Chapter 37 Summoned Without Warning
"Never! That is not happening." Amanda thought about the idea again and continued to lament. "That is impossible. Tell him I have kids? I don't think I can bring myself to do that."
"But…" Mrs Roberts was about to talk but was interrupted by the sound of the bell. "Hold on!" She stood up to check who was there. It was Rowan's driver.
"Good evening Ma'am. I am here for Miss Amanda. Amanda peeped from where she was seated at the sound of her name. She stood up immediately she saw Rowan's driver. She quickly looked around to see if any of the kids were playing around in the living room. She then walked to the door.
"Yes? What is it?" Amanda asked, curious.
The driver smiled. Amanda was already used to seeing him smile all the time, even in difficult times. "Mr Rowan said I should bring you with me." The driver said.
"Bring me? Where? And for what? Amanda questioned the driver.
The driver responded politely. "Bring you to his home. I don't have information about his reasons, I am only following instructions." Amanda gave the driver a look that said "really" he understood what she meant. "If I judge from the urgency at which he gave the instruction, it might be work. But I don't want to be precise so I will stick to my initial response, I do not know Miss Amanda." The driver added, maintaining his smile.
"I think you should leave already so you can return early. It is getting late. Mrs Roberts, still at the door, responded. Amanda gave the driver a last glance. "Give me a minute.
After some minutes, Amanda was back outside and she joined the driver who was already waiting in the car. She didn't question him further till they reached their destination.
Amanda entered the living room hurriedly, hoping to see Rowan so she could bombard him with questions. She was however welcomed by his staff.
"You are welcome, ma" Anna said, offering her a glass of water.
Shocked, Amanda stood still. She shifts her gaze from the closest staff, Anna to the one at the rear. There were about 8 ladies.
"Or would you prefer juice?" Anna asked and one of the staff walked forward with a tray containing a glass of juice.
Amanda struggled to find her voice and when she did, she asked. " Where is Rowan?"
Politely, Anna answered, "He will be here shortly. Please, ma, water or juice?" Anna asked, diverting from her question immediately.
The glass of water was the closest to her, so she took the water and poured it down her throat. She was just dropping the cup back in the tray when Anna continued, "please come with me, ma."
Amanda was stunned as she watched the ladies walk in a single line to a direction she was compelled to follow. She was still puzzled by all that was going on when Anna announced that they had reached their destination.
It was obviously a dressing room with quite a number of female clothes in the room. There was a dressing mirror and a locker beside it that had different types of cosmetics. Amanda looked around, amazed.
"Where is this place?" She asked. No one responded as they tried to get her settled into the place. "Why are we here? She asked again.
"To dress you up, ma," Anna responded.
Amanda became more confused. "Dress me up for what?" She asked.
"I do not have an answer to that. We are just following Mr Xi's instructions ma," Anna responded. She had not lost her politeness.
"Enough of the Ma's," Amanda snapped. She had already grown tired of their politeness. Seeing their reaction. She spoke calmly, "I already know you are polite and I must say, I appreciate that. But can you please stop. I am a normal person just like you. Let us relate like a lady to another lady, okay?
She turned to Anna. "You are old enough to be my mother. I would not be comfortable with you addressing me like I am a goddess. Please treat me the same way you would treat your daughter."
The staff exchanged glances. They were surprised by Amanda's remark.
"Ok, Miss Amanda," Anna responded.
"Really?" Amanda exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Anna.
"I'm sorry. Amanda." Anna said again, realizing that she had repeated what she just complained about.
"Now, back to what I asked earlier" she continued, "why am I here?"
Anna cleared her throat. She is still trying to get over what Amanda said. "It is Mr. Xi's instruction.
"An instruction that I can not refuse?" Amanda asked.
"You can refuse but it will surely get us into trouble." Anna responded.
Hearing that, Amanda decided to play along. She does not want to do anything that will get them in trouble. They were already nice to her. Silence envelopes the atmosphere.
Anna spoke again, interpreting Amanda's silence for acceptance.
"Which would you prefer?" Anna begins to point to the clothes hanging in the room. "This? It is a very expensive sequinn or this green, it will look good on your skin." She moved swiftly to others. "This will also be a good fit. It is simple yet elegant.
Amanda carefully examined the dresses, running her fingers over the fabric. She loved them all. They all looked and felt expensive.
After much contemplation, she finally decided. "I will go with the green one," she pointed to the green dress. "It seemed more suitable for a casual event.
Anna nodded and signaled to one of the staff members to assist Amanda in changing into the chosen attire. Amanda followed the lady to a changing area within the dressing room.
Once she had put on the dress, Amanda returned to the main area of the dressing room. "Wow" Anna exclaimed, her eyes widened in surprise. The other staff mumurmed.
She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, adjusting the dress to ensure it fit perfectly. "You look stunning, ma," Anna complimented her, she quickly corrected herself when she met Amanda's gaze. "You look stunning, Amanda."
Amanda offered a small smile, "Thank you." The staff smiled too. "Now what next?"