Family Chain

   The previous night was so long that this little brown girl, lying lazily on her magnificent bed had almost given up on expecting dawn, but now, it finally came, giving her a mocking ray through her curtains.

"its finally today... Yes!! Its finally my birthday.."She spoke aloud. Before she could sit upright, a maidservant walked in after gently knocking on the door. "good morning princess, a happy birthday to you, please make a choice" she said displaying a clothing menu to the astonished little girl..

"I love this colour, but I don't like the design, interchange this and get me the best design... for the wand, get me the one with the bigger star, no mistakes and I must be ready before my guests get here."

"yes ma'am the maidservant replied taking the menu away. Immediately she walked out, another maidservant walked in and genuflecting, she said.

"happy birthday princess, its time for your shower, please allow me.."

"The little girl stepped down and followed the maidservant to her luxurious bathroom. After some minutes, she was led back into the bedroom in her bathrobe.

"What's keeping Emily?" the maidservant asked herself in panic, but just then, the first maidservant walked in with the clothes the little girl had chosen...

"Its all ready princess, please let me clothe you" The other maidservant, Jane by name walked out immediately and after thirty minutes, she returned with a third maidservant, Ruth.

"Good morning and a happy birthday to you princess, please allow me style your hair...."She said. The little girl didn't say a word, so Ruth proceeded to style her hair. After a while, she got up to admire herself in the mirror held up by one of the maidservants...

"Hmm...excellent... Good job girls" she said before looking away from the mirror..

"I hope I stun everyone today" she thought aloud.

"You sure will princess" Ruth, one of the maids said replied and the others nodded in agreement.

"where's everyone?" the little girl asked.

" the garden, princess, Eden and pascal are to escort you there and I bet they would be here in a minute.."Just then a gentle knock interrupted her and a tall guy with an average lady both in their late twenties walked in and after wishing the little girl a "happy birthday", they said almost simultaneously,

"princess, please come with us, everyone is waiting for you and madam has asked us to get you"

"what?!! everyone's here already? quick, let's go" the little girl replied in fear. she picked up her wand immediately and left in the company of pascal and Eden.

     The garden of the Marcus' was a magnificent and remarkable one. Many servants were at every corner, a magnificent family dinning table was set up as well as other smaller tables for five or six persons. So many expensive table lamps and champagne flutes decorated each table. Surrounded by flowers, the venue decorators carved out the exact figure of the little brown girl that was the celebrant of the party.

        Underneath this figure which was in a ballet dancing posture, was written boldly.."Happy birthday Treasure" so from afar it looked like a giant green girl with a sun flower hair band dancing ballet.

    Treasure's friends, Romane, Lexi, Jake and Vanessa were busy analysing the worth of the cake and the party as a whole..

        "This party is worth less compared to mine" Vanessa said.

"you're wrong vanessa" Jake spoke.

"how could you be so sure? remember your party as announced on TV was worth only but two million pounds, we are yet to know that of Treasure's, so you mustn't draw your conclusions, isn't that right guys?"Jake asked referring to Romane and Lexi..

"yes that's true"they replied, as they focused their attention on their refreshments.

     On the family table, an elegantly dressed woman in her late twenties sat amongst her friends sipping from her champagne flute, while discussing.

"Daisy, we didn't know your husband cared so much about his little princess, see how much effort and money he has spent just to mark her 11th birthday, that means the 16th or the 18th would be on an island..."Mrs petkoff teased and the others burst out laughing.

"Actually I will see to it" Daisy replied after all its my right as her mother to make sure she isn't bullied, now that I know my so called husband is not tied to me alone" she replied caressing her champagne flute.

"Exactly Daisy, you mustn't let the others take your place, its a good thing you had your own mansion otherwise you would have been living as a concubine in a house you were married into "Mrs Johnson spoke holding Daisy.

"you must be wise Daisy, make sure Marcus transfers a good deal of his properties to your daughter's name, you know he's got so many children aside yours, this is just to avoid giving your daughter a bouquet of flowers as her inheritance and..."

"Enough! Mrs Daisy yelled banging her fist on the glass table causing Mrs Jackson and the rest of her friends to jerk in a shock. Mrs Daisy recognised the insult she had just heard and she knew deep within her that her friends were only mocking her, because unlike them, she had married a man who had other women without her knowledge, and despite the fact that her husband was wealthier than theirs, she could not boast of having any property from Marcus in her name. She knew for sure that her daughter, Treasure, was no Match to her step siblings who were all much older and more experienced in life than her. Mrs Daisy was already scared that Treasure, might not be recognized as a daughter of the Marcus' when the need arose, so she had already started raising her child to be independent and so whatever her friends said now would not bother her at all...she cleared her throat...

