PIC OF RYLAN
Author's note.
I want to thank all those who voted for my stories. I really appreciate it. Keep those votes and comments coming.
THOMAS POV (Day of the Party)
The night of the party was at hand. We were having the party one of our Event Halls. My mother decided that having the party at the house was too informal. So she had spent the last couple of weeks decorating and planning and catering every inch of the entire event.
And it was a success, everything was running smoothly. Everyone who was anyone was at this party. Even the mayor was here, but I am pretty sure it's because a rumor had been circling around that the Douglas family would be at this very party.
Ahh, just mentioning the Douglas brought an unwanted shudder in me. And I couldn't forget about Brian Montgomery. I hadn't laid eyes on Brian I don't know for over four and a half years. That was a longtime for people who lived in Bensen, New York. Brian and I were never best friends but it was still strange that he had cut all connections with everyone in Bensen. Even more he had up and left to relocate to Germany.
To be honest, I was really looking forward to meeting the Douglas and something tells me we were going to be close friends. After all we are all going to be working together and they are new in town and all and who better to show them the ropes and the new town than me. Apart from Brian of course. But Brian and I were once friends and almost my brother in-law before that brute came to wreck my sister's life.
I shook my head to get rid of the unpleasant memories. I focused my attention on the chatter around me. The ladies were giving me smoldering eyes. I just gave them a wink and went back to sipping my champagne. I said it before and I will say it again, mom really outdid herself. Trying to impress the Douglas siblings everything was the best of the best.
But something was up with mom since a week ago she has been acting weird and even tonight she seems distracted. I have been questioning and checking up on her but she keeps insisting that everything was fine. I will find out what is going on with her later, for tonight my sole focus is on our esteemed guests. If they decide to show up that is.
"Hey man" someone slapped me on my back.
Turning my head I saw it was my best friend Matthew.
"When are the Douglas chaps showing up? Everyone is expecting them. You know that half of the people here are just here to catch a glimpse of them, right?" nodding towards a couple of people were discretely watching the doors.
"Soon man" taking a sip of the liquid. Though that was not exactly true. They never RSVP'd but I was remaining positive that they will at stop by to at least see the people who they would be doing business with. That was what decisive business people do. That is what I would do.
We were still joking around when for some strange reason the whole place went very silent. I looked around the room for the source of the silence. It was a woman. But that was not made me nearly choke on my drink it was who the woman was. Cause standing right in front of me was the infamous and may I add gorgeous Victoria Nnaji.
The dress she was wearing had to be illegal. And I was not the only one who thought so. Michael turned to look at me with a dazed expression
"They are here!"
VICTORIA NNAJI IN THE DRESS
When I said the dress was illegal I mean it was ill-eeg-al. The dress was exotic, accentuating her curves but leaving a lot up to the imagination. It was sexy but not sluttish. It was edgy and classy. Every male's eye was on her. And I swear that no one blinked because it was like looking at an eclipse that comes once every hundred years and disappears seconds after it appears.
It was a very epic night, we were seeing in the flesh the right hand man to the Douglas and Montgomery. The media had nicknamed her 'General Secretary'. 2011 Forbes listed her as the 60th most powerful women in the world.
Damn she was beautiful. I mean exceptionally gorgeous. One thing that got to me was her popularity. She was photographed more than her bosses. She was like their shadow or twin. And I mean a twin who knows your every move and being. I am not sure what her net worth was but I did know that was worth more than 500 million dollars. She handled everything that concerned the Douglas Enterprise and word on the block was she was so loyal. She could not be bought or compromised. A quality that was difficult to find now a days.
Wait she is walking my way. No, gliding my way. I couldn't believe it. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. Brushing the thought away I quickly straightened my back and put a smile on my face.
"Mr. Davis. Good evening" she said in a low and husky voice. I could detect a mixture of German and an African accent. A smile was plastered on her but her eyes were not warm but cold and calculating. She was sizing me up. Before God and man, I swear I found her to be a little intimidating. I had to get myself together because I will not be intimidated.
"Ms. Nnjani, did I pronounce that right?" extending a hand to her.
"It is Nnaji, actually. But good try" she smiled refusing to accept my hand.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you"
"Believe me the pleasure is all mine" moving her eyes towards Matthew who was still gaping at her like a fish and had still not closed his mouth. Laughing to herself she cocked her head to the side and gave him another of her coy yet charming smile and I think for a second his heart nearly stopped beating.
