Rebecca jumped off the bed at the mention of Grandma Agnes and ran into the bathroom.
" I thought as much," Tina said after laughing to her fill.
In no time, Rebecca was out of the bathroom. She briskly put on her gown, a fitted red off-shoulder gown which stopped on her knees.
" Wow! You are beautiful," Tina said in admiration while looking at Rebecca.
" Will you stop staring at me and come help me with my hair and makeup," Rebecca said while rolling her eyes. This snapped Tina out of her trance.
" I'm sorry. It's just that you look so beautiful in that dress. I'm sure Jayden won't be able to take his eyes off you at the party," Tina said with a smile, making Rebecca blush.
" Oh my God! You are blushing," Tina teased Rebecca.
" I'm not blushing," Rebecca denied and quickly used her hands to cover her cheeks. Tina laughed at her childish behaviour and started styling her hair. Rebecca's hair was styled into a bun with a few strands of her hair on both cheeks. Tina applied light makeup on Rebecca's face since she was already looking pretty. By the time she was done, Rebecca couldn't believe that she was the image in the mirror. She looked like a model from a magazine.
" Wow! Thank you so much, Tina for making me look this beautiful," Rebecca said sincerely.
" I didn't do anything. You are naturally beautiful. I just brought out that beauty," Tina said with a smile. Rebecca smiled and hugged her. Tina was just sweet and kind to her unlike the other maids who treat her with contempt because of how the Smith family treated her, like a nobody, a common maid.
";It's okay. We are getting late for the event. I'm sure Grandma Agnes is already looking for you," Tina said pointedly, making Rebecca let go of her immediately.
" Oh my God! I don't want that woman's trouble today," Rebecca said frantically and quickly wore her silver high heels and picked up her matching silver purse and dashed out of the room.
" Take it easy so that you don't break your legs," Tina yelled after her. But she was long gone. Tina shook her head in pity and walked out of the room.
The hall was sparkling with various decorations with soft music playing in the background. The maids who were neatly dressed in their uniforms were stationed at various points of hall assigned to perform specific tasks.
Gloria Smith and her daughter, Benedicta Smith walked into the hall elegantly. Gloria Smith wore a green ball gown while her daughter, Benedicta wore a short white fitted gown. They stood at the entrance of the hall to usher in their guests.
" Where is Rebecca?" Gloria Smith asked Benedicta after using her eyes to search for Rebecca in the hall.
" I don't know, mother. She may be sleeping in her room," Benedicta replied with a shrug.
" That lowlife! She should be grateful that she is recognized as part of the Smith family. But no, she uses every opportunity she gets to make the Smith family look bad in public. I will surely put her in her place after this event," Gloria Smith said with a frown. Benedicta opened her mouth to say something but she swallowed her words when she sighted Grandma Agnes walking towards the hall.
" Good evening, grandma. You are welcome, ma'am, " Benedicta said with a smile and hugged her as soon as Grandma Agnes walked into the hall.
" Good evening, dear. You are looking so pretty. I hope you catch the attention of a cute rich young man," Grandma Agnes said with a smile.
" Grandmother and granddaughters time," Gloria said with a smile. Grandma Agnes pulled away from Benedicta and looked at Gloria Smith in admiration.
" Gloria, look at you. You are glowing," Grandma Agnes said with a smile.
" Oh mother, don't pull my legs," Gloria said with a smile. Grandma Agnes hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks.
" I'm not pulling your legs. You are truly beautiful," Grandma Agnes said with a smile.
" Thank you, mother," Gloria Smith said, her cheeks turning red.
" This way, mother," Gloria said, ushering Grandma Agnes into the hall. Grandma Agnes was wowed at the splendor of the hall. She couldn't even hid it.
" Wow! You did a great job here. Since you came into the family, you always go the extra mile to ensure that every Christmas Eve party held in your house leaves an indelible memory in the minds of all the attendees. Thank you for making all the Christmas Eve party in house memorable," Grandma Agnes said with a smile. One could see that she was truly impressed with everything.
" Mother, I'm happy to hear that you like it," Gloria said smiling ear to ear.
" By the way, where is Rebecca? Is she not supposed to here?" Grandma Agnes asked while craning in search of Rebecca.
" I'm here," Rebecca said with a smile as soon as she got to them.
" Must you always be late for everything? Your days in this house are numbered," Grandma Agnes told Rebecca stoically.
" I'm sorry, grandma. You are welcome to this year's Christmas Eve party," Rebecca said with a smile. But Grandma Agnes totally ignored her and turned to Gloria.
" Keep up the good work," Grandma Agnes told Gloria while patting her shoulder. After that, she walked into the hall and sat elegantly on the seat designated for her.
Some minutes later, Samuel Smith and his family arrived. His wife, Rita Smith and their two children, Natasha and Queen did not look excited. On fact, it looked like they were compelled to come for the party.
" What's wrong with you and the children? Why are you all wearing long faces like we are going for a condolence visit," Samuel asked in confusion.
"I don't like that Gloria.She and her good for nothing daughter always make you feel like we are way below her standard," Rita said in anger.
" You are just making things up in your mind. I know Gloria does things to show off. But I don't think she is doing all that to belittle anyone," Samuel said truthfully.
"If this is not an age long family tradition, I won't be here at all," Rita said and angrily walked away while Natasha and Queen trailed behind her.
"Women, it's hard to understand them," Samuel said thoughtfully before trailing behind his wife and children.
" You are welcome, Mr Samuel Smith and family," Gloria said with a broad smile while ushering them into the hall. Rita looked at her from head to toe, hissed and walked into the hall. Natasha and Queen followed their mother.
" Thank you," Samuel Smith said awkwardly and walked into the hall.
James Smith, wife, Alicia Smith, and two children, Desmond Smith and Fernando Smith arrived immediately Samuel walked into the hall.
" You are welcome, Mr James Smith and family," Gloria said with a satisfied smile. This was because Alicia Smith has always competited with her in everything. So, she never missed a chance to shove it in her face that she would always be the best.
" Thank you, " James said and walked into the hall with his wife and children.
Apart from the Smith family and the press, a few invitations were sent out to some family friends and some high profile people in the society.
Soft music was playing in the background while some couples were on the dance dancing. Suddenly the music stopped and the light went off leaving everyone in confusion and fear. But the light came on as quickly as it went off. A young man was standing on the stage wearing an Italian suit and looking stunning. He was Jayden Anderson.