'Minister of aviation, Hospital president, Ambassador, Army General, CEOs of various companies. And Damien was one of them. God, this family has it all.' October looked from one person to another seated at the grand VIP table in the well renowned Sinclair restaurant. Chinyere Ekwegh, aka Lolo, who had once been a governor of Imo state in her early days was seated at the head of the long table looking as radiant as ever. She was the eldest in the family. She had three sons, including Damien's father. If there was one thing October noticed so clearly about Damien's family, it was that no matter the rank each and every one of them had in the country, they all respected Chinyere.

The woman's hair was all grey now, and she was smiling as she exchanged small talk with Damien who October had learnt was her favorite grandchild. October was right beside Damien, sitting as quiet as ever and hoping no one would notice her. At Chinyere's right was Amaechi Ekwegh, her first son who happened to be a general in the United States army. His wife Hilda, the owner of another prestigious restaurant was after him. She kept on complaining to Claudia who was beside her about how they should have eaten at her restaurant instead of 'a lower class' one as she had referred Sinclair to. Claudia just shook her head. There was an empty chair beside Claudia, before the last son Richard and a woman she didn't know.

Damien was the first at Chinyere's left, then October and two empty chairs right after, before two other ladies and two teenage boys. October wasn't familiar with Damien's cousins but she had heard a little about his uncles.

Damien's grandfather had been dead for about six years now, so Chinyere was the head of the large family now. Sincerely, October was nervous around her. She had to tread carefully at this dinner. She was also relieved that she had gone to a mall with Damien to change her clothes. She was now dressed in a black halter neck gown which showed off her curves. Her once 'self makeup' had been wiped off and  replaced with professional but light makeup. Her bun was tighter now, more 'serious' like.

"These people know I don't tolerate lateness." Chinyere said to Damien. "They should be here by now."

"Mother." Claudia called Chinyere's attention as she dropped her phone from her ear. "William just called. He sends his apologies as he won't be able to make it tonight."

Richard scoffed.
"If the oldest son could be here even with the nature of his job, why does your husband think he can do whatever he wants?"

"It's okay." Chinyere said before any argument could be started. "He'll join us another time. He takes after his father, always busy with work. That reminds me." She turned to Damien. "Tell your grandfather to hurry up and get here." She smiled warmly. "Hurry and call him."

"Lolo." Damien paused. He didn't know what to say. "Grandpa's....."

"He had to stay back in Ireland because he missed his flight." Claudia interrupted him. "He'll be home soon."

"Yes, he called us." Hilda added.

Chinyere clicked her tongue as she stared at the seat directly opposite hers at the table. It was supposed to be where the head of the family sat according to her, and she had been expecting her husband to be there.
"Such a pity. I spent so much money on that surprise cruise. I guess it will all go to waste."

Damien sighed. He was so heartbroken to see his grandmother this way. He suddenly felt a hand slip beneath his and intertwine with his fingers. He turned to October who smiled at him.

"I guess we should start then." Chinyere said. "I don't think we're expecting anyone else."

October heard one of the ladies beside her snort. She was trying to hold in her laughter. All of them turned to look at her.

"Amanda's not here yet, mother." Richard looked at Chinyere with disbelief. He was one person who never had patience, thus he didn't know how to handle his mother's forgetfulness.

"Who?" Chinyere asked. She thought for a while. "Oh, she." She nodded.

"Sorry I'm late." A voice said.

As if on cue, Amanda had arrived, and she was sashaying towards the table.

October gasped softly and turned to look at Damien. He only grinned. There she had it- her answer. She was his cousin after all. Olivia was right. She wasn't supposed to assume anything.

"Edwin didn't want to come back our the country, so I brought a friend along." She said as she pecked her grandmother on her cheek.

Chinyere nodded.
"Welcome." She patted Amanda on her shoulder. "Take a seat." She gestured to one of the empty seats beside October.

"This is a 'family' dinner." The lady after October who had snorted before said, shooting daggers at Amanda with her gaze. Amanda turned to look at her and her eyes caught October.

"And what is she doing here, Ruth?" Amanda scoffed. October turned to Damien with an 'I told you so' look.

"It's alright. Where's your friend?" Chinyere asked.

Amanda signaled someone standing a few paces away and the person took the hint and moved closer.
"You all already know her." Amanda said as October turned. Amanda was glaring at October with a smirk glued to her face.

"Good evening everyone." The person finally reached their table. "I'm Jessica. Jessica Eburuche."

******************************

If there was any point in October's life that she felt so tiny, it would be now. She ate her food ever so slowly as she watched the family converse. She was okay with it though. After all, Damien had done the necessary introduction when she had come in. If dinner would just go quickly without anyone saying anything to her, then that would be just....

"That's impressive Jessica. I didn't know you were so hardworking." October heard Hilda compliment Jessica.

