Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 31

As Camilla entered the spacious living room of her parents' home, an elegant old woman dressed in a long, white floral gown rushed over to hug her. "Camilla!" she exclaimed.

Camilla hugged her back warmly. "Happy birthday, Nonna. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, my dear," Her grandmother replied before glancing at Camilla's side, as if searching for someone.

"Where is he?" The old woman questioned in an accusatory tone, turning to Camilla.

"Who?" Camilla asked, confused, as she looked around the room.

She gave her an exasperated look. "The boy," She replied impatiently. "The one your mother said was coming with you."

Camilla's eyes widened with realization. "Oh, you mean Alexander."

"Yes. Where is he?" She repeated her question, her impatience growing.

"Did you two have a disagreement and he decided to come separately?" her grandmother asked, furrowing her wrinkled brows and pursing her lips.

Camilla shook her head slightly and forced a fake smile. "No, nothing like that happened," she assured her.

"Then where is he?" her grandmother pressed.

Camilla let out a heavy sigh. "He's not coming, something urgent came up," she replied, hoping to appease her grandmother and avoid further questions about Alexander's absence.

However, it seemed her attempt was unsuccessful as the older woman narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Her forehead wrinkles deepened as she gave Camilla a serious look, her frown marrying her face.

"Come on, Nonna, don't look at me like that. You'll get to meet him another time, I promise," Camilla said, trying to put her at ease in a lighthearted manner.

But her grandmother remained unconvinced, and her frown only worsened.

"I don't believe you," she retorted coldly.

Camilla let out another sigh and tried to reason with her grandmother.

"Nonna, please believe me. Alexander had an emergency to attend to. We can all meet another time when he's available," she said, hoping to finally put the matter to rest.

As the older woman remained silent, Camilla decided to break the awkward silence.

"You know what, let me go get your present. I'll be back," she offered, turning to go outside to her car, but was stopped by the older woman.

"No, I don't want it," she replied with a stern expression.

Camilla tried to insist, "But--" when her grandmother cut her off.

"I'll collect it when I get to meet him," she declared firmly.

Camilla was taken aback and skeptical, "Really, Nonna?" she asked incredulously, letting out a disbelieving laugh.

"Yes, really. If that's the way you want to play it, then I'm ready to play along with you," the older woman responded before walking away.

Camilla playfully rolled her eyes and sighed resignedly as she watched the older woman walk away.

Just then, a younger woman with long raven hair appeared in front of her.

"Camilla," the young woman greeted eagerly.

"Hey, Esmeralda," Camilla replied with a warm smile, giving her a quick hug before letting go.

As the younger girl spoke with a bright smile on her face, Camilla felt her own lips curve up in response. "I missed you so much," Esmeralda said, her eyes shining with happiness.

"I missed you too," Camilla replied, reaching out to tuck a few strands of Esmeralda's jet-black hair behind her ear.

Esmeralda pulled back, looking puzzled. "Your mom said you were bringing that handsome hunk I saw in a picture with you on the internet. Where is he?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

Camilla blushed. "I see my mom has been spreading the news. He actually had some urgent matters to attend to, so he won't be able to make it tonight. But he sends his greetings to everyone," she explained with an apologetic smile.

Esmeralda nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see. That's why Nonna seems annoyed," she said, referring to their grandmother's angry demeanor.

Camilla nodded in agreement. "Yes, she's not too happy about it," she replied with a sigh.

"So, how's married life?" Camilla asked, quickly changing the subject.

Esmeralda looked at her curiously, sensing that she was trying to change the topic. "Well, we're very happy. It's exciting," she answered slowly, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

"Are you trying to change the subject?" she teased, voicing out her mind.

Camilla's grin faltered slightly as she replied, "Maybe."

Then she added, "I need to see my mother. I'll make sure to see you before I leave," while winking at her cousin.

Esmeralda looked at her in disbelief and asked, "But aren't you at least going to greet everyone before going to see her?"

"They are all at the dining table already," Esmeralda added.

"It's urgent, I'll do that after," Camilla told her dismissively.

"In which part of the house is she?" Camilla inquired.

Without hesitation, the younger girl replied, "She's in the kitchen."

"Okay, see you later," Camilla said, giving Esmeralda a quick kiss on the cheek before turning on her heels and making her way to the busy kitchen.

The sound of plates being set aside, the clattering and clanging of utensils, and the movements of the cooks filled the air.

As usual, Camilla found her mother at the counter, mixing and tasting various ingredients.

Unaware of her daughter's presence, Alessia instructed one of the cooks, "Sofia, potar via fuori la lasagna. Il timer ha terminato il conto alla rovescia,(Sofia, take out the lasagna. The timer has finished counting down.)"

Upon noticing Camilla standing by the door, the cook immediately greeted,"Buonasera signora(Good evening ma'am)" And Camilla nodded in response before the cook went on to deliver Alessia's orders.

After lingering at the door for a moment, Camilla approached her mother and cleared her throat softly, causing the blonde woman to turn around.

"Hey, sweetie," Alessia said gently, but Camilla's response was a frown.

"What's wrong?" Alessia asked, her concern showing on her face as she looked at her daughter.

"You know what you did. Don't act innocent," Camilla replied in a hushed tone.

Alessia shrugged in defeat as she continued to focus on the food in front of her, mixing and stirring.

"Well, you were being stubborn, and I had to do something," she stated casually.

"Besides, what's the harm in the family knowing about your relationship and meeting him? It's not a big deal," she added matter-of-factly.

"We're not a couple," Camilla argued.

"And I would appreciate it if you stopped meddling in my business," she added, irritation creeping into her voice.

"Fine, but if I don't meddle in your business, whose business will I meddle in?" Alessia sighed.

Camilla rolled her eyes as she reached for one of the dishes on the kitchen counter. "I don't know. Yours?" she replied.

Alessia huffed and grabbed the dish back from her. "That's for your papá," she said, putting it back on the counter.

Alessia voiced her concern, "You didn't leave him alone with everyone at the dining table, did you?"

Camilla replied firmly, "No, he's not coming."

Alessia gasped in disbelief. "What do you mean he's not coming?" she exclaimed. "I already told everyone to expect him!"

Camilla's expression turned cold. "I told you I didn't want him to come, but you wouldn't listen," she retorted.

"So I took matters into my own hands. Checkmate." She smirked slightly as she picked up a bowl of Mango Panna cotta, an Italian sweet cream dessert with gelatin.

"I'll have this instead, since the other one is for Papá," she said, gesturing to the other bowl beside her mother.

Alessia stared blankly at her daughter, still processing the turn of events.

"Thank you," Camilla said, triumphant, as she took the bowl and strode out of the kitchen, leaving her mother bewildered.