The banquet
1554 Words
"Tiffany, is that you?!".
I heard a voice behind me, calling out my name. I turned my head in the direction of the voice, and a middle aged woman with a curly brown hair in a purple gown, was looking at me, smiling, with a glass of red wine in her hand.
"Yes; I am Tiffany, may I know who you are? "
I was puzzled, I do not recollect this woman or if I had seen her before or not.
"Oh my little Tiffany, don't you recognize me anymore?".she said as she approached me, and with a hand over my shoulder, she said. "It is not surprising my dear, seeing we haven't seen each other for many years now. I and your father are cousins". She said, still smiling.
"You are cousins with my father?", I asked in surprise; I haven't met any of my father's relations for as long as I can remember.
"Yes dear, and you can call me auntie", she added, still smiling. "By the way, how is your father?" she inquired with the smile still sitting comfortably on her face.
"It may disappoint you to know that my father died three years ago". I said, with my head bowed. I can still feel the guilt; if Dad hadn't chosen to save me then, he would have still been alive till today.
"My goodness! How come no one told me about this?" She lament.
"Oh little Tiffany, I didn't mean to open up an old wound". She apologized
"It's okay..... I am learning to live with it already". I wondered her name.
She reached out and hugged me.
"I will be here for you, okay! Anyway, anytime. My name is Susanne, and you can call me 'Auntie".
The sudden appearance of an aunt was a little too much for me to take in, and my father was nolonger there. Even my mother, who had to accept all of Luggard's arrangement, was distancing herself from me at the same time. But I understood her very well; she is now Luggard's wife, and Luggard is already doing me a favour by letting me live among his wolves.
If she stayed close to me as before, it might attract the pack of wolves, under Luggard's instructions, to attack me. So, her being indifferent and distant to me would make it safer for me to stay in the pack.
"Thank you for your concern Mrs Susanne, I will be fine", I said, and lifted my hands and gave her a hug.
"I thought you were going to call me 'auntie, but that is fine Tiffany; I understand. And I am glad you are here to help". She said with a smile as she let go of my hand.
Although I didn't want to admit that I was here to be a servant, but I had no choice.
Susanne took me on a busy tour of the villa, and I realized that it was bigger and more gorgeous than I had imagined. Even the patterns on the plates and wine glasses were beaitifully designed in a way I hadn't seen before.
Susanne told me that the party had not really started yet, and all those present were the people who wanted to make friends with the Herlbert's family. The real party was going to start tomorrow, so all I had to do was to get everything ready before then.
it wasn't before dark that I was done, and was very tired and weak to walk.When I got home, it was already late at night.
My mother, Isabella, was sitting in the living room, eating a snacks. And when she saw me, she just gave me a smile and said nothing. Got up, cleared the table, and went into her room.
I knew she was waiting for me to come back.
I walked tiredly into my room, and closed the door.Picked up my phone and then noticed the numerous messages on my phone from my best friend Keisha.
"My goodness, you haven't gotten back to me yet all day Tiff; did you run into an alien a*******n? ",
"Tiffany, I promise; if you don't reply me this night, I am going to call in the police to come in search of you",
Looking at the content of the messages, I couldn't help but smile. Keisha has a way of making me feel the better of me, if not the best.
"Keisha I am fine. I went to a bad party today and it wore me out. The worst part is that I would be going back to this party again tomorrow". I replied to her.
Not long after, the phone rang. It was Keisha, and I hurriedly picked the call. Hearing her voice, and now could help me relax.
"Thank God you are not only alive, but able to reply my messages. What were you thinking going to a bad party, and without your phone too?!". She scolded, she liked acting like my guardian. I smiled.
"I am sorry I left my phone behind, and I can't take it with me tomorrow either. I will just have to tell you how bad the party is after it is over". I said, helplessly. On. My way back home, Susanne told me that I must wear a maid's outfit tomorrow, and must stay at my corner all through the party. So I couldn't bring my cellphone there.
"Well, that's another bad news by the way. I am going to school tomorrow; to that boring place". Keisha complained. She does not like her school, even though she was doing well in her studies. I tried my best, as always, to talk her into enjoying her liberty. Going to school should be fun!
Well, after talking with her for a while; worried about disturbing Luggard, and Isabella, I hung up the phone.
Early the next morning, I was on my way to the Herlbert's family again.
After I got changed, Susanne placed me in a spot near the front door. This allowed me to reach out to the people attending the party without being too tired.
Soon, people were entering the party; one after another.
I saw a petite girl, who was following by a man in a suit with a big smile. The girl had light brown curly hair, with a bow pined to it. She was wearing an expensive tiered dress, her delicate face and her Snow White skin made her look more like a princess coming out from a castle.
They were from the Northern red-blooded wolf clan; Alpha Carp and his daughter, Daisy-petals.
Daisy was only fifteen years old; not yet ripe for coming of age ceremony. And Carp, her father, is very affectionate with her.
Just like my father was with me.
The two young men who came in after there were Lycan's friends; Andre and Nado. They were wearing dark blue suits, with big smiles on their faces, and greeted the people around them warmly. They are members of the Gamma wolf pack, who were said to be mild-mannered, and not very temperamental and strong.
Following them were Beta Cameron and his mate Lucy.
Cameron was looking as handsome as always, and his mate; an elegant and beautiful girl. He just had his coming of age ceremony, and found a mate that made everyone envious.
The last guest to enter the party was Lycan Herlbert; the star of the party. When he appeared, all eyes were drawn to him. The sun shone on his body, like a heavenly god descending.
He gazed round the hall at everyone,and his powerful overlord aura seemed to announced to everyone that he is the king of the world.
My eyes met his briefly, and I was so nervous that I could barely hold the plates in my hand.
Like the speed of lightening, I caught hold of the plate before it could crash on the floor. Naivety!
His eyes fell on mine and I could see the frown; like he had seen something distasteful. And finally, he moved away quickly.
I felt a little lost, and didn't know why.
Then followed all of the guests, and the banquet officially started.
All I could do was stand in a corner, off to the side, and watch them chat and dine.
"Honey, come with me". Susanne said as she appeared behind me.
I followed her to a separate room, filled with a dozen people, dressed like me in a servant's outfit. A delicate cake was placed on the table at the center of the room.
"Happy coming of age ceremony Tiffany!" Susanne said to me as she closed the door behind me, and gave me a warm hug.
"We are celebrating this here?!" I was surprised, and afraid too. I wondered what Alpha Herlbert would do if he finds out we are celebrating in his party.
"But we shouldn't be celebrating this here; we would be screwed if the Herlbert's family finds out".
"Come on Tiffany, you may not have another chance after today. So, close your eyes and make a wish and do not have any regret". Susanne said, as she pulled me over to the cake with the candles lit.
Reluctantly, I closed my eyes. And when I closed my eyes, I saw a white snowed shadow.
"Tiffany
- Writer
