Camellia's true identity

Camellia noticed from the corner of her eyes the momentary look Mr. Harold was giving her before he went off. She simpered and smirked, knowing that dealing with the man was inevitable since she needed him to find the person she was looking for.

After checking in, she went up to her room as she was in need of a bath. She was feeling sticky all over, an uncomfortable sensation that she hated.

Her eyes beamed in astonishment, the moment she entered the room. The spacious area upheld the minimalist concept with little decoration, but enough to persuade someone to stay. The warm golden lighting was enough to create an elegant and expensive ambiance.

Still, those aspects could only attract her attention for a short time. Knowing that this was one of the most well-known hotels in the country, it was all within her expectations.

After settling in, Camellia spent almost an hour soaking her body in the bathtub. Once she felt like falling asleep, only then she stepped out of it.

While drying her hair, she remembered about her phone that now in Charlie's hand. She immediately stopped what she was doing and took out her laptop from its bag.

Sitting in the balcony, she indulged herself with a glass of wine before focusing on the screen in front of her. Her fingers swiftly flew across the keyboard. There was no hesitancy when pressing a key after key, only absolute confidence in her ability.

Soon, a wicked smile appeared on her face that somehow even the moon was enthralled with. For it seemed to shine only to make the woman's beauty more bewitching.

"Found you!" she giggled at her success and send the location to her personal phone as well as her best friend's phone; Lenny.

She clicked on the location and found out that it was actually the Colosseum Estate. Everyone who heard of this place would wonder how rich a person was, to be able to buy a residence in this estate.

Camellia whistled. She already predicted that Charlie was of high status and this research confirmed her speculation.

Ting!

She heard a sound coming from her personal phone. She peeked on it and saw that the message she sent to Lenny had been successfully delivered.

A tinge of humor surfaced on Camellia's beautiful face. Based on Lenny's personality, she knew soon she would give her a call.

Not a moment longer, her phone rang.

"That was fast," she spoke as soon as she pressed the answer key.

"You cruel woman! I was waiting for you to call me! Do you know how long I was contemplating to either call you or not?" a woman's voice spoken in a hurry seeped into her ears.

A pleasant yet teasing smile popped up on Camellia's face. She purposely said, "I was deliberating too, whether to help you break the record or not,"

Camellia knew that the first thing Lenny would do was to complain about not calling her as soon as possible. She also knew that the friend of hers would hesitate whether to call first or not. Besides, she had a weird habit of timing the time she spent waiting before deciding to make the call.

"You meanie!!" she heard her whine and responded it with laughter that was meant to tease her.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I was planning to call you once the flight landed, but who knew that the company's president came to fetch me at the airport," Camellia stated her reason which was the truth.

"Huh? Isn't the meeting tomorrow?" Lenny asked.

"It is," Camellia reciprocated.

"Oh... Was he trying to woo you like the other presidents? Heh, they never learned!" Lenny spoke in disdain. From the past experiences, all the bosses that seek guidance from Camellia think too highly of themselves that they were shameless enough to coax her best friend to join their association.

"Well, he had no chance to tell his intention," Camellia chuckled. She could almost imagine Lenny's animated voice and gestures when she spoke.

"That's good. Don't even try. If you decided to finally stay in one place, my place is the most profitable one. Besides, you'll be the second boss... No-no, we'll become the bosses together," the woman on the other side of the phone laughed at her suggestion.

Camellia could only smile, for she knew how many times the topic of recruiting her being brought up. It wasn't because she hated to be tied down to one association, but more of the routine that seemed to seal her freedom away. Right now, freedom was important for her, especially when the past was still waiting to be unraveled.

"But do you think he had something to do with your uncle?" Lenny's tone became serious. She knew why her best friend agreed to work with the company, even though the payment didn't worth the journey to travel from one country to another.

"It's a gamble that I'm willing to take," Camellia answered.

"Hmm, I see. But, remember, I'm always available for you and willing to go through the nine stages of hell with you," it sounded like humor but there was a conviction in her voice. She was willing to do anything for her best friend!

"Thank you," Camellia said with sincerity that came from the bottom of her heart.

In this world, she had lost almost everything but she also gained something precious which was the friendship she had with Lenny. A lively, smart woman that couldn't bear to see her sad.

They both started as a roommate which gradually became closer to the point of sharing their darkest secrets. Somehow, whenever one faced with difficulties, the other would always be there to walk the thorny path together. Eventually, forming a bond of friendship and sisterhood that was unbreakable.