"It's what the ladies do these days. Your own daughter runs a company. I think the gender inequality in our country is being mitigated. Women are so successful now. So tell us October, what do you do?" October almost choked on her food when Chinyere called her name. Almost all eyes were on her now.

She slowly swallowed her food and dropped her fork, setting her gaze on the dishes on the table instead of anyone else's.
"I work in a hotel now, Damien's hotel."

Some of them began to whisper among themselves.

"Oh, I see. I remember Damien said you were a model for an agency." Chinyere said.
October bit her lip. They had kicked her out after she became 'nothing' according to people years ago.

"That was back in secondary school, Lolo." Damien said.

"But you always rambled on about how it was the happiest thing for her." Chinyere said to Damien. That made October surprised. How did Damien know about that?

Amanda scoffed from beside October.
"Talk about shattered dreams." She remarked as she wiped her hands clean.

"Amanda." Claudia called her sternly.

"What? It serves her right for what she did." Amanda shrugged.

"And you, Feranmi?" Chinyere turned to the woman beside Richard, totally ignoring Amanda.

"I work at Richard's hospital ma. That's how we met." The woman spoke for the first time. October guessed she was the quiet type, or just nervous like her too.

"You're a doctor?"

"Yes, Mrs Ekwegh."

"I want you to come around more often before the wedding next week. And you October, I would like to hear more about you. You're the one my grandson always talked about everyday from school. And even recently." Chinyere told October. October looked at Damien with the corner of her eyes. He used to talk about her? Okay, playing with his feelings to get back at Jessica wasn't seeming like a good idea anymore. If what Chinyere said was true, maybe Damien still liked her. It wasn't right. She had to stop it.

Chinyere looked at Jessica. "You too, Jessica."

Jessica smiled and nodded.

"Of course. I'll make sure you see her more often. After all, she's the one Damien plans on getting married to." Amanda grinned as she leaned towards Jessica.
Damien was so shocked, so was October and Claudia. The rest were not surprised as much because they knew Damien had been dating Jessica for years now.

"Oh really?" Chinyere rose her eyebrows as she dropped her fork. That was new.

"Yes, grandmother." Jessica rose her hand to show them the gold ring that sat comfortably on her finger.

"That's not true, Lolo." Damien looked at Amanda with disbelief written all over his face.

"He's just shy to admit it." Amanda patted Jessica at her back. "Welcome to the family." She told her.

Damien looked at October who just stared at her food. She didn't even want to look at him. October felt like something had been pierced into her chest as she looked at a beaming Jessica. She felt- - angry. They were back together?

"We're not even dating." Damien said. This had to be a joke.

"Stop it, Damien. They already know." Jessica said. She turned to Chinyere. "He said to keep it a secret as he wanted to surprise you all."

"Well I am surprised." Claudia fixed her gaze on Damien. Damien shook his head as he stared back at her.

October didn't know why this affected her so much. She didn't even notice she was gripping her knife so tightly.

"That's great news then. Two marriages happening soon. I should expect another great grandchild." Chinyere said. "The way you always talked about your friend here, one would think you would never set your eyes on any other girl. Are you two comfortable being just friends?"

"Not at all." Amanda jumped in. "After what she did, she's just a pawn in his game. He said so himself. It's just pity. She has lost everything."

"Who asked you?" Ruth eyed Amanda.

"What did she do?" Chinyere asked, oblivious to what happened years ago.

"Shut it, Amanda." One of the teenage boys said. "We have guests here." He said through gritted teeth.

"You might not remember Lolo but she caused so much humiliation to our family. Uncle William is a minister. Imagine the shame she made him go through. Even Damien."

"Did I tell you it bothered me?" Damien asked her.

"What are you talking about?" Chinyere was curious now.

Damien banged his fist on the table, alerting everyone, even Feranmi and his other cousins who were minding their business and eating.
"Tell her, Amanda. Finish what you started."

"Oh, I will. This gold digger shouldn't be here."

This was it. She couldn't be here anymore. She couldn't take it. What was the purpose of Damien bringing her here when he was engaged? Had he brought her here to insult her? Come to think of it, he had no reason not to. Was he even really defending her?
A pawn in his game? She scoffed. Even if she had planned on using him earlier on,

"One more word, Amanda...." Claudia was saying when October slowly stood up, picking up her clutch purse as she did. The table became quiet. October took a deep breath.

"I have to get back to work. Thank you for having me here, Mrs Ekwegh." She said to Chinyere and faked a smile admist the tears that had welled up in her eyes and turned to leave.

"O.C." Damien tried to call her back but it was of no use. No one expected her to turn back after what had just happened. Instead of calling her again, he just stood up and went after her.

"Well, that was upsetting." One of the teenage boys said.

"Amanda." Claudia stood up. "Follow me."