Could this lady be any more arrogant or confusing? I mean I am her bosses' business partner for Pete's sake. I deserve respect.
My parents and sister were making their way over to us and came to stand beside me with warm smiles on their faces. They had eager looks on their faces I could laugh. They seemed so eager to please this esteemed guest. Who wouldn't? I mean who wouldn't want to be in the cahoots with a family that in less than a decade have climbed up to be in Forbes and GQ magazines.
"Ms. Nnaji, welcome" my mother greeted in a warm voice. That was strange, whenever my mother met anyone she had this authoritative cold and detached behavior. She sized you up and let you know your place. Guess she knew Ms. Nnaji's stance.
"Thank you Mrs. Davis" giving her a polite nod.
"Ms. Nnaji, this is an extreme honor" my sister gasped out like an obsessed fan. Mary-Ann completely idolized her and Ms. Douglas ever since she became part of the family business. She had read every autobiography about them.
"Ms. Davis" came her simple reply with a slight nod.
Everyone was eagerly hanging on every word.
"If I may ask where everyone else is? Traffic?" my dad who was never patient and one to beat around the bush. Besides we are all wondering the same thing. Where was the Douglases? Were they late or were they coming later? I mean Victoria was here, it stands to reason that they will join her. And we didn't exactly invite her. We invited the Douglas siblings and Brian. Don't get me wrong, I am glad she is here, but we wanted the big cat. The big fishes of the pond.
"Oh. Mr. and Miss Douglas will not be attending" she said in a calm and if possible a sultry, seductress voice but with a hint of protectiveness and finality.
Her response was met with sighs of disappointment from those who heard her. We could already hear the gossip mongers. A blush of shame and embarrassment was creeping on my mother's cheeks.
"Oh did something suddenly come up?" my mom asked trying to salvage the situation by coming up with a smart pass that the Douglas had been planning to attend but something just came up. The elites always protected the elites. It was an unspoken rule in our world.
"Oh no. They made it quite clear that they would rather sit at home and watch your American football. You know, your sport is quite entertaining and enjoyable if you get the meaning and science behind it. I myself was even tempted to stay and enjoy the game with them but unfortunately I chose heads instead of tails. Unfair don't you think?" she said whilst laughing.
Was this woman deliberately trying to embarrass us at our own party? It was almost like she hated us and wanted to make a fool out of us in front of every person here. I could detect coldness and rage towards us. But I dismissed it, after all we have never crossed her or her family.
We were saved by our butler. He made the announcement that dinner was served. Matthew was making a move to escort her but I him to it. I will take any opportunity to get close to this woman. She could open a lot of doors and this was one of the best opportunities.
"Ms. Nnaji shall we?" offering my arm.
"Yes." taking my arm.
I smiled. I knew she could not resist my charm for very long.
Mother had wisely sat Victoria beside me and across from Mary-Ann. People were smiling and nodding their heads at her. She responded and had a polite look on her face. She was quite intimidating. I could tell from the get go that she was a no nonsense lady.
The first course began. I don't know what the chef announced that it was but it was okay.
Then the main meal salmon, salad, wild rice, asparagus stuffed with shrimp.
"So Ms. Nnaji tell me, how is it like working with the Douglas. And the Montgomery" Mary-Anne asked slicing into her fish.
"Well it is quite bipolar really. One minute it is like dealing with overgrown kids. And the next, it is like wrestling a lion"
There was chuckles.
"Really?" Mary-Anne laughed.
"Yes. But I don't mind. I take it like I am the mother of three kids. And like all mothers I do have favorites" she joked.
There was laughter.
"Could I ask who that would be" Josh from accounting.
"I think it would have to be Kevin."
"The oldest of the Douglas?" my dad asked.
"Yes. Only because he is the only one among "the kids" that I don't have the urge to kill every five minutes."
There was more chuckles.
This Kevin guy sounds pretty serious.
"He is the quiet and good mannered one. Whilst the other two are balls of mischief" she finished.
"They sound quite the character" a lady commented.
"Oh but they are, Mrs. Duncan" she replied.
How did she know her name?
