Chapter 96: Chapter 96

The next few days went smoothly. Jared and Mira have gotten a separate apartment and no longer share the same Mansion with Camilla.

Camilla was now living with Sara and the servants. Her kids and their nanny. To be more protective, she ordered that they should never be taken out of the Mansion without her consent.

She had become restless after that day she saw Rodrigo and he ignored her. He had looked forward to her letting go of her grievance against him and now that she was ready, he wasn't interested anymore, at least that's what it appeared to be.

She needed to find Jared. Talk things over with him and ask him if he ever found out anything about Rodrigo's scandal, who was actually responsible for it.

She was going to find Jared the next day when she got to find him at work. She sighed, what is Rodrigo doing at the time?

Was he in his study, doing some work as usual or was he drinking and partying?

But he seldom does the latter. If he did, it means it is important and inevitable.

It was at such a place she first met him. He was like a demigod to her that day. She practically was trembling when she stood before him.

His eyes were like an x-ray, capable of reading what was going on in her heart. He looked arrogant and domineering back then. But she eventually became his girlfriend.

Only when she knew him well did she know his appearance was frightening but he was good inside, at least when one is in his good book.

In reality, Rodrigo is a good person. He seldom talks with people he is not so familiar with but then he is the simplest, most playful person she has ever known.

When the going was good between them, she could do whatever kind of play she likes with him, crack jokes and she would see him laughing out loud.

Besides her, she can't really say she's seen someone who ever made him laugh that way. The best anyone can get is a grin or a faint smile.

She wished those days would come again. She just wants to see Rodrigo laugh, holding her by her waist and burying his head at the nook of her neck.

Maybe she needed to take the first few steps towards Rodrigo. He definitely would take the 99 steps towards her. She must get her man.

When Camilla arrived at the company, Jared welcomed her. It appeared he wasn't upset with her anymore. He smiled at Camilla as he sat behind the desk.

"I missed you so much Jared. Are you getting upset with me?" Camilla asked. She wants them to return to their cordial relationship of the past. They were both the best siblings.

"Did you ask if I am getting upset? I am already upset with you and you know it" Jared replied, suddenly withdrawing his smiles and staring at Camilla.

The latter sighed and looked at her fingers fondling with them and wished this was not happening.

"Rodrigo was wrong in the past, we all know that. We knew he treated you badly, that is also not fair. But he realized his mistakes, he returned with remorse to apologize.

Why don't you let the past remain where it truly belongs, the past. Why are you treating him exactly or even worse than he treated you back then?

There isn't any difference between you both. Right now, Rodrigo owes you no apologies. Rather you are the one that needs to apologize to him because you went the extreme.

From what I've learnt from Mirabel, Rodrigo went into depression when you left prison and when he discovered that you were really innocent.

He was not himself for a long time. He left the company for a while and lived in solitude. His only companion was alcohol.

I think you need to make him fall in love with you again. No matter how you try to cover up, I know you still love him. I know your heart still beats for him…" Jared coaxed him.

Camilla sniffled. She wants to get back together with him, but there's still something that gets her furious whenever she remembers it.

"It's not like I don't want to forgive him. The thing is that whenever I set my eyes on Rodrigo, I remember an incident and I get furious, and want to hurt him" Camilla disclosed, she looked up at Jared and saw him just staring at her as if she was some strange person.

"Can you possibly tell me about it?" Jared inquired. How can someone be in love with a man and still treat the man as if he was an enemy.

"Everything Rodrigo did, I have already forgiven him. But how can I forgive or forget that he publicly kissed Emma?" Camilla's appearance changed to a frown.

It was as if Rodrigo was before her and she wanted to pull him by his suit and slapped him. She stopped sobbing and her eyes went red.

"Huh!" Jared grunted. Rodrigo kissed Emma was the reason for refusing to let go? That was in the past, Rodrigo has got nothing to do with Emma besides that kissing.

Rodrigo gathered the official documents together. He was travelling that afternoon and it might take a while before he returns. He needed to inform Mirabel to take care of the entire property before she delivers her baby.

