Chapter Eight

Lina's POV

"Brother Alex!" Matilda screamed and jumped on him. Alex laughed lightly and turned her round before dropping her. He pulled her into a warm hug.

" I really missed you," Matilda commented. The happiness on her face couldn't be denied. She smiled from ear to ear.

" You couldn't even tell us, you were coming home."

" I wanted it to be a surprise." He said with a smile.

" Welcome home son," Peter said, Alex looked at his father and walked towards him with a smile, pulling him into a warm hug.

" I'm proud of you son." He said as they pulled apart. Alex's smile became wider and dazzling at his father's comment. That made me remember the last time someone said that to me.

Remembering that brought me a bitter taste on my tongue.

" Where is mum?" He asked not seeing Evelyn around.

" Oh, she is at home waiting for you." He turned and looked at me, which made my heart beat faster. I was holding my scream. He looks more handsome and manly. His beautiful eyebrows squinted as recognition flashed across his face and he broke into a wide grin.

" Lina?" He said as a question. I smiled back trying to control myself from gigging. I cleared my throat and struck out my right hand.

" I'm Lina, you remember me?" I asked back.

Instead of taking my hands, he growled and lifted me which took me by surprise. I screamed in surprise which attracted people's attention.

" Oh my God, Alex bring me down," I said blushing hard. He looked around before bringing me down.

Immediately my toes touched the ground, he pulled me into a warm hug. I smiled and blushed hard at the gesture from him. I'm sure, my face is as red as a tomato. After sometimes he pulled away.

" You look so more beautiful and gorgeous now that, I hardly recognize you." I blushed at his remark.

"Thank you."

" No, I'm saying the truth. It's not a compliment."

" You look more handsome now." I complimented him. He smiled back and was about to talk when we heard someone clearing their throat.

I turned to see the woman, he came with. It was then, that I was able to look at her closely. She was wearing a pink shouty wig. And

Putting on blue Calvin Teans jeans with an off-shoulder red shirt that exposed her breast and cleavage, she wore blue heels matching her outfit.

The Jealousy written all over her face couldn't be denied. I almost laughed hard at her expression but I covered my hand over my mouth and giggled. I heard someone gigging beside and I looked up.

Matilda laughed hard covering her mouth.

The woman looked at her and it seems as if she would chop off her head when she is given the privilege to. Ignoring our laughter. He turned towards Peter.

"Dad, this is mara. My friend." Alex cleared his throat and introduced her.

" Mara, met my dad, Matilda, and Lina," he said keeping the greeting short and simple.

" Hi, nice to meet you," I said when nobody talked after the short introduction.

She forced a smile and took my outstretched hands and shook them " it's my pleasure."

" Welcome to New York City," Peter said.

" Thank you, dad."

" That's sir for you." Matilda interrupted rudely while looking at her with irritation written all over her face. Her obvious dislike towards her, she did not even bother to manage to hide.

" Matter!" Peter and Alex said in unison adhering Matilda.

She looked at both of them and sighed, before walking into the car.

" Don't mind her." Alex said and put a hand across her shoulder.

"Welcome home."

"Thanks, dad," Alex said.

Mr. Obama came and carried the luggage into the booth. I walked the other way and got into the car.

" What is the meaning of that?" I asked immediately as I entered the car.

She looked at me and answered as if as a matter of fact " I don't like that girl, she looks like a bitch." She made a look of disgust, I couldn't help but laugh.

" What? "

" Did I say anything wrong?" She looks at me slightly irritated.

" No! I never said that" I said managing to control my laughter. I looked at her face and broke into laughter, I laughed loudly without even trying to control it anymore.

" Do you think, I don't know you have a crush on my brother." I almost shook on my saliva.

She looked at me with a victory smile.

" What do you say?" I managed to ask after calming down a bit.

She smiled and opened her mouth to talk when we heard a sound coming from the window. We both turned and looked outside.

Matilda rolled the tinted glass down with a remote " What is that?" She looked at Alex and asked

He leaned slightly on the car window and said " please will you come and sit in the other car with dad?" He said and looked at her with pleading eyes.

Well, in case you don't know, we arrived here in three different cars, I and matilda are in one car while Peter, Alex, and Mara should been in the same car. The other is for the security officer.

"Why?"

"Are we abandoning our friend now?" She said with scarism dripping from her voice, she rolled her eyes.

" No big bro, enjoy the ride with your friend." She said and rolled up the glass.

" That was rude, you know."

" As if I care." She said rolling her eyes. She dipped her hand inside her bag and brought out her ringing phone. I looked outside as our car started moving and leaving the airport before looking back at matilda.

She looked at the caller's ID and groaned. " Who is that?" I asked.

" My manager." She look at me and answered before picking up her phone.

" Hello, Theodore."

" I'm in the airport."

" What? I will be there by.." She paused and looked at her wristwatch. "2:13 pm, okay." she hung up and switched off her phone angrily, and put it back into her handbag.

" What is that?" I asked looking.

" We are having a wrap-up photoshoot for our concluded movie at 2:45 pm."

" He won't even let me rest. I just decided to take a break today and now this." She sighs.

" It's okay. That is what comes with success."

..........

As the car arrived inside the Millicent mansion we stepped down, surprise scream left my lips as we were at the house entrance.

The front house has been decorated with flowers of different types. The house servants stood in line with a new uniform with a smile on their faces as they welcomed Alex.

I and matilda were behind Alex.

" Welcome home, young master." They said in unison. He looked at them and broke into a smile.

" Thank you all, for your time." I looked at Peter and I saw him smiling.

After that, we all move inside the house.

" Wow!" I unconsciously murmured. The whole place was practical converted into another thing. The lights of the Shining Chandelier from above reflected the whole room. I looked at the house which has been transmitted into another thing only an hour or so of our absence.

" Welcome home son." I heard Evelyn which pulled me out of my daze.

"Do you know about this?" I whispered to matilda who is beside me.

"I'm as surprised as you." She whispered back. I focused my attention back on them.

Alex introduced her friend to Evelyn. She smiled and gave her a warm greeting. I think she is the only one among the family that welcomed her warmly.

" Welcome home Brother Alex. " I heard the tiny voice, Fred. I looked in the direction of his voice and I saw him walking down the stairs with an arrogant smile on her face. He wore a silver Armani suit.

He looked so handsome and cute. I saw a look of curiosity and surprise on his face.

Alex looked at his father for an explanation. I stepped in to introduce him but stopped midway as he came down the stairs.

" I'm Fred Thompson." A look of astonishment and acknowledgments flicked on his face.

He smiled " I'm Alex Millicent." Fred smiled and said, " I like you, we can be friends."

Everyone in the room broke out in laughter" Of course, we can be."

" It's okay let's go inside and eat., Evelyn said. Alex's luggage was carried upstairs by the house servants and attendants.

While we all moved to the dining table. Alex carried Fred as both whispered to each other. I was surprised how both of them got along very well. Fred I know is someone that hardly gets along with people. He hardly talked to people. I think being with loved ones, has started changing him a lot.

I looked at the mouth-watering dishes on the table and couldn't help, wondering when all this was prepared without our idea. It also got me to think that maybe Peter and Evelyn were very sure, that he was coming back.