Love Prevails

Meeting Grandpa

As the first week of her leave drew to its end, Camilla was more excited about her new, up-and-coming venture. She was ready to absorb and take it all in. She sat for hours during the day designing a few different structures for her meeting that Friday with Bradford and his grandfather. After all, did Bradford really think the patriarch of the family was going to give his grandson full control while he was still alive?

That Friday, Camilla headed over to the Hemmingway offices. As she entered the building, she was met by her cousin Tamara as Tamara was exiting the building.

Greeting her cousin, she asked in a low, subtle voice, "What are you doing here?"

After all, Camilla didn't want to let on to Tamara that she was well aware of her skanky antics with her husband.

Tamara responded, "I had an interview with the managing director for the position of personnel assistant. What brings you down here?"

"I'm dropping off some documents, I have a meeting with the CEO," Camilla said, smirking.

Feeling frustrated by the situation, Tamara

asked in a half-disgusted manner, "how on earth did you get to see the CEO? He never takes meetings unless it's business."

"Well, who says it isn't business," Camilla chuckled and walked down to the office.

As Camilla approached the offices, she was greeted by the current personnel officer and said, "the boss is waiting." Camilla entered Bradford's office and was greeted with a firm handshake.

After greeting Bradford, he introduced her to his grandfather.

"Camilla, I would like you to meet Frank Hemmingway."

Camilla took a step towards the ageing man. He looked just like Bradford, only he was much older and more mature than his younger protégé.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr Hemmingway," she smiled gently as she greeted the older man.

"Oh please, my dear, don't be so formal. Call me Grandpa Hemmingway." he took hold of her hand in both his palms.

"It seems like Grandpa has taken a shine to you," Bradford laughed.

The group laughed for a while.

After the laughter subsided, Camilla drew their attention to a few of her draft sketches for some new building structures.

"Wow, you are really talented," Grandpa Hemmingway said.

"She is indeed," Bradford agreed with his grandfather.

"Why, thank you," Camilla smiled humbly.

Camilla was not someone who praised her own work, she was a very humble person.

"If you have any suggested changes, you're welcome to let me know," she continued to say.

"No, absolutely no need," Bradford said. "You have captured the skyline, the interior dimensions, everything to perfection."

"Well that settles it then, I'm happy to have you on board with us," Grandpa said, "how about we grab a bite to eat, this old man needs a replenishment and a lovely lady will definitely help," he chuckled.

"So I'm not good enough now," Bradford smirked.

They laughed and headed towards the car.

As they were heading out, Tamara caught a glimpse of Camilla.

"I wonder what she's doing with the CEO and his father?" she questioned herself.

Tamara didn't like the idea that her cousin was so close to the Hemmingway men.

On arriving back at her home, Tamara picked up the phone first to call Steven.

"Steven, I didn't know your wife knew the Hemmingways!" she stated.

Shocked by this news, he responded, "Neither did I. Look, just calm down, I will try and find out what this is all about."

Tamara was angered inside, then said, "I went there for an interview. Do you think she was going for the same thing?"

"No," Steven replied.

He had a vague idea what it would be about, but he wouldn't reveal anything to Tamara just yet.

After ending the call with his mistress, he quickly dialled Camilla's number.

On answering the phone, she said, "I'll call you later. I'm just in a meeting."

"Okay," Steven responded.

Not at all happy that his wife had just blown him off, he struggled to concentrate the rest of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, Camilla was having such a good time laughing with the two men that she had forgotten about the time.

As she looked down at her watch, she quickly jumped up and said, "Grandpa, Bradford, thank you both for such a lovely afternoon, but I really must head on back home, the kids are just about coming out from school."

"No need to explain," they both said in unison.

"I'll have my driver drop you at the school, then he can come and fetch me and Grandpa," Bradford offered.

"Thank you," she smiled, shaking both their hands.

After Camilla left the restaurant, Grandpa Hemmingway said, "she's really a lovely young."

"That she is." Bradford stared after her as she walked out. His heart was feeling down all of a sudden.

"You've taken a liking to her, haven't you?" Grandpa noticed.

"Nothing gets past you," Bradford said, "unfortunately she is married."

"Don't worry, my boy," grandpa patted his hand, "good things come to those who wait. I hear she has had a bad few years, married to that drunken husband."

"Yes," Bradford said, "I also hear her husband had been cheating around town with her cousin Tamara."

"Is that so?" asked grandfather as he gave a thoughtful look, "I wonder what her parents would have to say about that?"

"Grandpa?" he asked quizzically.

Frank explained to his grandson how he had known the Jones family for many years, and they had always had a good rapport with each other. Bradford understood exactly what his grandfather was saying and left it at that.

Meanwhile, the driver dropped Camilla and headed back to pick up both Bradford and his grandfather. Camilla thanked the driver.

She was just in time for the children to come out. Meghan was always the first to come out. Running up to her mom, she flung her arms around her, and Marshall followed behind. He was getting taller and more handsome by the day.

On arriving home, Camilla saw Steven's car outside. The children ran inside and greeted their father, and went to their room to put on their play clothes and started playing with their toys in their room.