Meeting the family

(Shania)

“I still can't understand why you are like this. Did something happen?”

“Help me with my clothes will you, stop asking questions,” Isabella was giving me a hard time asking me questions? Especially questions relating to my recent problems and the way I was ignoring Danny. I knew I treated that man badly and got scolded by Danny. But Danny had no rights to humiliate me like that, that man didn't come to seek services but to insult me. All I did was spit on his face and show him I wasn't to be bullied, not at all.

“At least talk to me…what happened…is it the same man?” she continued pestering me about my life. To be honest, I was sick and tired of it

“He's a jerk I don't ever want to see… a good-for-nothing man like him,” I said, recalling the worst two days I encountered that man. The previous night he was unbearable. He treated me like I was nothing. I swore if Danny ever hired me to deal with that man, I planned to ruin him

“How is that possible that one man…why is Danny even thinking,”

“He's going to buy the club… I'm not certain how Danny decided to sell it,” I was disappointed in Danny, the fact that he wanted to sell the club had me thinking. He knew how important my job was.

“Come on, you need to lighten up your mood… it's getting late, and I'm supposed to go on a date,” Isabella said, coaxing me to get up from the bed and start getting ready. Glancing at my phone, it was almost 7 pm. I was going for dinner at Madeline's house.

“I think my grandparents should know this, “I still didn't get time to visit my grandparents. I need to inform them about Madeline. Unfortunately, I had to do that some other time. After all, I wasn't going to meet them again

“A date? I didn't know you found someone?” I said after hearing Isabella mention going on a date. Both of us knew Isabella was single, like I was.

“I ruined some jerks' date… they vowed to make my life miserable if I didn't compensate them,” she said lazily and left my bedroom. I didn't mind as I started getting ready. I wasn't sure what to wear.

After a while, I picked up my purse, and my car keys, and proceeded out of the room. Since Isabella was going on a date, and she had no car. We decided she was going to drive me to the Kingston mansion and drop me off then go on her date

“You look beautiful, and don't worry you'll be fine,” Isabel said assuredly as we walked out of the apartment and locked it

“It's quite late. Your mom might tell you to spend the night… tell you what, call me once you are done,” she added, and I nodded. It was best if they didn't let me spend the night… Madeline knew any better than to ask me such

“About your date, make sure you take pics… I want to see the men…just in case I want you to start dating,” I teased when we exited the building and headed to my car. Isabella let out a sarcastic laugh, which I knew too well. Just like me, Isabella hated being a slave to men. Although I despised men in suits. Maybe it was the reason I didn't like that man, anything to do with businessmen disgusted me

I saw my fair share of men I dealt with as butterfly queens. Most of them were married, and they came to me. Thinking about that, I occupied myself with something else. That means his face was embedded in my head, all I was seeing was him. It was a problem, I needed help and there was only one man who could help me with such a problem

“You know if that man likes you…just give it a try, he must be whooped by butterfly queen…hahaha all men fall for you,” Isabella said jerking me back to my senses. I glanced at her and didn't like her opinion or was it a joke, she was the one driving the car

“If he's hot and rich why not take advantage…such men are lonely and lack a beautiful woman to make them feel alive…he must have been shocked meeting you,” Isabella added and all I could do was roll my eyes in annoyance and pretended not to He's her. That man was bad news, we were opposites. I didn't think he deserved any woman in his life

“He was going to get married… why do I believe he's the mystery man circulating the city,” I said questionably. That man was supposed to be a groom. Even if he had a one-night stand with an exotic dancer. I didn't think he could actually cheat on his wife or bride and come again. Unless he was a good-for-nothing cheating man who didn't commit to one woman

“Forget him and focus on your new family, for example, your stepbrother… This is the first time you'll be meeting him,” Isabella remarked, sounding mischievous just as she made a left turn and ended up driving towards the Kingston mansion. It was in a quiet neighborhood. The good kind. I heard their mansion was like an estate. It covered half of the block and many surrounding places.

“I heard he's never around… Woah,” I said but was astonished when Isabella stopped the car for me to get down, unfortunately, the gates opened for us.

“They must know you are coming,” she added in between chuckles and drove the car straight in. I wasn't concerned with how rich these people were. “I now understand why Madeline married this man” Isabella muttered as she rolled down the car windows and looked out, it was a glorious place to see. The beautiful lighting gave a mesmerizing scenery. Of course, Madeline picked the bigger fish in the sea

“I'm not interested,” I said when we arrived, the driveway was like driving from the station to our apartment.

“Whatever, just go in there and say hello to the family,” Isabella said slapping me on the shoulder. I didn't feel right, this place was foreign just like those people Madeline wanted me to meet

“I'll see you, don't get drunk…keep your phone close,” I warned her as I grabbed my purse, opened the door and stepped out. Adjusting my long skirt and crop shirt, I glanced around and saw some men standing around, obviously security men guarding the place. The mansion stood tall before me and I felt goosebumps crawling all over my skin

“Bye baby,” Isabella said and started the car. I didn't know where to start, but after the car drove away and disappeared into the night. I proceeded to the entrance.

______

“Stay Christian…she's on her way… Rose and Luna are here,” Madeline said, trying, certainly, to make her stepson stay for dinner. He broke off the wedding, the last thing he could do for the family stayed for dinner

“Stepmom, why am I needed here,” Christian said and slammed the glass of wine on the side table and rose to his feet. His father called him to talk about business and the company. He had his life to live. Why should he bother about a little girl who wanted nothing to do with the family

“She's your sister…my wife's daughter…stop whining and stay,” it was his father who chimed in, like always his dad never missed a chance to make his life a living hell?

“What if I leave, huh… I'm sure the twins will do a good job welcoming her,” Christian said feeling irritated and prepared to leave when suddenly Bethany, the head of the servants walked in and stopped away from her bosses

“Madam, sir, Mr. Christian…the lady is here,” Bethany with a bow of respect and Madeline smiled as she rose from the couch happy to know her daughter finally agreed to come

“What are you waiting for, bring my daughter here,” Madeline said anxiously and Bethany nodded and left, Christian muttered a few curses as he walked back to his seat, he'd only say hi and leave. It was late, he had places to go. Shortly Bethany came back

“Ms, please,” she said, and the three people waited for their guest to show herself. A nervous Shania gripped her purse tightly and entered the living room, only to stop when she looked up and got a shock of a lifetime. Not just her but Christian who was about to sit down was shocked upon seeing the woman who just walked in

“Shania, sweetheart… I'm so happy to see you,” Madeline exclaimed in happiness and rushed to her daughter, the entire time Shania and Christian were staring at each other dumbstruck.