CELEBRATION

After almost 2 hours of travelling, they arrived safe and sound. Reissha can't take the excitement that pours all over her system. While Amanda on the other hand, busy putting their things inside the Alfios mansion with the help of Kiko. The taste of happiness relies on the behalf of warm bodies surrounding the mansion. They expect the most again and ended up being disappointed. Just like their first landing at the airport, no one was there to approach except to the closest Buttler of Alfios'. The atmosphere of empty spaces welcomes her bitter smile her.

"Uhm, where're the others?" asked Reissha.

"Maybe they're all busy. C'mon ma'am Sha and be comfortable," said the butler.

He carries Reissha's bag and smiles at helping them. 'He must be Rusho that my parents always talked about and treasure for being a trustworthy person to them', said to her mind.

"Ma'am, let me express my respect to you," he bow down, making Reissha's mouth wide open. "If you need something, inform me immediately and I will do my best to serve you right. Just call me, and I'll be there." Then he winks turning the mood lift.

He guided Reissha through the door while handing a key—for her room. He also tells more jokes that can make you laugh. The feeling of unsatisfied buried by the simple things that matter.

"If you aren't comfortable with our service here, you can fire us anytime you want. But...please give us a chance for we only have to do our job. And that's something—"

"SURPRISE!!!"

The enthusiastic crowd cut the next words supposed to say by their buttler. And to her surprise, the main hall was filled with people, with confetti and balloons landing on the ground and their faces were shining like a new jewel brought by a jeweller.

"Welcome back Miss Reissha!" they all shouted in unison.

She cannot explain how she feels. It's an overwhelming greeting for a good adolescent. An innocent and flimsy heart melts while the beads of pearl might drop from her tender eyes.

"Thank you!" she mounted.

Then, all of them expressed concern and greetings to the adolescent. Some just waved their hands and smile for thinking they might put a speck of single dirt on her.

She thought it was a simple party but...a grandiose celebration for the one they loved. And as a way of showing gratitude, she joins and approaches each one of them. Saying thank you is not enough for her to express how thankful she was. The main hall is surrounded by lots of food, you think that premeditated. The balloons, confetti, guests, and gifts are perfect. Well organized and prepared. Anyone could feel overwhelmed by this successful celebration.

The crowd becomes wild as the as if most handsome guy appears all of a sudden, with a bouquet of different flowers in his hand. Some collapsed immediately as they had seen his sweetest smile while walking towards the direction of their beloved Reissha.

"Tsk. An attention seeker as so far," she mumbles whilst rolling her eyes.

"Welcome back my dearest Reissha, here's my gift for you," he said gently making her lip wince.

"Stubborn, attention seeker and pretentious. What else do I have to define him? Psh. As if I would accept his cheap gift. No. Never."

"Hey, are you going to whisper words on your own? By any chance, you can also grab this one and thank me, right?"

He got no response from her. Instead, she just look at it and took more seconds to finally think of an idea. Elijah's face seems to be frustrated and any moment from now, it will lead to burst out with anger. She decided not to accept it but didn't have a choice not to.

"Thank you for this mister, you can now rest in peace—I mean...take a seat and stop making things embarrassing," she said showing a mocking smile.

"As you wish my dear Reissha. Oh please don't blurt, you may create a wildfire anytime. Just a simple piece of advice, if you're slowly falling for me, don't stop it and let's see things being sail. " *winks*

He left her being annoyed. That guy's got the nerve to hold her temper. She gave him a vengeance look while he replied with a grin.

"Relax Reissha, forget about him and never let this celebration ruin," she mumbles.

*FAST FORWARD *

After the annoying entrance of Elijah, the celebration continues with full of amusement. Most of the visitors were looking elegantly and gorgeous. She approached them with a smile.

"Thank you so much for this one guy. You never know how much I'm melting right now. This means a lot and is worth more than anything. Thank you again!" she said before the crowd smile and giggle.

In the middle of dinner, Amanda went to her place and whispered something. Wonder can be seen in her reaction.

"Ma'am Sha, the board of directors of your company are here. They wanted to talk to you at the veranda."

"In what reason Yaya? Do you have any idea why they wanted to talk to me?" she asked. Amanda's head shook while her shoulders shrugged.

"Okay, if that's the case I'm on it. Just make sure the celebration ends peacefully, please?"

"Noted ma'am Sha. Anyway, you can continue eating there since it's already organized with foods," said her.

The two exchanged nods and took their leave. While Reissha on the other hand is shaking. She routed the veranda with hesitation. She saw a long table with foods on the top, chairs around it and the board of directors.

"A good evening to you all," she started.

The oldest just raised his hand for response and pointed the chair at the front for her to have. They faced her blankly, leading her heart to race faster.

"Pleased to meet you all!" Reissha exclaimed.

"The pleasure is ours Miss Alfios, " said the oldest.

'They seem too weird for me. What's up with them? Their ambiguous behaviour made my knees turn into jelly. Is this how it feels to meet them in person? Dad's definition about them is different compared to what am I seeing now. ' she consistently said to her mind but her thoughts cut out by the monotonous voice of someone.

"Are you with us Miss Alfios?" another person asked.

"Uhm a huh—I mean of course. Uhm what are we up to again?"

This time, they look confused and doesn't know what she was saying. So to continue the talks, another person cleared her throat and started the conversation.

"Maybe she's just tired and occupied for now but we can also talk about it next time, right?"

Some nodded but most didn't agree, especially the oldest. He insisted to stick to it and talk to Reissha with them listening behind.

"So Miss Alfios, how's your trip? Are you happy to finally be back here?"

"Yes Uhm, what should I call you?"

"Just call me Mon Senior, that's what they usually call me."

"Alright. It's great Mon Senior, and not just happy but happiest."

"Then good to hear that. So shall we start talking about her main purpose here?"

They all agreed with his decision. He is a man with authority that can tame people through his words. Everyone smiles except for Reissha who's clueless about it.

"As what being agreed by the board of directors, we think of a way to protect ourselves and anything we have. And this is a traditional way of living in the world of elites. Of course, the decision relies on what has been agreed with the two families. The heirs of two clans must undergo an arranged marriage. It's not just to follow the same rules but for the sake of their future. In that way, we can protect ours and also linked two persons together."

"Sorry but I don't get it, could you please direct the statement?"

"My dear Reissha, your family and mine already agreed for me to have you," she doesn't have to look around, she already knew where was that coming from.

"My grandson is right. You two have been arranged for marriage, " said the oldest.

The inexact situation, the place filled with pressure. Their smile turns strange and horrible for her. The silence was travelling throughout them. Nothing has sound, only the heartbeats of the thing inside her chest. It was like, the world stops for a while.