A Surprise That Changed Her Life

Chapter 9: The Surprise

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Violet's POV

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We were half way through our dinner when dad spoke up, "So, what I need to tell you both is that I had invited my boss for a dinner on Saturday."

Mom nodded like she knew he was gonna say that. I narrowed my eyes at her, "Mom, you knew and you still didn't tell me."

Before she could say anything to me, dad spoke up again, "Violet, you may not know this, but I was promoted because the CEO took notice of my work and decided that I should work at the head office. He went against some of the board members. Due to this reason, I am being supervised directly by him. If I didn't proved myself, the board have the right to demote me. Don't get me wrong I loved my hometown, but I like it here better. And I know for a fact that you don't want to go back either. So please cooperate with me and your mom."

My mouth hung open. I didn't knew all that. They only told me that he got a promotion and that's why we were moving to New York.

"Say something, honey," mom urged me.

I took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Okay, fine. I'll cooperate."

Dad released a breath and slumped in his seat, "That's great. I had thought that you won't want to attend the dinner," he continued after a pause, "Moreover, I heard he has son your age and a eight year old daughter, so you won't be completely bored with all the business talk".

I nodded, not sure if this was a good idea or not. But I had a feeling that this dinner would be a disaster.

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Next morning

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I took a shower and brushed my teeth. Then I blow dried my hair and put on my clothes. Since today was Friday and we were going shopping, I got dressed in a simple light blue button down shirt that covered my butt because I hadn't tucked it in and black skinny jeans paired with ankle boots. I gathered my hair in a ponytail and I was ready to go. Back in my hometown, I used to dress up in sweatpants and baggy shirts. But seeing how much bullied I got because of that, I decided to turn a leaf in the terms of my dressing after moving here. I hadn't wanted to be bullied here too, but all that went down the drain when I bumped into my most recent bully, Brad. Sighing, I unplugged my iPhone and put it in my pocket. Then I went downstairs.

Mom and dad were having breakfast and talking. I greeted them and went on to make my cereal. I added cereal and then milk into the bowl. Taking a spoon from the first drawer, I sat down to eat quickly.

Today, dad would be the one to drop me off at school. I couldn't burden Kate and Michael with giving me rides to school daily. I could walk there but since I was new to this place, dad wanted to drop me.

Something was different today. Dad didn't talk much, neither did mom. I too quietly ate my breakfast, but my mind keep drifting to Saturday's dinner. I could feel it in my bones that it won't go well. Like seriously, I get why dad invited him, but I still didn't like the idea. And why would he invite his family. It's like asking for trouble. Everyone knows what the stinky rich brats are like. They give you hell for no reason! I didn't even bother asking dad more about his boss yesterday because I already know what would happen. So what if they are coming for dinner, I didn't have to know everything about them!

Dad stood up, "I'm starting the car, Violet. Come out soon, okay?"

I nodded at him, "Okay, dad." I looked down at my cereal. It had gone all soggy, so I dumped it in the sink. I picked up my bag and said bye to mom, "See you at the mall after school. Bye, mom!"

She smiled and nodded, "Till then, bye!"

I ran outside and shut the door after me. Dad had already started the car, so I quickly climbed in and buckled up. Dad reversed the car and then putting it back on front gear, he stepped on the gas.

A few moments later, he spoke slowly and uncertainly, "Violet, I can count on you to behave during the dinner tomorrow, right? It's important to me."

"Of course, dad! When do I not behave!" I said, ending my statement with a rhetorical question.

He chuckled, "Well, if you say so. Because I do remember many times when you had tried to stay out of such events with ridiculous excuses."

I laughed cuz those excuses were sure ridiculous. Calming down, I said, "Yes, I did. But do you have any idea how nerve wrecking it is to attend a charity gala or a fancy business dinner for an introvert like me?"

"I can't even begin to imagine," he humoured me, grinning.

"I know, you can't," I grinned.

He then grew serious again, "Please, honey, I don't want to screw up such an opportunity. I don't want to get demoted. Do you have any idea how humiliating would that be?"

I frowned, "I see. I promise I'll on my best behavior during the whole thing."

"Glad to hear that, baby girl," he said before stopping the car in front of the school building.

"Bye, daddy!" I said, climbing out of the car.

He smiled warmly, "Have a great day. Bye!" And with that he drove away.

I entered the building nervously, because I knew that today Melissa won't leave me alone. Yesterday, I had managed to avoid her for the whole day. Luck, I know!

I went to my locker and retrieved my books for the day. I first had trigonometry. I went to the class early and took a seat in the middle of the room. There were ten minutes before the class starts. I took out my phone and texted Kate.

Me: whr r u?

Her reply was immediate.

Kate: at lockers. will be thr in 5

Me: in class

Kate: k

I tucked my phone away and fished out my notebook, textbook and pens. When I looked up again, I saw Brad enter with Melissa following with like a lost puppy. OK, wrong comparison because a puppy is adorable while she wasn't. He scanned the classroom and when his blue green eyes met mine, they grew hard and he scowled. He looked good as ever in his black leather jacket, red shirt and dark jeans with boots. He walked to an empty seat right behind me and took a seat, all the time glaring at me. I could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. Okayyy, but what is he up to now?

I shuffled uncomfortably. He was still glaring at me, when Kate entered the class. She was wearing a purple tank top, black jeans with holes on the knees and purple wedges. She looked happy. There was a bounce in her steps and she was grinning from ear to ear. I waved my hand and she came to sit beside me.

Sliding into the empty seat beside me, she said, "Good morning, Violet!"

"Morning, Kate. You seem happy today. What happened?" I said wiggling my eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes, "Not what you think, idiot! I'm going on a date tomorrow!"

"With Michael?" I teased.

"Obviously," she answered in a duh tone and the both of us laughed.

My laugh suddenly died down when I felt Brad kicking my chair lightly. I frowned slightly, but I couldn't do anything as the teacher, Mr. Nicholas Carter, had entered the class and had asked us to be silent. He started his lesson. I didn't like maths that much, but I actually like trigonometry. Therefore I was paying my full attention and taking notes. The only distraction was Brad who kept kicking my chair. It was absolutely annoying. I was so near to ripping my hair out when the bell rang. I gathered my belongings and was out in moment.

The next two classes were peaceful because I avoided him to the best of my ability. But the lunch was a whole new story...

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