He would appoint someone else to act before he returns or Mirabel returns to the company. While putting things in his briefcase, he was informed by his secretary that President Jared Dickson was there to see him.

He raised his hand and looked at his wristwatch, he was still having some time before the flight. He should be snappy with whatever reason he came around.

He ordered the secretary to let him. When Jared stepped in, Rodrigo walked over and shook hands with him.

"Good to see President Campbell," Jared said, smiling and taking Rodrigo's hand. He never would have believed that a day would come when he shakes hands with Rodrigo.

"Jared Dickson, good to see you too", Rodrigo said, happy to have Jared come to see him. He suddenly developed a special kind of likeness for the latter.

Partly because he was his brother-in-law. He was also Camilla's brother. Invariably, they could best go as friends if he wants

"Thank you" Jared replied looking at his briefcase, being zipped, he asked "travelling!"

Rodrigo said yes. He was leaving already. But Jared could go ahead with why he visited.

"Well, I intended that we go out and talk about You and Camilla's love life. I don't know when you will be back so we can talk then" Jared chipped in.

He would have loved that they find time and talk about it. He would wait until he returned. Then he would see if he can talk them into giving each other a second chance.

"First, I appreciate you for coming. But I am not interested in talking anything over with Camilla again. I thought she still loves me as much as I loved her.

But it's all lies. There is no love in her heart towards me anymore. Besides, I am not the father of her kids, so there's practically nothing to talk about" Rodrigo declared,

Jared sighed. "You can't say this if you still love her. You and I know you are the father of Jude and Jade. If not for anything, for your kids sake" He persuaded.

"No Jared, you are mistaken. I had thought those kids were mine. But after my last encounter with Camilla, I have chosen not to know that I am her kids father.

She's found a father in Justin Swaras for her kids. I don't care anymore. I really have taken my mind off her completely" Rodrigo explained, each word was heavy for him to utter.

Shutting his heart and taking a deliberate step in forgetting about his ex, was something he found very hard to do. He still loves her but chooses to forget about her completely.

"Justin Swaras can't be a father to your kids. No matter what happens, they are yours and yours alone.

One of the reasons I stopped by to check on you was to tell you to forgive Camilla about her unguided words the last time…" Jared was saying when Rodrigo interrupted her.

"Why are you apologizing for her? Why are you coming on her behalf? She had said whatever she liked just a bit to humiliate me and she succeeded.

We don't own each other. It is even now. A good point to part ways eventually. She did to me exactly what I did to her. Case closed" Rodrigo declared with a shrug.

"She said that to get you furious because you once kissed Emma publicly" Jared stood in his sister's defense. At this point, he doesn't want Rodrigo to see everything from his point of view alone.

Rodrigo was surprised. Because he kissed Emma? That was when he decided to be engaged to her a bit to hurt Camilla. That's it, she got back at him perfectly.

"Oh! She told you that?" Rodrigo asked and Jared nodded. A faint smile crossed Rodrigo's lips. Camilla, she's become something else.

"That's fine. At least I kissed Emma, but she's been sleeping with Justin as well. You see why I said we don't own each other anymore?" Rodrigo declared.

"Justin, no, Camilla isn't sleeping with him. They are friends" Jared defended again and Rodrigo chuckled.

He stopped and stared at Jared. "Why do I feel that you are trying to defend your sister? Why don't you defend your boss Justin who said it himself?

When we were still together, Camilla and I. I can't remember ever making love to her and she doesn't beg me to stop. But she suddenly said I can't satisfy a woman.

She told Justin Swaras he was better than me. He fucked her more than I did and I couldn't control my temper, I hit Justin Swaras that night.

When Camilla came out, didn't she say the same thing? Two people said the same thing at different times and you say they are friends?

Yes I kissed Emma. And as it is, I will be kissing many more women soon. I don't see any reason why I should keep my body for her" Rodrigo declared, this time, his eyes gone red and he seemed not interested in the conversation anymore.

Jared was dazed. Justin Swaras said that to Rodrigo? Last that he remembered, he and Camilla have no relationship or intimacy. Were they pretending?

