10 The Venue

"Why do you want to waste your money unnecessarily, Grandpa? I have already told you to manage the money your son sent to you, but you won't listen. You have already bought the clothes we are going to wear to the party and now you want to also book a car to bring us to the party. I hope you did not get yourself involved in illegal activities to celebrate your birthday?" I ask suspiciously but also playfully.

Bella has known grandpa Zach for the past six months. Their first meeting was at the supermarket. Grandpa had purchased things at the supermarket but when it was time for him to pay for the goods, he said he had forgotten his wallet at home. 

Employees at the supermarket didn't take things easy with the man and neither did the nosy customers.

They started calling the old man a thief despite the fact that he didn't look like one. 

When Bella, who also came to get things for the home, saw what was happening, she went to the cashier and the front desk. 

Unlike others who stood there accusing the old man, I volunteered to pay his bills along with mine. And that is how they became close from then on.

I helped the old man because I also knew how it felt to be labelled a thief. 

In the past Bella went to a fast food restaurant after a tiring day at work. After all this time she ordered food and also ate, she never knew that her purse wasn't with her. It was after she finished eating and was about to pay for her bills that she realised that her purse was missing.

After her discovery she tried to explain things to the owner of the place but the woman wouldn't listen. She and her employees began yelling and thereby alarming other customers.

Bella was utterly embarrassed by the owner and her employees. Even the customers who didn't know what happened began pointing fingers at her and calling her names.

She wouldn't have known what they would have done to her had a man not step out and offered to pay her bills.

Bella had left the place immediately after thanking the man. She helped Grandpa because she knows how it feels to be helpless.

The next day, Amanda and Bella went to the salon to get a new hair do. Amanda was very excited about the party. She looks so forward to the party because she heard people who know Grandpa gossip that the party was gonna be held in a very expensive event hall; a place where only the filthy rich can afford.

Despite my warning for her not to get her hopes up, Amanda wouldn't listen and that is why she dragged Bella along with her to the salon to get their hair taken care of.

After we were done at the salon, we went home straight so that we could prepare for the party. I made sure Amanda and I got ready very early because I didn't want to arrive at the party late.

My plan in wanting to go to the party early was because I wanted to help Grandpa out with some of the arrangements and thank goodness the driver Grandpa sent came just in time.

We left immediately without even having a proper look at the car.

After about thirty minutes the car stopped in front of a very beautiful building. Looking through the window we were shocked to see where the driver stopped. I thought the driver made a mistake.

"Why did you bring us here?" Bella asked the driver, sounding upset that he didn't do his work properly.

Even though she hasn't had the privilege to enter the building before, she knows that the hotel in front of her had the most popular hall in the city.

Only celebrities or filthy rich families will be able to rent the hall for an event. The grandpa she knew was nowhere close to rich so she wondered why the driver would make such a huge mistake.

"This is the location where the party is taking place" the driver informed them to their  greatest surprise.

Amanda and Bella exchanged puzzled glances.

"Are you sure, sir?" Bella asked the elderly man, not daring to believe his words.

Bella turned to face Amanda, "How can grandpa celebrate his birthday in such a place? Isn't this place the most popular and expensive hotel in the city so how did grandpa manage to afford to book this place," Bella asked Amanda who was just as speechless as she is.

How could Amanda have an idea of what she didn't know?

"I'm sorry but you will have to get down, so that I can park the car properly," the driver said, not satisfying the ladies' curiosity. Bella and Amanda reluctantly got out of the car.

Bella and Amanda stood there and admired the beauty of the building and its surroundings. They stare at those glamorously dressed men and ladies walking on the red carpet with the reporters scrambling to take their pictures.

"This place is so beautiful, Bella. I can't believe I will be entering the most expensive event hall in the city which is the dream of so many people. It is such an honour for me to be here," Amanda said excitedly, holding onto my hand.