"If you don't mind me asking, how does it feel being in a male dominated atmosphere?" Mary-Anne asked again. She sure was asking a lot of questions. But I was curious to know the answers as well. It couldn't be easy.
"Honestly, I don't realize it anymore. I think I, as well as Gina Douglas have gotten to a point where it is survival of the fittest. If we or anybody else lets gender factor in the way of success then the fault is entirely on us or him/her. And I have a great support staff that just keeps on encouraging us" taking another bite of her salmon.
Wow. That is quite... wise.
We continued with small talk, but for some reason Victoria remained quiet. Then dessert was served different assortment of cheesecake and fruit salad. Some questions were still being directed to Ms. Victoria but she gave short and vague responses. And she completely ignored any personal questions about her bosses.
I think I saw her smile but am not too sure, when Mary-Anne stated that she "could not wait to meet the Douglas siblings and that it was a dream come true to meet the famous business duo".
The night was going well. I could finally see my mother relax.
Everything was going well, then suddenly one of the servers spilled a bowl of syrup on the plate of our esteemed guest and I'm certain some spilled on her dress. Everyone looked shocked. The head caterer quickly came running. My mother looked irate. And I closed my eyes in embarrassment.
As for the fool he was shaking like a leaf. I am certain that by tomorrow he won't have a job in the entire city, his catering company would have him fired. And I would make certain of it. He didn't deserve to be catering to high elites and celebrities if he had Parkinson's disease.
My mother and father was sending glares to the fool, in fact everyone at the table was, for his disrespect at a distinguished guest. I think mother was about to bellow when a soft voice spoke up surprising everyone in the room.
"It wouldn't be dinner if something didn't spill on me" laughing at her own little joke.
"Ms. Nnaji I am so so sorry. Please you have to forgive me. I feel so embarrassed. This was never supposed to happen" my mother begged.
"I am sure it wasn't" she replied in a clipped voice, placing her hand under her chin. "This man will be properly disciplined I assure you" growling at the man who was bowing his head in shame.
"I agree with you, he does need some discipline" Picking up her dessert fork again and taking a bite of her cheesecake.
I could hear the man gulp from where I was sitting. My mother nodded at her words.
"I will take personal care of it"
She just smiled and took another piece of the cake and closed her eyes and moaned. I think in pleasure. Now every man's eyes were on her and you could see the desire in their eyes. And I included a little bit.
She finally opened her eyes and turned to the young man who was looking frightened and begging with his eyes. It was quite pitiful if I wasn't so upset that he had just insulted our most esteemed guest.
"You know it has been quite a while where I have had the pleasure over cheesecake and syrup. It is quite an unusual combination. But delightful non the less"
"It wa- ass an-an acc-ci-ddent" the idiot stammered. Like blabbering idiot.
"True. An accident. But a beautiful delightful and pleasurable accident, nevertheless. Take my word for it some accidents are what make us what we are in this world" and she cast her gaze around the room with a look I couldn't decipher.
"Tell me, who I thank for making this dessert the high light of my night? By your hands I think you are a chef. Am I right?" she asked ignoring everyone at the table.
"I am training to be a chef." he replied quietly.
"Really? Where and who are you training under?" she asked.
"Umm, no one yet." He replied. Great the guy was not even a real chef. Just a wannabe. We seriously had to be more careful who we hire from now on especially when we have guests and visitors.
"I'm saving up." He said looking nervous that everyone was staring at him and his conversation with the Nnaji lady. I would be too. Well I hope he's saved enough because he will need it in the very near future.
"I see. Well I love this concoction of yours. You know, you remind me of Trevor" she said whilst smiling.
"Who reminds you of Trevor darling?" a man I have never seen comes walking in. He looked fit. Like really fit and had a sense of danger around him. I could hear intakes of breath and sighs coming from the ladies. I suppose he was attractive in a rugged looking way. Perhaps this might be the Douglas man but I doubt it. From the glimpse pictures that the media had taken from his back, he had dark hair.
"This young man. He spilled some syrup which made a delightful cake. You should have some" the gentleman walked up and grabbed her fork and took a bite.
"Not bad" shaking his head. "Still don't see why he reminds you of Trevor?" looking at the man who was ready to faint.
"Inventions" was the simple reply.
"It was an accident" came the trembling voice.
"Well it is better than the accidents Gina cooks." the man joked. Victoria laughed. Who is he? A younger brother I don't know about? A cousin? Friend?
