WHEN THE BILLIONAIRE LIKES YOU

THE RICHMONDS

ELSIE'S POV

It's as if the billionaire Richmond family has been avoiding my parents. My mother in particular has tried all she can to have them over for dinner but it has never happened. Then she pestered my father about it until he succeeded in getting them to come. Father only succeeded because at one point he was a classmate of Mr Richmond.

I can remember the excitement mum had when father broke the news. It was as if a certain god was visiting judging by her reaction. She announced it to everyone that seemed to care that the wealthiest people in town were visiting. However, I am the only one who knows why mum was so eager to see the Richmond's at our house. She wants the billionaire's son Albert to see Alicia my sister and maybe fall in love with her, then mum will attain a new social status, the mother in law to a billionaire, something she has dreamt about all her life.

When we were young she put it into Alicia's mind that one day she would get married to a wealthy family and bring her fame and class. But she didn't think much about me.

Then when Valerie joined us she became the subject of ridicule, getting all the jibes that were hitherto meant for me. Mum would tell her all the bad things that she used to tell me.

I remember one day when mum asked us what we wanted to become when we grew up and Valerie said she wanted to become a billionaire businesswoman. Mum laughed so hard that I wondered whether she was alright. And when she stopped laughing she told Valerie to stop dreaming because as an orphan she had no chance at all of becoming anything serious, let alone a billionaire. “You will only see billionaires in newspapers, or TV's, if you are lucky.” She said.

Maybe this explains why Valerie wasn't allowed to attend this much awaited dinner. They took all precautions to make sure that she doesn't attend, locking her up in her room many hours before the dinner started. Later when I asked I learned that she hadn't eaten and I had to take some food to her. I don't like how my family treats her yet she is one of us and the wealth we enjoy actually belongs to her. My father somehow got hold of all that belonged to his brother, Valerie's father upon his death and since Valerie was a young kid back then, my parents adopted her. Valerie doesn't know what happened to her father's wealth, and my parents are not going to tell her any time soon. But when the time comes, I will tell her myself.

The much awaited visitors arrive just when the preparations are over. The Richmonds are known for their adherence to time. My parents and Alicia are at hand to welcome them to our dining room. I join them once they are seated, then we are served with the most delicious food that has ever been cooked in this house. For this purpose my parents had hired a special chef who made the food then left the service part to our servants. Valerie is always treated as one of our servants but today she will not be working.

Alicia, my elder sister has been taken through thorough grooming, as if she is already a bride. Mum hired a technician from a famous fashion house to make her look the part. For a whole day they have been doing nothing else but to spruce her up and when she takes her place directly opposite to Albert, I certainly like what I see. She looks absolutely beautiful in the expensive dress and jewelry, but I only wish that she had a beautiful heart to match.

Mum is responsible for bringing Alicia up very badly. She is a spoilt girl, beyond redemption. She is involved in every kind of vice, including drugs and crime. She was never reprimanded like me when she did bad things as a child and she was never assigned any chores.

Strangely, Albert behaves as if he hasn't noticed her and this makes me smile slyly. All these efforts are likely to end up achieving nothing.

The conversation at the table is purely business and only the three men participate. Mr Richmond, Albert and Dad. Mum and Alicia are completely clueless on what is being discussed so they are only confined to the listening part. At least I can grasp what is being said, but if I dare say anything, I will earn the wrath of mum and Alicia so I confine myself to chatting with friends on w******p.

After highschool Alicia was enrolled into a business college but she never took her studies seriously. I know she now wishes she did, because I am sure she wants to participate in the complex business discussion. As for me, I took business lessons through correspondence and I am happy that I did. The discussion here is about serious economic stuff that involves billions and billions of dollars.

“I am sorry father. I have to make this call. We are expecting a very serious delegation from Africa and I need to confirm when they are arriving.” Albert tells his father, who responds by a mere nod.

“Remember, we will be talking about the renewable energy plant so the foreign minister himself will be there.” Albert adds and his father waves him to proceed. It's at this juncture that I remember that I left my phone at Valerie's house. I may need to go and collect it later after the dinner. Albert walks out through the back door to make the call, leaving the two gentlemen to carry on with the discussion.

