Chapter 10: Yes!

Hailey: So, are you satisfied?

Me: Very. I will let my boss know tomorrow morning.

Henry: Oh, your boss was worried that you were not going?

Me: I was reported. 

Henry: That sounds bad - but happy you are agreeing to come along.

Hailey: Indeed, we wouldn't want our niece to be in trouble during her last days.

Me: Wait, last day of what?

Hailey: Oh sorry, I rephrased it the wrong way. I just meant that we wouldn't want our niece to be in trouble in the work of her dreams.

Last days of what? Aunt Hailey's words kept lingering in my mind. 

I wonder what she meant by that. 

I went back to the room to change back into my pajamas and the four of us walked Aunt Hailey and Uncle Henry out to their car.

Me: Bye Aunt and Uncle!

Ziana: Thank you so much for visiting and convincing a little someone.

Alicia: And for the meals - we missed you guys.

Zane: Please visit soon!

Aunt Hailey: We will! See you tomorrow Li!

Uncle Henry: We too are happy to see you all, we will make sure to do this often.

Hailey and Henry: Bye!

Us: Bye!

And they drove away.

Me: Why did you sell me out, guys?!

Zane: To tell you the truth, I wanted you to converse with other people, and I felt that if you went to the dinner party, you would get used to crowded places and maybe...

Alicia: Think about romance from a different perspective. Sorry, Li.

I sighed and pouted.

Me: Naughty siblings.

Zane smiled at me.

Zane: Oh really?

Me: Yeah. But you really can't make me mad.

Ziana: Of course not - with an adorable face like mine, who would feel mad?

We all laughed. I loved this about my family - we could laugh and have fun together.

But enough of my sentimental side...

I need to get my beauty sleep for tomorrow's day.

Me: Okay guys, I will be going to sleep. Good night!

Ziana: Nighty night sis!

Zane: Good night Li!

Alicia: Good night.

I left them to go to my room. I threw myself on my bed and overplayed all the events that happened to me. Nathan's confession, Riana's constant threat, Jonathan's words, attending the dinner party... my life feels a bit rushed.

Before I fell asleep, I got a message from Aunt Hailey:

"HI Li! 

We will pick you up at 6:15 p.m. okay?

Love you and see you tomorrow!"

Me: Aunt Hailey, they surely want me out of the house and see the world huh?

FELL ASLEEP

------------------------

NEXT MORNING

7:00 A.M.

Alicia: Couldn't sleep?

Me: Why?

Ziana: You are always out the door by 6:50.

Me: I decided to spoil myself today, besides the traffic hasn't been too bad lately.

Ziana: Okay sis, see you later!

Me: See you Ziana, bye guys!

Alicia: Bye!

Zane: Bye sis.

I left for the door.

I looked at the time on my watch:

07:20 A.M

Great. How great could this day get any better?

I am stuck in traffic.

Me: Who cares? Work starts at 08:00. I will get there in time.

10 MINUTES LATER

07:30 A.M

I am still in traffic. 

Me: Gosh, who is causing all the commotion?!

Once again. I heard police sirens from a distance, followed by a limo.

Me: I am not in the mood.

After what felt like forever to get all the cars going to the Romano estate, the traffic opened up.

Me: I still have 15 minutes to spare... I will get there in time.

It was 07:45.

After I arrived at work 5 minutes later, I went to Mr. Jonathan's office.

IN MR. JONATHAN'S OFFICE

Me: Good morning, sir.

Jonathan: Liana! Morning, what news do you have for me?

Me: With regards to the dinner party this evening...

Jonathan: Yes?

Jonathan's anticipated reaction made me question whether he knew I would agree to attend.

Me: I am going to attend the party.

Jonathan: Yes?

Me: Yes!

Jonathan: Ah, that is great to hear Liana, we have decided to hire a bus... should we pick you up?

Me: No thank you, sir, I will be going with my Aunt and Uncle.

Jonathan: Oh really? 

Me: Yes sir. 

Jonathan: Speaking of which, what's your Uncle's name?

Me: Henry. Henry Rodriguez. Does it ring a bell?

Jonathan: Henry Rodriguez... oh yes it does! I remember now. Your uncle used to speak a lot about you back in North Cybric. You were in your last year of senior high at that time.

Me: Wait, you knew about me? And my uncle?

Jonathan: Of course! He asked me to persuade you to attend the dinner party.

He did what?!

He's so paying when I see him later this evening.

Me: Small world sir. My uncle never told me.

Jonathan: Please don't get mad with your uncle and aunt, they just want to feel and see the world a bit.

"See the world" was a statement I was getting annoyed at.

Me: I can't promise that I won't be mad at him, but... getting out of the house wouldn't be much of a bad thing. Thank you, sir.

Jonathan: Great. Please send my regards to Henry, and tell him I will see him later tonight.

Can't he send him a message since they know each other?

Me: I will, sir. 

And I left his office to walk to my mine.

Me: (low voice) Obstacle of the day.

It was Riana.

Riana: Hey Liana! How are you doing?

Me: Hey Riana. Great and yourself?

Riana: I am good thanks. So, are you coming?

Me: To where?

Riana: Come on, you know what I am talking about!

Me: Oh right, the dinner party. Yes, I am.

Riana was shocked by my response.

Riana: Really?! Who changed your mind?

Me: My family.

Riana: That's nice... well just so you know, there is no dress code, but you have to dress up elegantly, think of it as a---

Me: Gala event?

Riana: Yeah! So you do know these things?! Keep that in mind, and you are all set. Okay?

Who does Riana think I am? A person with no brains?

I only chuckled.

Me: See you later Riana.

Riana: Okay.

I got to my desk and looked at my phone.

08:15 A.M

Me: Hope nothing bad happens this evening.

My colleague in my new office commented on my statement.

Woman: Don't stress too much about it, you will be fine.

Me: Really?

Woman: in the history of events, nothing bad has ever happened at dinner parties.

Me: Thanks, I will take your word for it.

We both laughed.

Woman: I am Melissa.

Me: Nice to meet you, Melissa, I am Liana.

Woman: Nice to meet you, Liana. Looking forward to working with you more.

Me: Me too.

Can't wait to show Riana and the others, the other side of Liana Rodriguez that they have never seen before...