"I don't care what Marcus gives my daughter as her inheritance, after all, I'm already rausig her up to be the best ballerina ever and a heiress of her own empire, even her so called step siblings would be no match to her. I was not a pauper when Marcus married me, remember?. I am Daisy Adama Marcus, and I know how best to handle my own problems so you all mind your business and concentrate more on the reason you are here... And that's to celebrate my daughter's birthday..."Mrs Daisy paused and getting up on her feet, she picked up her champagne flute,

"I hope this matter doesn't bring a rift between us all, you know what you'd loose should I take this matter to heart right?" She asked raising a brow, then sipping her wine, she said

"enjoy the party"...she walked away leaving her friends' mouths agape and in shock. They didn't expect Daisy to catch them red handed as they indirectly mocking her, and the threat she had given them was also a blow to their faces. They knew too well that if they spoke further, they might bring their various spouses to ruin since they were all receiving special favours from Daisy's husband, Marcus.

        The little girl's arrival was announced and quickly, Mrs Daisy left to walk her down the aisle to the seat of the celebrant. She got to her in time and smiling, she bent down over her daughter and admiring her, she said...

"Darling, you look extremely gorgeous today, a happy birthday to you.." She ended hugging the little girl..

"thanks mommy" she replied.

"Where's dad? he'd be coming right?" Mrs Daisy swallowed hard...

"of course darling, can mommy walk you to your throne your highness?"  Mrs Daisy joked. The little girl laughed and placing her chubby palm on her mother's, she walked gently up the aisle to the applause of everyone.

     "Wow! Treasure's dress is so pretty" Vanessa complimented. Jake was about saying something in reply but was interrupted by the master of ceremonies (MC).

"Now that our celebrant has finally joined us on the aisle, I now kindly ask that we take our seats please" Everyone sat down. First, there were so many speeches of praises and compliments from both the MC, Mrs Daisy and her bunch of wealthy friends for the little girl, then a huge projector kept reflecting the photos of the little girl from the day of her birth till that very day of her eleventh birthday. Treasure sitting at the table with her mom and her mother's friends still searched secretly for her dad. Mrs Daisy noticing her restlessness quickly drew her attention,

"Tresh, do you want your friends up here too? Are you in anyway feeling uncomfortable? Is it the music? Shall I have it changed to a more lively one? Or...or...." "

"mom!... I'm okay, nothing's wrong, I'm perfectly fine" The little girl replied interrupting her mom. She forced a smile and Mrs Daisy relaxed a bit, but was still aware that her daughter longed for her dad.

         Forty five minutes into the party and it was time for her to cut her cake. A gigantic strawberry and chocolate flavoured cake of four layers was wheeled in by one of the servants. On it stood a creamy image of the little girl made out of fondant icing. She stood on one foot and her arms were in a bow shape, raised over her hair that had been, packed into a bun. Beneath her stood the number eleven and the words

"Happy eleventh birthday Treasure"

    Still sitting, Treasure starred at it without any smile on her face Mrs Daisy noticed her countenance, and again, drew closer to her, 

"darling, you look terrible in that face, what's wrong now?" Everyone is watching you, how can you be sad on your birthday? what's wrong? "Mrs Daisy asked in a mild but worried tone but Treasure replied like one who had lost all of her patience.

"where's dad? He should have been here by now!" She said hitting her fist on the glass table almost spilling her mother's wine. Just then, Daisy's friends began to whisper amongst themselves. Mrs Daisy couldn't hold it anymore.

"quiet all of you!" she yelled and turning her attention back to her daughter, she said

"listen princess, I know you are upset about your dad not being here but this should no longer be a surprise to you, after all he doesn't ever attend any of your birthday parties so why are you doting on this one huh? You need to behave yourself and cut your cake!"she yelled.

"But he made me a promise mom, he told me he'd be here, please mom let's just wait a little bit more for him" she pleaded. Mrs Daisy was already pissed off, she looked at the guest and wondered what they had been saying amongst themselves.

"oh! You are not listening to me dear! what makes you so sure he'd come huh? And when did you two even speak about this?" she asked

"two days ago, on your cellphone!" she replied

"he called, but you had gone out without your cellphone, so I had to take the Call and that was when I reminded him of my birthday and he promised to be here" Mrs Daisy was dumbfounded.

"How can Marcus called me?" She asked no one in particular but her daughter answered

"yes mommy, he asked after you, he said he was worried you won't take the call, and then he asked me to tell you that he loves you!" She said near tears watching her mom caress her champagne flute in silence. Mrs Daisy was about protesting again but was interrupted by the continuous whispers from the guests below. She turned and sent one of the guards to find out the cause of the distraction and he came back almost immediately, looking very pleased.

"What's wrong?" Mrs Daisy asked trying to comport herself.

"um... madam Daisy, lord Marcus just arrived in a convoy and he's headed here.." Mrs Daisy was astonished and looking at her daughter, she opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted...

     "really?! Dad is here? I knew he'd come!" The little girl jumped off her seat not minding her mother's calls behind her and half a dozen servants running after her to keep her safe; she hurried down the aisle towards the guest below and just when she was about falling, a huge man in his early fifties, dark skinned, sturdy, and reeking of affluence caught her. He raised her high above the ground in a hug and swung her around.

     "my little princess is eleven" he kept saying as he embraced her.

