Kaelani tossed and turned in bed as she remembered what had happened with Xavier.
***FLASHBACK
'You want me to go to the banquet with you? Why?'
'The same reason why you were complaining. I don't have a partner'.
'But, you can just get someone right? Does it have to be me?'.
'It's more convenient if you come with me. We're going to the same banquet after all'.
'Let me think about it, I'll tell you my decision tomorrow morning'.
'Alright but you have to make the decision quickly. The banquet is tomorrow evening'.
'Alright, goodnight'.
'Goodnight'.
***PRESENT
'Should I have just refused? What do I do?'.
***
'No father in-law! Don't listen to her! This girl is a manipulator! She should be thrown out of here right now!'.
Cecilia saw Luelle as a threat to her status. She held Luelle's hands to throw her out. Clara and Mia were watching the commotion upstairs with a smile on their faces.
Mia was the most happy, 'If she's out of the way then I'll have nothing to worry about anymore. Cecilia was about to throw Luelle out but then...
'What's going on here?'.
The person they never expecting to see was standing right in front of them. Liam was puzzled.
'Father?'.
Cecilia was also shocked, 'Honey?'.
'Don't honey me woman! I asked a question, what's going on here?'.
'My son! You're finally home! Why don't you come inside?'.
Liam's father went inside and sat down then he signaled Luelle to sit down.
Clara wasn't expecting this.
'Darn it! Why does he always show up at the wrong time?'.
Mia was alarmed, 'I can't let him see me in this house'.
'Don't worry about that, just make sure you hide yourself well'.
Liam's father looked at everyone with a stern expression.
'Son, why are you home all of a sudden?'. The old man asked cautiously. Liam's father may be a quiet and gentle man to the public but his family knew how strict he was. The only person who wasn't afraid of him was Liam and James.
'Brother, it's good that you're here. Father and sister in-law has been harassing this young lady'.
'Oh really? And why is that?'.
'Listen Edward.....
'Don't interrupt Cecilia, just sit down'.
Liam was the only one who had something else in mind.
'Father, I know you're not here because you're done with your work or because you miss anybody. Someone must have called you here right?'.
'So smart! As expected of my son'.
'You didn't answer the question'.
'I called him here'. Luelle spoke and everyone was surprised once again.
'You did? How did you know my Dad?'.
'He's my mentor'.
'What?!'. Everyone said in unison.
'You!...' The old man didn't now what to say.
'I have been teaching Luelle from a very young age on how to manage her father's company when she grows up. But it's a shame that she got distracted by her life on stage'.
'So you knew my father before meeting me?'.
'I didn't know he was your father until one day at the hospital....
***FLASHBACK
'Liam, please tell me more about your family. They're likes and dislikes and their full names'.
'Why do you suddenly want to know that?'.
'Well, don't you think it'd be rude if I don't even know my future in-laws names?'.
'Alright. My mom Cecilia Hayes, doesn't really like expensive gifts'.
'Of course she wouldn't when she could afford it all.'
'She likes something bought with more sincerity. Scarlett Hayes, Xavier's mom. Well, she wouldn't mind you buying her the whole world. Her husband James will love it if you get him a good book'.
'Oh, so he loves reading then. That's fine, I can just ask him to read a book online written by my best friend'.
'Kaelani?'.
'No'.
'What other best friend do you have?'.
'Her name is vicky247lovely'.
'What a weird name. I know her'.
'You do?'.
'Yeah, everyone know her'.
'Alright. Who's left?'.
'Well my dad,.....he's not here right now so you can just forget about getting him a gift'.
'His name?'.
'Edward Hayes'.
*Edward Hayes? The same Edward I know?*
'Alright Luelle, we should sleep now'.
'Wait, I want to ask you something!'.
'No Luelle, sleep now'.
*Ugh! He didn't listen to me. Never mind, I'll just tell grandpa to get me his number later*
***LATER THAT NIGHT
Luelle slowly crept out of the room to avoid waking Liam up.
*He must be very tired. I shouldn't wake him up*
She saw the number her grandfather had sent and called it.
'Hello? Sir? Is it really you?....
***PRESENT
'Wow, this would totally sell a lot in a movie'. Clara chuckled while Mia gritted her teeth. Everything was ruined because Liam's father was here now.
'Father, Cecilia, now that I'm here, can you tell me why you don't want her to get married to Liam?'.
'Well dear, we don't know her character and....
'You can't judge a person's character without a solid reason Father'.
'I know but still...
'Father, you can't stop my son from doing what he wants'.
'I know'.
'So, none of you can stop him from doing as he want. Not even you Cecilia'.
'But.....
***
Kaelani wore her dress and waited for Xavier nervously.
'She has decided to go with him to the banquet.
Xavier was also getting ready in his room For the first time, he was actually nervous about a girl.
*What if she says no?*
He sighed and went out of his room He knocked on Kaelani's door.
'Kaelani, please come out'.
'I'm coming!'.
Kaelani stepped out of her room. As soon as Xavier saw her, he was speechless.
*So beautiful*
Kaelani snapped at him a few times.
'Hello? Xavier, are you okay?'.
'Well uhm, yes. Are you coming with me then?'.
'Yes, I've thought about it too and I think going to the party will benefit me. I'll get to make a few connections'.
'That's good, let's go'.
'Yes'.
They drove in silence till they reached the venue of the banquet.
'Let's go'.
'Sure'.
They stepped in and Kaelani frowned a bit. She wasn't comfortable with the crowd. Just as she was thinking of leaving, a voice stopped her.
'Xavier!'.
Xavier was surprised, and so was Kaelani. She whispered to him.
'Who's she?'.
'My ex'.
'What?'.
Xavier faked a smile as the girl got closer.
'Zina, what are you doing here?'.