COUNTRY LA
The plane landed in country LA at the Grant's huge compound. Larry came out first, followed by Jemmy and Naysa who walked side by side. Stenson and the other guards who had accompanied the three also walked out. Of course there was one person missing, the trouble seeker Hank.
Naysa has never in country LA, leave alone the Grant's root home. She looked around at the rich compound.
"You like the home?" Jemmy asked.
"Mmh... I like everything I see." She said, following him into the house where the guards bowed as the moved in.
Mira, who looked enviously at the beautiful young lady besides Jemmy welcomed them, not taking her eyes off Naysa. After some introduction, Naysa was surprised to see Cindy clumsily walk in with a face full of make up. She frowned a little as she looked at her.
"Jemmy you're here." She started but no one looked at her, not even Jemmy. Larry on the other hand was in his own world and didn't even look back. Cindy felt embarrassed.
"Cindy welcome..." Mira stood up and hugged her. "It's good your future husband is here."
Jemmy frowned. His father wasn't here and he wasn't in good terms with his step mother. He has brought Naysa here to meet his dad, but Mira was just worsening the situation.
Naysa wouldn't stand it anymore. Even if she was new here, at least no one should look down upon her. "Cindy what are you doing here?"
"Be respectful to your elders." Mira turned to Naysa. Jemmy half closed his eyes and looked at his step mother.
"You're not allowed to address her in that tone." Jemmy said.
"Jemmy I need to talk to you." Naysa walked out. Jemmy followed like an obedient kid. " Is this supposed to be my celebration or am I here to know my rivals?"
"Just assume none of them exist ok? You're here to meet my dad, after which we will bring the celebration to one of the Grant's hotel here in LA. Neither Mira nor Cindy will attend ok?" Jemmy said. It's not like he wanted to leave her here, but he needs to discuss business with his dad and he can't drag her along. Naysa suppressed her anger and walked back in.
The cars arrived and Mr. Augustine Grant came out. He walked into the house in company of Jemmy who was left out by Naysa. Naysa stood up respectfully and stretched her hand for a greeting. Mr. Augustine didn't shake her hand, instead, he shook hands with Cindy. Naysa felt embarrassed but anyway, she swallowed her pride.
"Greetings father." Naysa started.
"I heard everything about you young girl." Mr. Augustine didn't reply to the greeting. Instead, he started giving accounts of what he knew and what he heard. For unknown reasons, Jemmy went upstairs. "Your father was a military man, who served his country for years. But it's a great disappointment he left nothing behind except for his poor child. It's a shame for a man to not be able to build his own empire for the sake of his children. Look at you now, pathetic to get a rich man at least so you could survive. Cindy Scott here is from a first class country here in country LA, which is Jemmy's home country. My desire as a father is to have my son Marty from his roots. Besides, who would accept his honourable son to marry a poor girl like you?"
Now, Naysa could stand all other insults except someone calling her father a useless man. Her whole face paled with anger, but to show respect, she swallowed hard and sat heavily on the seat. Cindy gave a sunny smile as she was the one being praised.
"Mark my words young lady." Mr. Augustine finished his speech and walked upstairs. The living room remained dead silent. Few minutes, Jemmy, Larry and their father descended the stairs discussing business.
"Are you ok?" Jemmy asked as he looked at Naysa's sad face. Naysa simply nodded. "We need to have a heart to heart talk with dad. I'll be back."
Naysa nodded. Jemmy followed the two men out. Naysa looked at Mira and Cindy. So she left alone with just the two of them. And Jemmy's father didn't approve her as a daughter in law, instead he approved Cindy. She really felt lost.
"We can have a toast anyway. We have nothing bad between us." Cindy said. Mira went in the fridge and came back with bottles of wine.
"Can I have juice please?" Naysa said.
"Sure." After giving the order, Mira sat down next to Cindy. Naysa sat alone opposite them with her glass of juice which was delivered by a maid. Mira had a toast with Cindy. Naysa was left alone rolling her beautiful eyes.
"Anyway Miss Haven, it's good at least you accompanied our son here in country LA. Did Jemmy tell you about his relationship with Cindy? The reason why the family approves their marriage is, her father died protecting Jemmy's grand father, Starton Grants." Mira said.
Naysa painfully squeezed the glass in her hand, trying hard not to cry. She was brought here to be humilated. Heavens! This is too much.
"And, Maybe he never told you about his high school lover." Cindy said, causing Naysa to choke on the juice. So all this rich men were truly a scam. He had a high school lover?