    "daddy, mom thought you wouldn't make it here!" She blurted out.

    "Really?!" Mr Marcus exclaimed "where is she dear?" He asked still holding her in his arms

"over there" she pointed out and Mr Marcus turned to speak to his PA.

"delay the meeting for another thirty minutes and don't lurk around me, its my daughter's birthday as you can see, you can enjoy yourself for the next thirty minutes or you can as well wait in the car" Mr Donald smiled and nodded gently. Then looking at the little girl, he said

"today is a special day, I'd just grab a drink and wait for you sir, happy birthday princess" he ended and left. She smiled as Mr Marcus took her up the aisle to meet her mom.

           Getting to Mrs Daisy, Mr Marcus put down the little girl and smiled nervously at his wife, unsure of what to say and not minding the continuous whispers from her friends.

"sweetheart" he managed to speak, but Mrs Daisy threw her face away pretending not to hear him. Mr Marcus knew too well the reason behind his wife's behaviour towards him, so he didn't feel embarrassed at all.

     "Am I allowed here?" He asked politely, staring at the white, gorgeous Philippine woman he had married eleven years ago. Mrs Daisy looked at her daughter

"she's been waiting for you, I cannot deprive my daughter of her happiness, not today" she sat down leaving an empty seat for her husband. Mr Marcus smiled, and sat down next to his wife. Only then did he take notice of the women staring at him with their mouths agape...

"hello" he said trying to distract them and Mrs Daisy hung her head low in embarrassment at the kind of friends she had. like they were suddenly immersed in cold water, they said simultaneously

"good morning lord Marcus, its a pleasure to meet you in person" Mr Marcus smiled, exposing his neat set of teeth. looking at his wife, he said...

"why not make friends with people that match up to your standards? I don't want you to start behaving like this in the nearest future" the little girl laughed but Mrs Daisy's friends didn't even recognise that they had just been insulted.

        Immediately they had settled down, the MC drew their attention back to the cake. Mr Marcus, together with Mrs Daisy and her friends, as well as the little girl's friends matched to the humongous cake with everyone else standing up on their feet. The little girl was so happy, smiling broadly.

         "Quick question!" the MC yelled, "before you cut your cake princess, half of your guests here are still a little confused about what your real name is. Could you please do us the honour of introducing yourself?" Treasure walked a few steps away from her cake, and with one hand on her waist, she began..

      "Good morning everyone, I must say I'm so excited seeing this much persons here in honour of my birthday, I say a huge thank you to all of you. And for the benefit of those who don't know the girl standing before you, which I doubt will be much anyways, I am Treasure Elaine Marcus, and that's my father"..she said pointing out to lord Johnson Gale Marcus and that's my mother, Mrs Daisy Marcus, those are my very close friends, Vanessa, Jake, Romane and Lexi and that's my ballerina tutor, Mrs Camilla Brunet." Everyone applauded as she walked back to stand before her cake.

     "Thanks miss Treasure, so now, I believe the press can relay a better information to the general public that the names, princess, pearl, beauty... are only but pet names to our little Miss Treasure. "So at the spell of 'Treasure', the cake shall be cut". "Are you ready Treasure?" Mrs Daisy asked her daughter.

  "T!_R!_E!_A!_S!_U!_R!_E!!!" The MC yelled and Treasure drew the knife down through the cake. There was an uproar of cheers from the guest below and Treasure did the most surprising thing, she put a chunk of cake in Mrs Daisy's mouth and asked her to feed her dad with it without using her fingers. Mrs Daisy and Mr Marcus froze in shock, but considering the fact that it was their daughter's birthday, they did as they were instructed admits the cheers from the crowd. Treasure smiled watching her parents eat cake from each other's mouth grip then proceeded to serve cake to her friends too.

      Meanwhile, Mr Marcus had spent more than thirty minutes, and quickly, he left Mrs Daisy to Treasure. Taking her away from the prying eyes of everyone, he drew out a cheap neck chain with a key pedant from his pocket and adorned his daughter's neck with it..

"Wow daddy this is beautiful" Treasure exclaimed admiring the neck chain

     "my angel, this isn't worth half of your jeweleries but I assure you that the door to which this key fits, holds more wealth and possessions than you can ever imagine. That you'd get to own it depends on how safe you keep this chain with its pendant. So I'd advice that you never take it off and don't ever trade it for anything else no matter what okay?" Mr Marcus asked smiling nervously.

"yes daddy" Treasure replied and Mr Marcus continued,

"daddy has to leave now ok?" He spoke a bit scared she might not let him go, but she smiled faintly. Relieved, Mr Marcus hugged her and whispering in her ear, he said

"tell your mom that I love her okay?... Bye angel" He got up and hurried away with his guards and his PA behind him, zooming off in his convoy to the numerous applause and stares from the crowd.

       The party ended a bit late and Treasure was left with so many gifts to herself but amongst all, she cherished her Father's gift the most, holding it close to her heart. Mrs Daisy didn't even notice her daughter's new neck chain and Treasure in turn didn't bother to tell her about it.