Typical Family Dinner

Typical Family Dinner
Riley's Point of View:

I stood in front of my family mansion, thinking carefully before entering. The Uber driver that had dropped me off, kept looking at the mansion, wondering what I was looking for in such a luxury place.

Indeed, my family house had changed. The building had been decorated, and the environment had been transformed into that of a palace. I knew my parents were rich, they always have been, but I couldn't help but wonder where my father had found the money to decorate the house. At the time I left, he was in debt with some loan shark, and they were threatening to kill him.

“Where did he find so much money? Or has he joined the Mafia business community?” I wondered as I read the bold description on the mansion's front wall. “Welcome To The Burritos Villa!”

The Mafia business community was one of the most feared cults in the country. They were known to be notorious, and on several occasions, they were responsible for causing business mishaps. Despite this, the cult was filled with wealthy women and men. They send out bloodhounds to carry out their dirty missions, and most times, they destroy companies. To lend the owner a lot of money with hidden fees. When the owner of the business is unable to pay what they owe, the Mafia community leaders will forcefully collect their companies as collateral.
I didn't care about my parent's company, but I knew if they had borrowed money from the Mafia business community, then my life was in danger because the leaders could request anyone or anything as collateral.

As popular and dangerous as this community was, the police and FBI agents have been unable to shut them down. Whenever they managed to shut the company, the big boss would reopen it. The only way to permanently shut down the community was by arresting the big boss, but the only problem is, that no one knows the big boss. Not even the leaders in the community.

“How bad can it be? Just have the family dinner and get out! I am sure no one will notice I’m wearing a wig, ” I assured myself, took a deep breath, and held my bag closer to my chest. As I took my first step into the mansion, I said a silent prayer, begging God to make my day smooth.

“Oh my goodness! It's Riley!” Aunty Fiber's voice echoed in the noisy room and everywhere became quiet at once. All eyes were on me, some were encouraging, while most were trying to intimidate me.

I coughed, feeling uncomfortable by everyone's stare. “Aunty Fiber, it's so good to see you,” I greeted with gritted teeth and faked a smile.

"Good to see you, my ass!’ My conscience hissed in irritation.

“The feelings are mutual, dear. It's been so long,” Aunty Fiber smiled, but I could see through her fake expression. She wasn't happy to see me, she was bloating, wondering why I had come to ruin her plan of making her children heirs to my parent's company.

We both hugged, and she tightened her arms around my neck, under the guise that she was hugging me. I didn't complain or tell her to get her hands off me, instead, I returned the favor and nearly choked the little life in her out of her.

“That was pretty intense, ladies,” Uncle Jackson said and chuckled.

I looked at him and smiled broadly. “Uncle, you are still here. I thought you would have built your own house by now, considering how you boasted five years ago,” I replied with a sweet voice, and Jackson's face turned red in embarrassment.

“I… I'm still working on my house,” he stammered. I knew he was lying, but I chose to ignore him.

“Oh, it's my little cousin!” Berry, Aunty Fiber's eldest daughter, cried out and ran to hug me. I was surprised, it had been years since we last spoke, but Berry was the only one who cried the day I left the manor.

I didn't hug her back, nor did I push her away. From the corner of my eye, I could see my little brother, Daniel, swearing and threatening me with his eyes. My parents were also looking at me suspiciously. They seemed to have forgotten that they were the ones who disowned me and sent me out of their house three years ago.

I stood there, frozen in the midst of the awkward welcome, my eyes scanned the room for any sign of genuine warmth. But all I saw were fake smiles and forced greetings.

Berry, still clinging to me, looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "I've missed you so much, Riley. Why did you stay away for so long?"

I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain and anger that still lingered inside me. I knew for my revenge mission to work, I had to act like I had forgiven them, so I put on my actress mode. "I'm sorry, Berry. I had to take care of some things. But I'm back now." I replied to Berry.

My little brother, Daniel, snorted in disgust. "Yeah, right. You're only back because you want something, and we also need something from you."

I ignored him, instead focusing on my parents, who were still watching me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"Mom, Dad," I said, my voice dripping with sweetness. "It's so great to see you both. You look... prosperous."

My mom's eyes narrowed slightly, but my dad just smiled and opened his arms. "Riley, our dearest daughter, welcome home."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react. But then, with a sugary sweet smile, I walked into his arms, playing the role of the dutiful daughter. Little did they know, I had a plan, and it didn't involve being the obedient child they thought I was.

As I hugged my dad, I couldn't help but notice the expensive watch on his wrist and the luxurious cufflinks on his shirt. It seemed that my parents had indeed joined forces with the Mafia business community, just as I had suspected.

I pulled back from the hug, a bright smile still plastered on my face. "So, what's the occasion for this lovely dinner?" I asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible. I knew they invited me for dinner, hoping I would come with Alex, but I acted oblivious to their plan.

