Honoring Mr Blair's invitation

      “ No! Not again . ” Joseph mumbles incoherently running out of the kitchen with is bag hanging around his neck . He leaves forgetting to pick up the pay slip from the saucy secretary .

Joseph boards a bike to the new city's hospital located at the eastern side of the city, he urged the cyclist to increase his speed for he is in a hurry .

     He arrived the hospital and pays the cyclist walking hastily when he sight the caution sign of no running in the lobby. Joseph turned left to the emergency unit there he meets Mark who paces around with a sweat filled .

“ How is she doing Mark ? ” Joseph asks startling the worried looking Mark

“ She has been in there for over forty-five minutes and I am really afraid Joe . I hope she makes it . ” Mark answers sighing dejectedly while Joseph slips on the floor tears clouding his eyes . 

He lets them slides down freely on his face without making any attempt to dry them . 

“ Mark, how long will I continue ? Just how long cause I am damn tired ” Joseph mutters looking away while Mark pats his back .

“ Do not just sit there and watch your only sister die a chicken. I don't mind searching for funds to support Joe . Do not make that same mistake like he did . ” Mark replies giving him a knowing look .

***

   Isabella alights from the car sighing for the umpteenth time, she detests coming here for a lot of reasons which she never hesitated to show her displeasure when the opportunity presents itself .

 She ignores the greetings and bows from the maids and guards who were neatly dressed in black skirt and pants with a white properly pressed shirt respectively .

“ Responding to their greetings will take nothing out of your proud self ” Keturah says wearing a smug smile on her face walking seductively .

“ I still don't understand why you find it so difficult to mind your business Miss Keturah .” Isabella replies as she continued on her journey to the large living room which was exquisitively furnished .

The chandeliers which hung high in the ceilings glitters like a thousands of shining diamonds in the sky , it reflected on the transparent glass tiles , one could see his reflection on them not bothering for the use of a mirror .

 Isabella's heels clicks on this glass tiles announcing her presence , she heard the soft chuckles of her step mother one that irritated her each .

  “ oh! guess who is here ? ” Mrs Blair says faking a smile making Isabella scoff loudly 

“ Quit the pretense Mrs Blair , where is Mr Blair ? ” she replies sitting on the pink arm chair which has always been her favourite leather upholstery in her father's home .

“ Hi momma ”Keturah squeals throwing herself into her mother's warm outstretched arm and act which triggered an ounce of jealousy in Isabella. 

She rolls her eyes maintaining a cold face , this is one of the major reasons she detests coming home .

“ Do take a seat baby ” Mrs Blair says with a real smile which reaches her eyes not the fake she had dished out to her stepdaughter .

“ Can we get to the main reason why we are here ? ” Isabella states coldly just then her father joins the trio with his hands tuck in his pocket .

“ Hi ladies ! ” Mr Blair greets pecking his wife , Isabella and Keturah who snuggled warmly into her father's cuddle . 

He chuckles little before letting her go , Mr Blair was a tall handsome man even though he was now an older man he could still pass for a model if he loses few pounds of flesh .

  The whole family gathered at the large dining room . The dark huge glass had a lot of dishes on it .

 The sweet aroma wafts in the air as chef Mona saw to the serving of the dish. 

“ Not time for digging Isa ” Mr Blair mutters gently on sighting Isa picking up the cutlery placed neatly on a paper towel beside her 

“ Why ? ” she asks cocking a brow 

“ A person is — ” Mr Blair barely completed his statement when Luther walks in .

“ I am sorry ,I am late .” He apologizes while Mr Blair gestures at him to join them on the dining table . Isabella sighs frustratedly , if she had any idea she would be meeting this arrogant thwart she will never had honoured her father's invitation. 

   Luther sits beside Isabella who frowns her face , there were many seats available why did he choose to sit beside her . 

She snorts flatly wearing a straight face barely responding to any of Luther's pleasantries .

“ Now we may dig in ” Mr Blair announced and Isabella grabs her cutlery attacking the innocent grilled brown chicken lying one plate , she stabs it repeatedly imagining the tantalizing protein is Luther who sat right beside her .

“ Does the grill offend you sweetheart ? ” Luther asks noticing the manner in which attack the food in front of her.

“ And if it did it shouldn't be any of your business should it ? ” She sneers coldly without sparing him a glance .

“ Ahem..... ” Mr Blair clears his throat gaining attention from them all . He placed his fork gently wiping the corners of his lips with the napkin beside him .

“ Thank you for honouring my invite , it's really crucial we discuss this as family . I am pleased to be the father of two damsels . It really gladdens my heart , I am aging and you all know it , it will be somewhat partial if I choose a successor to take over my companies as CEO so I have decided the one who bares an heir becomes the CEO . ” Mr Blair utters eloquently ,Keturah wore a smile on her face like one who just won a lottery while Isabella kept an expressionless look. 

“ This is great news daughters . ” Mrs Blair chirps in gleefully 

“ For Keturah only. ” Isabella corrected after letting a loud scoff .

“ Isabella ! ” Mr Blair calls in a warning tone as Isabella finally takes her eyes off her stepmother and continued with her meal .

“ What date have you chosen? ” Mr Blair asks Keturah who wore a proud smile 

“ Harry and I pick the fifth of June for the wedding .” she answers giving Isabella a mocking stare 

“ six months from now , very perfect . ” Mr Blair commented before facing Isabella who sat on the opposite side 

“ And you Isa ? ” he inquires 

“ None ” Isabella replies nonchalantly as Luther stares at her in puzzlement .

“ What do you mean sweetheart ? We both agreed we will wed on the third of April .” Luther defends 

“ I never agree to that date Luther ” Isabella replies hotly 

“ What date do you choose sweetheart ? ” Luther asks in a cool voice .

“ I'm not interested .” Isabella answers shortly 

“ Huh ?” Luther mumbles unsure of what he just heard 

“ I am not getting married to you .” Isabella reaffirms her response .

“ Isabella if this was some sort of joke or prank can you do away with it ? ” Mr Blair interrupts getting impatient from the indecisiveness between the two grown adult .

“ I am not playing a prank Dad, I am not getting married to — ” Isabella pauses her statement, she instantly felt nauseous within a twinkle of an eye she disgorge the entire content in her stomach taking the whole family aback .

“ Isabella ? ”