In the room upstairs, Charlotte had Akira dressed up like a pretty doll. With a tight fitting black knee length gown, heels, and minimal jewelry, Akira looked like a princess.
Her blonde hair had been straightened with curls at the end. And a simple makeup that highlighted her features.
" Perfect, this would do" Charlotte said as she looked at Akira, with a smirk, with a flick of her fingers, the makeup artist left the room.
" Now what should I do aunt, what am I expected to do, I know no one over there" Akira asked, her heart thumping with unease.
" Who said you have to do anything. Just go to the party and seat like the pretty doll you are, and be an eye candy to the guests. That's is more than enough" Charlotte said chewing on a gum.
" Aunt Charlotte, this should be the very last day you make me do such a thing, otherwise I will add acid to your bathing water, then you would be too busy in the hospital to give such a threat using my mother again" Akira warned.
" Are you threatening me huh, do you want me to kick your parents to the streets" Charlotte said angrily.
" Am not threatening you aunty, I mean it. And you wouldn't do such a thing. Firstly, your like will break when we leave this house, because it's we who actually do everything for you, even your work, my mom does most of it and you just take the credit, so what would happen to you when we leave. Secondly, your image in the society would be ruined to kick your sister out on the street" Akira said pointing Charlotte.
" Enough of the threats, go and sit down quietly and rest, when you are called just come down and act like a doll, and that's all" Charlotte said, visibly threatened but tried to shake it off.
" Am warning you aunty Charlotte, this should be the last time. For my parents sake I don't talk back to you or stand up against you, but for my honor and for my parents, I can take drastic measures you can't imagine" Akira warned more.
Charlotte nodded her head and left the room, she knew akiras threats were not empty,they had never been empty, even if the consequences are dire.
She had once added glue to her shampoo and that made her lose all her hair. Even thou she hit her and starved her for days, she still maintained a smile of victory.
******* **********
At the party.
In the luxurious party setting high end people are seen. The party was full of sophistication and elegance, with mostly renowned people.
Charlotte is a renowned industrialist, and her company just launched a brand new product thanks to Emily's brain, but ofcourse to the world it's just Charlotte.
Akira sat there with a glass of champagne, annoyed.
" Miss Charlotte, what a party you have arranged, I must say, am impressed" Lucas brooks, the minister of finance in London said.
" Mr Brooks, it's my honour that such a renowned person like you came to my party, thank you for honoring my invitation" Charlotte said all smiles.
" Who is that pretty lady in the black dress if I may ask?" Lucas brooks asked.
" The blonde?" Charlotte asked for confirmation. " Yes her. I must say, she is very gorgeous, who is she?" He asked again.
" My niece, her name is Akira" Charlotte said. " That's nice, I must say I have a liking towards her. It would be nice if you could hand her over to me, and in exchange, I promise you endless wealth and whatever you may ask for in the future" Lucas said rubbing his big belly.
" That is a very enticing offer Mr Brooks, it would be hard, but with this offer I can't say no. I would see to it that she becomes yours Mr Brooks, it would be her good fortune to be with an honored man like you after all" Charlotte said with an ugly smirk, already plotting how she would sell Akira off to Lucas brooks.
" Then I would keep my faith in you miss Charlotte, I would be expecting good news and a good result very soon" Lucas said licking his lips disgustingly.
" Enjoy the party with no worry, Mr Brooks, give me a few days, and a bride would be send to your house" Charlotte said clicking glasses with Lucas.
The sound of her beeping phone cheered Akira a little, it was her best friend, James.
She was no longer feeling lonely, as she chatted with James. He has the power to turn her mood around and make her feel much better.
A few men tried to ask her for a dance but she declined them all. The last thing she is interested in is a man and relationships. She has parents to make proud.
Surprisingly for her the party ended smoothly with no problems from Charlotte. In fact, she was even more surprised the next morning when she wakes up to see more than 10 servants in the house. She and her parents used to be the only ones doing all the work in the house. What is all these? She asked herself a question no one has an answer to neither her kor her parents.
" What is all these aunty Charlotte" Akira asked when she saw her aunt in the dining area arranging food ok the table.
" My beloved niece, are you up already. You should have slept more, you look sick and pale" Charlotte said looking at Akira lovingly.
" What is all these aunt Charlotte, all this makes me uneasy, I don't trust you a bit" Akira said, the unsettling feeling creeping in her bones.
" Why don't you trust your aunty huh. Forget all that, come, I will feed you myself. Let's keep all the negativity aside today, and let me pamper you" Charlotte said tenderly holding Akira.
" Let go of me and tell me what all this charade is about, let's cut the chase now shall we, I know your niceness is just a facade" Akira said shaking Charlotte's hand off her.
" You are too smart Akira. Fine, I will tell you. I want you to marry the minister of finance, Lucas brooks. When you do that I promise you your parents security and good life, what say, sounds like a good deal right?" Charlotte asked with a smile.
" I don't trust you for a single second. And there is nowhere I would sacrifice my life to that vile man. Even thou it hasn't been proven, I know that he has kidnapped and ruined the lives of countless of girls so don't even think of adding me to his list" Akira warned.
" What a selfish daughter you are Akira. You claim to love your parents and willing to do anything for them, but when it's time to prove you aren't ready to do it. What a shame" Charlotte said scoffing.
" Do you want a relaxing bath in acid?. Am warning you for the last time aunty, don't ever think I'd bend to your manipulation, I'd rather die. But I won't, if someone is going to die or suffer, it would be you" Akira said pointing a finger to Charlotte's face.
" Do whatever you want, and I shall do whatever I see fit" Charlotte said and retreated to the dining table. Akira looked at her for the last time, she knew her aunt wouldn't back down so easily, but she would also not loose her stance, she would fight till the very end for her and her parents, but it also wouldn't mean giving herself away to that disgusting Lucas.
On the other hand, Charlotte's sinister mind has already cooked a plan on how to bend Akira to her will, after all she promised Lucas brooks. And if she doesn't fuilfill her promise then he would ruin her and all she has built.