Chapter 8- A visit to the St Clairs

At the St Clair's mansion, the occupants of the house were agog with excitement and preparations. Queen Julia had just gotten off the phone with Madam Ashton, she had informed them that she and her son would be coming over for lunch and might extend till dinner time.

Queen Julia had never been happier, she squealed after she got off the call, called the housekeeper immediately, and began dishing out instructions.

"Call the chef, a five-course meal should be prepared."

"Get our golden utensils."

"Darling husband!" She called, "Bring out our best-reserved wine."

"Clean everywhere! Everywhere should sparkle."

"Get our outfits ready."

"Everyone get to work!"

These were the instructions heard by the house staff as they ran around the place, hoping to please their madam. She had quite a short temper when things weren't done properly and no one was spared from her anger.

After she instructed the maids, she went off to her daughter's room.

It was nine A.M yet Sylvana was asleep as usual, she always called it her beauty sleep and had instructed that no one disturb her.

Her mother knew she had to relay the news so she went into the room to rouse her gently, "Wake up my lovely daughter."

"Thirty more minutes mum." She grumbled turning to the other side, "I am dreaming about Xander."

There was a smirk on Queen Julia's face, "And what if I say he's coming over today?"

"What?!" Sylvana shrieked, she shot up, sitting upright and removing her bed covers, "Are you serious?!"

"Of course." Queen Julia nodded, blue eyes sparkling in delight, "I just got off the call with Madam Ashton and she notified me that they would be coming over for dinner."

"Is he coming to ask for my hand in marriage?" Sylvana stood, jumping on the bed, "Yes!"

"He will have to meet you first and know you before that."

"But mother." Sylvana grumbled, "He bought that bitch a Chanel dress on their first meeting and gave her a gold bracelet, why can't he propose without knowing me? I am better and stunning."

"That you are." She cooed stroking her daughter's cheek, "But unlike your demon sister, you didn't throw yourself at him. You have been virtuous and pure. He would love you and forget her."

"Are you sure mother?"

"Positive my darling." She held her daughter's hands, "You are going to be married to the top CEO and nothing can change that. You are going to become the new Madam Ashton in a few months."

                      On this particular day, Sylvana had made it a sport to humiliate Lunaria further and so she requested that Lunaria be present at her grooming.

She wanted her hair, nails, and skin done. She wanted to look good enough to sweep Xander off his feet and she constantly talked about how they will be married soon.

"It's going to be the wedding of the century Lunaria." Sylvana taunted, "And you shall not be invited, you will wait outside watching from between the doors."

Lunaria said nothing, a dark feeling in her stomach. The man she had come to like was coming to see her sister.

"I just know his mother would love me." She continued to speak, "I can't wait till the press finds out, I wonder what the headlines would be."

Lunaria stood aloof, massaging Sylvana's fingers delicately, "The headlines would be lovely." She whispered.

"Of course." Sylvana said, "And you can't relate."

Her sister rambled on about the dates, the dress, the reception, and the gifts. She talked about the honeymoon and shopping sprees further dampening Lunaria's mood.

         

                     By the time Lunaria had finished waiting on her sister and was dismissed to go to her room, she had heard a whole lot about Sylvana's future with Xander.

She wiped the tears on her cheeks as she entered her room, she cried while she got dressed in her maid's uniform knowing that Xander would see her today and be completely uninterested as her sister would steal the spotlight.

Why am I letting this happen? She thought to herself as she brushed her hair, it's me he wants... why do I always have to let go for my sister to have her way?

Her thoughts were all over the place now and she remembered that Sasha had always told her not to let people trample upon her and steal her shine.

What if I meet Xander immediately after he comes, he likes me. He would surely be excited to see me, he would pick me.

And just then, she heard the honking of cars. She ran to the window to see a huge black exotic car roll through the gates.

She saw the plate number "The Ashtons"

It was Xander.

Her heart skipped a bit, those butterflies careening again and she smiled.

She needed to get downstairs soon. She dumped her maid's outfit and picked on a black dress instead. She styled her hair and wore a pendant that Sasha had gifted her a few years ago and when she looked in the mirror she felt beautiful so she rushed out of the room, she wanted to meet Xander.

"And where do you think you are going?!" Queen Julia stopped her before she got to the base of the stairs, "Do you think I would let you be seen?!"

"But mother-"

"Guards!" She snapped her fingers at the men, "Take her upstairs and lock her up till we are done, now!"

The men swung in action, grabbing a struggling Lunaria. She kicked and twisted, yelling loudly but their palms immediately covered her mouth and they dragged her up to the attic.

"You had better stay put brat." They flung her into the room, "Don't cause any trouble!"

                         Xander Ashton and Madam Ashton were impressed by the warm welcome given to them by the St Clairs. Xander began to view them as people he could do business with.

He shook Dominic's hand and acknowledged Queen Julia with a smile, "Please to meet you both."

"The pleasure is ours." They both smiled at him, "And this is our daughter, Sylvana."

"What a lovely young lady." Madam Ashton appraised, "Xander, look at her."

He saw a young woman walk into the room, with a dazzling smile on her face and bright eyes.

"Hello, Mr Xander." She smiled shyly, "I am glad to meet you." She let out her hand, "I am Sylvana."

"Xander." He cleared his throat, "Pleased to meet you."

"Oh, would you look at them?" Queen Julia smiled at madam Ashton, "They would be a perfect match."

"That I agree." She stated, "I can already imagine my grandbabies."

Sylvana smiled and Xander frowned, his mind wandering to Lunaria and how he still hadn't found her. He couldn't wait to be done with the lunch so he could resume his search.

"Sylvana can show X-" Queen Julia's words were interrupted by a loud wail and thumping from up the stairs, "That bitch." She cursed silently under her breath.

"What was that?" Xander asked.

"I didn't hear anything." Sylvana immediately spoke grabbing onto his arm, "Did you hear anything, mother?"

"Of course not." Queen Julia stated, "Let's be on our way."

The noise came again, louder this time.

"I think I heard it." Madam Ashton spoke.

"Must be someone watching a movie or something." Dominic suggested, "We have quite a full house."

"It sounded like a real person." Xander frowned, "Almost like someone is being kept captive."

Queen Julia burst out in pretense laughter, "You have got quite a wild imagination, Mr Xander." Her daughter and husband joined in the laughter, "That was very funny."

Xander raised a brow.

"You can proceed for lunch." Queen Julia stated, "I would check it out. Sylvana, take good care of Xander, will you?"

"Of course mum." Sylvana hooked her arm in his, "Let's go."

Queen Julia hurried upstairs while the rest moved for lunch.

"That sly bitch!" She cursed kicking the door to the attic open, "Can't you both keep her quiet?!" She whispered harshly to the guards, "Abd you?!" Her gaze went to her daughter who was staring and breathing heavily from her screaming, "You will pay for this!"

She lunged for her but Lunaria escaped, making way for the door which wasn't successful as the guards caught her, dragging her back.

"You need to be put out!" Queen Julia grabbed a pillow and pounded on Lunaria, pressing the pillow to her face, "Die you bitch!"

Lunaria struggled to breathe, twisting against her mother and eventually, she gave up going limp.

Her mother stood up, satisfied with her act, "Make sure she doesn't wake up."

"Okay, ma."

She exited the room and went back to join them, glee-filled hee seeing that her daughter and Xander were already in a chatty mood.

She was elated.

Lunaria's plans to gain attention had failed and Her daughter was getting her dream man.