Love, Power, and a Little Humble Pie

Monica rolled to the other side on her bed, curling into a fetal position on her queen-size bed, the dim light of her bedside lamp casting a soft light across her room, while the cool breeze of the night flowed in through her bay windows. Her face illuminated by the light from her phone’s screen as she texted away, grinning in a way that makes her cheeks hurt, yet she could not stop, for she was texting the love of her life at 2am.

Suddenly she sat up and texted, “what if your family doesn’t like me? Should I dress casual tomorrow, like jean and a tee or wear a more elaborate gown? Should I wear makeup or keep it natural? Oh my God babe, I haven’t even thought of this.”

Anthony Williams was the only son of fifteen children in the luxurious Williams family. His parents, Chief and Mrs. Williams are oil and gas tycoons. A family well-known in the oil and gas industry for their vast wealth acquired from the many stations owned by the Williams family all across the country. They even own reservoirs abroad, the quintessential representation of wealth and resources, and Anthony being the only son and last born with fourteen elder sisters, each accomplished in their own ways, was indeed an eye-candy, not only the most eligible bachelor in the country but also the precious son of the family.

Beautiful as this sound, Anthony has a bittersweet relationship with his sisters. While they adored him outwardly, there was an unspoken rivalry. He was both cherished and envied. The Williams family has always been one of status, alliances and power plays and with their precious son finally bringing a woman home, the expectations were sky-high. Not only does the father had a list of business tycoon’s heiresses, even his mother had her very own list of senator’s daughters they’d hoped to arrange for him. Monica was, well, an unexpected disruption, to put it kindly.

Anthony chuckled and replied, “it doesn’t matter what you wear babe, you make everything look good anyway lol, you are the most beautiful woman I know but more than the obvious physical beauty, I want them to see your personality and the essence of who you are, the woman I fell in love with."

Monica exhale a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding in and smiled, “well, first impressions matter too, you know?”

“And you’ll make a wonderful one. Now, time is far spent, we should get some sleep, I shouldn’t obstruct your beauty sleep”

Monica laughed, “oh yes, definitely wouldn’t be a good impression meeting your family with a sunken eye bag and dark circles, goodnight my love”

“I pick you up tomorrow, goodnight baby”.

Dressed in a sky blue floor length bodycon gown, shimmering subtly with every step she takes towards the car, an intricate floral lace used for the sleeve of the dress added an ethereal touch, Monica looked like a dream.

“Wow babe, you look stunning!” Anthony marveled as he stepped out of his car, walking towards his girlfriend.

As agreed, there by 6pm to pick her up for the family dinner where he’ll introduce her to the family as the woman he plans to marry.

“You don’t think it’s too much?” Monica smiled but rubbed her palm on her thigh as she took another look at herself.

He cupped her face and said, “it’s perfect, just like you”, taking her hand, he said, “let’s go before my mum starts sending dramatic texts”

The drive to the Williams estate would have been quiet if not for how Monica rhythmically tapped on her lap. Anthony looked over at her and reached for her hand

“You nervous?” he asked.

“Perhaps a little. I'm no president's daughter, you know? And I know, I know. It doesn’t matter but your family…” she trailed off as she stared at the magnificently giant silver gate that manned the mansion ahead of them.

Anthony replied, parking in the stylish driveway of his parent’s home.

“They’re just people, a lot of people lol, but still people. And the most important detail is not them, it’s us. I love you and that’s all that matters. Besides, have you seen you? You are a big deal yourself”

Monica smiled gratefully as she took a deep breath. A butler in uniform opened the door for her as she and Anthony entered the mansion.

There before her was a grand marble staircase which they ascended to reach a room large enough to be described as a mini-hall, well-lit by two chandeliers. The scent of expensive perfumes and Lobster Thermidor filled the air.

Seated across the room were the Williams family, looking like nobility in flesh. Each sister more luxuriously and elegantly dressed than the next as their eyes scanned Monica the same way they would appraise an artifact before purchasing it.

Chief Williams seated at the head of the table, his wife stood to welcome the guest, her diamond jewelries catching the light as she walked towards Monica.

“Welcome dear” she offered as she air-kissed Monica on both cheeks with a smirk and eyes that dances with curiosity. She hugged her son and ushered them towards the dining.

“You are late!” One of his sisters, Lilian said looking directly at Monica, her red lips pursed in disapproval.

Anthony pulled out a chair for Monica as he replied, “traffic”

One of the waiters moved over to Monica’s side as he poured her a glass of wine, she gestured to the waiter and said, “thank you” with a smile.

Immediately she spoke, every eye turned to her and she wondered if she had done something wrong.

“Are you faking that accent or you do have an accent?” another sister, Philippa asked, matter-of-factly

“Sister, I will not…” Anthony started but was cut-short by Monica who placed a hand on his lap to interrupt him

“I lived in London for a few years.” Monica replied meeting Philippa’s scrutinizing gaze

"on a study scholarship or….?" their mother chipped in, her tone, although polite, carried an unmistakable tone of disregard.

"I relocated there after Uni and built my business there” Said Monica with a smile.

"What kind of business?" Another sister, Hope, asked as she lifted her wine glass to her lips and arched one of her perfectly trimmed eyebrow.

"Technology, mostly."

“Okay so, you own a tech start-up?” Lilian stated rather than ask, as she lift her perfectly manicured hands to herself, checking them out as an act to demonstrate pure boredom

Anthony smirked. "She's the CEO of AlphaTech."

Tension settled in the room. The name of her company is very well-known even and especially amongst high profile financial circles. Monica knew she was a big deal, but the reaction to people uncovering her identity never seizes to amaze her, she gets it but at the same time, doesn't. Perhaps that is how success is supposed to feel like, she thought to herself.

“The AlphaTech?” Chief Williams who has been quiet all along suddenly asked

Monica nodded “Yes. Sir.”

“The AlphaTech that recently signed a multi-millions dollar deal with the EU on cybersecurity of the state?” His mother asked, leaning up from her chair, a look of astonishment plastered on her face.

Anthony replied smugly. "The one and definitely, only."

His sisters exchanged stunned glances at one another as realization dawned on all of them that this wasn’t a girl who clung to their brother for a taste of luxury, she is luxury herself.

Monica sipped her wine as she smiled to Anthony, an understanding passes between them as they noted the humble pie being passed across the room.

“well….” His mother recovered, her face flushed, as she exhales, “welcome to the family, Monica. We are honored to have you here.”

“Oh no Ma, I am honored to be here” Monica responded as she looked at Anthony and smiled, her eyes filled with love.

Alas, she finally seemed to have settled into the family as the conversation took a different turn as the dinner continued. The scrutinizing looks were now replaced with deep respect as the sisters looked forward to getting acquainted with such an important figure.

Even Chief Williams and his wife had not only complimented her dress but also laugh at her jokes.

Later that evening, as Anthony dropped her off her home and walked her to the door, he said softly with a chuckle, “I told you babe, you’re one hell of a woman and how you can be so simple and humble with all those qualities will never seize to amaze me. Well, now you see that it never is about wear what you wear”

Monica grinned and replied, “Yes, indeed.”

✧ ──────────────────── ✧ ──────────────────── ✧

All images were generated with Meta ai
Thank you for reading! 🧸🧡

Posted Using INLEO