1 Dinner night

A young woman in her early twenties slowly stepped out of the office door. As she stood at the hallways looking around with a small frown on her forehead, her phone vibrated in her purse. “Linda where are you? It’s 7;00pm and you still haven’t got home!” An angry voice yelled at her over the phone. Linda quickly pushed the phone from her ear and let out a deep breath before placing it back. “Mom I’m still at the company. I just finished from an important meeting.” Linda responded. “Have you forgotten what day it is?” Audrey asked with impatience in her voice. “Tonight—” “Mom I know what day it is. But you should know that I have another meeting to attend in thirty minutes.” Linda said. “Are you telling me you won’t be around for dinner?” Audrey asked. “Not that I don’t want to attend but—” “There is no buts, Linda. Tonight, the Novikov family would be coming for dinner and I want you to attend.” Audrey snapped. She let out a loud hiss before hanging up. “Mom!” Linda shouted before keeping her phone back in the purse. She stomped her foot several times on the ground and walked away. Linda knew if she didn’t attend the dinner she would be in trouble. When she arrived at the Mansion, Linda stepped out of the black car and made her way to the entrance of the house. Since the start of the year her mother had been setting her up with different blind dates. Stepping inside the enormous dining room, Linda was greeted by the scornful eyes of her siblings. She could feel the judgement moving around their eyes as they eyed her. She saw their disdainful stares as they judged her for coming late. Each step she took caused a lot of body movements in them. They were not happy she was there. When Linda was young, Mr. Miller, Audrey husband, took her in as his adoptive daughter. She was loved only by him as the rest family treated her like a stranger. Her siblings weren’t happy that Linda was their father love with them so when he died, their hatred for her grew to another level. Sixteen years ago when Linda was seven, her parents passed away in a motor accident. She was taken to the orphanage home where she spent most of her time mourning her parents loss. She let out a deep breath and continued to walk. Nevertheless, she maintained her posture and continued to walk like she was the owner of the Mansion. Matter of fact, her father died, leaving her with twelve percent shares in the company. When she sat down on the dining chair, her eyes moved to her mother and she slowly bowed her head. “Good evening mother.” She warmly smiled at the middle age woman. She placed her purse on the dining room and crossed her leg against each other like an elegant woman. “You are twenty minutes late.” Audrey spoke up. “The food is cold.” One of her siblings, Bella murmured. “I expect the Novikov family to be here soon.” Audrey said. Just as the words left her mouth, the door opened and the butler stepped in following the family of the Jones. The aura they brought inside the room made it suffocating for them. Without wasting much time, they stood up to welcome their guest. Mr. Petrov and his younger sister walked inside the room majestically. When Linda thought that was all, a young man in his late twenties stepped inside the room. The aura he carried was so strong that it made everyone in the room intimidated. Linda knew this man too well. She had seen him on multiple magazines as one of the most handsome bachelor’s in the world. He was a Russian man who moved in to America with his family many years ago. As he continued to walk, his eyes slowly moved to hers and it felt like time seemed to stop. He was tall with a perfect chiselled jawline and cheekbone. His wolf hair cut and blue eyes complimented to his smooth face making him look more handsome. She gulped softly and quickly looked away. She awkwardly smiled, feeling embarrassed for staring that long. “Mrs Novikov it is good to see you and your family. Please sit.” Audrey smiled warmly. Once they were all seated, they began to eat the food which had turned cold. Audrey raised her head to stare at the young man seated next to his father and a small frown came to rest on her lips. This was not the man she had planned to set up with Linda. What happened? Why was he here instead of his brother? “You haven’t introduced the young daughter of yours we spoke about on phone.” Petrov spoke up. “Ohh.... Please meet my daughter, Linda.” Audrey said. “Nice to meet you.” Linda exchanged greetings with Petrov and the woman. “I see you have changed a few interior things in the Mansion.” Anastasia commented. “The house was looking quite old since my husband died so I decided to change most things in the Mansion.” Audrey responded and her eyes shifted back to the young man. “Is this the famous Vladimir of Fintech company?” Audrey asked. “Sorry for not introducing him earlier. This is my eldest son, Vladimir” Anastasia replied. “Since the youngest one reconciled with his ex girlfriend, we decided to bring Vladimir. I hope you do not have a problem with that?” Anger surged within Audrey as she slices the steak on her dish. She was not happy with Vladimir here with them when it was supposed to be the youngest son. Audrey had wanted him to be Linda’s husband. He was drunk plus size man who loves to abuse women. When Audrey heard his ex girlfriend broke up with him because of his abusive behaviour, she instantly knew he was the right one for her daughter. “Not at all.” Audrey continued to maintain the smile on her face. “I am happy you turned up for the dinner even if you brought a replacement for Alexei.” “The last time I came here Linda was turning sixteen. I don’t think she remembered meeting Vladimir.” Anastasia smiled. “Apologies but Linda was still a small child then.” Audrey said. “Don’t you think you two should have a moment together?” Petrov asked when the dinner was over. Linda felt her heart skipped a beat at the words that left the man’s mouth. Alone with his son? She watched with anxious eyes as Vladimir stood up from his chair and walked to her. He raised his hand for her to step forward and she followed him outside. This was not the man her mother had set up for her so she was surprised. Not that she was ready to be in a relationship but was being forced into it. Very soon she would be kicked from the company and there would be no source of income for her. Whatever her mother planned for her, it would be wise to follow up. But this was far from what Audrey wanted for her. She knew if she got too close to him, she would get in trouble as her mother hadn’t approved of her to be in a relationship with this man. Once they stepped out of the room, she snatched her hand from his and breathed out heavily. “Miss— “I will have you know that I have no interest in you or getting married to you. Whatever my mother had planned was without my consent and I have no intention in getting married at this age.” She blurted out.