Chapter 1_ Eagerness And Turning Down

 A series of dishes had been set on a dining table with a formal eating setting although it was only a family breakfast. Just being inside your bedroom without being told, you can know that breakfast is ready. Brie turned out to be the first to make it on the table while she was still putting on her night dress. She was the third daughter and the third child as well of the Gracefield family. She is about twenty-two years of age and averages in height. She has fair skin, an oval face with a straight nose. Her eyes had a crystal line on them which made her more conspicuous to her sisters with her long eyelashes as well. 

 

As they ate in the morning, Andrew the younger brother walked in already dressed up for school. He was in his fourth year in science school, where he was majorly based in chemistry. He is the only person in that family that cares about nothing but just enjoying life although he excelled in his studies. “Good morning”, Brie greeted him as she saw him on, but he could not hear her because of the obstruction of his ear earpiece. “The bowl is on your left”, Brie said to him a little bit louder before Andrew could hear and got himself focused from operating his phone. He now lifted the bowl from his left to dish out the mushroom soup for himself. “Good morning”, Andrew greeted him as he smiled at her. “I greeted you a while ago but…”she paused and looked at his earpiece still on Andrew’s ears before he took them off. “Sorry”, he apologized to her. “I heard too much of that destroys the ear drum”, Brie informed him. “I know, that is why I am careful and do not really using it that often. But at least the boss lady will not yell at me for disturbing her with music earlier this morning”, Andrew said. 

 

“Speaking of the devil”, Brie said as she sighted Macrina coming behind Andrew on her trumpet steps. Macrina Gracefield is the eldest daughter of the Gracefield family. She is twenty-six years of age. She barely laughs and takes almost everything seriously. She is a business tycoon who handles the business of the family and takes no shit from her employees. “Good morning everyone”, she greeted them as she sat down. “You look elegant in your red dress”, Brie complemented her. “Thank you. You are not going to your workplace today?” Macrina asked her. “I will go there, but not before I see Kay’s furniture man with her. You know she cannot wait for any longer to have her own restaurant”, Brie said. “That is what everyone in the court calls a strict business”, Macrina said, more like a compliment. “Do you know that Carolina sent me an engagement card of one of her daughters, Sonia? She is twenty-three years of age”, Cecil Gracefield said as she walked in immediately and sat down. 

 

“But I heard that the guy is very rich and he is worth millions of dollars and I am sure that Carolina is going to boast about it at our book club”, Cecil said disappointedly. “Good for them”, Brie said. “Yes, but what about me here?” Cecil asked heart brokenly. “You want to get married mom?” Brie asked although she knew what their mother meant at that moment. Cecil Gracefield is the wife of Gilbert and the mother of Macrina, Kay, Brie and Andrew. She is about 52 years of age but looks very much younger than that because she maintains her body fitness by going to the gym every morning and at the spa on weekends. She is a pushy type of woman who loves to get whatever she wants, whether by hook or by crook. She was so depressed when she received the invitation card to Carolina's daughter’s engagement party on her way to the gym. She used to make the loudest mouth at the book club, but after what happened, it seemed like the table was turning over to Carolina. She was so filled with anger and jealousy as a non-friend of her daughter's boyfriend, let alone a husband now. 

 

“What about you Mackie?” Carolina faced Macrina cheerfully in order to try and coax her into getting a fiancé soon. “Sir, Williams Chamberlin loves you and he is a knight of the church”, Cecil said, smiling. “No man is worth my love and affection, Mrs. Gracefield”, Macrina said coldly towards her mom. “What do you mean by the nonsense you just said now? Don’t you know that women age very early or what?” Cecil said in a frustrated mood. “That man is way more than your worth. He is worth more than millions of dollars and he is a renowned man in society!” Cecil praised him as if he was sitting right there next to them. “If he is as good as you just said now, then you should marry him and all that instead”, Brie said to defend Macrina. “The nonsense that you just said now is not helping matters here”, Cecil said before she could utter another word. Macrina now had no other option but to stand up and leave the dining table.