Vanessa
The next day was the D-day, my mom was turning thirty-nine. She was throwing a big dinner party, and a lot of prominent men and women will be invited.
I was being driven home from school.
Don't get me started on school because it was awkward as if or should I? okay I'm gonna talk about school.
It was so awkward. I kept on dodging Alex for the first three days, because I was so embarrassed of what happened on after the party, but when he cornered me yesterday, we actually sorted it out and the tension between us slipped away like an eel.
Phew! Thank God that is over.
The ride home was short or maybe it was because I was busy thinking. Richard parked the car and opened the door for me. I hopped off the car and skidded happily into the mansion, straight to my room.
Today, I am happy.
I was happy because it was mom's birthday, and I was going to wrap her birthday gift with Lily.
la-la-la-la-la-la-
that was me humming.
As soon as I stepped into my room, I called for Lily so we could get started on the gift.
After two hours of messing with glitter, glue, paper, ribbons and calligraphy pens the perfect birthday card was formed by: the Vanessa and Lily her assistant. The main gift which was a diamond Rolex watch, a matching necklace which was made by a goldsmith I found through Nana, was wrapped safely with a ribbon on it.
A knock interrupted my happy dance and Alphonso our butler walked in.
"Sorry to disturb. Young Miss but Ma'am requested you come downstairs since you both have a place you are supposed to visit," He said with a brief bow.
"Oh I almost forgot," I looked down to my messy school uniform. "I'll be there in 15 minutes." I dismissed him.
I quickly rushed into the bathroom. I took my bath hurriedly, but made sure to scrub properly in the right places. Lily helped me get dressed and I was done in exactly fifteen minutes.
I raced down the stairs to meet my mom pacing in the living room, she didn't even realise I was in front of her and I did nothing to make my presence known.
I examined my mom and I realised she looked nothing like me. I had dark eyes and brown hair while my mom had blonde hair and grey eyes, and her blue shaped one-sleeve gown with black heels was a complete contrast to my grey cropped top hoodie, black jeans with grey converse, but I gotta admit, we both looked great.
"Come on." She urged me when her gaze fell on me.
She walked out of the living room and into the elevator with me beside her. We made it to the car where Philip was on the driver's seat and Tanya in the passenger seat, we got into the backseat and the car started and soon it was off our property and down the road.
We pulled up minutes later,in front of one of the well-known event centre which I guess the party would be hosted in, because we have never hosted a party here before, I was still unsure.
Philip opened the door for me to step out, I mouthed a thank you and he gave me a brief smile in response. We were welcomed into the building by Ashley who was the owner of and event planner. I must say I was impressed by how big it was.
"Oh dear Linda!" Ashley cried, as she walked up to my mother immediately sighting us and pulled my mom into a short embrace.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Ashley asked my mother.
"Oh, I didn't want to bother you," My mom replied.
"You are not a bother at all," Ashley assured her.
She turned to me, "Vanessa, how are you my dear?"
"I've never been better," I told her with a sweet smile plastered on my face.
She chuckled lightly, "You are always very funny. I mean look at you," She reached over to touch my both of my shoulders taking a look at me from head to toe. "You are all grown up and looking very beautiful. You are even flaunting your flat model-like stomach," She poked my stomach. "making people like me very jealous," She joked and pointed to her swollen stomach to prove her point.
I laughed at her silly compliment, "Oh Aunty Ashley you have not even changed one bit always trying to make jokes every you go,"
"What can I say? I like seeing smiles on people's faces especially yours. You know you are my favourite person," Ashley said smiling also.
"Thank you. You sure have lightened my mood,"
My mom interrupted before Ashley could respond "I see the decorations and materials needed for the party have been shipped in already,"
And we started walking around the place. Truly, there were workers bringing in the decorations and necessary equipments and placing them at one side of the room.
"Oh yes it has. We are getting ready for tomorrow already,"
"I hope you remember instructions on the type of cutlery and table setting I want?" My mom asked as we went through the opening that led to the ballroom.
"I am aware Linda. Don't stress yourself, trust me on this. I won't let you down, I promise you everything would be perfect because I know you like that," Ashley reassured her.
My mom sighed, "You are right you got this under control but have you contacted the caterer and do you remember the type of wine I want and do you--"
Her words were cut short with Ashley's hand over her mouth "You ask too many questions. I suggest you just go home, take a bubble bath and have a nice rest,"
My mom pushed her hand away. "That's childish of you, see you've ruined my lipstick." She stated as she studied her face through her phone screen. "I'm gonna go home and have a nice rest after I finish taking a good look of this place," My mom informed her, standing her ground.
"Do as you wish, but I'm afraid you would have to do that by yourself because I just remembered I have an appointment with a client. Don't worry my assistant would escort you," She looked at her phone immediately it beeped.
"Celine!" She called out and a slim, petite dark-haired lady in a floral dress came over from across the room. She adjusted the glasses on the bridge of her nose once she got to us.
"Show them around," She instructed. "Goodbye."
She pecked me and my mom on the cheek and walked away.
After minutes of inspection, my mom was finally satisfied and we headed home. We had dinner in silence and bade ourselves goodnight.
I jumped on my bed and immediately drifted off to sleep because I knew tomorrow was gonna be a long day.