Chapter:04:Uninvited Guests:

Decorative lights and illuminants lit up the extravagant Braxton family mansion.

A huge and expensive chandelier hung around from each corner of the mansion. The bright colors of the lights emanating from the chandelier lit up the entire mansion and the beautiful sight was too adorable for words.

Each corner of the house was decorated with golden Catcus flowers– the princess was fond of Catcus flowers, so her other asked the interior decorators to use the golden Catcus flowers in decorating the house for the birthday party. It was a surprise for her.

   

  She would be so happy seeing this!

  Her mother had thought.

Tonight was the 20th birthday party of the young miss of the Braxton family. She is the only daughter of the famous Master Nicholas Braxton and Old lady Elizabeth Braxton of the Braxton family.

Everyone in the city knew how much the couple loves and adore their only daughter, Mandy. She was their apple of eyes and everyone tried their best to stay on the right track when it comes to matters that regard her.

However, Mandy was the most fragile and humble daughter from a rich family anyone could ever meet.

 She was caring, humble, and down to earth– She was indeed a true definition of a true princess.

Almost all the elite and influential people in the city were invited to the party. 

   

 Her pictures hugged the walls tightly as it was used as one of the items of decorative art. The beautiful smile on her face compliments the purpose of its existence in the decorative item.

Mandy was a beauty. Her rare beautiful face always got her in trouble with other young girls, who felt insecure about her.

She was indescribably beautiful.

Soon enough the entire house was basking in the joy of celebration and the atmosphere of the environment could attest to the happening of the night.

The part was planned to take place in the large open field. Where they usually hold a large function. This was indeed one of those many functions they had in the past, it was their only daughter's birthday.

  It was a big deal for the couple and the happiness on their faces was visible enough to show the world how happy they are.

Before it was evening, guests soon started trouping in large numbers and different ways. 

Each person came to the party, dressing to kill and impress.  After all, they are the elites of the city.

However, there was more to just being an elite of the city. 

Each person came with their secrets and identity.

The maids stood at the door with a warm, welcoming and directed the guests to the venue of the party.

Master Nicholas was standing at the lounge area along with Lady Elizabeth, he kept pacing around the place with anxiety written all over him.

He kept going forth and back. Elizabeth couldn't bear to watch this scene any longer, so she spoke first, “Nich, what are you doing? Do you want everyone to know that you are so worried about something? Will you stop it already? Our daughter is already so stressed from the gifts we gave her, do you want to make me even more worried?” She said.

“Lizabeth, you don't understand. You don't understand what I'm scared of. It's the time! It's time” He sounded very worried as he continued to pace around the room with fear written all over him.

“You think I don't understand? How can you even say that to me? I'm her mother and I know how she will feel when she learns about everything. Do you understand that? However, I will not stand here pacing around like a wandering lizard. My daughter needs me to keep her happy and help her get through the tough phase” Elizabeth snapped back at him, but in a low, whimpering tone that anyone could barely hear what they are talking about.

 She moved closer to him and patted his shoulders with her eyes glued to his gaze.

She opened her mouth and said, “Don't stand around pacing like a servant in the master's house, Nicholas. Get yourself busy with something, we can do this. We've done it in the past and we will do it again. Get something doing darling. An idle hand is the enemy's triumph card” she patted his shoulders and walked away with her long gown trailing after her as she walked.

Master Nicholas took a deep breath and strengthened his clothes. Then , decided to do something to keep himself busy.

He walked out to the public gate where the maids were welcoming the guests.

He came to them with a warm smile. He beamed at them brightly as they greeted him.

“You should go back inside and have a drink, I will take over the welcoming session for you two for a while. You can come back when you've rested enough” He said and the maid looked at each other with confusion.

A master shouldn't be seen doing the work of a maid in a public party like this but the master is asking them to switch duty post for a while?

What would the guests say if they sees him doing that alone?

“Master Nicholas, we can handle this. We are not tired at all”  Vella, one of the maid said as she quickly rearranged her posture.

They thought that they might have slack around and that was why the master himself wanted to welcome the guests without mistakes.

   They didn't want to lose their jobs at the mansion so they didn't dare to allow the master take over.

“Yes master. We will rest after the guests welcoming session is done,don't worry sir” Dina chimed in with nervousness.

“I asked you to rest. Now go on and rest, don't make me repeat my words”   Master Nicholas ordered  authoritativelyy and the maids quivered at the tone of his voice.

Their wobbled against each other and they quickly apologized before running of with speed.

After they left, master Nicholas stood at the gate in their place and began to welcome the guests with hugs.

Just then ,Elizabeth trottered over to him with a glass of wine in her hand.

“Its looks like you took my advice, didn't you?” She asked rhetorically.

  

   “Its not even time for the party yet , and you're already drinking? Get a hold of yourself and take your own advice. An idle hand is the enemy's triumph card,don't forget that. What do you want Mandy to do if she sees you drunk at her party”  Nicholas sounded worked up and furious.

“Hey slow down, will you? I'm not even drinking.  It's just for a show. Remember, we are standing at the gate as a couple! We need to hold a drink , you know”  She chuckled softly and handed him a glass.

