"The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to."
- Dodie Smith

Ashley Davis

It was November and with it came the approaching Thanksgiving.

The whole estate was in uproar, the gardeners were tending to the bushes out front, the grasses out back and cleaning the pond at the back of the estate, trying to get the estate ready for the thanksgiving party as quickly as possible.

Every year, Papa threw an early Thanksgiving and lavish party inviting all the elite families of the society, serving them the finest meals they had ever tasted. Papa was known to be a legendary host among the society.

Marcus Anthony Davis, my father was very generous with everyone. He never stopped giving holiday bonuses to his employees, he never hesitated to fund for several charitable organisations, he never failed to take his whole family overseas every once in four months. He was the best Papa anyone could ever ask for. Actually, he was the best man ever.

"Ms. Ashley, come on, focus! And a one, and a two...."

I stumbled on my step as Ms. Genevie, our dance governess penetrated my thoughts. I righted my steps as she gave me a disapproving look. Locking away my interfering thoughts, I concentrated on learning the steps of a new ballroom dance. My dance partner Julie who was also my maid, followed the instructions our governess directed from the side.

Papa never allowed males in the house. Other than our family butler, Mr. Carter and Papa himself, there were no presence of any male body. He said it was for our own good. He did not want any male to taint his precious daughters. Papa shielded us as much as he could because he loved us all very dearly. That was what we had been told from the beginning so I could not argue now nor did I want to.

When I showed the exact steps of the  dance, Ms. Genevie dismissed my class and called my fifteen year old sister, Stephanie for her dance lesson.

I met her on the way out as she descended the giant staircase. Her blonde hair bouncing with every step. Her eyes, the color of clear sparkling blue similar to my mother's one were brightened at my presence. Her lips pulled into a smile as she noticed me, standing at the last step.

"Did you finish your dance already?" She asked me with her usual perkiness.

Stephanie Mae Davis, was always the most outspoken sister among us. She was always smiling and laughing which were very contagious if I might say so. No one could help but smile back at her.

"Yes, I did." I nodded. "Where is Emily?"

"Where else? Obviously, the library." Steph said with a roll of her eyes. "I tell you, Ashley, for a ten year old, she is quite different."

"Steph, you are just saying that because she does not roam around like you." I told her, smiling fondly as I pictured a small, quiet Emily sitting on the large settee upstairs in the library, with her nose buried in one of Ian Fleming's book.

Emily Lynn Davis, my ten year old sister with dark blonde hair and blue eyes hidden behind a round spectacles, was the most unique girl. For being that young, she was a very knowledgeable and wise girl. As the eldest at twenty-three, I myself felt threatened and quite stupid whenever Emily opened her mouth, but I loved her to bits.

Not only her, I loved my whole family with everything. They were the most precious for me.

Shaking my head, I looked at the sister present in front of me. "You should go fast. You know Ms. Genevie does not accept tardiness."

"I know." She sighed as she waved at me and disappeared through the hallway, to enter the ballroom.

As I started climbing the remaining steps, Mr. Carter called me. "Ms. Ashley, your mother asks for your presence in the family room."

"Thank you, Mr. Carter." I climbed back down and took a right turn to visit the family room. The family room was a quiet room. Every evening all the members of the family would sit down and read or play chess among themselves.

When I opened the dark wooden door, I noted Papa sitting regally on a high back single sofa, the one Papa personally ordered from Europe. He had his thin spectacles on and was reading a file.

"Come on in, Ashley." Mama said from where she was sitting before the fireplace, discarding a book in her lap.

I went inside and first dropped a kiss on Papa's slightly wrinkled cheek. "Good evening, Papa." Then padding over the Egyptian rug, I did the same on my Mama's still toned cheek and took a seat beside her. "Good evening, Mama."

Papa acknowledged me by nodding without even straying his eyes from the file and Mama smiled at me. "Good evening, my dear." She said. "Did you perfect your steps?"

"Yes, Mama." I answered, obediently.

"Good." She told me as she rung a bell from the corner table. Immediately, Mr. Carter opened the door and waited. "Mr. Carter, please ask the cook to send some tea and biscuits in here."

Teas were always present in our estate for Papa loved it very heartedly and he got the habit from his own mama, my Grandmama who was currently in our ancestral estate in London.

When the butler nodded and closed the door behind him, Mama gave me her whole attention. Her blue eyes as sparkly as ever. I loved her eyes, but Papa's green eyes were the ones I had. He had the most unique majestic color although I preferred my mother's one more.

Though Papa did not know that. He thought I admired the eyes I got from him and I never corrected him because he seemed quite content to have at least one of his child with green eyes.

"Ashley dear, you cannot believe how happy I am for you." She beamed at me, her freshly manicured hand cupping my hands. "This is such a beautiful ring too. Eric chose well."

I nodded, shyly looking down at the ring circled around my finger. Finally, it happened. I had been waiting for months and finally, Eric asked me the life changing question.

"Eric is a good man. I have always liked him." Papa told me as he discarded the file on the table. "His family is a good one as well. Not as wealthy I would like them to be, but I see potential in the man."

Hearing the praise about Eric from Papa, broadened my smile. As long as he was proud and happy about my choices, I had nothing to worry. I knew Papa wanted me to marry a rich, prestigious man from a known family in New York City.

