CHAPTER 3: DINNER TROUBLE

"Can everyone just be quite for one moment!" I shouted, finally gaining everybody's attention.

"We're supposed to be having a family dinner and not arguing which university is best for Jeff. I'm sure Jeff can decide for himself by now."

The whole room was silent. They were all probably wondering if I actually just said what I said.

I have always been the meek one among them, but every month dad calls this big family dinner consisting of my aunt Phoebe and her husband Miles, Uncle Raymond and his wife Janet and their children Rebecca, Peter, and Jude from my father's side.

On my mother's side we have my Uncle John, and his wife Lizzy and their twins Zach and Zach; yep they are actually both Zach; only difference is one is Zachary while the other is Zachariah; they are almost identical. Almost. Philip is also their younger son.

Then there's me, Kate and our younger brother Jeffrey.

"Are you okay fluffy?" my dad sounded a little concerned when he asked the question.

"I just don't get why we all have to choose where Jeff goes to school. It doesn't matter if he goes to Harvard, he'll always have a job waiting for him here," I paused for a moment to catch my breath.

Uncle Raymond took that as his cue to talk. I watched all the others give me puzzled looks, while Rebecca looked like she wanted to strangle me.

She is the only one here who I have a rather bad relationship with, the rest are like my siblings.

Somehow the dirty looks Rebecca was throwing at me further fuelled my anger. I threw an icy glare in her direction.

"You shouldn't speak to us like that young lady, we all want what's best for..."

I cut my Uncle Raymond off before he could even get a chance to finish.

"Yes I've heard that line before. I'm sure you also think even considering Rebecca," I pointed my index finger in her direction "who is a party freak here, for the company is best for all of us" dad gave me a look of disapproval.

I ran my hand through my straight strawberry blond hair in frustration. I couldn't even believe I let all my pent up anger get out.

"You're so selfish Jessica! What makes you think you have more right to the company than me? A lot of the heavy investors were brought in by me. You think dressing impeccably all the time is the only qualification? You really are a bit…" Aunt Janet cleared her throat loudly effectively cutting of Rebecca from finishing her statement.

At the moment all I saw was red. How dare she call me a bitch? She was the bigger bitch. She was the one who came into the office last week reeking of alcohol. Not to mention the fact that she's never on time for anything.

I was about to reply when dad spoke.

"Jessica you may be excused" what? My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. How come I was the one being excused from this table? I wasn't the one that used the word 'bitch' in front of the younger audiences around us.

"But dad…"

"Jessica Fluffy Williams Now!"

Urgh, I sighed and threw Rebecca one last glare. Then I pushed my chair back and left them to enjoy whatever was left of their dinner. The meal was terrible anyway. I love my mum, but to be honest her sushi and Italian foods taste like crap.

And yep, my name is actually fluffy. My dad was in love with a blue teddy because it was so fluffy and so he decided to name me Fluffy.

I went upstairs to my room spacious beige room with a square purple center rug in front of my queen sized bed.

I fell on my bed and took out my smartphone to glance through my e-mails. Some of them were from my secretary informing me about tomorrow's meetings and schedule.

The last one was from a Malory Hall.

I opened it up. it read:

'Meeting with Dr. Bassam Al-khalil scheduled at 6pm tomorrow in luxury hotels. 60th floor.

Yours sincerely Malory Hall.

Personal Assistant to the CEO of wells.'

I scoffed after reading it. He couldn't even have the decency to check with me. Does he think I don't have work, what an arrogant jerk

A knock sounded twice on my door. My mom gently pushed my door open after knocking twice. She wore a tired expression and I could tell they had another argument at dinner. She gently sat on my white bed spread.

"What happened back there? I have never known you to be that bold in front of your dad and uncles"

I drew closer to where she sat at the edge of the bed and bend my head for a moment. "I'm so sorry mum, I was really frustrated with work and Rebecca. I didn't mean to go off on everybody like that"

She signed briefly. She hadn't even had the chance to reply before the door busted open revealing Kate, Jeff and Peter.

"That was so cool Jess. You need to see how angry Becca was after you left" Jeff spoke grinning from ear to ear.

"Yep she was absolutely livid" Peter spoke after Jeff, grinning along with Jeff. They both hi-fived each other. I wondered how peter could be that close to his sister Rebecca and still make light of her, well I actually can't blame him. It's not his fault she a mess.

"Alright. Enough of this. No more encouraging her behavior tonight. She's tired and she needs some rest. Everybody out"

They all reluctantly kissed me goodnight before mom succeeded in shooing all of them out. My mum stood by the door, probably waiting to tell me something.

"Your dad wants have a talk with you later. I told him to let you get some rest first"

"Okay. I'll see as soon as I can" I nodded at her

"Goodnight hon"

"Goodnight mom"

She left, and closed my door gently.