Chapter 6 Business party

“Did you reject Jordan?” My little sister was another headache who was waiting for me at home after I came back from the disastrous interview. 

I gave her a straight look. “And why do you care?” 

“Sis, that boy is head over heels for you and you don't give a flying fu… I mean damn! Why are you so heartless?” She moaned in protest like she was the one who got rejected. 

I ignored her and headed to the kitchen to have a glass of water to cool myself down. 

“There is a business party and he wants to take you as a partner. But he didn't ask you knowing you would just refuse his proposal.” She said, trailing behind me. 

“Good for him he knows!”

Riley gasped dramatically and jumped in front of me. 

“Sis, why are you doing this to a poor guy? He is handsome, intelligent, earns good money and the best part is he is your friend. Then why?” she hollered. 

I poured water into the glass and looked at her crying expressions as if she had period cramps.

“Again, why do you care? You can go with him.” I shrugged. 

“I wish I could go to that lavish party of rich people but Alas. Jordan won't take me as his date. He considered me as a little embarrassment lurking around.” she pouted. 

“That's what you are!” I nodded. She sharpened her eyes and curled her upper lip. 

"What about your interview? They hire you or not?" She asked, waiting for my response patiently while I was drinking. 

"He asked me to wait for the call which I highly doubt would come." I told her and sighed. 

"Wait.. He? You mean the mysterious Noah Everton Mcmillians?" She asked delightfully. So she also knew about him. 

Shame on you Raya! Even kids know about him. 

I pursed my lips at her excitement but nodded.

“Omo! What does he look like? I heard that that mysterious man is really handsome and intimidating. But he never smiles. Did He take your interview personally?” 

“Yes! The vacancies you applied for were about the need of a temporary personal assistant. That's why they didn't mention many requirements because they needed an urgent employee to fill the place.” I responded, ignoring the part of her praising him.

"Oh, fantastic. So, if you get hired you will work under Mr Noah Everton McMillan, and not to forget you and Jordan will work together and you both can ride together." She clapped in excitement.

"Don't start it. Jordan is not my bodyguard. Don't ask any favour from him." I warned her before walking to my room. 

“Raya, I have sent you the list of items, are you going for groceries tomorrow?” Mom asked me on the dining table. 

“No Mom, Riley will do that!” I said. 

“What! No way. I won't do that boring job. Spare me out of this, you ladies.” Riley exclaimed.

“And when will you learn to do these things? It's high time you participate in household work, paying bills, and other chores now. Don't get too dependent on us, Riley. Mom is already doing so much for us. You know what our conditions are. And those bastards will come this month to collect the installment of the debt..” I gritted yet again thinking about the misery that good-for-nothing man inflicted on us. 

We were cursed to have a father like him who left us on the road to die. 

Riley and my Mom turned shit silent, smelling my anger. I chewed my food uninteresting as my mood was already off since the morning. 

“I..can try.” Riley muttered with a low tone. I sighed but didn't say anything. Though I love her the most but sometimes she just riles me up with her immaturity. 

“How did your interview go, Raya?” Mom asked me after a while. 

“A call will decide my fate!” 

Honestly I didn't care. I had no interest in working under that robot. 

"Don't worry sweety, you will get the job." Mom said, boosting my courage. Only if it had an affect on me. 

“Don't worry about me and take care of your health, Mom. I asked you to quit working late at night in the supermarket. You don't need work as a security guard. I will earn enough for us.” I looked at the weary face of my mother. After all these years of misery and hard struggle, she was still strong to the core. 

“I will do it once Riley’s study is finished. We have to gather funds for her university next year.” Mom sighed. 

“Mom, I told you that I will manage myself okay. I am saving from my freelancing work. You and Sis need to focus on your life. Don't sacrifice your saggy bums for me. I am a grown-up girl who can handle my own expenses now.”

“Yeah. This grown-up girl always runs away from the grocery shopping.” I retorted. Riley pouted

“Tsk! You will see me tomorrow.” She said, challenging me with her eyes. I knew she was going to take the grocery job tomorrow but wouldn't return before breaking someone’s nose. 

Yes, she is a walking disaster.  

“Raya, you should give him a chance. At least go with him to the party.” I looked up before serving myself salad on my plate. 

“Mom, I don't want him to raise any hopes only to get hurt in the end. I like Jordan but as a friend. You can't expect me to harbour any other feelings than this.” I sighed.

“I get you. But at least try it. Every relationship starts with friendship. His grandparents and he helped us many times so you can do this for him at least. Though I like that boy for you but in the end it's all your choice.” 

I looked at her and then at Riley who nodded quickly like agreeing with our mother. Of course she would be ecstatic. 

I rolled my tongue inside my mouth, contemplating it. 

Business party? Eh! 

It means the jerk McMillian will be there too. 

“I swear I will go grocery shopping every week for you.” Riley grinned from ear to ear. I pointed my gaze at her. She batted her eyes with a smile. 

“You do?”

“I swear.” She put her hand on her heart. A gesture of giving a word. I nodded.

“Alright!” I said and resumed my dinner. Riley squealed and banged the table, startling us. 

“This girl!” Mom groaned. 

“I am so going to make you a sexy hot piece if not Jordan then someone else could set his eyes on you. I am so excited.” Riley almost screamed. Mom slapped the back of her head.

“Keep quiet and have your dinner.” she scolded her. Riley rubbed her head and pouted but gave me a wink secretly. I shook my head at her.

I only hope this party goes well for me. Maybe, I could make my way to find a job.