at me and chuckled. “Rolex Paul Newman.”

“I thought my gift should be this watch because I ripped your old one when you offered me money the following morning after you and I spent the night together. I wanted to show you that there was nothing valuable in your house that I couldn’t afford.”

“I knew there was something about you,” he leaned closer. “You were different from the other girls; you didn’t react to me like they did, and I didn’t realize you were wealthy. If I had known, I wouldn’t have cost myself this expensive watch.”

“Well, maybe next time you will learn not to underestimate me.” I gulped as I looked up at him.

He smiled. “I’ve learned my lesson very well. Thank you for the gift, my wife.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Oh, please. Bye, Santino.” I walked past him and headed upstairs to my bedroom. “Remember your floor in the house.”

I reminded him as I went to mine. He was staying on the first floor and only shared the second floor with me for the flex room and the sitting room, while I was staying on the third floor.

“Very well!” He answered back.

When I got into my room, I went to the closet to get something to wear to go shopping for my new maternity wardrobe.

Francesca came with me, and when we got to the store, I took everything I wanted and was about to head over to the cash register to pay for my clothes when an intercom notification stopped us.

“This is Justin Lee speaking, the manager of the store. I would like those inside still shopping to excuse the store for a few minutes. Daniel Ross’s daughter is here for her shopping, and she has asked for privacy. I apologize to all of you for the inconvenience.”

Francesca turned to me, scolding. “They can’t do that. This is an insult. I am sure this news will shock Annika. She’s not even in the States, and someone is already claiming her identity.”

“It’s okay, we have to go. Sasha is here.”

“Sasha? She’s the one claiming to be your uncle’s daughter?”

“I know, but we have to go.”

I left the shopping cart in the aisle and took Francesca’s hand as we headed to the door to leave, when Sasha saw me.

I wondered why she came all the way from Florida to Chicago for shopping.

“Alisha, what a surprise!” She laughed as she drew attention to us. “I must say that I never expected you to be shopping in such a store. It doesn’t really suit your class.”

“How -“ I grabbed Francesca’s wrist when she was about to pounce on her.

Sasha laughed. “Lucius won’t believe this when I tell him. Anyway, I can’t shop here anymore,” her eyes darted between me and Francesca. “I’ll go elsewhere. I don’t like shopping with peasants.”

“Let’s go!” She instructed her guards, and they all walked away. When the store manager saw this, he walked to me, frowning.

“From henceforth, you and your friend are banned from the store. You don’t know how much money you have cost us and the trouble that you’ve put us in for upsetting Daniel’s daughter.”

“That’s a shame,” I answered. “If I were you, I would know my place and learn to hold back my tongue before it gets me in trouble.”

I took Francesca’s hand and walked out of the store with her, heading back to our car in the parking lot.