Is this destiny?

~ Long family villa ~

Samantha is looking at the entrance of the massive Long family villa. It's the main building on the property.

This is not Samantha's first time here, but whenever she is facing this massive oak door, she always stops and thinks how glorious would be for her to live here.

Unfortunately, this castle-like building is reserved for the Patriarch of the Long family who has the right to allow others to live in the main villa. Other than Steve, Bridgette, and their daughter Denise, only Gabriel and Victoria are allowed to have their living quarters in the main building.

Gabriel won Steve's trust during the last three years while Steve was fighting for the position of the Patriarch, and other than Gabriel (and his wife Victoria), Steve does not trust anyone else to come close to him or his immediate family (Bridgette and Denise).

Other members of the Long family live in different villas on the property, that are separated by forest and lush greenery. The villas are strategically placed around the main building, as if to protect it. All villas are generous in size and luxurious, but nothing is better than the main one because this building means prestige and power above all others.

"Sam, are you coming?" Samantha's mother (aka Rachel) called softly.

"Coming…" Samantha lifted her dress and moved up the stairs toward the opened door at which the staff was waiting for them.

Samantha wondered if her dress is good enough. They always wear formal attire when they come for a meal to the main villa, which is usually for special occasions.

This morning, when they got an invitation from the main villa for lunch, Samantha's father (aka Travis) was ecstatic. He thinks that Steve finally decided to give him some benefits. After all, Travis is Steve's Uncle and he never openly opposed Steve. However, Samantha has a feeling that this lunch invitation is related to the incident from last night.

Samantha frowned at the memory of last night. She was humiliated and slapped, and she told her parents over breakfast how a girl from the White family bullied her, but the only thing her father said was that she should be patient while he investigates that girl.

"Whites are a big family, but I never heard of a girl by name Merve.", Travis mused at loud.

Samantha had a feeling that something is off. Is it possible that… "Are you saying that she lied?"

Travis shrugged, indicated that he is not sure. "I didn't say that. But maybe they are not as closely related as they made you believe, and there is also a chance that she is part of the different faction within the White family. Be patient for a few days. Once I get information on her, we can talk…" Travis said while patting Samantha's head.

After Samantha told him about the incident, Travis wondered if the invitation is related to that and if they are in trouble, but he dismissed the idea. If they are in trouble, security would come instead of a lunch invitation. There must be something else going on.

Back to the present…

The trio entered the lounge where Gabriel and Victoria waited for them.

"Uncle Travis, Aunt Rachel…" Gabriel greeted them.

"Do you know why we are here for lunch?" Travis asked Gabriel when he confirmed that Steve is not present.

"I'm not sure. We found out that there will be more people joining us for lunch. The medium hall is being set up." Gabriel responded.

Travis thought about the meaning behind Gabriel's words. The medium hall can host up to fifty people, and the fact that they are not going to eat in the regular dining room which can fit up to twenty people, means that there will be between twenty and fifty people present!

"Who else is coming?" Travis continued probing.

"We will find out soon. Drink?" Gabriel gestured toward the staff member who was waiting for Travis' beverage order.

Travis exhaled, realizing that Gabriel will not say more even though he was impatient.

Travis stiffened at the familiar voices which drifted into the room, and just as he guessed, two seconds later, he saw his Cousins Joseph and Anthony with their wives and teenage kids, and then his Uncle Samuel and Uncle Jeremy entered.

When Richard (Gabriel's father and the previous patriarch) joined them in the lounge, Travis realized that this lunch was getting bigger by the minute.

At first, Travis thought that it will be something where he is the star, but now it seems it's a family function. The only thing he knew was that this is on short notice, because if this was planned a day or two earlier, his assistant would let him know. He wondered if Bridgette is pregnant again and they want to make an announcement to the family before it leaks to the media. 

Victoria chatted with Rachel and Samantha while suppressing her anger. There are more women coming, and as Gabriel's wife, it's her duty to welcome them! If she is the Madam, Victoria would be coming late (like Bridgette), and not come early to entertain guests until the main characters arrive. Ah, soon… Victoria smiled. The thought that the time when she will reverse her luck is approaching, is what keeps her going.

"Cassie? Anabella? Why are you here?" Samantha almost screamed when she saw her classmates. She never got along with Anabella, but Cassie betrayed her last night and that is still fresh in Samantha's mind.

"We are invited." Anabella said stiffly. "Nice house. Is it yours? I guess… not."

Samantha sneered. Out of all the classmates, only Cassie came to the Long property to visit Samantha, and the fact that Anabella knows how this is not where Samantha lives, means that Cassie had loose lips. Who knows what else she said?

"Now, now… watch your manners, Sam…", Rachel reminded her daughter to calm her temper. "Cassie, nice to see you. How are your parents?"

"They are doing well, Mrs. Long." Cassie responded politely while ignoring Samantha's glare. "I hope your health is serving you well."

"Thank you. And this is…?"

"Anabella Rain, Mrs. Long. It's nice to meet you." Anabella responded politely to Samantha's mom.

Samantha's mom was about to say something, when Samantha said louder than she intended: "Victor?"

"Class president?" Cassie and Anabella said in unison when they saw the young man approaching them.

"Hello…" Victor greeted them.

"Excuse me…" The maid from behind Victor spoke. "Mr. Miller, Miss Rain, Miss Burke… Master is expecting you in the study."

Anabella and Cassie nodded and followed after Victor and the maid.

"Sam? What is going on?" Rachel asked when Victor, Cassie, and Anabella were out of the earshot.

Samantha's brows furrowed. "I don't know, mom."

The fact that Victor, Cassie, and Anabella are here, supports the theory that all this is related to the incident from last night, but Samantha was not sure how this relates to her. Is it possible that Stephen wants to deal with Cassie and Anabella so that they don't testify against Samantha? After all, the ruined reputation of a Long will be a stain for the whole family.

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