Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Maybe she’s a servant’s daughter sneaking a peek at the high life?”
“But could a servant’s daughter have such poise?”
“Some of these maids get involved with the wealthy. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to have a daughter with some finesse. I think she looks like one of those girls out to snag a rich kid.”
“Mr. Albright’s guests are all from the older generation. This girl isn’t accompanying any elder; she’s here on her own. Maybe I should go ask her!”Roxanne approached first, her smile tinged with condescension, “Hi there, may I ask who you’re accompanying?”
Mirabella didn’t recognize the woman before her, but considering this was Grandpa Eugene’s birthday bash, she wasn’t sure how this woman was connected to him. She replied in a cool tone, “I came by myself.”
Roxanne was visibly taken aback, “You didn’t come with a referral?”
“Do I need a referral to show up here?”
That was when Roxanne got the picture: this girl had no clue what a “referral” even was. Probably wasn’t formally asked to come, she thought.
“So, what’s your deal with Mr. Albright?” asked Roxanne nosily, “My granddad and Mr. Albright are best friends, which practically makes me just like Mr. Albright’s granddaughter. That’s how I got to score an invite to his birthday bash. And you? How do you know Mr. Albright?”
Mirabella was puzzled, could anyone claim to be Grandpa Eugene’s granddaughter like that?
“Well, I guess that makes me like his granddaughter too.”
If any Jane Doe could be Grandpa Eugene’s “granddaughter”, why not her?
“You??” Roxanne bristled, “Your granddad’s pals with Mr. Albright? Which venerable old gent might that be? Do I know him?”
“Nope, you don’t,” Mirabella cut the conversation short and moved on.
“What’s with her attitude?” Roxanne muttered to Phyllis, feeling slighted, “She says she’s like Mr.
Albright’s granddaughter?”
“Ridiculous. Everyone knows Mr. Albright doesn’t just make granddaughters out of thin air. At least your granddad’s an actual friend of his. Not like her, can’t even say who invited her, probably scared of revealing too much, trying to bluff her way through. I smell trouble.”
Phyllis always trusted in her own beauty, but seeing Mirabella, she felt an unwelcome sting of rivalry.
Could it be that Mirabella’s face was the product of a surgeon’s craft?After all, could such a naturally beautiful face even exist?
Back in school, it was Phyllis who prided herself on her looks, never expecting to be overshadowed.
When Mirabella reached the main building, it was just as expected – the table was laid with all her favorite treats.
She picked up a pastry and was just about to take a bite when her phone buzzed. Taking it out, she saw a string of messages from a group of her grandpa and his friends.
Grandpa Eugene, [Wondering what’s keeping Bella. She hasn’t replied to my messages. Maybe she’s caught up in something urgent tonight and can’t make it.]
Nelson. [LOL. Why do I suddenly feel like laughing?]
Beck. [If she can’t make it, she can’t make it. You’re not only living for this year, you know. There will be more birthdays. We’re not getting any younger, why so sentimental? If not today, there’s always tomorrow.]
Grandpa Eugene. [Would you be this cavalier if Bella missed your birthday?]
Beck. [Exactly, because it’s not my birthday, I can afford to be cheeky! Don’t be down, I’m on my way to cheer you up. Wait for me!]
Grandpa Eugene. [Who needs you.]
Exiting the chat, he checked his WhatsApp and saw Mirabella still hadn’t replied. The network must be patchy where she is, he thought, and then he fired off another message.
“Pumpkin, where are you? Haven’t been to the estate in a while, huh? Forgot the way? If you’re nearby, let your granddad pick you up!”Reading the message, Mirabella almost laughed.
She was about to reply when a new message from Charles popped up.
[Bella, are you already there, just letting Eugene stew a bit? Take my advice, make him wait a little longer. The old man needs to learn patience, always huffing and puffing…at his age, he should be taking it easy.]
Mirabella shot back with a grin, [Maybe I should give you the runaround as well, eh?]
[Oh no, no, no. You know how patient I am, kiddo. Even for my own birthday bash, I take things slow and steady.]