At this moment, both of them were reminiscing their teen years. The seconds it unlocked the sentimental side of them, Lenny of course, always managed to spoil its significance with her high-pitched, energetic voice.

"Oh, what about the location you send to me? Do you plan to buy a property there? If you do, I'm going to do the same!" Lenny finally spoke of the issue that pushed her to the edge of patience in waiting for Camellia to call her.

"That's Charlie's location," Camellia answered with a hint of mystery.

"Missy, what? Who? Charlie?"

"Yes, Charlie," chuckling, Camellia could almost see the fire in Lenny's eyes. The curiosity must have intensified and her ears must be red hot at this moment. Soon, a voice as loud as a megaphone forced its way through her left ear.

"Ava Willow! You better tell me who's this Charlie person right now!" Lenny insisted.

"Hmm, that's rare for you to call me by my real name. Thought you like calling me Camellia?" a chuckle left Camellia's lips. Hearing her real name, she immediately counted the years she had long kept the name unknown to the public. It had been almost ten years!

The first time she decided to make an impact on the business world, she had estimated that once she became a well-known person, her enemies would definitely try to end her life. Therefore, to hide her true name was the best way to keep her safe.

The Ava back then had decided that until she knew the truth behind what happened 13 years ago and until she was able to trample the traitors of the Willow Household, this name of hers would be kept secret.

Ava Willow would make its comeback once all the cards to crush her enemies were in her hand!

Thankfully, her tremendous contribution to the Glory Institution managed to persuade the administration to keep her details secure from internal and external eyes.

"AVA WILLOW! Do you really love torturing me? I might die from curiosity you know?!" Camellia reflexively pulled the phone away. Her ear might bleed from listening to Lenny's screaming.

"Aye, patience, Miss Lenny. This humble person will tell you everything," she finally yielded to Lenny's wish and told her everything - starting the story from the sold-out premium flight ticket to the time she woke late and up to the scene where she crashed into someone which lead to the incident of accidental phone switching. Also included was Charlie's expertise in deciphering the security measures installed into her phone.

"The end," Camellia spoke in the manner of a fairy tale storyteller ended their story. There was silence on the other side of the phone.

"Hello? Was my story too plain?" she intentionally sounded pitiful, trying to get Lenny to respond.

"Hmm-" she heard Lenny's sighing.

"Ava Willow, I told you to use my private jet but you insisted on buying a flight ticket? See what happened?! Besides, you binge watching Netflix without inviting me? How cruel of a person are you to neglect your best friend?" she lamented. There was sadness and disappointment in her voice.

Camellia could only roll her eyes after listening to her so-called self-pity. Still, she knew Lenny was meant well.

"Hello, I did invite you, but your SUPER PROTECTIVE ASSISTANT told me that you were rejuvenating your energy after a series of meeting with your new investor. Now, was it my fault?" she replied, clearly pressing on the 'super protective assistant' to tease her.

"Did Ian said that? I knew it. He is too sweet,"

"What?" Camellia couldn't believe her ears. Lenny was clearly missing the point and was only focused on everything that she spoke about Ian.

"Hehe, alright, my bad. But, I really can't believe he stayed by my side last night," Lenny spoke like a maiden adoring her prince. It was almost like she was blushing which for sure she did.

"Hmm, you two should just get married," Camellia pretended to yawn. She knew there was no ending once Ian became the topic of their conversation.

"Ugh, I wish that too! No, wait! That's not what we're talking about. Camellia, why not spending some money to buy a private jet for your convenience? Don't be stingy, you have more money than I do," Lenny finally went back to their previous discussion. She no longer harbored any anger towards Camellia as she started calling her by her well-known name.

"Hmm, not interested. By the way, I'm sleepy. Let's talk again tomorrow," Camellia decided to end their talk for her eyes seemed to be unable to hold for a moment longer.

"Then, I'll pick you up at the airport tomorrow and we meet this Charlie together. Who knows if I could recruit him to work for me," Lenny suggested while bringing up the opportunity.

Camellia chuckled.

"Okay, let's do that," she agreed. They both shared momentary laughter before wishing each other a good night.

Camellia stared at the duration she spent talking on the phone with Lenny. One hour! She looked at the clock. 2 AM! No wonder she was feeling heavy, it was way passed her sleeping time.

Not wasting another second, she leaped onto the bed and covered herself with the soft blanket. Halfway towards a night of deep sleep, a loud sound awakened her consciousness. She woke up and shoot daggers at the source of the disturbance. It was actually coming from Charlie's phone! Moreover, it was 'her' who was calling.