Nicholas reluctantly took the glass.

Just then, a couple walked into the gate holding each other's hands.

They were mumbling something to each other as they walked in. However, they suddenly stopped in their tracks when they saw the couple standing at the gate.

“Oh master Nicholas! Lady Elizabeth! It so good to see you two” 

the woman said with a warm smile. After that her face went back to bring blank as she looked like she was analyzing a few things.

“Lady Morgan! You made it” Elizabeth feigned a smile and welcomed the other woman.

“Umm, Dont mind me asking but, did you lack the money to pay the domestic  workers, is that the reason why you are doing the job of a maid yourselves just to save money?”  She asked wearing a curious gaze. Her husband grew closer to her and tried to pinch her out of her faulty curiosity but she  won't give in. Instead, she whined out in pain and threw dagger stares at her husband.

“Hey , what are you doing Tony? Stop pinching me. I asked a question, did I do something wrong asking that?”  she shouted without a single care in the world , and her husband felt highly embarrassed. He simply lifted the glasses he was wearing in shame and adjusted them.

Lady Morgan turned her gaze back to the master and lady Elizabeth and asked again.

“Do you need financial help? We could offer some help if you want we don't mind helping those in need you know”  She said with a sarcastic tone and her eyes lowered in sheer provocative manner.

“No, that wont be need, old lady Morgan. We are just fine , thank you. Master Nicholas and I  just wanted to welcome the guests on his own. After all, he doesn't want his guests facing inconveniences on a special occasion such as our daughter's birthday ”  Elizabeth replied with a toothy smile and looked at the old lady for more questions.

“Oh my! Is that really the reason? You must be so warm-hearted” she exclaimed, clapping her hands in unison then she let her eyes wander around for a while before she began with another round of questioning.

“How come your daughter is not here? Anyway, it's good that you held the party at home with everyone in attendance. At least,it's not like those other girls, who go around exposing their body to the eyes of the vulturous men who cares to stare. I really hope your daughter is not like that. after all, my daughter ,Samantha is a class of her own and I would want the best for your daughter too. She should be like my little girl”  She huffed emphatically.

 “Thats enough already, Morgan.We still need to see other guests”  Her husband tried to convince to go into the party hall. However ,she was still adamant.

“Lady Morgan, you can kindly proceed to the hall. We still need to welcome other guests” Lady Elizabeth pointed to the guests lined up right behind the couple.

“Oh my bad! I was too lost admiring the decorations that I lost myself here”  She feigned an embarrassing smile before taking her husband's hand.

  “Thank you for coming, Lady Morgan. Master Tonio. Have a great time at the paetty”  Lady Elizabeth said as they scrambled to find their way into the hall, giving other guests the chance to be welcomed.

Master Nicholas finally heaved a sigh of relief, and Lady Elizabeth smiled knowingly.

“Dont mind what she says. She's usually a difficult person to deal with, and a very handful one at that”  Lady Elizabeth rolled her eyes and said softly.

Master Nicholas nodded and welcomed the last batch of guests before going back to get changed for the party.

It was time for the party to start.

  “Lets go. We can't keep the guests waiting for long , Nicholas” Lady Elizabeth said as she held master Nicholas hand's and pulled him toward the hall.

Getting to the large party venue, the place entire place was filled up to the brim with elite and influential guest.

The hall was an exotic display of affluence and wealth as each person looked their best.

The Eemcee took the microphone and welcomed everyone. Then, he went ahead to crack some jokes to cheer the guests.

After a while , Master Nicholas and lady Elizabeth walked into the hall ,hold in hands.

They walked straight to the podium and took the mic from the master of ceremonies.

“Good evening , ladies and gentlemen. It's a great honor to have you all here today. As we all know, it's our daughter's birthday and we wanted to make it  a grand affair. Who knows, maybe we might never get a chance to throw a big party for her here again. So, lets relish this moment”  Master Nicholas said with a tone filled with sadness then he quickly recollected himself after Lady Elizabeth pressed hard on his shoulder.

Then they step aside and gave the mic back to the master of ceremonies.

    “So, let's all welcome the birthday girl. Pretty ,beautiful and down to earth, Young miss Madison Braxton!!”  He shouted with a loud voice and everyone began to clap.

Mandy was walking down the stairs with Alana by her side. They kept mumbling something to each other as they walked down.

Soon enough, Alana raised her voice a little and said, “Are you sure about this, Mandy? You're going to create a scene at your party if you do that!”  

 She was agitated and the tone of her voice was laced with fear.

“Just trust me , Lana. I have thought about it , and  I will make them tell me the truth with ease! Just wait and see ”

After that they walked slowly to the hall. Everyone's attention were on the two girls.

They wondered why they had two celebrants instead of one and that raised a lot of suspicion among the guests. They began to murmur among themselves.

When Mandy and Alana got to the podium, Master Nicholas cane forward and took the mic once again.

“My daughter , Madison Braxton is very fond of her dear friend here , Alana. It's also her birthday, so we have two celebrants. So now, I want you to kindly welcome my new daughter.......” 

Before he could finish his words a loud, eerie and husky voice interrupted him from behind .

“Dont you think you are talking too much for a person who's end is near?”