It was a pleasant Saturday evening, with Elena supervising the setting of the table for dinner with the Clarkes, after preparing the meal. Ellen was in her room getting ready, after helping in the kitchen, while her dad had gone out for surgery later that afternoon. He would be coming with the guests. "Mm, something smells delicious. I missed this aroma, Elena's cooking." Isabella commented once they got there, drawing Elena's attention. "Oh my, I didn't see you there. How are you?" Elena remarked and went to hug her friends in a welcoming manner. "Oh my God, is that your daughter?" Elena asked in amazement. "Yes oo. If you had stayed longer, you would have seen her." Isabella said sarcastically. "Hi auntie. I'm Stephanie." Steph stepped forward to introduce herself before her mother ruined the ambiance with her sarcastic charm. "Hi honey. Wow you are very beautiful, and you look my daughter's age. How are you dear?" Elena complimented and asked. "I'm fine by God's grace auntie. I've heard a lot about you, good things." Steph answered with a chuckle. "I like your accent." Elena said and they laughed. Aaron had gone to take a shower after kissing his wife good evening. They sat talking in the hall while the servants served juice. "Um aunt, where is Ellen please?" Chris asked coyly. "Oh, she is in her room. She'll be down soon." Elena responded. "Can we go meet her? I'd like to introduce myself before dinner." Stephanie asked politely with a smile. "Okay dear, but don't take too long up there. Dinner will be served soon." Elena said and gave her permission. They stood with a broad smile and went upstairs. Ellen was just coming out when her door opened. "Hi Ellen." Chris greeted cheerfully, extending his hand for a hug, which she blocked upset. "Don't you know how to knock or something? Why would you just enter someone's room this way?" Ellen queried in anger. "I'm sorry, I forgot…" Chris began apologizing but was cut mid-way with a laughter from behind him. "Oh brother. I've never seen you this excited about a girl in ages. Hi, I'm Stephanie Clarke. His little sister with good manners. Pardon my brother, he was too excited to meet you. He's used to being the ladies' favorite, that he forgot to be a gentleman." Stephanie mocked and introduced herself. "Hello, Eleanora Wilson." Ellen replied shyly, her anger soon forgotten with the girl's accent. She had to admit she was as beautiful as her accent. Her color was refined from staying abroad for so long. She even had long hair which looked like only expensive products were used on it. Her height was a good one for a fifteen-year-old, and she had a mild, but good figure, a model shape. Ellen was still admiring her mentally when she spoke again. "I know. He doesn't talk about any other girl but you." Steph teased. "Don't do that please." Chris pleaded when he realized his sister was about to air his dirty laundry. Stephanie laughed and Ellen smiled. Even her laughter sounded foreign. "So, are you going to tell me about yourself? I've been looking forward to meeting you for so long. I always thought, how would Uncle Wilson's child look like? Will she be headstrong like him? You know your dad can be quite difficult to deal with, right?" Steph rambled as she took a seat on the sofa by the window. Ellen spoke about her life, and her friends, as well as the contest she had won with Henry, but didn't talk about him. She admired Stephanie as she spoke, and she listened with interest. For the first time, she was intimidated about someone else's beauty. "Wow that's very interesting. What about the boys? Isn't there any you like?" Steph asked and Chris glared at her. "Um no. That's not really in my plans at the moment." Ellen replied when she saw her mother come by the door. Chris smiled with satisfaction. "Cool. I like you." Steph said with a smile. "I like you too." Ellen replied coyly. "Great, but (whispers in her ear) between you and I, my brother likes you more." She laughed. "Stephanie don't make me put you back on a plane to the Netherlands." Chris scoffed. "Hahaha, friends?" Steph laughed and stretched her hand, which Ellen shook with a smile. Compared to hers, Steph's palms were feather-like. 'Would Henry still like me if he saw Steph?' Ellen found herself thinking and shook her head in shock to clear her mind. "Alright you three, time for dinner." Elena, who thought no one had seen her, decided to make her presence known. They all descended with joy and anticipation of satisfying their growling hunger.
"So, Steph, how was school last semester? Did you study or you made another jerk walk all over you?" Aaron inquired with a tease. "I don't know Uncle, I didn't find a you, last semester. Seems aunty married the last jerk." Stephanie retorted and everyone laughed except Ellen, and her mother, who were shocked at the discourse going on. "Relax Elena, these two are always on each other. You will get used to it. Steph is more of Aaron's daughter than mine. This man has taken my children from me." George explained. Ellen relaxed with a smile, but Elena was still not convinced. "I'm sorry for being rude aunty. Uncle Wilson just loves to make me miserable with his tease." Steph apologized and Elena smiled. She and her daughter really admired the young lady, maybe it was because of where she came from. Steph has been in, and out the country, since she turned eight. She lived with Isabella's sister back in Canada. She was spoiled, but polite and smart. She, unlike Ellen, was a party girl, who dated too, but had poor luck with her first love. Aaron always teased her about the guy, who made her almost not want to come to Ghana ever again. She was over him now, that's for sure. "Oh, Ellen dear, congratulations on your victory during the contest. You made us all proud. I hope you aren't too close to that boy you partnered with." Isabella spoke, changing the subject. Ellen gulped and shook her head, "no please aunty." She lied. She had a feeling her family wouldn't approve of Henry if they heard the rumors about him. Plus, her father had just said few days ago that she has to be in the final year of university like Chris, before she can date. She didn't like telling lies, but she would apologize to God later. The evening wafted off beautifully, and joyously as the elders talked in the balcony, and the kids went to the swing in the garden. Ellen was almost sad to see them go after some time, since it was getting late, and readily agreed to go out with Steph the following week after exchanging contacts.