Family Dinner.

*

After I had signed the contract and was welcomed to the company, Liam said he saw a fire in me and that I was willing to take risks, and that if I had decided to go home to go over the contract that that would have been the end of my employment at Fovx industries.

Liam also said that in the kind of business he did, he needed someone who could make fast decision with a levelled head and was willing to incur all the risk, it got to a point that I felt like Liam was running an illegal business or a mafia until he showed me the company's legal documents.

Apparently, he had different branches with different names and Fovx was just one of them. After a brief orientation, Liam told me that Walter was waiting for me at the entrance and that he was going to take me home for the day. I was to resume before 7:30 am the next morning.

On my way down, I called Smith to come to pick me up as I would be more comfortable with him than Walter. I got to the black Mercedes I had come out of earlier and tapped lightly on the window.

"Yes Miss, I was told to take you wherever you needed," Walter said.

"It's alright sir, someone's coming to pick me up, I wouldn't want to put you through the trouble of going and coming back to wait for Mr. Richards," I told him.

"But miss-"

"No sir, I beg you to use this time to rest, I'll be fine, besides we'll be seeing each other more from now on," I said with a smile.

"As you wish miss. Do take care." Walter said as he tipped his hat at me.

I waited a good 30 minutes before I saw the familiar black taxi pack in front of the driveway. I packed up my things and sat in the front with Smith.

"Have you been outside long dear? How was your first day of work? Is it... Official?" Mr. Smith asked as if he was afraid of my next words.

"Smith, you are now looking at the secretary and possible personal assistant of Liam Richards of Fovx Industries," I said with a wide smile.

"Congratulations my girl, I'm so proud of you." Smith said.

"Wait, I got you something. I was going to give it to you whether you got the job or not." Smith handed me a box.

I peeled off the wrapping sheet and the name Prada was boldly written on the black box, I looked at Smith who nodded at me with a smile. I swallowed and opened the box which was relatively big for a normal shoe box.

I opened the box and was astonished by the content, I looked at Smith and shoved the box back into his hand.

"I can't accept this, they must have cost a fortune. No Smith, it's too much." I said.

"Nonsense girl, you've worked hard, besides, it's from all of us, Penny and Nancy too. You don't want to hurt their feelings now do you?" Smith asked.

I didn't know when I started crying as Smith slipped the box of two pairs of Prada sleek heels back into my arms, one in pitch black and the other in devil red. I shifted closer and hugged Smith tightly saying thank you, this was the best gift I had ever received in my life, and I truly am grateful to the Longman family.

After our session, we went back to Penny's who had prepared a celebratory cake for me getting the job, Nancy also ordered takeout and that was how the shop was closed down to celebrate me.

By the time it was 7 pm, Smith had already dropped me off in front of Hudson mansion with all the takeaway packages Penny had sent me off with. It was already dinner time at the mansion but I couldn't care less, I already had so much fun at Penny's, I didn't need the rest of the Hudson family spoiling that for me.

I entered the house and walked straight to my room ignoring all the servants who approached me till I got to my room. I set down everything on my bed and lay beside them tired from a long day.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

There it was, the sound of someone trying to piss me off.

"Miss, Sir requests your presence in the dining room." As much as I dreaded these family dinners and also as much as I didn't want to ruin my mood, I guess telling everyone that I've gotten a job would put everyone in a foul mood as well.

"One moment please," I said to the maid outside. I needed to put on something fancy.

There was a beautiful black dress I was saving for Veronica's wedding but I guess tonight was the night. I quietly applied a new coat of mascara and red lipstick, I put on the short black dress with the devil red shoes I received as a gift from the Longman family, I let my hair rest over my shoulder, one look at the mirror and I knew I looked like a million bucks.

I walked out of my room confidently not even looking to see if the maid they had sent was there or not, I walked to the grand doors of the dining room and pushed them open.

"Good evening family.". I said with a smile.

"You're late." My father said. I walked over to my seat beside him and sat down.

"My apologies, something came up earlier today," I answered politely, I looked towards my stepmother to see such a disgusted look on her face, but rather than my normal comeback, I smiled gracefully at her, which threw her off of course.

After that, we all ate as usual, without a word spoken through the table, till father wiped his mouth and spoke up first.

"I believe you'll be joining Hudson industries come Monday," Father said more like a statement and less of a question. I wiped my mouth too only finishing half of what was on my plate.

"No father. Rather I've been accepted to work as a secretary for a new company called Fovx Industries." I said calmly.

"I thought I made it very clear that no child of mine would work a servant's job," Father said.

"Good thing I'm no child of yours. You've made that very clear over the years." I said standing up.

"Cyra Elizabeth Hudson, we're not done speaking!" Father said raising his voice slightly.

"Oh yes, I leave early for work tomorrow so I won't be able to join you for breakfast, I do want to make myself useful to this house after all. Now if you would excuse me." I said excusing myself.

I walked out of the silent dining room feeling victorious and on top of my world. I had never defiled my father, not once but he stopped being a father a long time ago.

I went back to my room and saw that I had a missed call from Nancy, I hope nothing had happened to Penny or Smith.

Nancy: What took you so long?

Me: Good evening to you too.

Nancy: Not now, cut to the chase.

Me: You really are an underground journalist.

Nancy: Just doing my job.

Me: If I see my story in a newspaper, I swear-

Nancy: Not now Cyra, give me the details.

I explained everything that had just happened in the dining room between my father and I.

Nancy: And what was Patricia's face like?

Nancy struggled to say over the phone as she was consistently laughing her ribs out.

Me: She was absolutely mortified, not even a word from the great Patricia herself.

I laughed too. A little while later, the laughing was able to die down from both of us.

Nancy: I'm proud of you Cyra, I know it's only been a few days but, I consider you my sister now and all I ever want for you is to find happiness.

Me: Thank you, Nancy, I feel the same way. And not just with you, but your entire family, you treat me like one of you, family, home. Something I could never get in my house.

I answered and I heard sniffling over the phone, was she?

Me: Nancy? Are you crying?

Nancy: No! Penny's handling spices again that's why I got a little teary.

Me: Silly girl. I have an early day tomorrow, I'll probably stop by if Smith insisted. I hope I get a breakfast bun or cake when I do.

Nancy: Done. Good night, Cyra.

Me: Good night, Nancy.

I said ending the call from my side, I plugged my phone to charge as I lay there on my bed thinking about how amazing the day went, I closed my eyes a bit and the memory of me bumping into Liam outside the bathroom crossed my mind and I jacked up from bed.

Of all things to happen in front of my new boss, I turned around and squealed into my pillow, I shouldn't think about it too much, since he said nothing, he probably doesn't care.

I sighed, took off my clothes and went in to drown my embarrassment in the shower.