THE DINNER PARTY II

"To Paris!" The others shouted in unison, lifting their wine glasses up.

In one go, they all gulped down the wine. Small talk started between the parents but Paris and Ivan sat still, stealing occasional glances at each other.

Jade noticed and decided to fuel the fire.

"What's wrong children? This is a dinner you know."

"Not now mom!" Ivan finally said. The twenty four year old has no regard for anyone, not even his own mother. At his young age, he is already hard heartened and mean to deepest core.

"Nonsense!" Mr James Leonard started. "Talk with each other. What sort of archaic mentality is that? Sitting still at a dinner party like you aren't adults? Come off it!"

"Yes I was just about to mention that. Paris, why are you being so stiff? You haven't seen Ivan in a while and you aren't even excited about this dinner? Your dinner?" Aurora added.

Paris shut her eyes and exhaled sharply. All she wants is for Stephan to walk in at this very moment or she might lose it.

"You aren't still talking."Orion said, looking at them through his eye lashes.

"Well-" Jade said, tapping Ivan's shoulders. He became triggered.

"Oh for goodness sake!" Ivan shouted, hitting the table with his fist. His strength vibrated the whole table and everyone went quiet. Even his parents. He is now beyond their control but they like to be delusional and act like they are the ones in charge.

"Okay you know what, hi! I'm Paris Zander, you are?" Paris said with an evidently fake smile. Her hands stretched forward for a handshake from Ivan.

"Yeah I'm not doing that." Ivan responded. He bowed his head, collecting his phone from his pocket.

Paris kind of expected that, but it did not in anyway prepare her for the surreal embarrassment she felt. The one time she tried to be nice to this man and this is how he reacts? She glanced over at her parents before sitting down. The scowl look she held was enough to read her thoughts.

The Zanders and the Leonards on the other hand stared at each other in dismay. Whatever they had going on was obviously not going according to plan.

"Good evening everyone." A male servant greeted, capturing the attention of the entire table asides Ivan's.

"Yes?" Orion asked harshly.

"A young man named Stephan is outside. I came to seek permission-"

"Stephan?" Paris shouted. Her tone and her face radiated once again.

"Yes ma'am." The servant responded.

"What are you standing there for? Go open the door for him!" Paris's excitement could not be matched. Stephan is finally here.

The door opened and Stephan emerged. His tuxedo looked so neat and shiny. Suits him so perfectly. His gelled hair slicked back gave his plum lips it's push and his look came together brilliantly.

Paris didn't mean the guests, she jumped on Stephan immediately he walked in.

"Baby!!" She kissed him passionately for minutes, it became hard to ignore.

On getting to the dinning area, Ivan looked pissed off again.

"You are?" Ivan asked, unapologetically.

"I'm Ste-"

"He's my boyfriend!" Paris snapped, interrupting Stephan's humble response.

"Sure." Ivan replied, rolling his eyes at both of them.

"Stephan, welcome!" Aurora greeted, sounding excited. Awkward.

Paris stared at her mother and the same question flashed everyone's mind. "You are excited to see Stephan?"

"What?" Aurora laughed as Stephan sat right beside Paris. She saved the seat for him by placing her purse on it.

"What a fine young man." Jade said, without a smile. Her eyes already sized up Stephan.

"Thank you ma'am." Stephan replied with a bow.

"Say, how long have you known Paris?" Jade began.

Paris understood the situation and tried to create a distraction.

"You!" She shouted gesturing to a stand by servant "bring me more chicken!" The maid scrambled away.

The distraction only lasted for three minutes and Jade was back at it.

"I'm listening young man. What a wonderful name you have." Jade said, her hands rubbing against each other. She's brewing something and Paris knows it.

"I have known her for a while now. We've been dating since college." Stephan replied.

"That didn't answer my question but that's okay. So, tell me… how was your graduation yesterday?"

"Wonderful." Stephan responded. The uncomfortable feeling kicked in immediately. No one else said anything.

"I didn't know that you don't understand sarcasm Paris." Aurora added after Jade went quite.

Sarcasm?

"What do you mean?" Paris furrowed her brows, unsure of what was going on.

"Yeah. Sarcasm." Aurora said.

"When were you being sarcastic?"

"When she said Stephan could come over." Orion answered, unhinged.

The silence thickened.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Paris could not hold back much longer.

"You see my dear, this is a dinner of and for billionaires only. So you know who the extra is and why we cannot accommodate such at this table." James suddenly spoke.

Paris,dumbfounded and speechless, felt mighty waves of anger flood her. Goosebumps appeared all over her skin and her eyes became watery.

Stephan, he understood already. He knew that Paris's parents didn't like him but wha he didn't know, was how much they actually detested his presence.

Ivan kept chuckling the whole time. Like a show was put up for him.

"My dear boy," Jade said, finding her voice again, "Why not excuse us till after the dinner. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable."

Stephan stood up without hesitation and walked out. Paris stared after him unable to comprehend.

Ivan's laughter got louder. Paris's anger multiplied greatly. She stared at him in disgust and irritation.

"Why can't you go to hell?" Paris snorted at Ivan.

"Oh pretty girl, your make up is running." Ivan said, laughing even harder.

"Don't speak to me like that!" Jade shouted in her son's defense.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Paris shouted back.

Some dinner party.

"Okay okay!! Listen!" Orion shouted, snapping his fingers for attention. Just then, the standby servant approached the table with the tray of chicken Paris ordered earlier.

"Get the hell out of here!" Paris shouted at the servant. Poor maid. Paris's transfer of aggression game is so strong, it leaves its victims with a reduced level of self esteem.

"Let's play a game!" Aurora suggested. The four stole quick glances at each other before nodding and turning back to face Paris and Ivan.

"What game?" Ivan asked recovering from his laughter.

"It's a game of compliments." James said.

"Never heard if it." Paris said.

"Yeah well if you are quiet, I'm sure you will hear if it." Ivan responded, with deliberate efforts to taunt Paris. She hissed at him without looking at him.

"So the game will start with Ivan and Paris." Aurora continued.

"I'm not playing no games with this brat." Paris said in loud anger.

"We are both brats babygirl. I just know how to tame your kind." Ivan resounded softly, smirking.

"Eww!" Paris hissed. "Please don't ever call me that, ever again!"

"The game is simple okay? Paris you'll compliment Ivan and Ivan will compliment you. The catch is, whoever compliments the best and even causes the other to smile… wins a property." Aurora said.

"A property? Is this a prank?" Paris asked, unsure of how to feel.

"No pranks here my love. Here are the documents." Orion said, waving two rolled up papers in the air.

"Alright whatever! Let's just get this over with." Paris responded, clearly uninterested.

"Let the games begin pretty girl." Ivan smiled.

"How long will this take?" Paris asked, glancing to her father's direction.

"Till I see you smile for me darling." Ivan responded.