The flash of the camera went on and off while Emma stood behind a white background. She had worn an off-shoulder white dress which hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair was styled in a bun and her earrings dangled as she turned. She posed in front of the camera.
"Yes!" The photographer said as he took the pictures,
"Another one!"
He looked at the pictures he took on camera.
"That's a rap!" He said.
Emma heaved calmly and walked away from the background. One of the crew members gave her a bottle of water. She unscrewed it and drank from the bottle. She caught a glimpse of Rex's secretary standing close to the tripods and screwed top back on the bottle. He was talking to the photographer when Emma approached him.
"Gary!" Emma called.
His secretary excused himself and looked at her.
"Is Rex still busy?" She asked eagerly.
"Um, he is!" Gary said,less confidently and scratched his head.
"Does he know about the lunch date I planned?" Emma asked curiously.
"About that Miss Emma," He said,
"The boss asked me to cancel it."
"He did what?" Emma said, raising her voice a little.
"Mr Rex said he doesn't want to be stressed and wants to be alone." Gary revealed.
"He said that?" She asked doubtfully and he nodded.
Emma cursed inwardly.
"If you would, I'll like to continue my discussion with the photographer." Gary said airily and left her.
Emma glanced at the dress she was wearing and walked out of the room angrily.
|•••DE VILLE MAISON•••|
Dua, Abby's half-sister, walked into the living room with four carrier bags in hand. She sat down on the sofa and kept the bags close to her. She took off the shades she had on from her eyes and moved it to her head. Her phone bleeped and she took it out of her handbag. It was a text message from one of her followers on Instagram. She cleared the message from the homescreen and activated the screen's time-out.
"Looks like someone had a great time at the mall." Zita,her mother, said as she came down the stairs.
"Hi, Mummy!" Dua said exhaustedly.
"You sound tired?" Zita said curiously.
"That's because I am!" Dua revealed,
"I went to ten different shops at the mall just to find the perfect outfit to wear for the party."
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Zita asked.
"Yes,I did! Actually, I-."
Dua stopped when she heard footsteps and saw Abby coming in. Her mood changed.
"Daddy's favourite is here!" She said sarcastically.
Dua stood up from the sofa and picked up the bags she had dropped earlier. She looked at Abby scornfully and made her way to the staircase.
"And what brings you here?" Zita asked coolly.
Abby took their attitude as a sign she wasn't welcomed. She hasn't been on good terms with her Dua and her mother. Abby's parents got divorced when she was still a child. Her mother had severed all ties and lost custody of Abby to her father. She relocated to the States and hasn't been in touch with her daughter for years. Her father couldn't handle the responsibility of taking care of Abby alone and married Zita. Zita never liked Abby from the beginning and made life for her a living hell. She was jealous that her husband found Abby worthy than Dua.
"I came to see Dad." Abby said calmly.
"Your dad isn't here. Why don't you-?" Zita said but was interrupted.
"And why should she leave? This is still her house." Levi said as he climbed down the stairs.
Zita scowled at Abby and left the room. Levi looked at Abby with a smile on his and stretched his arms for a hug. Abby walked towards him and hugged him.
"Daddy!" Abby said softly.
"My dear!" Levi replied and broke the hug,
"How are you doing?"
"I'm good, Dad! Sorry I came late. I was caught in a hold-up on the road." Abby said.
"That's okay, dear! How is the company doing?" Levi asked anxiously.
"It's doing great. We are preparing for the fashion show." Abby said and sat down on the arm chair.
Levi sat down on the chair next to her.
"Really?"
"Uh-huh! The show is next week. I was wondering if you could come and see our latest designs and how far the company is progressing." Abby hinted.
"I would love to but I think your sister is in the best position to. She would definitely like those kind of events." Levi said.
"Mm!" Abby hummed.
She knew the reason he called her earlier and requested to see her. It was evident Vincent had complained to him about her absence at his house the other night. She bit lips nervously.
"So, your fiancé told me you didn't come home the other night." Levi asked dryly.
"It's not what you think. I actually went out for a drink with friends and spent the night at Genevieve's place." Abby lied.
"Why didn't you return his calls? He was worried about you and wouldn't allow me to sleep." Levi said,
"Did you both have a misunderstanding?"
Abby glanced and shook her head.
"Look Abby, marriage is a serious thing and not some child's play. I know you and Vincent aren't familiar with each other but with time you'll get used to his company. He is a nice person and definitely the right one for you. He has even agreed to invest in the company after for the lawsuit on our behalf. You'll just have to give him a chance." Levi advised.
Abby didn't really like Vincent. The only reason she had agreed to this arranged marriage was to save her family's company. She knew how the company meant a lot to Levi.
"I will do as you say, Daddy." Abby said.
|•••DUA'S BEDROOM•••|
"Did she really have to come home? Could she just talk to him over the phone?" Dua said, displeased to see Abby in the house.
"You know how your father is. He doesn't like discussing serious matters over the phone." Zita said.
"Oh! I forgot she is his favourite!" Dua replied plainly,
"For once in my entire life has Dad cared about me. He doesn't ask me if I'm okay or ask me what I want, what's my favourite hobby. It's always,Abby! Abby! I'm tired of hearing that name!" Dua said frustratingly.
"Your dad does care about you honey." Zita said softly.
"Then why doesn't he treat me the same way he treats her. Aren't I his daughter too?" Dua asked sadly.
"He does love you, Dua. That girl doesn't match up to you. She isn't as beautiful as you are. Neither does she have the smarts you do. We'll only have to tolerate her for a little longer. After the wedding,she will be out of our lives for good and you will be the only one your dad will care about." Zita encouraged her.
"How Mum?" Dua asked eagerly.
"You will see!" Zita smirked.