Mirabella chuckled, [Haven’t left the house yet?]
[Any minute now.]
[Drive safe.]
Those words from Mirabella made Charles’ day. He couldn’t help but snap a screenshot and share it with his buddies in their group chat.
[Just look at the angel, so thoughtful. She’s all grown up now, and cares for me!]
He added a smug emoji for good measure.
Grandpa Eugene, [I texted her and didn’t even get a single exclamation mark in reply! Is that screenshot from ages ago, or what?]
Beck chimed in, [Must be my lousy internet here. Still waiting on that sweet message from her.]
Nelson quipped, [Just drove through a tunnel, bad reception, you know?]
Jarvis, [You two are fooling yourselves. Messages going out but none coming in? Who you trying to kid? Wake up, the girl didn’t text you.]
Beck, [@Tanner, sounds like she’s texting you though.]
To prove Mirabella’s message was fresh, Charles posted a new screenshot with the timestamp.That stirred things up among the elders.
Grandpa Eugene, [She’s playing favorites!]
Beck, [She’s so biased!]
Nelson, [Why does Charles get a message and not me? @Bella]
Jarvis, [@Bella, did Charles coerce you? Is he right there, holding your phone, pretending to be you?]
Poor Eugene felt the most dejected.
He stared at the chat, hoping for a reply from Mirabella. When he finally got one, he almost jumped for joy.
[Grandpa, I’m here.]
He quickly took a screenshot and bragged to the group, [Just got this from her. She’s here now, see?
You can tell who’s the most important to her!]
Mirabella saw the group getting rowdy again and was about to tell them to calm down when someone bumped her arm, reaching for some grub.
Lindsay grabbed herself a cupcake and said to a friend, “Some folks have no shame, like that actress all over the tabloids, always the one chasing after other people’s husband. Heard all three of her affairs were with guys who are married.”
Madeline was there too, tagging along with her grandpa to get a taste of high society. She nodded in agreement with Lindsay, “Some are proud to be a home wrecker, flaunting it in the wife’s face, so arrogant.””People think they’re so charming, totally oblivious to how revolting their actions are. That wife was a real lady from a noble family, a perfect match for marriage, not like some broke interloper,” Lindsay sneered, and as she walked away with her cupcake, she bumped Mirabella on purpose.
“Stop.”
Mirabella wasn’t going to let that slide.
“Easy to judge others, huh? And what about you, doing it on purpose?” Mirabella’s cold gaze bore into Lindsay, her narrowed eyes glinting with icy resolve, “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Although Lindsay was a lady from a renowned family, Mirabella’s commanding presence had her cornered.
“What’s the problem? It’s not like I bumped into you on purpose.”
“Did I say you bumped into me?”
Lindsay was suddenly at a loss for words.
“So you know you bumped into someone, apologize,” Mirabella didn’t want to make a scene. It wasn’t every day that Grandpa Eugene threw a birthday bash, and she didn’t want to ruin his celebration.
But Lindsay, with her defiant demeanor, didn’t seem inclined to apologize.
“Can’t even say sorry? Or should I take matters into my own hands?”
“I’m a guest invited by Mr. Albright. I dare you.”
Mirabella stepped forward, her icy glare making Lindsay instinctively step back.
“Grandpa Eugene invited you?”
Another step from Mirabella, and Lindsay’s resolve wavered as she took another step back.
“He would bother to invite someone like you?”
“What do you mean?” Lindsay met Mirabella’s gaze, but her courage faltered after just a couple of seconds and she backed down, “That comment is an insult to Mr. Albright’s judgment.”
“I’m talking about your poor character.”Lindsay, facing this kind of confrontation for the first time, became frustrated, “It was just a small bump, no need to be so aggressive. It’s not like you’re missing a piece of flesh.”
Mirabella stepped forward again, leaving Lindsay with nowhere to go but the corner.
Mirabella stepped on her foot, cutting off Lindsay’s complaint, “It’s just a step, not like you’re missing a piece of flesh.”