Chapter 5: Dinner Guests

“Emily, what are you doing up there? Our guests are at the door. “

“I'm coming Mum”

Mr.O’Brian dashed past Emily and stood close to his wife.

“Hello“ Greeted Jenna as she opened the door to let the visitors in.

“You’re welcome,” said Jenna as she went in for a kiss on the cheek. To her surprise, there were two people and not three.

“Thank you” replied the visitors.

“Come in let's get seated,” said Mr. O’Brian as he silently searched the sitting room for Emily. To his dismay, she was nowhere to be found.

The group of four made their way to the sitting room and got settled.

“Please excuse me so I can get the maid to serve us” Voiced out Jenna in a polite manner. She made her way out of the sitting room and headed toward the kitchen where she knew the maids would be.

“Steph!”

“Yes Ma’am”

“I need you to take the dishes out to the dining.”

“Okay, Ma’am I'll do that now.”

On the other hand, Emily had finally gathered all the courage she needed to make an entrance. When she got to the sitting room, she was confused. Why were there only two people? Old people at that. Will she be married off to an old man? No her father couldn't hate her that much she thought.

“Good evening Sir, good evening Ma’am” she greeted politely.

“Good evening my daughter. Brian, she's a very polite one “ Complimented Mr. Vincent “Come and give me a hug” Emily walked shyly and hugged the old but polite man. All the while his wife was rolling her eyes at his polite gesture.

“How are you, my daughter?”

“I'm fine thank you, Sir.”

“Oh please drop the formalities. Call me dad.”

Emily felt very shy and the situation to her was awkward but before she could overthink things her mother came in and announced that they should move to the dining section. Emily had never been this grateful for her timely intervention.

As they got seated in the dining section, introductions were led by Mr. O’Brian.

“Emily this is my very good friend, Mr. Vincent Woodhouse, and his wife Stacey. They are the way from Los Angeles. They are your inlaws and you’ll get to know them better.” introduced Mr. O’Brian who then turned and faced his friend.

“Vincent and Stacey this is my daughter Emily and of course Jenna but you already know her.”

“Thank you for the introductions, honey. Let's dig in now. Enjoy your meal everybody.”

A chorus of thank yous were said.

“I must ask Vincent where is your son? It was my understanding that he was to be here.”

“Oh, it slipped my mind. I'm sorry Vincenzo was held back by some office meetings.”

“Oh, it's not a problem.”

Emily was quietly thanking God for Vincenzo’s absence. Meanwhile, all the women on the table were quiet.

“So Emily how old are you again?”Asked Stacey

“I'm 23 Ma’am”

“And what did you study in school?”

“Designing with more emphasis on Interior designing.”

“Wow, that's an interesting field. But don't you think it's too easy? Anyways they always say it's difficult to find beauty with brains right?”

“Enough Stacey! That's enough. Dear Emily, I'm sorry forgive my wife.”

“It's fine Sir” But was Emily really fine? As much as Vincent was likable, Stacey made it crystal clear that she didn't like her maybe even the man she was to wed hated her too.

About half an hour later, dinner was over, and they all sat in the sitting room where they sipped wine. The men engaged themselves in business talks and left the women to themselves.

After Stacey had admired the sitting room and its furniture she finally turned to Jenna

“Jenna I must compliment your beautiful house”

“Oh thank you. Well, the praises are not mine but Emily’s she's responsible.”

An ‘oh’ was all that could leave Stacey’s mouth after that confession. After all, she would never praise Emily intentionally.

“Emily May you lead me to the restroom?” asked Stacey

“Of course please just follow me” replied Emily cheerfully

As both ladies got to the restroom, Emily opened the fort for Stacey, but before Stacey got in she turned to Emily

“Firstly I must say you have a pretty head on your shoulders but I don’t usually get carried away by beauty and the same applies to my son. If you’ve not already figured it out then know that Emily I don't like you. You’re parents are sitting happily and with all pride like they have all the money they need whereas they had to turn to my husband while on their needs to take in their low-life daughter if that’s not pathetic then I surely don’t know the definition” spat Stacey after which she slammed the door in Emily’s face.

Emily’s face was red as she fumed with anger. ‘Why will Stacey just hate her on their first meet? How is that even possible? I can only imagine how rude her son is’

“Emily, what’s the matter with you?”Emily was so angry that she didn’t even realize that she had left the restroom for the sitting room.

“Nothing Mum I’m fine.”

A few minutes later Stacey returned but she complained that she was tired and she and her husband had to leave.

“Thank you again for your hospitality, Emily we’ll be together.”

“Thank you Vincent have a safe drive back home.”

As Mr.Vincent’s car took off, Emily sighed and went to her room.

In her room, she called Nessa and filled her in on everything.

“Girl I’m so sad that your hubby couldn’t make it. You were supposed to be appreciating his beauty and not even complaining about that witch, he has as a mother”

“Nessa? Is that all that interests you?”

“Actually yes” Nessa burst into a fit of laughter.

“But seriously Em what will you do?”

“I don’t know “A pregnant pause followed

“You know what? I’ll run away”

“Stop playing”

“I’m very serious Nessa”

“With the way my parents are serious, I won’t be shocked if the wedding is scheduled to take place in a month. Nessa, I’m just too tired, I’ll get the money I can have and leave “

“Can I say anything that will make you change your mind?”

“No, you can’t “

“I thought as much. Goodnight girl, please think over it again”

“You know me, Nessa I’ve already made up my mind. Good night”

As they disconnected the call, Emily sat in thoughts and slipped into a deep rest.