My mom's eyes sparkled with excitement. "We're celebrating your fiance and a new business venture. Your father has partnered with some... influential people."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Oh? And who might these influential people be?"

My dad chuckled, a sly glint in his eye. "All in good time, my dear. Let's just say that our future is looking very bright indeed."

I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. “Well, congratulations,” I replied, and my eyes landed on Aunty Fiber who was still glowing with anger.

“By the way, dear, where is your fiance, Alexander?” My mother asked with a smile, and a menacing smirk settled on my lips.

I didn't reply at once, instead, I took my time and admired the house's new look.

“Finally, they've confessed why they invited us for this dinner,” My conscience hissed.

My parents, aunties, uncles, and brother exchanged a confused look among themselves when I didn't reply, and I was happy to know that I was the one who got them confused.

“Alex won't be joining us tonight, he has an urgent meeting to attend,” I lied with a sweet smile.

My parents looked surprised. “He couldn't make time to visit his in-laws?” My father asked with a grimace.

“Oh, Pa! How dare you call yourselves his in-law? We are yet to get married. Also, you seem to care a lot about his presence. Do you by any chance have a present for him?” I asked with a sarcasm-filled voice, secretly enjoying the humiliation my parents felt.

“Of course not, I have no present for him. I just thought it would be nice if our company and his call a truce!” My father replied, and I nodded my head.

“Hmm, that's true,” I said, acting like I understood him.

Daniel looked like he wanted to say something bitter, but before he could talk, my aunty Lola interrupted.

“Well, it's a family dinner, let's all sit down and eat!” Aunty Lola was the only one with a genuine smile on her face. I wasn't sure if I was the reason for her smile, but I made up my mind not to get ahead of myself.

We all sat down, and different delicacies were served. It had been a while since I last tasted something so good, and as much as I was excited, I knew I had to be careful of what I ate because the food could be poisoned. Also, I had to follow my hospital's food timetable.

I picked a plate and picked out just vegetables and meatballs. My parents were surprised and tried serving me snacks.

“Taste this doughnut, dear. It was made with your great-grandfather's recipe,” my mother said and placed a dough on my plate.

I looked at it and faked a smile. “I am sure it will have a great taste, Ma. But unfortunately, I can't eat this,” I replied politely.

“But why?” My mother asked with raised brows.

Immediately, my aunty Fiber seized the opportunity to strike. “Oh no! It can't be! Do you think we poisoned the food?” She asked with widened eyes, and everyone at the table looked at me, expecting my answer.

“Did you?” I replied as plainly as I could, and once again, flashed them a smile.

After my response, everywhere became silent, and everyone focused on their food until Lucien entered.

Lucien was dressed in a short blue gown, and her face was covered with heavy layers of makeup. The lipstick on her lips was too much, and to me, she looked like an educated clown. She was carrying boxes of expensive brands, and her nipples were pecking out of the light dress she wore.

Daniel's face immediately lightened up, he felt happy, thinking his wife would insult me, and I would cry.

“My love! How was your shopping?” Daniel asked excitedly and stood up from his seat.

I looked at Lucien. I still couldn't believe she was my ex-girlfriend, and that she had gotten married to my brother behind my back.

I watched as Lucien proudly displayed her shopping haul, flaunting the expensive brands and designer labels. She was clearly trying to show off, to prove that she had "made it" and was now a part of the wealthy elite.

"Well, well, well," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look what we have here. If it isn't the queen of tacky fashion."

Lucien's face fell, and she looked at me with a mixture of anger and hurt. But I just smiled sweetly, enjoying the fact that I had gotten under her skin.

"Riley, that's enough," my mom said, trying to intervene. But I just waved my hand dismissively.

"Oh, don't worry, Mom. I'm just admiring Lucien's... unique sense of style."

Lucien's face turned red with rage, and she took a step forward, her hands clenched into fists. But Daniel grabbed her arm, holding her back.

"Lucien, don't let her get to you," he whispered. "She's just jealous."

I raised an eyebrow, amused by Daniel's attempt to defend his wife. "Jealous? Of what? Lucien's impeccable fashion sense? Or the fact that I first you to kiss and fuck her?"

The room fell silent, with everyone staring at me in shock. But I just smiled, enjoying the drama that was unfolding.

"Riley, that's enough," my dad said, his voice firm. "Let's just calm down and enjoy the dinner."

I nodded, pretending to agree. But inside, I was seething with anger and resentment. “My ex-girlfriend, the lady who used and abused me, was being supported by my parents, yet they wanted me to calm down. Oh, on! They've seen nothing yet!” I was determined to make this dinner a night to remember, and I was just getting started.

My four cousins, Berry, Belvoir, Lolol, and Jace kept looking at me, and I knew they were planning on insulting me.

Fortunately, before they could, the door was pushed open, and Quinoa entered. I looked at her and my face turned cold, wondering what she was looking for. Beside her stood her brother, Roland, and the minute my eyes fell on his, I froze.