I really pity mum and much so Alicia. They had so high expectations of this dinner, but Albert has acted as if none of them exists. Looking at them I can see visible anger that can erupt on anyone, especially me since their recipient of hatred Valerie is not here.

“Elsie, would you please warm up some water for us. I need to drink some warm water before taking wine.” Mum says, looking at me. I nod to indicate that I will do it, then leave my place at the table and walk to the kitchen. The wine she is talking about was brought this morning, having been ordered from a vineyard in France two weeks ago. Maybe after the wine the important guest will grasp the real reason as to why he was invited.

A few minutes later while I'm in the kitchen the door opens, just a crack and I move to see who it is. When I see Valerie my heart hastens it's pace. Is she out of her mind? What does she think will happen if they see her? There is no time for questions. I quickly get to her and take her outside, then I get back to my duties. I am glad that no one has seen her and therefore we have averted a very big disaster.

When I get to the table with a flask of warm water, Albert has not come back in yet but the two gentlemen are still talking about large amounts of money. Mum and Alicia are silently and awkwardly sitting there, unable to contribute to things out of the scope of their knowledge. I pray that the subject changes.

Albert walks in and he looks somehow confused, not the confident man who walked out about ten minutes ago. He takes his seat and looks around us. The conversation between the two men stops as everyone is puzzled by his sudden change in behavior.

“Is anything the matter my son?” Old man Richmond asks. The silence that follows is so intense you can hear a pin fall.

“Yes. I have a question. Where is Valerie Reigns?” My heart skips a beat and I start sweating. I wonder why he is asking. But the facial expression of mum is more profound. She is sweating and scratching her head, trying to find the best words to reply to the question. The sweat is eroding away her makeup but she doesn't mind. Dad as usual sits back and waits for things to unravel.

“Eeeh, that one, did you meet her?” Mum finally asks. Oh my goodness. They must have met out there. I conclude. Then Albert must have been charmed by her looks or demeanor. Inwardly I am happy, very happy for Valerie.

Albert looks at mum as if he didn't hear her well. He has such a commanding stare that makes mum look away.

“No. I haven't. But I happen to know all the members of this family. I am just puzzled by her absence.” He answers. Something tells me that he has lied. He must have met Valarie while out there and they must have talked.

Mum chuckles softly in relief. She is now free to give out all the lies in her mind about Valarie's presence.

“Oh, that one. She isn't in tonight. She went to visit some relatives and we won't be expecting her back any time soon. You know she loves the bottle so much and where she went it's in plenty.Maybe after the holidays.” She lies without blinking an eye. I take a look at Alicia and she is so visibly furious. Dad looks puzzled. From the way Albert looks at her I am sure that he knows she's lying.

“Well, I was dying to meet her. I have heard so much about her and actually the main reason why I came here was to see her.” His words make me smile, especially now that I know that they are so spiteful to Mum and Alicia.

“Then we can organize for another dinner, and she will be here.” Dad finally speaks. Albert looks at him and they lock stares for a moment.

“Maybe. But I have a better idea. Elsie.” He turns to face me. I almost jump at the mention of my name. I didn't know he has memorized my name. I thought his attention was meant for only Alicia.

“Yes sir.” I say, almost getting up from my seat to show respect.

“Here is my number.” He gives me his business card. “Bring Valerie to me as soon as possible. I need to see her urgently.”

“But what is the matter if I may ask Albert? Why the sudden interest in her?” Mum asks, not easily letting go of her dreams.

“Nothing much really.” Albert says as he sips from his wine glass. “That will be between Valerie and I. Thanks Mrs Reigns.”

“Actually, the purpose of this dinner was for these two families to know each other and so far we haven't done a formal introduction. Let's relax first, the night is so young.” Mum's words have little effect on Albert's ears. It is clear to me that his mind is made.

“Well. I think that's a good idea.” Albert says, then turning to his father, “Father, I am leaving. Something just came up and I must attend to it. I suggest you stay a while and enjoy.” He says, then gets up and leaves. We all look in disbelief as he walks through the back door and moments later the powerful hum of his car can be heard as it leaves the parking lot.

Alicia stands up, smashes her wine glass on a wall next to her, splashing the contents on all of us, then she storms off towards her room.

“Excuse me.” Mum says. She leaves the table, walking towards Alicia's room. We can hear Alicia swearing loudly from where we are seated.