∆∆2: Work the party

Sharon frowned as she crossed her arms. "Did I ask you to kneel in the first place?" She arched her brow as she asked Andi. "So you're trying to turn my daughter's back against me now?!" 

"No ma'am! Not at all!" Andi responded. He rose to his feet and smiled at his wife. She was always his savior in situations like that and he would forever be grateful to her. 

"Mom, please don't be so hard on him. Dad asked me to gather everyone because he has an announcement to make and it's important." She said as she walked towards the dining table and sat down. 

The others went back to their seat but Andi remained where he was. Ever since he became poor, he didn't own a seat at the dining table anymore, he was meant to eat where no one would see him. 

"Don't be so nice to him sister, he's not worth anything at all, not even the slightest kindness. He's worse than that arrogant pet dog of yours." Mable said as she returned to her seat. 

The head of the Simmons family climbed down the stairs and joined them at the dining table. Everywhere became silent as Harold Simmons walked in. He was a no nonsense man and kept his family in order. 

He cleared his throat. "Good morning everyone, I have summoned you all here to announce that the golden links society is having a party and I have been chosen to host it here. It is a glamorous event and a chance for us to get closer to the top people of the society. Hopefully, meet people whose wealth is permanent." He eyed Andi just then. 

Four years ago, Harold Simmons had just been accepted into the golden links society, a society that was run by the Emerson's as they were the wealthiest. 

Harold and his wife took up the opportunity to get closer to the Emersons then and at the annual party, proposed a marriage between their eldest children. 

Andi's mother, Pearl, was looking into suitable young women for her thirty year old son and no woman was more befitting than Taylor who was overflowing in beauty and charisma. 

Even though the Simmons didn't have enough wealth to boast of back then, Pearl didn't mind. 

Thanks to the marriage, the Simmons had tripled their wealth but none of that mattered now that Andi was broke. 

Andi's face fell to the ground. 

Harold shook his head before continuing. "I want everything to be perfect and we have little time on our hands as it is this Saturday. Andi will be the head of the servants to keep things in check. If one thing goes wrong, I will have your head!" He threatened. 

Andi's head raised and his eyes met with his father in laws. He had done everything he could to avoid the golden links society parties because he knew the people would surely talk about his downfall. 

If he were to work the party, it would only make it worse for him to bear. He definitely couldn't. "But sir I can't, that's going to be far from possible." 

Harold's eyes widened in surprise. "Did you just talk back at me?!" He roared angrily. 

"No sir, I just can't work the party. It would be--"

Before he could complete his words, a hard slap landed on his face, causing more blood to sip from his wounded lips. 

Harold turned red in anger as his voice thundered. "How dare you?! Who do you think you are, you insolent fool! You have no right to talk back at me! You are nothing but a church rat who eats my garbage. Do you think you have a voice? You are an animal!" 

Tears pricked at Andi's eyes but he fought them back as impossible as it seemed. The people who used to bow down at his feet would now order him around to fetch drinks and snacks for him. 

They would openly talk about how his father disappeared after his family went bankrupt and his mother who was sick with an ever piling hospital bill. 

The shame would just be too much for him to bear. 

"Sir, please..." His voice shook as he spoke. He bit his lips hard, trying to stop himself from bursting into tears, not minding the pain from the wound. "Please I really can't work the party-- I can't stand in the midst of all those people and--" 

His words were caught off as a single tear rolled down his cheek. He immediately wiped it off as he sniffed. 

Harold's lips curved into a taunting smile. "Why can't you? Are you perhaps... Ashamed? You can't bear to stand in the midst of all the people that used to worship you and your family?" 

Sharon let out a sinister laugh. "You are already a failure and they all know that so what difference will it make? You are trash, useless, a penniless fool with a broken home. Do you even have the right to pride?" 

Andi looked at his wife, hoping she would be able to save him from this one. After all, her parents always listened to her. 

Her lips curved into a weak smile. "There's nothing to be ashamed of my sweet Andi, life is full of ups and downs and you just happen to fall really hard. Besides, there's good news too." Her smile brightened. "Isn't your mother still short on bills? The doctor will throw her out if you don't pay up.

"Well I was able to talk to my dad on your behalf and he has agreed to clear all of your bills!" She cheerfully announced. 

Andi's eyes widened. "All of it?" 

She nodded her head. "But only if you do him this one favor. So what will it be my love?" 

Andi fell silent. It was too much for Harold to ask for but then again, he was poor with no one to help him, shouldn't he do this much to save his mother's life? 

He swallowed hard.