The next morning,
Ashley, Riona, Arianna and Arian goes to the Smith's residence.
' Finally you came, the guests will be arriving so... Oh my, Arianna, Ashley and..?' Mrs Smith says.
' Hello Auntie, this is my son, Arian.' Arianna says.
' Hello Auntie.' Arian greets offering the cutest smile in his armoury.
' Arianna you got married and you didn't invite us.' Mr Smith says.
Arianna frowned. Why did everyone think that for one to become a mother,she had to be married?
' I'm not married.' Arianna replies.
Disdain could be seen clearly in the couple's eyes but Mrs Smith mustered a smile and nodded.
They couldn't offend the Havanas after all Oliver Havana had been catering for Riona relieving them of a big burden. He even helped Riona set up a company now all that was left was for them to enjoy their privileges as Riona's parents.
The girls ( and the little man) sit down.
' Would you girls like some steak? Let me ask Nanny Wilma to get some.' Mrs Smith says.
The girls (and the little man) stare at Mrs Smith with disappointment in their eyes.
' I have AGS I can't eat steak.' Riona replies sneering at their negligence.
Mrs Smith felt embarrassed. How could she forget that her daughter couldn't eat red meat? But Riona used to eat them before, what changed?
' But you used to eat red meat before?' Mr Smith voiced out Mrs Smith question.
Riona smiled. When she was younger, she could only spend time with her parents on Sundays. And her parents loved having steak for dinner, she didn't want to inconvenience them so she would eat as little as possible and then go to sleep with a terrible stomachache and high fever.
Arianna would bring medicine for her the next day and scold her.
' I don't eat red meat.' Riona says again.
The room becomes awkwardly tense till a car's honk is heard.
' Ah, the guests are here.' Mrs Smith says. Mr and Mrs Smith rush to welcome the guests.
Arianna sends Raymond a text.
' You are on in twenty minutes.'
Soon Everyone is seated at the table. The guests were The director of some big hospital, Mr Harrison, his wife and his 26 year old son who was also a doctor.
The men kept talking about recent medical findings with Matthew ( Mr Harrison's son) occasionally chipping in.
Arianna was bored to death. She was about to yawn when she feels a sharp sting on her two thighs.
Arian and Ashley had seen through her and they actually PINCHED her! She was about to explode when Mrs Harrison says, ' Riona tell us about yourself.'
' I am Riona Smith, I am 22 years old. I graduated from Sunrise College, Chicago with a degree in design. In my spare time I like to watch films, sketch or hang out with my boyfriend.' Riona says.
' Boyfriend?' Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Harrison and Matthew say.
Arianna bit on her lip to stop herself from laughing.
' What nonsense are you talking Riona?' Mr Smith says angrily.
' I am not lying. It's the truth.' Riona replies acting innocent.
Arianna phones beeps. It was a text from Raymond saying he had arrived. What perfect timing! Arianna texts him to come in.
She nudges Ashley who gets the hint and nudged Riona.
' Infact I invited him here to meet you.' Riona says.
' Did you call us here to insult us? You said you wanted to form an alliance but your daughter has a boyfriend.' Mr Harrison says.
' It's all nonsense. Let's talk things out.' Mrs Smith says.
' Riona darling. I'm here!' Raymond's voice resounds in everyone's ears.
Riona gritted her teeth and says with a smile, ' Ray-Ray, you are here. Come meet my parents.'
' Didn't you miss me? Don't I get a hug?' Raymond replies.
Riona clenched her fist. This guy was obviously taking advantage of the situation.
She wrapped her arm around him and was planning to quickly pull away but Raymond held her tightly by the waist, sniffing her hair. What a creep!
' Come on Ray Ray, Say hello to my parents.' Riona says while secretly pinching Raymond's hand.
' O..Of cou..course dar..ling.' Raymond says trying his best not to show his pain on his face.
' Mom, Dad, this is Raymond James, my boyfriend.' Riona says.
' Hello mom, dad.' Raymond says naturally.
' Don't call me dad! Who is the hooligan? I brought you here to fix your alliance and you dare do this, you unfilial child!' Mr Smith says.
' What did I do dad? You said I should come greet some guests. I wanted to use the opportunity to introduce Raymond to you.' Riona replies.
' Enough! We won't stay here any longer. Forget a marriage collaboration, we won't form any sort of collaboration with the Smiths.' Mr Harrison says and the Harrisons storm out.
Mr Smith's face turned white. They needed to collaborate with Harrison Hospital for a research as their lab was very extensive.
' If that's all Mr and Mrs Smith, I will be on my way.' Riona says.
' Stop right there! Don't you have any shame being disrespectful to your parents?' Mrs Smith says.
' You both couldn't be good parents in 22 years. What makes you think you can claim rights as parents now?' Riona says.
' One more thing, don't contact me again for trivial issues. Let's go.' Riona says.
' Bye bye!' Arian says with a mocking smile.
************
When little Chloe woke up in the morning, she was sure that she was in heaven.
How else could everything be so white and clean? It took a lot of explaining before Sasha could convince her otherwise.
' Aunt Arianna is really nice.' Chloe says after their lunch.
Sasha had seen Arianna's text about her coming with Riona and Ashley so when she heard a knock on the door, she immediately opened it..
Arian took Chloe aside and answered all her questions and even played games with her.
The ladies sat down and talked.
They decided to help Sasha with 10 million dollars so she could go abroad to her family and explain the situation to them and invest 5 million in whatever business Chad started. Then she could use the remaining to complete her college education and take care of her daughter.
Sasha felt emotional knowing she had people to look out for her and help her when she needed it.
************
Later that evening,
Havana house, Parkville.
Ashley, Riona, Arianna and Arian had just invited Oliver and Brenda to their opening ceremony the following week. After some small talks and questions, they hang up and go to sleep.
They had to return to Chicago the next day to start the preparation for their opening ceremony.
Arianna and Arian were asleep till Arianna's phone vibrated.
Arianna, who was a light sleeper, takes the phone. It was a call from Thunder.
She glanced at Arian and goes to the balcony to answer the call.
' Lady Boss are you really returning to Chicago?' D.D's voice came.
' Yes D.D. You all can come to my opening ceremony next week.' Arianna replies.
' Then let's have a drink one last time with you. Who knows the next time you will come to Parkville.' Thunder says.
Before Arianna could refuse,
' pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaase!' Bullet says.
' Fine I'm coming. But I won't stay for too long.' Arianna replies.
' Lady Boss is the best.' Thunder says happily.
Arianna takes a look at Arian before leaving quietly through the door.
Arian opens his eyes and goes through the balcony, he hides inside Arianna's car's trunk.
He knew his mother was hiding something. Ashley earned more than Arianna and Riona but somehow no matter how much Arianna spent she always had a lot of money with her.
Some nights he would hear her speaking on the phone and when he checked her call log the next morning, there would be no information about a call.
Today he would find out what his mother was up to.