Celebration

Melanie walk into a compound with low fence and cobblestone path towards the entrance. It has been a while since she last stayed here.

She gaze around the mansion and saw nothing has changed after she left but the little garden where vegetables were planted.

Inside the mansion, the handmaid quickly went in through the back door to tell Mrs. Robert that Melanie had arrive.

"Madame, the young mistress just entered the house."

Mrs. Robert eyes twinkled in amusement and she quickly stood from the couch and walk out of the study room.

Melanie entered the living and head for the staircase. She just reached the second floor when her mother step out from the study.

"Mom!"

"Melanie! Oh dear God, how much I've missed you," Mrs. Robert said and embraced her daughter.

"How've you been doing Mother? Where's dad?" Melanie asked when she didn't see her father.

"My dear, I'm fine. You know your father's now a councilman. He is busy. Joshua also invited his friends to come for the celebration!" Mrs. Robert said excitedly.

Melanie wasn't too excited about the celebration. She silently opposed the fact that her father was now a councilman.

"Mel are you alright?" Adeline/Mrs. Robert was worried when she saw her daughter wasn't listening to what she was saying.

"Eh... Mom?" Melanie was flustered and lowered her head.

Her mother sighed and picked her hand, "let's get you dressed it's almost evening," and they walk back to her room.

===

Later when the sky had turn dark, Mr Robert arrived along with his few invited friends.

The Dinning table was already filled with different dishes and deserts. expensive wines were placed on the table and the candles were burning brightly, illuminating the room in an orange golden colour.

Mrs. Robert welcomed their esteemed guests while Melanie stood at the corner near the dinning area.

Melanie thought her father would invite friends of his age but she was mistaken.

"Mrs. Robert, long time no see," a man who seems to be in his thirties said to her mother who smiled. "How's your wife Lancelot?" She asked.

"She's doing good, thank you for asking Mrs. Robert, "Lancelot said and head to the dinning table.

Melanie watch quietly as the man took his seat and eyed the sumptuous meal in his front and didn't noticed her.

"Joshua, I see you're now one of the most prosperous man in Livingston and outside of it," a man none other than Nathan said.

Melanie froze on the spot. 'What were all this men doing here?' she thought.

She look towards the direction and saw him walking towards the dining table. The way Melanie stood at the corner, it would be hard for a person walking to the dinning to notice her because there was a wall behind her.

Mrs. Robert was elated when she saw the few men who came to join them celebrate.

Darrick followed after chatting quietly with Mr. Robert and other two men.

Melanie felt her head spinning. Darrick was here and the suitor her parent think will suit her was also here.

She held her breath when Darrick halted in his steps and look in her direction. "Good evening Miss Robert," he said and continued walking.

The sudden greeting made all the men glance up to her direction.

Melanie thought she was going to faint but when her mother rush in and held her wrist to say "She's our daughter. Lancelot I'm sure you've met her when she was a child." Her legs weakened as she glared at her feet in disbelief, she wouldn't have come if the outcome would be like this. Out of the five visitors, she knows three of them and the fourth her knew her right from when she was a child.

Darrick smiled inwardly as he stare at the flustered girl. He could see she didn't expect the sudden introduction.

A certain someone was quiet the whole time. Nathan gaze at Melanie for a long time which Darrick noticed.

Nathan smiled lazily and opened his mouth, "Miss Robert, I believe you remember me. We both had a nice chat," he said and grinned at her.

"Yes, Lord Nathan," was Melanie's curt reply.

Darrick gripped the beautiful ceramic cup on impulse. Just now he greeted her, she didn't respond but quickly replied to Nathan.

"Good evening everyone. May I excuse myself," Melanie felt the urge to fall on her bed and sleep.

"No my dear, you haven't eaten dinner yet, come join us," her mother mouthed and pulled her to the only human guest's side. "Take your seat," she said and hurried to seat close to her husband in bouncing legs.

Melanie sat close to Luke and Nathan opposite her.

Darrick didn't spare her a second look and focused his attention on the extravagant meal.

The man who have been quiet the whole time suddenly speak up, "Isn't she old enough to get married?"

No one expected that and Melanie flushed in shame. "I'm not old, Sir," she threw back at the man.

Nathan shot Draven a sharp look and said, "and how does that concerns you? Or do you take interest in Miss Melanie," he said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Draven shrugged his shoulder and raised his fork "I didn't mean it in a bad way. Ladies should get matured before jumping into marriage," he defended himself.

Luke who was sitting beside Melanie noticed she would gaze at Darrick from time to time. He brush it off and thought maybe it was the Lord's handsomeness that charmed her.

He made up his mind to make her his. The Roberts and the Willows were good acquaintances so they pulled a marriage string for both families but Melanie didn't like him so the engagement was cancelled.

Nathan was inwardly happy that the girl haven't found a suitor.

Draven who was sitting at the end of the table put all his attention on Darrick who haven't say anything. He also noticed the Miss stole glances when no one's looking. "Darrick why are you quiet?"

Darrick didn't eat much and dropped the fork and knife on the table. "I don't indulge myself and strength in marriage gossips," Darrick said while carrying an air of nonchalance.

"Oh"

Draven was amazed. He could sense the air around the place that Darrick was trying to avoid the talks.

"Mr Willow. What do you think about this?" Draven asked to confuse the youngster.

"Silence!" Darrick face contoured and stood to walk away.

Melanie felt Nathan eyes on her, she was in an awkward state and the man at the corner was adding fuel to the fire.