And even if Justin slept with Camilla, why the comparison? Why comparing two men with each other and acclaiming one's prowess to the other?

"Justin Swaras said such nonsense to you"? Jared asked, finding it difficult to believe the latter said such a thing.

"If you don't believe me, ask your wife, she was there that night" Rodrigo declared.

As Camilla arrived in her car, her cell phone number ranged. She took her phone and without looking at the Caller's ID, she answered.

"Hello Camilla, I am so happy that you answered your phone. Can we go out for dinner?" The voice from the other end came.

Camilla squinted. She knew the fellow. Even if she was sleeping and she heard that voice, when she wakes up, she will call his name straight away.

Dinner? She goes to dinner with Felix Freeman? Ahhh this is unbelievable. The bastard still has the effrontery to ask her for a dinner date?

She gently removed the phone from her ears and hung up. She is having too much to think about at the time to waste her time and energy, talking to such an asshole.

When Felix Freeman heard the call hung, he was dazed, his smile vanished away. He had thought she wasn't going to answer her phone but she did.

That was his first victory. He didn't expect that she would grow silent and then hung up. She might be contemplating on his request.

Since she answered her phone when he called, that's a sign of green light. He would go ahead and pursue her. This was his best chance to do so.

He would win her over before Rodrigo would ever think of coming to woo her, stealing her heart from him. First attempt, good sign.

Jared arrived home moody. He had always trusted Camilla, why would she do that? How can she be sleeping with Justin?

It's not like the latter was bad or mean, it's just that she can't possibly leave Rodrigo and be having secret affairs with Justin.

Mira came to hug him when he arrived and saw he looked unhappy. Worried she made him sit on the sofa and cupped his face.

"Anything the matter, Darling?" She asked. He wasn't always like this. In fact since they moved out of the same Mansion with Camilla, Jared has always been a happy man.

"Nothing. All I want you to tell me is about what really transpired between Rodrigo and Justin that night that resulted in your brother hitting him" Jared asked.

He wants answers. He is eager to know the truth. That is what they all failed to ask that night, before Camilla launched a verbal attack on him.

Mira gently withdrew and sat down, away from Jared. That night was supposed to be tagged a night of humiliation.

She explained everything that night to Jared. By the time Mira finished, she was already sobbing. She couldn't hide her unhappiness.

Jared went to console her. He said he just wanted to know what made Rodrigo hit Justin and not to make her sob.

"Your sister subjected Rodrigo to such mockery from a rival. You need to see how Justin dragged my brother. It's like he was less than a human.

But I am happy now that it's all come to an end. I won't even wish that Rodrigo ever has anything to do with Camilla. Such a woman who…" Mirabel was still voicing her opinion when Jared interrupted her.

"I only asked you what happened that night. No one is requesting you to express what you wish and don't wish about Rodrigo and Camilla's relationship.

For the meantime, don't bother yourself about issues that you can't help. Get it?" He said and kissed her temple before raising himself to full height and went upstairs.

Mirabel just stared at her husband's retreating back view. Jared would never accept anything unpleasant being said about Camilla.

He would frown and walk away exactly as he just did. She can't imagine how much he loves his sister despite the fact that they are not really blood related.

His parents found Camilla and raised her before he was born. He grew up knowing her as his sister and for years, both of them never knew anything about Camilla's origin.

Camilla is Jared's Achilles heel. He can take anything thrown at him but definitely not against Camilla. He loves her so much and she only hoped that she loves him as much too.

That evening, Jared decided to go check on his mother and sister. Mirabel said she's not interested in setting her eyes on Camilla yet.

Jared then left, driving himself towards the Mansion where his family lived. He initially stopped and bought for his nephew and niece a cup of ice cream and did the same for Camilla but not forgetting to buy the one with Vanilla flavour.

As he arrived at his mother's place, his nephew was the first that came running towards him. He bent and scoop him up into the sky.

Jude giggled hysterically. Jade heard her brother's excited voice and ran towards her uncle. Jared placed Jude on his feet and carried Jade up in the sky.

