Slashed income

The next three months, things remained the way they should. Andre goes to work and returns to spend time in the gym. He doesn't go to parties, clubs or any social events, he's either at work or you'll find him at the gym center.

He was drowning away his pains, and he chose this way to do it. He wasn't the usual cheerful guy he used to be. He'd lived in solitude despite having people around him often. He seldom talks except if it's necessary for him.

The closest person to him besides his mom was his friend Felix. He comes around they play cheese but no matter how hard he tries, he couldn't convince Andre to step out or take a walk with him

He knew more than anyone else, his friend was experiencing depression. He has become a shadow of his former self. He talks about everything or anything with him whenever he raises a topic but never had he been interested in a feminine talk, he was still hurting.

“Andre, I missed going to the club with you. Please there's a new club opening today, let's go and hangout with a few friends…” Felix coaxed. He really wants to help his friend to crawl out of this shell he'd kept himself.

“You won't stop trying your luck. I am not interested in stepping out anywhere. I prefer remaining at home and spending my time in the gym…” Andre refused. He isn't going to places that would remind him of the times he'd waste on that illusion called love.

Since Felix couldn't persuade him, he soon left him and took his girlfriend out to the club. Felix was true to their friendship and thanks to him a number of times for the shoulders he was constantly offering Andre.

That night, as Andre laid on his bed, his mind raced back to his ex, Jasmine. Those times they went hunting together, the beach date, the clubbing and partying, all meant nothing. He wished he'd known earlier.

He'd researched and discovered that Jasmine and her husband, Patrick left N.Y and relocated abroad. But her parents are living the life of affluence and have joined the elite people of the society.

He wants to work hard and give his mother the best of life. She cannot remain a middle class woman all her life. He'd worked hard but he hadn't given it his best. He has to think of something meaningful to do with his life.

In the Wood's villa, Camella was having a drink with her dad, they were discussing the company and Benson asked “How have you been coping, are the employees cooperating with your leadership?” He'd told her that she could always come to him when she gets confused sometimes.

But three months have passed and Camella hasn't said a word of anything to him. His daughter is capable of handling things and the employees are so sensible, a good number of them are wise.

“There hasn't been a problem at all. The only person who wants to cross the boundary was dealt with and others have learnt from him. So far, everything goes smoothly and the company moves forward dad” Camella explained, taking her glass of wine to her lips.

“I'm proud of you,Cam. With you, I have no fear or worry over anything. Be disciplined and strict but also be nice to your employees. Some time ago, I had a cardiac failure and an employee's quick intervention saved me…” Benson was saying when his phone buzzed.

He saw the caller ID and smiled. He'd been expecting him to call him for the past two days, he'd finally given it a priority “How long will it take you to come down here for Camella” Benson chimed.

Camella’s gaze went cold. This is the topic she'd been avoiding for so long. Each time they meet, it's all on the same topic; marriage. She's not interested in it but her dad is head over hill for a grandson.

“Your fiance should be in town tomorrow, Camella. You both need to get down to the wedding plans as soon as possible. You've kept him waiting for so long” Benson chimed.

“I didn't keep him waiting dad, it was you who tied him down with promises that I wasn't a part of. And he should have walked away when he didn't see it happening, but he remained. Why he remained was what I haven't been able to fathom” Camella seethed.

Dad promised his friend that his daughter would be married to his son. It will strengthen their friendship and make it outlived their existence but in truth, the business partnership was what intrigues her dad.

“Jack is my best friend's son. I chose a good man for you because I know how focused you were. He's going to be a good husband to you and great dad to my future grandkids..” Benson assured.

Such a good son from a responsible background. His parents are great people and he had lived all his life abroad. Now both of them coming together to raise a family would be just so awesome.

“Tell me something dad, how did you and my mom meet, was it an arrangement like this one you're blindly plunging me into” Camella asked. They've tried making this relationship work, but it's just not working out.

“Your mom and I were childhood sweethearts. But that's not the same with you. You see relationships and dating as distractions and I have to stand in for you, pick a suitable groom and ensure I see you happy on all sides” Benson explained.

“I'll give it one last try dad, if it doesn't work out between us, I'll break up my engagement with him” Camella declared. It's annoying that her dad was shoving Jack Johnson down her throat. She'd tried but they are just not compatible and to think that he appears shady when he's around her.

“You are not into the relationship for a trial Cam. You are to be dogged about it like everything else that you decide to stay focused on. It's about time you get married and not just learn to sit on power and position” Benson declared and gulped down the entire content in his glass and stood up.

Camella sighed. She'll see what she'll do this time. She wants her dad to be happy and if getting married to Jack was going to bring him that happiness, she'll try her best to make it work.

But Jack is secretly into drugs. Did dad know this side of him? And just like that, her mind drifted to that mystery man who helped them out in the snow. She'd placed that jacked in her room.

Maybe she'll move it into her car. Since that imbecile couldn't help with any information, maybe she would assign someone else to do it. She wants to meet him, she wants to reward his kindness.