THREE

Diane walked into the house, tired and hungry. Rachel hurried towards her. “Welcome Mrs. Langston,” she greeted. “What will you like to eat?"

“Just send me a plate of noodles or something,” Diane replied off-handedly as she moves towards the stairs. 

“Sure ma’am.”

She paused and turned to Rachel. “By the way, where are my sisters?” Diane asked.

“Natasha is upstairs,” Rachel replied. “I think she said something about doing her assignment. Malvika is not around.”

“I see. And Nicholas?” 

“He’s not around, also. He is not back from work.”

Diane nodded and walked upstairs. She took a turn and bumped right into Jenny.

“Watch your way!” Jenny snapped.

Diane rubbed her forehead. “Sorry about that,” she apologized.

“Whatever,” Jenny hissed. She shoved Diane out of the way and began to walk away. Then, she halted. She turned. “Hey you!”

Diane stopped. She took a slow turn. “Yes, Jenny? Anything?” she asked patiently.

“Just so you know, you are not welcome to this house. And you better hurry up and be done with whatever deal you have with my father because I cannot wait to see your back.” Then, she walked away.

Diane stood still, watching her walk away. She inhaled deeply and gave a sharp exhale. She knew she was going to face hostility in this house, she just didn’t expect it to be this much and this obvious.

Jenny didn’t even bother to hide her dislike for her. She stated it bluntly. Imagine hating someone to the extent that it shows even in your actions. How terrible.

Diane sighed and continued the journey to her room. 

                          ------

Nicholas stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Ashley. He tapped his watch impatiently. He loved Ashley but one of the things he disliked was lateness. And Ashley was never punctual. He had been waiting for over thirty minutes now but she wasn’t ready yet. 

He looked around the room and sighted Natasha. Natasha was on the chair, watching television. At least, that’s what he thought. In actual fact, she was analyzing Nicholas at the corner of her eye.

After a while, she turned to ask, “What are you waiting for?”

Nicholas glanced at her, surprised to hear her ask the question. He scowled. What a nosy sixteen year old. “Mind your busines,” he snapped.

She shrugged. “Funny, I was about to do that,” she replied and he glared at her. “Just curious by the way. Are you waiting for Ashley?"

Nicholas gave her a terrible look. “I do not want to repeat this. Mind your business,” he snapped.

Natasha gave a careless shrug. “I wish I could but I have never learnt to. So answer my question. Are you waiting for Ashley?”

“You are such a nosey teenager,” Nicholas muttered. “Of course. I’m waiting for Ashley. Who else will I be waiting for?”

“I don’t know. Jenny, maybe,” Natasha replied. She crossed her legs. “So where are you guys going?"

Nicholas rolled his eyes. “Stop talking to me,” he stated. He made a promise to himself to not get close to Diane or any of her sisters. Getting close meant getting emotionally attached and he didn’t want that. He wanted to hate them, even if there was no reason for that. 

“I don’t know how and when to stop talking, so tell me. Where are you going?” Natasha asked, making Nicholas groan. “Seriously, just say it. It won’t take anything away from you.”

“I’m taking her to a restaurant,” Nicholas replied simply.

Natasha scrunched up her face in displeasure and disgust. “Restaurant? Isn’t that so basic and boring? If you are going on a date, aren’t you supposed to take her somewhere interesting and romantic?”

He glared at her. “I will repeat this: Mind. Your. Business!” he said with gritted teeth. How could this girl just make him feel so dumb? “She is my girlfriend, not yours. And I know what she likes.”

Natasha shrugged again. She was clearly indifferent to the irritation and annoyance he was feeling. “I was just making an observation. So, what does Ashley like?”

Nicholas groan. “Oh God! Do you ever take a break?” he wondered.

Natasha gave a smug grin. “As long as it pisses you off, of course not. I don’t take a break.”

He opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Ashley’s entrance. She was dressed in a pink strapless gown that stopped mid-thighs. 

“Hey babe,” she greeted, kissing his lips. 

Natasha faked gagged loudly.

Ashley glared at her. “How old are you? Five?” Natasha rolled her eyes. Ashley turned to Nicholas. “How long have you been waiting?”

“Nearly forty minutes,” Nicholas said with a frown. It took great effort to conceal the displeasure in his tone. 

“Oh, I had to adjust my make up and all. But I’m ready now,” Ashley said with a smile.

“He has been waiting for you for nearly forty minutes,” Natasha interrupted them. “Yet you can’t even apologize.”

Ashley turned to her. “What is your problem?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

Natasha shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just pointing out to you what you fail to clearly see. Nicholas is obviously not happy that you are late but instead of you to apologize, you are talking about your make up.”

“Natasha, shut up,” Nicholas hushed her. “I’m not complaining,” he said to her.

Natasha snickered. “Right. I guess I should mind my business. Your dress looks beautiful by the way, Ashley. It complements your blonde hair.”

Ashley beamed. She lived for compliments and praise from people. “I know right,” she said as she brushed her hands through the front part of the gown.

Nicholas wrapped his hands around Ashley’s waist and kissed the side of her head. “I was going to say that. Babe, you look gorgeous.”

Ashley giggled. “I know.”

“You are supposed to say thank you,” Natasha said, surprised. “God, Ashley, it as a compliment.”

“Wrong. It was a fact,” Ashley stated with pride. “I’m beautiful and I know it.”

Natasha shook her head. “Wow.”

“What’s happening?” Diane asked as she walked downstairs, holding in to the rails of the stairs. She held a glass of wine in her hand. “Natasha , where is Malvika?” 

Natasha looked up. “I don’t know.”

Diane glanced at Nicholas and Ashley. “Hey,” she said to them.

Ashley released herself from Nicholas’ hold. “Hey, Diane. What do you think of my dress?”

Diane raked her gaze through her. “It’s pretty. You look beautiful.”

Ashley giggled. “I know.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “You just want someone to praise you.”

“Yeah, duh,” Ashley replied.

Nicholas grasped Ashley’s arm. “We are on our way now. We will probably be back late or we may not return at all.”

“Bye,” Diane said with a small wave and watched as the two of them walked out of the house, hand in hand. 

Once they closed the door behind them, Natasha rolled her eyes. “Ashley just revels in people’s praises. I don’t get why.”

Diane laughs and falls back on the couch. “If I was as beautiful as that, I’ll be seeking for praises too.”

Natasha rolled her eyes again. “Oh please. She’s not even that pretty. She is just lucky that she has a blonde hair and that she is a model, that’s all.”

“Don’t be mean, Natasha,” Diane said to her with a small frown on her face. She watched as Natasha stood and walked to the stairs.

“I’m not been mean. I’m just saying the truth,” Natasha replied and began to climb the stairs slowly. She halted. She turned her head. “Diane, erm, I’m going up to sleep. Could you have someone call me when it’s time for dinner?”

“Of course,” Diane replied. She tilted the glass of wine towards her mouth and took a slow sip as she watched Natasha slowly ascend the stairs. 

©️ INIOLUWA