CHAPTER 5: FAMILY PARTY
The cars arrived and Zoe got out first. The guards then opened the car door for Gianna to walk out. The extended family was here mainly because Henry Bardot called them to invite them over his lovely daughter’s return. Generally, the issue of Gianna's marriage was hid from the extended family and no one disclosed it. Besides, the Bardot family was ever busy, who would have time to explain anything? The extended family branches all knew how protective the Bardot boys were to their one and only sister. So they all chose to mind their own business.
Of course, the family members met once or twice in a while, even though they noticed Gianna never showed up, no one asked because obviously they won’t get the answer they needed.
But after her divorce, the rumours going around got to them. They finally knew the answer to the questions they have been having all this year’s. Gianna had been married. But they also weren’t stupid, if the Bardot family didn’t say anything about it, it means they didn’t approve it. If they hid it from the media for all the three years, it means they were ashamed of their daughter’s decision but didn’t just dare to say it out loud.
Xavier walked side by side with Gianna. Zoe walked to Xavier's side. Elliot saw them coming and immediately came to receive his sister. Unlike Xavier who was in a suit, Elliot was in casual clothing, his shirt buttoned halfway exposing the upped part of his perfect chest. Gianna didn’t even blame him. Why?
Elliot was an actor who adapted to every role he chose. This involved acting as a great man, a CEO, a bad guy, a fighter and all the other roles in the film. He wasn’t taking life too seriously by putting on a suit daily. In fact, he was a joker who would annoy you when he has the spirits to. So, it made sense that in a family party like this, he won’t wear a suit, never in his life. A man of modern swags and styles.
“Gianna, today is your day. In fact, I wonder why Xavier is in a suit?” Elliot started.
“Dad is in a suit too. Did you ask him? I wonder how the King Eagle film workers get serious if their CEO is a big joke!” Xavier added. Gianna laughed.
“Will you two wait until we settle down?” Gianna took steps forward.
“I understand why you advocate for settling down first.” Elliot said. “you've grown so weightless honey. Am afraid if you laugh so much, the wind will carry you away for three more years.”
Everyone laughed. This was an expensive joke from Elliot Bardot, the family joker, actor and CEO of King Eagles Film Industry.
“Elliot, don’t start. Zoe will blow your head off!” Gianna knew Zoe never took her wasted year’s as a joke.
“Am not in spirits of blowing up just now. Spare me some anger for today.” Zoe pulled Gianna on her side.
“Welcome in then. I can’t make enemies today.” Elliot bowed in front of them in a cute but funny style.
They both walked in.
Mr. Henry Bardot hugged Gianna again and personally poured a glass of wine for her. Gianna did a slight click sound and gave her dad her signature smile.
“Thanks daddy!” Gianna took the first sip. “It’s such a grand welcome.”
“Are you not my princess?” Henry Bardot said happily. “I’ll do everything for you. You know while you were away, there was no peace in our family. Now that you’re back, everyone is happy.”
“Not peace?” Gianna paused and frowned.
“For two years, Elliot never came home because he kept blaming himself for not being able to take good care of you. Xavier had to go to King Eagles Films to persuade him to come. Am sure he hadn’t forgiven himself until he saw you.” Henry Bardot said sighing heavily.
“poor Elliot!” Gianna curled her lips.
“Xavier was no better. Even though he had to hold on as the eldest, I could see he was going through a lot just by your absence.” Henry Bardot added.
Gianna turned back and saw her brothers who were busy greeting other relatives they had never even met.
“Listen everyone!” Henry Bardot walked on stage. Everyone became attentive and the happy and laughing group if people who didn’t even know why they arranged the party suddenly looked up.
“We're here today to celebrate the return of beloved daughter and princess Gianna Bardot from the pit of hell. From now on, I promise to not let her out of my eyes again. Seeing her back was seeing the light of the Bardot family back. Suddenly, the gloomy cloud was lifted and what remained was continuous happiness. My baby girl, you can some here and say hi!”
Gianna rolled the glass in her hands tactfully and smiled at her father before walking on stage.
“Am grateful that all of you took your good time to be here and celebrate my return. I also promise my dad, and my brothers that I will never make a reckless decision in this life again. Am proud you all still put up with my bad disappearance, but my promise is, never to disgrace you again and to have a hand in the success of our family.” Gianna smiled broadly.
The crowd cheered.
“Cheers to the Bardot princess!” Elliot said loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Cheers!”
...Morning...
Alexander Solace rolled on the bed uneasily before sitting up. In the process, a photo, his photo actually taken by Gianna fell from the bed. He picked it up and rolled his eyes.
“Good at ruining my morning mood.” Alexander lamented. He just didn’t want to think of Gianna now because it made him feel lonely. The space besides him was empty unlike when Gianna was still his legal wife. He suddenly started realising her absence and feeling lonely.
The butler knocked on the door for a long time before Alexander snorted, woke up and staggered to the door. “What’s wrong?” Alexander rolled his eyes in a bored manner. “Today is a Sunday and I don’t expect anyone to be knocking on my door now.”