She giggled louder than her brother. Jared chuckled loud, he admired these kids. Rodrigo's kids, he muttered to himself as he placed her on her feet as well.

"Jared" Sara called, putting away her reading glasses and glanced at her son. She motioned for him to come over and sit.

Jared came over and sat next to his mother, crossing his hands around her shoulders. He glanced down on the magazine she was reading and saw its health and exercise.

"How's Mirabel?" Sara asked and Jared said she's doing well. He glanced around, there was no Camilla around.

"Where's Camilla?" Jared asked, his nephew and niece had run off to play again. He expected to meet her at home at such a time.

"I thought you weren't going to ask after me" Camilla's voice from behind him. Jared chuckled aloud. He didn't know that Camilla was seated at the dining table.

"Of course, I will definitely ask after you, my first love" Jared teased and both Camilla and Sara laughed.

"You've always been my sweetheart Jared. How have you been? How's Mirabel?" Camilla asked and Jared was momentarily speechless for some seconds.

Camilla asked him how is Mirabel? Was he dreaming? Did she really ask him that? Maybe things will fall into shape sooner than he expected.

"You think it's unbelievable that I asked after your wife? Anyways, I am expecting another set of twins in this family. Why wouldn't I ask after the mother of my future nephews or nieces?" Camilla playfully declared.

"Well, I must agree with you that I least expected you to ask after your sister in-law. But wait a minute, isn't it amazing how our lives have become interwoven?" Jared stated.

He glanced at his mother and continued "do you understand what I am saying, Mira and I, Camilla and Rodrigo. Rodrigo and Mira, Camilla and I.

Camilla and I are siblings, Mira and Rodrigo are siblings. Mira is my wife and Camilla is Rodrigo's woman. They already have kids and Mira and I will be having our kid too.

We definitely are going to stay together for long. Except that Camilla is treading an unpleasant path. This is great right, mum?" Jared explained.

Camilla frowned. How can Jared say she was treading an unpleasant path? She had once thought about it and she imagined the beauty of it.

"Camilla will surely come around, she's going to get back with Rodrigo" Sara chipped in. She only wants her daughter to be happy and her happiness lies with Rodrigo. The latter loves her and it's obviously visible.

"I don't think getting back with Rodrigo is as easy as you said mum. If I get Rodrigo correct, he is never getting back with Camilla. The fellow has moved on with his life" Jared voiced out his opinion.

Camilla felt bad at Jared's words. Rodrigo moved on with his life without her? How can that be? He loves her as much as she does about him.

Did he suddenly decide to scrape her off his mind simply because of what she said that night? Or could it be the effect of the scandal?

"No, that's not possible. Rodrigo loves me and he definitely would come back to me. He might be upset yet, but he would definitely come around" Camilla objected to Jared's statement.

She stood up and walked over, sitting opposite her mother and brother. She is certain, Rodrigo can only be hers.

"How is that not possible after your romance with Justin Swaras? Rodrigo is a neat freak, and you should know him better that he would detest you for sleeping with Justin" Jared snapped at her.

Sara frowned. Camilla was having something with Justin already? Was that why she reacted that night when she discovered that Rodrigo hit Justin?

"What do you mean by my romance with Justin? I know he would think differently about my relationship with Justin because of my reaction that night, but it's all false. Justin and I are friends, no strings attached" Camilla declared.

Jared just stared at Camilla with a poker face. Just friends ,no strings attached. In the past, he used to believe Camilla at face value. But now, he has to analyze her words before absorbing it Into his brain.

"Maybe others might believe you, but I can't find myself to believe your claim. Do you even know what transpired between Rodrigo and Justin that night before he hit him?

I guess your answer is no. That is what you should have asked before slashing at him with your tongue. That act and actions tallied with Justin's words and that is what has drifted Rodrigo away.

He is not coming back to you. He's gone out of your life for real. So shake the thoughts off your mind that he is returning to you" Jared declared.

Camilla and Sara exchange glances. What did Justin say? Camilla blinked several times, she doesn't want to show her weakness now. She wants to know exactly what has happened that night.

"What happened, just tell us if you know it?" Sara asked.