Invitation

CHAPTER 1

Taking a sip of her strawberry milkshake, Alika Langston stares at the countless messages coming into her cell phone with a hint of disgust flashing across her big brown eyes.

"Where are you Alika? Get back here this instant!"

"You better not step your useless feet back into my house!"

"Do you prefer to stay with your mother?... So be it."

"Alika!!"

Each message kept giving her a splitting headache as she read them one by one. Another message popped up- it was from Noor Sullivan, Alika's best friend who also was the eldest and only daughter of the Sullivans.

The mighty Sullivans were known for their powerful influence in the entertainment world. DEED ENTERPRISE was indeed the largest entertainment business in A City, owned by Edgar Sullivan.

"My brother is back!!"

Alika: "Stefan?!"

Noor: "I don't remember having any other brothers..."

Alika: "?!!"

This information made Alika's mood change a bit. She had always wanted to get in touch with Stefan for a while now but as usual the young most popular actor and producer in A City was always out of reach. He was technically untouchable that even his younger sister, Noor, could barely see him in a year.

"Didn't you want to see him?... We're holding a banquet for him at the GRAND CENTER tomorrow... You're invited."

"Really?!" Alika Langston couldn't believe her eyes. Was she really invited to such an event in the blink of an eye?

Finally, she was going to be able to make money on her own without depending on her father's wealth.

"Text me the details later." She replied and quickly left the high-end restaurant in excitement.

***

"How dare you step foot into this house again?!" Fiona Langston questioned with a shaky voice- indicating how furious she was at the mare sight of her.

Alika decided not to say a word but just as she was about to step unto the stairs, she was pulled back by a strong force and a resounding slap echoed through the exquisite hall.

"How dare you disrespect your aunt, Alika?!" Maurice Langston questioned in anger.

Alika had never been lucky ever since her father, Maurice Langston got married to his second wife, Fiona Langston. Every time something bad happened, Fiona would likely try to put the blame on her even if she was never involved in the first place.

His first wife, Blair Langston who was also Alika's biological mother was in a sorry state and had been like that for the past nine years; unable to leave the hospital which had now become her home.

Maurice Langston who had always been a loving father to his first child, Alika Langston was now a complete stranger to her ever since he married Fiona.

Alika looked up at the middle aged man who had eyes like hers; brown and big which was filled with anger and disappointment. She was already used to this so it was nothing getting slapped by him for the sake of his so called wife.

With a very calm expression which by the way, seemed to irritate Fiona Langston, she climbed up the stairs slowly and eventually got to her large bedroom. "Don't you dare show your face to me again, you ungrateful daughter!" His voice could be heard from her closed doors.

Alika closed her eyes taking a deep breath and went into the shower hoping to wash away any form of memory of her horrible father.

***

He took long strides towards the VIP private room only meant for the elite members of A city.

"Would you like to order anything special?" Fabian Hugh asked politely as Leonardo Graham sat casually on his seat.

"No."

"Just order him raw veggies from the local market. I heard they had more fresh food over there." Stefan Sullivan stated sarcastically which only earned him a sharp glare from Leonardo and he quickly shut his mouth realizing that his friend was in a foul mood.

"What has got you so riled up?" He asked but got no response and gave Fabian Hugh a questioning look. Given that Fabian Hugh was Leonardo Graham's right hand, he surely would know why his boss was in such a mood.

"The boss couldn't get his hands on the painting." Although Fabian Hugh was a man of few words and would never let his guards down whenever it came to his boss, he quickly told Stefan the reason.

Stefan sighed and said, "What is so special about that painting?" Seemingly not understanding why Leonardo has been wanting it so bad for the past four months.

"It will be my gift to Grandpa on his seventieth birthday." Leonardo spoke, clearing up the confusion his friend had.

Dante Graham was a lover of artworks most especially paintings. The Golden Flower With Thorns was a simple but unique painting with many meanings. But it was clear that it was not as simple as it looks.

The painting had been created by a degree student in arts who had just graduated two years ago from the best university in A City, Prestige University. It was not easy to get hands on it at all as the painter was not only anonymous with only a stage name, 'Belle' but had only ever been seen by the most famous painter in A City, Opal Paris who also never revealed the identity of her only student.

"There's a banquet tomorrow night at the GRAND CENTER in celebration of my return to the entertainment industry in A City." Stefan said, trying to lighten up the mood of his friend.

"I'll be there."

Even if Leonardo hated these types of gatherings where the elites only found reasons to suck up to the highest ranking socialites and rub elbows with them, he would always show up just for his people.

"Thanks bro." Stefan said clearly satisfied with his response.