2. Dinner
Two men in black opened the door for Stephen. The inside looks different from what he remembered. All he saw were expensive and exquisite features. He couldn't judge anyway. It wasn't expected or him to meet the house the same way after leaving it for four years. He was about going up the stairs before him when he noticed someone coming down. He waited to see who it was. He smiled after viewing it all. It was his mother.
"The prodigal son returns home"
"He returns home to see you" Stephen said and enclosed her in a hug.
"I missed you mom"
"We all missed you honey. It's good to have you back"
"You look delightful mom" He allured her after taking a second glimpse at her. "This wasn't how you were years ago"
"You don't say" She chuckled
"Where's everyone?"
"It's almost dinner time. We are all waiting for your arrival before having dinner."
Stephen smiled. 'This family still keeps the dinner time intact. What can change?' He asked within himself.
"That's nice mom."
"I'll leave you now to get in, have a nice bath and wash off that plane stench off you"
"Very funny mom"
"Don't be late son. Dinner is outside at the garden" She said finally, leaving a peck on her son's cheeks and dashed off.
He walked to this room, taking a glance around. He wasn't wrong when he said things has changed. He vividly remembered his room having decor of blue and white but now, it seems exceptionally beautiful with various decor which are all golden in appearance. Even his bedspread changed. He walked to the bed and crashed into it. He gazed to his watch, it was 7:42pm. He only has 16 minutes before dinner. His luggages were already in his room. He took a bath and slide into his clothes. He wore a simple ash turtleneck sweater and a black jean trouser. He walked out of his room and out of the house, and straight to the garden. He saw that table already full with dishes, utensils, cutleries and foods. It was dinner for only four but all the food on that table could feed dozens of people. He gave his mother a peck and a pat on his sister shoulders before sitting, facing directly to his father.
"We're all here. Let's eat." She said before ringing a little bell. The maids came to the table and began serving the foods. When they were done, they dispersed leaving the family to have dinner. The table was silent all through, only the sounds of clattering cutleries was heard.
"How was your trip Stephen?" His sister, Lydia asked after being sick of the abrupt silence.
"Well it was nice and I stayed for three and the half hours on the plane. All I used to kill time was a couple of champagne."
"How was Paris?"
"It was fun. I have adapted a bit and I have learnt a bit of French"
"You sure will teach me right?"
"It comes with a price Lyd"
"Come on. I'm your sister"
They both laughed.
"Okay now children, we are eating and what's the No.1 rule of the eating etiquette?'
"While eating don't talk" Lydia and Stephen said together.
"Good. Its nice to know that you both remember"
"You stuck that in our heard when we were little mom" Lydia remembered her mother.
"And I can still hear your voice Everytime I think of it."
"It's lovely. Now, let's adhere to it, shall we?"
After their mother words, they both kept silent. The clattering sounds of cutleries on dishes grew louder amidst them. The least expected person among them all broke the silence for the Second time.
"You had a fun trip"
The rest paused for a while after the said words. Stephen looked to him. He smiled and replied him.
"Yes I did Dad"
"And I believe you've returned back home to do the right thing?'
"Nelson" Teresa (Stephen's Mother) muttered. "We've talked about this." She whispered this to him. Stephen knew this would happen. He cleared his throat still holding up his smile.
"I haven't decided yet of the leadership." He politely replied his father.
"There's nothing to decide. You are to do it" He sounded authoritatively.
"Well I'm not ready, at least not now. Give me time."
Nelson gave a frustrating look. "You're telling me Four years wasn't enough for you Stephen?''
"Clearly it isn't." He said almost yelling. "I don't want this." He muffled those words out of his mouth and those enough got his father angry.
"You brought this upon yourself"
Stephen ignored his words. "All I need and ask for is more time. Let me think this through"
"Stephen, time is of essence. I've given you plenty of time, or are you insinuating that you need another four years? You are accepting this, like it or not."
"And what if I refuse?"
No one talked after that and they didn't eat neither. Nelson gave was brought down in disappointment. He was shaking his head slightly.
"You know..." He paused now facing up to Stephen as they locked eyes. "... I wished you were the one that died that night instead of him"
"Nelson !"
"Dad !"
Teresa and Lydia spoke together.
"Hell yeah I'm right" He snapped out into rage. "If he was here,I wouldn't be having this conversation with you and most surely, I won't be tailing you behind trying to wait for a decision from you. He was ready to do all this with ease but now because of your reckless self, he's gone and you wouldn't want to continue what he has began. It should have been you Stephen."
Out of anger, Stephen banged the table and speedily stood up making his chair fall. He couldn't find any words to say to his father. This was why he left for four years. He flitted out of the garden angrily.