CHAPTER 4: FAMILY DINNER PREPARATION
"Exactly. I'm …finished" Mr. Odlene said trying to catch his breath.
"Okay, I want to tell you about the family dinner. It's tomorrow evening and please, try not to piss your brother off" He warned
"Ohhhhh" he drawled. "Is he coming over?" He added.
"Yes. Okay, I need to beat your mom in this game"
"Like you can?" He said sarcastically
"Bye" his father laughed as he dropped the call. A smirk appeared on his face as he thought of the family dinner which will hold tomorrow. Still lost in thoughts, Scarlet came downstairs with her bag.
"I'm ready to leave, Sir. It's 6pm already" She said
"Okay. The driver will drop you "
"No Sir, it's fine"
"I insist" He said. He called the driver to drop her. They got outside and she got into the car. Immediately they drove out, Maya came into the house looking excited and tired.
"Stan?" She called him, entering the house. She met him at the bar in the house, pouring himself a drink.
"Stan, you mean your PA is just leaving since morning" She asked walking to his direction
"Yes, you have a problem with that" He said sipping from his drink.
"its weekend and she had to stay this long like it's a work day"
"The last time I checked, she's my PA not yours, Maya Odlene"
"Whatever" She waved it off. "Mom called sounding worried. I'm all grown now" She said stomping her feet on the ground like a child.
"Are you? The last time I checked again, you left the house without your inhaler and you almost gave up if not for the driver and your best friend, whatever his name is"
"His name is Bryan and I know you don't like his guts"
"That's because he glares at me murderously" He replied avoiding her eyes.
"Indeed" She sat down on one of the chairs at the bar.
"Mom told me about the family dinner. It's tomorrow" Maya mentioned.
"Yeah, Dad told me and of course, he gave me a warning to avoid clash with George" he said with a chuckle and replaced it with a smirk.
"What's that smirk playing on your lips" She asked sounding suspicious.
"Nothing. Just surprised that he decided to show up this year at the family dinner. I mean, last year he gave an excuse that he's stuck with work" He shrugged. Maya sat quietly while she listened to her brother.
"I know you did not kill her. You didn't right?"
"Does it matter now? She's dead and he hates me. We don't get along anymore, not my problem"
'"you still care right? " Maya asked with concern written on her face.
"Maya, where did you go to" He asked trying to change topic.
"I went out with your enemy, my best friend" She replied rolling her eyes.
"He's still tiny to be my enemy. We are no match" He replied pouring himself another drink.
"Wait, are you romantically involved with that dude?" he stared hard at her.
"Brotherrrrr" she screamed. "He's just my best friend" She added
"Yeah I know" he said sounding sarcastic.
"You are unbelievable" She got up and went up to her room to freshen up.
George sighed for the umpteenth time since mom and dad called to inform him of the family dinner which will hold tomorrow evening. He agreed to go this time because he couldn't make up an excuse. He got into the shower to freshen up and all that appeared to his face was the sight of his brother holding the knife as her blood dripped from it. He allowed the cold water to hit his body as he tried to wave off the thoughts. He got out of the shower, went into his room and wore his pajamas for the night. He laid on his bed and stared into space as he hoped not to have a nightmare again.
"The family dinner is holding this evening. Do you have a plan?'
"Wow. The almighty family dinner". The person laughed.
"I don't have a plan for now, just give me heads up and be careful"
"Of course" she said as she hung up and ran into the house.
Mrs. Odlene is seen giving directives on what to prepare for the family dinner. She walked upstairs to meet her husband already dressed up. He was looking into the mirror as he tried to button up his shirt.
"You look amazing, darling. You look like your younger self when I first met you"
"You too sweetie" he twirled her round.
"I'm not even dressed. Stop teasing me" she said as she rushed into the bathroom to freshen up.
Stanley waited for Maya at the edge of the stairs, he waited impatiently at the edge of the staircase . He checked his wristwatch at every interval.
"Maya, come downstairs. We ain't going to see Bryan" He teased.
"Really? "She was on a white sleeveless cowl neck gown, a long gown with slit in front which stopped at her mid thigh and a white stiltoe to match and a light makeup
"Wow, you look gorgeous. White looks good on you" He complimented.
"Thank you. Black looks cool on you" she gave him a pat on his shoulder and walked away. She walked to the car and they drove off to their parents' house.
"They will be here soon" Mrs.Odlene said as her husband helped her to wear her necklace.
"You look amazing" Mr. Odlene complimented. She gave a twirl giving a wide smile.
"Everything is set, I guess. Let's go downstairs" He opened his hand like a gentle man and they linked arms as they left the room. Getting downstairs, Stanley and Maya were already seated in the living room.
"My babieeesss" Mrs. Odlene squealed on seeing her children. She gave them a warm hug.
"I've missed you so much, mom" Maya said giving her mom a bear hug. Stanley and his dad chatted as they left mother and daughter to bond as usual.