Chapter 4: The Engagement Party

"I am saying, your servant girl is the chosen bride for my son," she repeated

"No! No! That can't be," she said still holding the phone to her ears.

"Your husband didn't tell you?" she asked

"No, he .." she began and recalled her conversation with her husband. 

She remembered her husband had only told her the Carters had chosen a bride from their family but never mentioned who. It was now clear to her why her husband was against her announcing it at the table. 

"You bastard," she thought realizing her husband didn't tell her who the bride is, she assumed it was Camila. 

"Wait, let me call my husband," she said and ended the call and dialled her husband's number and brought the phone to her ears.

It rang thrice but he didn't answer. She called Jonathan and he informed her, Mr Garcia had left the company to take care of some business outside. She ended the call and tried calling her husband again but again, there was no answer.

"Mum, what is going on?" Camila asked seeing her sudden change of mood.

"I would tell you later. Just relax," she said knowing how bad this would impart her.

Jonathan realised something was up and left the workplace for home. He arrived at the house and got out of the ride he had requested after paying the driver.

He entered the compound using the small gate and saw the back of her mother's car entering the garage. He walked towards the main entrance and decided to wait for them standing behind the closed door.

As he stood there waiting for his mother and Camila, the main gate opened and his father's car drove in. Another car drove in right after Mr Gracia parked his car in the garage and the car that had followed him in, parked right in front of the main entrance.

Jonathan watched as two gentlemen and a lady got out of the car. He was still standing at the entrance when Mr Garcia, Mrs Garcia and Camila started walking towards the main entrance.

They all entered and Olivia hearing they have arrived came to welcome them as she had been instructed by Mrs Garcia to do.

"Welcome home," she greeted

"Get out of here with your stupid welcome," she yelled at her and Olivia left the place immediately

"We would be right back. Mr Garcia, a word please," she said and headed for the bedroom and Mr Garcia followed him.

The two gentlemen and the lady got to work and started decorating the house for the upcoming event.

"What happened?" Jonathan asked Camila, both looking in the direction Mr and Mrs Garcia had left.

"I don't know. She had a call and after started behaving like this," Camila replied

"Do you have any idea who called?" he asked

"I was excited about the day I didn't pay attention to her but whatever the call was about, is making her angry. I am sure it has to do with Dad," she replied looking at him

"What makes you think so?" Jonathan asked

"She called Dad right after the caller who made her mood change," she informed him

"I hope everything is okay," Jonathan replied

"Well, I am sure the event of this evening would help lighten up their mood. Talking about which I need to call Isabella," she said and headed for her bedroom making Jonathan smile.

Camila dialled Isabella's number and told her about her engagement party inviting her over. Jonathan left the living room for his room to get ready for later.

In Mr and Mrs Garcia's bedroom, Mrs Garcia was fuming with anger as she starred sternly at Mr Garcia

"Why would you suggest Olivia to Mr Carter?" she accused

"Suggest?" Mr Garcia asked wondering what was giving her such an idea that he suggested Olivia to Mr Carter.

"Oh, I see. So because I ask you to get her out of the house, you decided to give her away as a bride to Mr Carter's son?" she questioned

"I didn't suggest Olivia to Mr Carter," he defended

"Am I to believe Mr Carter chose Olivia by himself? Where does he know her from that he would know her name?" she questioned and Mr Garcia went silent.

"Now this is what we are going to do. You are going to get Olivia out of this house and we will present Camila as a substitute, do you understand," she said

"I can't do that," he replied

"Is either you get Olivia out of this house or I go out there and tell your children Olivia is your daughter," she threatened and he went silent

"I can't believe you would do this to your daughter. Ensure Camilla is ready, I am going to get rid of Olivia myself," she said and exited the bedroom angrily.

"Olivia?" she yelled but there was no response

"Where is this stupid girl?" she asked herself as she headed for the kitchen.

Olivia entered the kitchen from the back door as soon as Mrs Garcia entered the kitchen.

"Did you hear me calling you?" she yelled angrily at her and Olivia knew she had no excuse as everything is her fault.

"I am sorry," she apologizes

"Now listen to me carefully. I have some very important guests coming over tonight for a program. I don't want them to come find you in this house. So you will leave now and stay out till they are gone before you return. Do you understand?" she yelled

"Yes ma'am," Olivia replied

"Now get out of my sight," she yelled at her and she quickly exited the house using the kitchen's back door.

She runs out of the main house and headed for the gate. There was nowhere to hide in the compound so she decided to go out and wait outside the apartment.

Inside, Mrs Garcia looked at the closed kitchen's back door and went to help Camila get ready. Jonathan was in his room getting ready for the evening's program as the time draw near.

"You would make a beautiful bride," she praised as she helped Camila get ready.

"Mum, I hope everything is fine?" Camilla asked as her mother helped her with her hair

"Yes, why did you ask?" asked Mr Garcia

"After that call, you didn't look okay," she pointed out.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I just needed to help a friend take care of something," she said and Camila accepted her explanation.

Meanwhile, Isabella has already arrived at the house and she was in the living room. She saw the decoration was almost done but was surprised Olivia did not come to receive her. She quickly ignored that when she saw her friend descend the staircase looking very beautiful.

Camila smiled seeing her only best friend in the living room. Mr Garcia joined them all dressed up.

Mrs Garcia walked past them to get dressed. Jonathan joined them in the living room as soon as Mrs Garcia left.

"Let me get you something to drink," Camila offered and called Olivia but there was no response

"Jonathan went to the kitchen to check and Mr Garcia sat down on the sofa with Camila and Isabella knowing Olivia has been sent out of the house by Mrs Garcia

"She is not in the kitchen. I am sure she went to get something," Jonathan said and Camila frowned

"What is she going to buy at this time of the day?" she asked but before anyone could answer there was a knock on the door.

Jonathan went to answer it and he welcome Mr and Mrs Carter into the house with Patricia entering right after them. Two guards followed them in. 

"This is an all-family affair," Mr Carter said to Mr Garcia who came to greet him.

Mrs Garcia joined them all dressed up and smiling.

They all sat down and Jonathan went to get some drinks for everyone wondering where Olivia had gone to.

"Glad we could do this and Mr Garcia, I appreciate this very much," Mr Carter said as they all sat down comfortably in the living room with the two guards standing at the entrance. 

"Where is Ethan?" Mrs Garcia asked

"He would join us soon but where is Olivia?" Mr Carter asked seeing she was not among them.

Mrs Carter smiled inwardly seeing Mrs Garcia may have done something about Olivia.

"I told her about what you told me and she runs off," Mr Garcia said

"What do you mean she runs off?" Mr Carter asked

"She is not here," Mr Garcia replied to the surprise of Jonathan and Camila.

"Why are you looking for Olivia if today is Camila's engagement?" Isabella asked curiously

Mr Carter hearing what the young lady sitting next to Camila had asked, knew Olivia's disappearance was intentional

"Find Olivia if not, this deal is off," he said and got up to leave to the surprise of Mrs Garcia

"Mum, Dad, I thought you said this was my engagement party?" Camila asked and Mr Garcia sat down not sure what to do.

"Mr Carter," Mrs Garcia called after him

"Olivia is a servant girl and it makes sense she couldn't handle the news. See, Camila is off the same age as Olivia and if anything, Camila is very intelligent," she said hoping it would convince him to accept Camila

"Are you done?" he asked to her surprise and Mrs Garcia didn't know what to say in front of the all-powerful Mr Carter. 

"As I said, find Olivia," he said making Mrs Carter also frowned