When Love is not enough

Benson Wood visited

Camella kept calling but Andre wouldn't answer his phone. She was thinking about what to do, to get Andre to answer his phone. She sent a text and began by saying “what’s up Andre?” and then called him back. This time, he answered his phone and said “Miss Camella, if you keep troubling me, I'll blacklist you” he warned.

“I didn't enjoy doing it either. But I want to talk to you about the whole misunderstanding that happened. It's unlike me. I didn't get the clear picture of all that happened. But I do now, and I am unhappy. I just want us to see and talk about it…” she was saying and Andre interrupted her.

“I'm glad you've gotten it clear. I'm relieved now. But believe me, I'm quite busy. I'm meeting a few people. I won't be able to accept your invitation” he explained. Even if he has nothing to do, he's never going to accept it, to sit on the same table with that woman? No way!

An hour later, a tinted Lamborghini drove and parked opposite Andre’s apartment. He was having breakfast when his phone rang again, this time, it wasn't Camella, it was Benson Wood.

“Are you sure this is where he lives?” Benson asked, raising his head to glance at his daughter. He had to take this upon himself. Camella wouldn't be able to clean up the mess she'd created. And he is willing to beg Andre and get him back into the company.

“Yes dad. Fred Maxwell gave me the address” Camella assured. Fred was on her neck to bring Andre back. And when she called him to send his address, he was so excited to do so.

Just then, Andre answered his phone “Hello” his voice came through. A broad smile appeared on Benson's lips, he knew that boy still had regards for him.

“How are you Torello?” Benson asked, his gaze fixed at the opposite side, obviously at Andre's apartment. He wants him to step out at once. They needed to talk.

“I'm good sir. How are you doing too?” Andre asked, his eyes locking with his mother. Alice had stayed all night praying that a miracle would happen to change Andre's mind.

“Unlike you,I can't say I'm fine. How about you find out” Benson stuttered and added “I'm outside your apartment, can you step out?”

There was a long silence that followed before Andre said “Alright” and Benson hung up. “From a sincere heart I want you to apologize to him. We are where we are today, because of employees like Andre Torello” Benson reprimanded.

“You don't have to tell me dad, I know I have to apologise to him” Camella stuttered. She'd wanted to do so the previous day, but they didn't get to meet each other. What came before her was his resignation letter.

“Mr Benson is waiting to see me outside” Andre informed and stood up. He got into his room and pulled a jeans on and a plain shirt. He was going to the door when his mother said “Whatever he says, please don't just give a respond, think through”

As he stepped out, he sighted the former CEOs Lamborghini across the road. With his hands in his jeans pocket, he went across the road and just before reaching the door, he heard it unlock automatically.

He tapped the glass and it was wind down slightly ”hop in” Benson ordered and Andre slipped in. He shut the door and it automatically went back to being locked. Benson was drinking mineral water when he got in.

He offered Andre a bottle of water and he politely declined. He soon placed the water aside and said “it's been a while Torello” he chimed. Andre already saw his daughter seated elegantly at the copilot seat, staring at him from the rear mirror.

“Really being a while sir” Andre responded. Why does he have the feeling that the former CEO was going to talk to him about his resignation? Benson Wood asked that the chauffeur excused them and he did.

“I'm sorry to have visited you without prior notice” he apologised and glanced briefly at Andre, he is calm and composed. The dude is cute with a well tailored muscled body.

“It's not a problem sir” Andre stuttered. Benson tapped him at his shoulder like a friend and chuckled aloud. He suddenly became serious and asked “what is this that I heard, that you have resigned from your workplace?

If there's anything that makes you uncomfortable, you can talk to me, Torello. I held you in high esteem, I would have definitely given you an audience. Tell me what happened besides the misunderstanding with Camella?” He squeaked.

Andre shrugged and said “well, I appreciate your concern. But like you said, I've resigned. Nothing really happened, I just wanted to leave sir”

“Do you really want me to believe what you said, Torello? I think you need to give me a convincing reason why you would suddenly wake up and decide to stop working at my company” Benson tucked.

“What can I say, my reasons are lame and might appear flimsy to you sir, but I will explain it as much as I can” Andre said and continued “I suffered a heartbreak and I have been depressed since then. I decided that I would leave N.Y and everything that reminds me of that past.

And when I found an offer elsewhere, I had to resign,”Andre explained, evading the part where his daughter was reckless in her decisions and actions. He is never going to say anything about it.

Benson swallowed hard, removed the bottle cap of the water in his hand and gulped down a mouthful. Andre got another offer and left his company. If he leaves, that's the end, the skills, the expertise and experience of these many years would go down the drain, he will not allow him to go.

“I know what it's like to suffer from a heartbreak, I was there too many years ago when I lost my wife to the cold hands of death. But you can't keep running away from your past. You can't resign and leave because you want to leave the past behind you. I refuse to accept that as your reason for leaving.

I can accept the fact that perhaps, you got an offer that suits you better than what Woods electroworld offers you. I will double it, and you return back to your job as if nothing happens” Benson offered.

Andre sighed softly and said “I am a very patient person sir. I know that you underpaid me. I know that you don't want me to see or know my worth. You didn't treat me as supposed, I know all of that. I stayed still, because I gave you a long rope, maybe you will realise how much my job matters to your company, but you didn't until I resigned.

But someone else saw me and knew what my potential was worth and offered me a position. Tell me sir, if you were in my shoes, wouldn't you accept it, go with someone who values you and is willing to hire you at a higher benefit than you ever got in four years working in your present place?”

There was a long silence and Camella swallowed hard. This dude is intelligent. She didn't expect that he knew exactly what dad was doing and said nothing to him for years nor asked for an increment in his pay.

But what she didn't expect was what her dad said next “I'm sorry Andre, you are right on that”

Camella stiffened.

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