Narrator pov
It was summer break, everyone has gone on vacation, the servant was busy preparing all varieties of food for the family get-together, and everywhere was decorated beautifully, soon the family started coming in one after the other, not too long after Marvin and the rest came, everyone was so happy to see them.
"Elora". Sarah called happily as she move to hug her. " is so good to see you again". they pull away from each other.
"Same here, how have you been?". she asked.
" Am good". they laugh.
"Why do I feel jealous? I guess you enjoy Elora's company more than mine". Marvin said fidgeting in anger.
" Of course, not cousin, come on, bring it in". they hug each other,
"How are you dear?" Mrs. Soma asked as she embraced her.
"Am fine ma". they pulled away from each other and then move to his son.
" Is so good to have you here". Mr. Derrick said smiling at her.
"Thank you sir". she replied and they all started to welcome her warmly. Soon the dining room was set and everyone sat down happily and ready to eat.
"Elora dear, is your aunt not coming?". Mr. Monk asked.
" Yes sir, she is on her way, I just spoke with her not too long". she replied.
"I guess she will come and join us". Nanny said.
" yeah". Elora said.
"Am famish". Kevin said and they chuckles.
" Let's pray". nanny said and they bowed their heads as nanny say a short prayer they started eating.
Alice was still preparing when the doorbell rang, she wonder who it could be, and she move to open the door and was surprised to see Elora's mother.
"Dora?". she called surprisedly
" Hey, Alice, surprise!" She said.
"oh my gosh!" she cried out and embrace her quickly. "you are here". they pulled away from each other smiling. " please come in". she enters and help her with her luggage, and she stared around the whole place.
"Wow, your place looks amazing". she complimented and sit down.
" Thank you, you are welcome, let me get you water". she left to the kitchen and then came back with a bottle of water and a glass cup, she pour the water inside the glass cup and served her.
"Thank you". she drank from it and place the cup on the table.
" why didn't you tell me you will be coming today, I would have prepared your favorite". Alice said.
"I told you is a surprise, but is never too late to prepare my favorite". they chuckle.
" Am so happy to see, you are lucky you came on time, I was about to leave".
"Oh, so where is Elora? Isn't she inside, today is Saturday, and they don't go to school,".
" Yeah, she.." she became anxious if she should tell her the truth or not, Dora noticed her mood.
"is everything okay?".
" yes, anyway you should go in and rest, we will talk about it later".
"Why I do feel you are hiding something away from me".
" I am not".
"you are, where is Elora?".she asked waiting for her response, but none. " Alice, don't tell me something bad happen to my daughter, or has she gotten herself in trouble?". she asked already freaking out.
"No, calm down, none of that happened, is just that....". she started talking, and Dora pay attention to her.
Back at the Monk mansion, everywhere was lively as they were eating and chatting happily except Elora was looking unhappy, Marvin noticed her.
" Are you okay?" he asked because she was seating close to him.
"not really, am worried about my aunt, I wonder why she is not here yet". she replied.
" You don't have to look worried, maybe she got stuck in traffic". he said.
"I hope so".
" Don't worry, eat your food". they continue eating, meanwhile, everyone was staring at them.
"so cousin brother, now that you are not as grumpy as before, have found yourself a girlfriend?" Sarah asked and they raise their faces to Marvin was trying to avoid their gaze. "why are you quiet?"
"Maybe he is trying to keep it a secret for now". Kevin said ginning at them.
" So you find yourself a girlfriend?". Sarah asked happily.
"Is that true son? who is the lucky girl?" Mrs. Soma asked
"Okay fine, you all got me, I was planning on saying it though". he stare at Elora who gave him the go-ahead.
" Please lord, let my guess be right". Sarah prayed silently.
"What guess?" Mr. Monk asked.
"you won't understand grandfather". she replied.
" I have found the girl I want ". he smiles at Elora and everyone's eyes were on them. " She is sitting next to me". he added and they gasped.
"yes! I knew it, my guess was right, it's Elora". Sarah said happily.
" You guess right Sarah". Kevin said.
"Wow, son, congratulations!" Mrs. Soma said happily.
" You choose well son, "Mr. Monk said.
" Welcome to the family, Elora". Mr. Derrick said.
"you made us proud son, "Soma said
" Thank you, Mom, thank you, Dad". he replied.
"This should call for more celebration". Kevin said.
" Exactly!" Sarah said and they smile.
"I am so happy to see this day, after this meal, I have something for you, Elora, you did a great job". Mr. Monk said and she smiled suddenly her smile turn into a surprise as the cutleries she was holding fell off and she stood up gazing at one spot, everyone was wondering.
" Mom!?"She sputtered and they all turn in that direction to see two women standing by the door side, one of them, was looking angry and they suddenly knew that was Elora's mother because the resemblance can tell.
"So it is true," Dora said angrily Elora rushed to her but she was caught off guard when a hot slap landed across her face, everyone went surprised and Marvin rushed to her quickly and draw her closer to himself, Elora was in tears as her mother continue to yell angrily at her. "how could you? is this what I taught you? why Elora?". she yelled and Alice was trying to calm her down.
" Am sorry Mom". she sob and tears filled Dora's eyes.
"You are sorry! when did you become so desperate for money that you have to sell your dignity in other to leave with a total stranger and you didn't even bother to let me know, your mother!" she screamed at her and everyone was confused about what to do.
"You don't need to be angry at her, it's not her fault". Mr.Monk said and Dora raise her face to him.
" So you are the one that lure my daughter with your money, is this what you do to girls like her age, paying them off to go stay with someone they don't know?". she asked angrily and Marvin went surprised.
"Grandfather, what's she talking about?". he asked confusedly.
" Mom am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feeling, I only accepted to do it because I wanted to help you out with your business".
"Did I complain!"
"Dora, please calm down, you don't need to blame her, she was just trying to help". Alice said calmly.
" Can someone explain to me what is going on?"Marvin asked and turn his gaze to Elora". Elora, what is your mom talking about? Elora sniff and push away from him a little.
"Am sorry Marvin, ". she stares into his eyes and started to explain everything to him, he went stunned when she was done talking. " I didn't mean to hurt anyone".
"Yes son, she is right, I made her do it". Mr. Monk said.
" What?" he said in shock.
"I was aware too". Mrs. Soma said along with her husband including Nanny
" Are you all kidding me right now?"
"We are not, I did it for you to become a changed person, and it was my fault that I have to train you to become mean and rude to everyone, When I saw that she is the only one that can compete with you and makes you become a better person, so I make a deal with her". he said.
" If you all don't mind, I will like to go with my daughter," Dora said and grab unto Elora's hand. "we are not done talking". she dragged her out while Alice follow her behind, everyone went sad as Marvin left angry, his parents try to call him but he ignored all of them.