CHAPTER FIVE

CARTER'S POV 

I shut down my laptop and quickly cleared the rest of the files on my table, preparing to leave for my house. I was really hoping that my night with Camilla goes smoothly. I planned taking her shopping to get her dress for her father's burial tomorrow and also take her to the spa for a wonderful massage and skin therapy.

I honestly didn't know why I was being so nice to her, but what I knew for sure was that Camilla was a lonely and broken girl. She needed someone to care for her and I honestly didn't mind being that person.

I took my keys out of my pocket as I fondled a bit with it, before successfully slipping it into the door lock and opening the door. The most wonderful aroma I had smelled in a while hit my nose. God! What the hell was Felicity cooking? My mouth was watering already.

"Hey!" Camilla said as she came into the sitting room from the dinning. She was probably waiting for Felicity to be done with the dish I guess.

"Hellooo! How was your day?" I enquired, hoping for a positive answer, and then her smile gave me a big clue.

"Welll!..." she wrung her hands together excitedly. "I tried out some of my Mother's recipes for Baked chicken and rice pudding, and it came out better than I imagined! You came just in time Carter. The food is done, just have a seat" She gestured to the dining.

Oh my God. She was the one cooking the meal? A little part of me was still doubtful, so I asked her. "What of Felicity? Is she home?"

"Oh? I gave her the day off as I was going to do the cooking today." A look of dread spread across her face all of a sudden. "Hope you're not angry? I probably over stepped my boundaries by giving orders to your Staff. I'm sorry" she blurted, looking flustered and cheeks red as a tomato.

"Well, for one, I think the meal is about to be the best thing I've eaten in a while. Have you perceived the aroma?" I chuckled. "Secondly, We are getting married soon, so my staff is yours as well. And thirdly, I can't be angry especially when you looked so flustered and cute" I smiled as she blushed deeply.

"I can see you got pizza" She stated and gestured to the pack of Pizza in my left hand.

"Yes. I thought I would have come back to a hungry you, but contrary is the case." I grinned as I walked towards the dinning and took a seat. The aroma even hit differently at this spot. In less than five minutes, I had a few plates before me and a smiling Mila by my side who refrained me from touching the meal until she was done giving the grace.

I started munching on the food as I unconsciously moaned loudly. Wow! She was one good cook. I could have eaten more than I normally would, but my stomach was already too full to take in more food.

"Ahh!!! Thank you so much Camilla. This was one delicious dish and I enjoyed it." I thanked her to which she only smiled and started clearing the plates and table wears. I quickly got up to assist her.

"Thank you." She mumbled.

"Hmm" I nodded 

"So where did you learn how to cook? Who taught you?" I asked.

"Ermmm...Actually, my late mom started including me in her kitchen work right from when I was just six. I was kinda drawn to the whole art and it wasn't a surprise to my Mum as she herself, was a great chef during her teenage days. She actually had a restaurant, which she had to sell out when she started battling with cancer." She whispered the last part. 

"Sorry about your loss." I whispered.

"You didn't know?" She queried to which I shook my head 'no'.

"I only found out Claudia isn't even your biological mom a few days ago, from a friend." I partially lied.

"Really?" She was silent for a while and looked deeply into my eyes, as if trying to read my mind. After a few seconds, she turned on the tap and started washing the plates we used to eat. "You should go have a bath." she suggested.

"Why? You don't want me in your space?" I smiled.

"No.....it's just that you made mention of going out this evening...so..." Realization hit me. I had even forgotten about that. "Oh! Yeah that's right. I'll just run up and quickly do my business. I'll be down in a bit"

"Okay" She whispered

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"Hey. Are you ready?" 

"Yeah sure" She replied. I took in the black and white floral pattern sundress she had on, with her hair in a French plait and a few rebellious strands pulling out of place as they made baby curls on the edges of her scalp. Frumaosa I thought. 

"What's that?" She asked

"What's what?" 

"Fru...something" Wow! I didn't realize I said that out loud.

"Ermmm... it's nothing" I scrunched my lips sideways in a bid to show that whatever I was saying wasn't of important, hoping she wouldn't persist anymore.

"Okay" She replied "So where are we headed this night?" 

"To the boutique, to get some dresses for you. Specifically something for your Father's funeral tomorrow" 

"Oh" She gasped. "I have just enough clothes to pick out from for tomorrow. You honestly don't have to" She smiled sincerely. 

"I really don't mind Camilla...it's.."

".....my father's funeral, and I really don't want to feel like I'm celebrating his departure by buying new clothes for that. Honestly" She said twisting a few strands of her hair. She's nervous.

"Okay, that's fine. Can I take you to the Spa atleast?"

"Well...."

"I want a positive answer Camilla"

"You're not fair. Why bother asking, when you'd still make me do it your way" She whined playfully. "Fine! Let's go" She smiled. Good.

"Oh God! They give really good massages I must say." she hadn't stopped talking about how much she enjoyed our outing, which I honestly wasn't complaining about. Infact, I wanted her to be jolly and talk more often like this. I just smiled. She probably wasn't an introvert, she just wasn't around the right people to make her express herself easily. I knew her stepmother hadn't been treating her well. I didn't just know the details.

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The whole funeral rites were done and Mr Edward's lawyer had asked the family members to come together for the will reading. 

I had made sure to be by Camilla's side from the beginning to the end of the whole funeral, because I didn't want her being alone for a minute, but now I had no other choice but to leave her.

I made to leave, but I felt her hands clutching my shirt tightly. "Where are you going?" She panicked. I knew it from the moment we stepped into the church, that Camilla wasn't comfortable. Added to the fact that most of the people here, where Claudia; her Stepmother's friends and relatives. She was practically the only direct family of her late father who was present.

Driving out of the cemetery to their family house, where the will reading would take place, I noticed that when we alighted my car and headed into the house, there was a particular guy that didn't stop glaring at us, or should I say her. 

"I don't think I need to be here. Moreover I know my father willed everything to Claudia" She murmured. Why would she even think that way. She was her Father's only child for crying out loud. Something was definitely amiss here.

Making the decision to leave her alone for the will reading was difficult, and I honestly wished she would stop me from going. If she did that, nothing was going to make me leave her side.

"I'll just be at the balcony" I said

"No please don't go. Don't leave me" She whispered with a pleading eyes. God! What the hell was going on?

We walked into the sitting room and had our seats amongst the few other people already sitting and probably waiting for Camilla. I noticed the same guy who was glaring at us earlier, was also in the room. After a while, the Lawyer inquired who the man was, and Claudia introduced him as her nephew who had been living with them since she got married to Edward.

"Alright then, a quick introduction. I'm Peterson Parker, The late Mr Edward's Lawyer, and I have been mandated to deliver Mr Monteiro's last wishes through his will. Let's get straight to the point. Mr Edward Monteiro left a short message for his daughter, Miss Camilla Eloise Monteiro. And I says as read: 

Hey my dearest. I'm sure it must be the most difficult thing for you to be all alone. But I just want you to know that I love you so much, and whatever decisions I made, were for your good. I love you my angel.

"Hmm" Camilla nodded as she tried to avoid shedding tears. I unconsciously tightened my hold on her.

"So onto the sharing of properties" Mr Parker announced. Why did he say properties, like all he had wasn't a failing company and this house we were currently seated.

"Go on ahead Mr Parker" Claudia urged rather too enthusiastically. I noticed the small smile she was trying to hide under the whole facade. The woman had been onto Edward for his money. What a waste.