"Time to go sweetheart. The boys insisted I come pick you up. They are taking everyone out for ice cream and shopping" referring to Victoria whilst holding out a cloak towards her.
She laughed a melodious laugh. "Who lost the best?"
"Kevin. And now he's taking everyone shopping and for ice"
"He should know better not to mess with Brian and his American football"
Once her coat was on she turned to the table and addressed us "Well, I want to thank you for this night. It was quite interesting. A lot of new faces, hopefully I will remember all your names."
Wait, she was leaving? We had just finished dinner. That was incredibly rude, but she looked so good doing it no one could be mad at her.
"Davis family thank you for dinner. I trust I will see you at the turning over?"
"Yes you shall"
"We look forward to it"
"Can't wait"
"Yeah"
"Excellent"
Then she turned to the young man "And you. I was serious about you needing discipline. You are a good server, you have a knack for spotting what your clients need without them asking. That is a talent. Forgive me for not asking before but what is your name?"
"Max" he replied.
"Well Max. I am sure there is space for an accident person in our kitchen. I will speak to Trevor Jones and Lan Xheng about training you"
"What?" he yelled.
"Yes. You will be an asset to a restaurant and hotel"
"Thank you. Thank you. Wait you mean Jones. As in Nazi Trevor Jones. And Lan as in Crouching Tiger Lan" his eyes wide open.
The man burst out laughing.
"I see their actions precedes their names" shaking her head.
"Oh I am gonna enjoy telling Trevor and Lan what their new nicknames are" wiping a tear away.
"But yes. Those two."
"This is an honor. Thank you. Thank you so much"
"Can I have your phone?"
He whipped it out so quickly and handed it to her.
"Okay, my number is on your phone. One part of your interview, is under no circumstances will you give my number to anyone. Not your boss, not your friend. No one must get my number. Guard it with your life" she warned.
Wait, she gave her personal number to this... nobody? What about me? Oh I am getting her number from that fool. If it weren't for us, he wouldn't have even met her. He should thank us.
"Yes ma'am" nodding his head.
"I am trusting you. I will give you a call to set up an appointment"
"Thank you. Thank you ma'am"
"No problem" she said whilst smiling but the thing about this smile was that it was warm and kind not like the cold smiles she had been giving everyone all evening.
She gave one last nod to everyone and taking the man's arm and together they left the room. The guy must be close to the family. That Kevin Douglas must be a pretty laid up guy if he's taking people for ice cream and shopping at quarter past nine. Though it was extremely rude the way he dismissed us.
Even five minutes after she left everyone was still sitting open mouthed and shocked.
"Where is Max?" getting ahold of myself. I needed that number.
"In the kitchen." tanding up I headed to the kitchen.
"Max!" I yelled. He was cleaning the pots.
"Yes sir"
"The number she gave you. I want it"
"Sorry I can't. She told me not to give it to you" he replied meekly.
"What did you say you little piece-"
"I said I am sorry I am not giving it you. You heard what she said. This is a test. I could lose my only chance of working with renowned chef"
"She will never have to know"
"But I will. I am sorry but the answer is no"
"Okay Max, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Either way I am getting that number" threatening him.
Sighing he took out his phone. Good boy. I knew he was not this dumb.
But before I could react he grabbed a pan and started banging the phone. Crushing it. He stomped on it a couple of times and broke it into two pieces. Then tossed it in the fryer.
He looked back at me "There now, none of us have the number"
"You're gonna regret that. You think they care about you? You are just a dog they took pity on."
"Well why did she give me her number and not you?" he asked.
"Wow. Some people have come up in the world." I laughed evilly.
"No. Some people are just sick of you. And your family"
I saw red. I walked up to him and punched him straight in the face. NO one talks about my family like that. Especially not the likes of him.
Grabbing him by the throat "You better run. You will never work in this town again" pushing him away I straightened myself and walked back to the party.
Suddenly, I had a sinking feeling. The newbies in town were upsetting the regime. If a nobody like Max was unafraid to go against us. No that is not possible. But I knew this much if that was Victoria Nnaji then what would Mr. and Miss Douglas be like I imagined.
I was so eager to meet them but after meeting their right hand man or in this case woman, I was not so sure if I wanted to.
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