Paying The Price

Nikki lay on the sofa as she scanned through the company's hand book, she was excited about her new job as a receptionist, meanwhile Diana was worried they gave her the wrong position, she was afraid Nikki would lose it and exchange words even blows with someone. Nevertheless, Nikki was a determined individual, she could have extreme self control when it came to achieving her goals. Five years ago, she had worked as a secretary at the Flower Foundation, founded by Evelyn Grand, and while they were at Denn City, she worked as a bartender at a well known club, on those occasion she rearly got into fights. With these in mind, Diana felt at ease but not completely confident.

"Fine, make dinner for yourself OK, Hopefully we'll be back soon." Diana said as she made her way to the door with Pearl.

"Man, I forgot my phone." Diana went back to the room to get her phone.

Nikki sat up immediately she left, calling Pearl to herself, she instructed "OK sugar, remember what I told you, be nice to everyone except stupid uncle and don't forget to protect mummy from mean great grandma."

Pearl nodded " Don't worry, sugar won't let you down, operation protect mummy is a go!"

"Yeah baby." Nikki high five Pearl.

"Got it!, don't forget to do the dishes." Diana reminded Nikki before heading out with Pearl.

........

The Grands residence

Diana and Pearl arrived in a taxi, at the entrance, Kayla who had anticipatedly waited for them, dashed to Pearl. "Wow, she's even cuter in person. Hello! am your auntie Kayla." Kayla forgot about Diana.

"Hello auntie, you look stunning." Pearl remarked with a smile on her face.

"Oh thank you so much, you look amazing too." Kayla was flushed "Oh hey Diana, didn't see you there." Kayla suddenly looked at the figure close to Pearl.

'Seriously, I was right here all along.' Before she could respond, Kayla had brought Pearl into the house, Diana could only follow from behind. Evelyn met up with her and walked to the dinning room together.

"So you're finally back." Edna's cold voice sounded. "You've must have ran off with...."

"Great grandma." Pearl interrupted.

"You look amazingly young, oh please tell me your secret, I want to be just like you when am old." High praises coming from the adorable little girl made Edna blush. She only glared at Diana viciously then turned to Pearl.

"I just take very good care of myself. " Edna said prideful.

"Mmm, you're right, mom said every true lady must take care of herself, and Nana your a true lady." Mother protecting sugar activated.

"Hey people!" Ronin announced his arrival. "Nice to see you Diana and hello Pearl."

"Hello." Pearl replied coldly.

'She doesn't look jovial like in the photo.' Ronin thought. Everyone sat on their chairs ready for dinner, when light foot steps were heard.

Dressed in a custom made suit, his prominent features were sharp, his well carved face had perfectly shaped brows and deep blue eyes with a s.e.xy thin lips.

Wayne took a seat opposition Diana, his aura was firm and cold, that of pure nobility.

"Mummy is this the iceberg auntie Nikki talked about?" Pearl's question made Diana instinctively look up, as expected Wayne's expression was dangerously foul.

"If he is, oh she's so not wrong!" Pearl seemed to make matters worse.

"Let's eat." Owen spoke up, nobody could contend with Pearl's statement, but Ronin just had to speak up for his brother. "You know, you don't have to believe everything Nikki says."

"But if you can't prove me wrong in this one, how would I do that?" Pearl asked innocently.

"..."

Awkward, the situation was becoming more awkward.

"So Diana, how have you been?" Owen tried to make break the tension.

"Am great, thanks, we've just been living a simple life...."

"Disgracing the Grands name." Edna reprimanded Diana.

"Nana, that necklace looks good on you." Pearl for once never forgot her job. Even a blind person could tell she's protecting her mother.