Eric was not as wealthy as us but his father was a longtime client of Papa and soon his family became our family friend. Papa and Mama both approved my relationship with Eric, and when after courting me for a year, Eric asked Papa for my hand in marriage and he blessed us with his approval.

It was not just because Papa approved that I accepted Eric's proposal. I loved him. Eric was a sweet, caring gentleman. He respected my parents, adored my sisters. How could I not love him? But Papa's approval did fast forward our relationship. Eric was three years my senior and was already earning enough to impress my father.

This thanksgiving I had many things to be thankful of. My life could not be better.

"Is he coming soon?" Mama inquired, bringing me away from my mind.

"Yes, he said he would be here within an hour." I informed both my parents.

We sisters were taught from childhood that we should ask our parents before everything and the lesson still ran in our blood. Mama and Papa knew about everything going on in my life. From the first bite of an omelette to the last modest kiss from Eric.

"Then you should go and get presentable." She said as she indicated the grandfather clock on the side wall. "It is already 6: 20."

I nodded and rose up, smoothing out the creases on my dress. Kissing both my parents goodbye, I stole away to my bedroom upstairs.

Julie was already in the room, laying out a Ivy modest dress in sky blue, over the bedsheets. After changing in the walk-in wardrobe, I sat before the dressing table as Julie applied light makeup on my face with her magical fingers then combed my blonde hair into a fashionable side bun.

Clasping the expensive watch around my wrist with the engagement ring still on my finger, I stood up to slip my legs into the silver heels already laid out.

At the same time, I heard the loud booming voice of my father and the smooth polite voice of my fiancé from downstairs. Quickly thanking Julie, I stepped out of my bedroom and descended the stairs.

"Ah my favourite daughter, beautiful as ever." Papa said with a large grin, but gazing at Mama who stood beside him, he added. "Just like her mama."

Mama blushed and giggled like a school girl as she shooed him playfully. They were such a loving couple. Seeing that I felt a tight longing. I wanted that. I wanted what my parents had.

Wishfully I looked at Eric, extending a hand before him with a polite smile. "Good evening, Ashley." He kissed the top of my hand.

I greeted him back and after a quick chat with my parents, Eric walked me to his flashy Mercedes, a gift from Papa.

Eric drove us to one of the finest restaurant in the city. We were both ushered into a table, where Eric pulled out a chair for me before taking his own seat.

A waitress stood beside our table, fluttering her eyes at Eric with a pen and a pad in her hand.

Eric was good looking with his brown hair, brown eyes and nice facial structure. He did not exercise much, but he was not fat by no means. He was modest with slight muscles here and there. The only thing I was not fond of, was his height. I myself was very tall so obviously, I wanted a man who was taller than me. but Eric stood at the exact height as me and when I wore heels, anyone could see the difference.

"Welcome. I'm Ivy and I'll be your waitress for the night." The waitress said to us but her eyes were on Eric only.

"Ivy? That's an interesting name." Eric said with a smile.

My usual polite smile faltered. Eric always did this. He used to converse with every waitress, lady hostess for full ten minutes. I did not know what to feel about that. Feel generous to have a man who engaged in talking with the people beneath his status or be doubtful about why it was only the girls? Maybe he felt sorry for the working girls.

Eric was big on that just like Papa that girls should not work. After their conversation was done, Eric ordered his steak and I ordered a greek salad with scallops.

Throughout the dinner, Eric didn't utter anything nor did he touch even a finger of mine. He did not like talking while eating, but if he did not then when would we ever talk? It was always the same. Sometimes I would wish Eric was less of a gentleman. Was it too bold of me to want more touches from him? Did it make me like the girls who fluttered their advances on him?

Eric was always very short with his affection. His affection went till the hand on my back to the slight press of his lips against mine. But that was not enough. I wanted to feel so much more and I wanted him to make me feel like that. Perhaps he would kiss me less modestly when I was not just a fiancée. Maybe once I was his wife, he would lit out the fire in me, making my skin tingle, my stomach flutterring, my heart pounding, just like what the books described.

Just when I sled the last bite in my mouth, Eric pulled out his phone and grimaced.

"What is it?" I asked him.

He looked up at me, apologetically. "I'm sorry, Ashley but I have an important errand to run. Would you mind if we excuse the dessert and leave?"

"No, no. Absolutely not." I lied, shaking my head. It was happening all over again. He would always stop our outing halfway to run an errand but I never dared to ask what the errand was because Mama always said, man did not like explaining and moreover it was not polite of us to inquire them.

After hastily paying the bill, we walked out the restaurant and Eric was shifting from one feet to another and I immediately knew what was coming.

"Ashley, I'm so sorry to ask you this, but it's an important errand and I have to leave now." He said.

I nodded, politely. "It's alright. I will just call my driver."

"Thank you. You're the best." He told me as he kissed my cheek and walked to his car, disappearing in the dark street leaving me standing outside the restaurant.

Sighing, I looked at my hands to take out my phone when I suddenly realised, I had no purse in my hand since I left the house.

"Oh god." I moaned distressfully. In my haste to leave the bedroom and not wait my parents and Eric any longer in the foyer, I forgot to pickup the clutch which had my wallet and phone.

I looked back at the restaurant urgently, but I did not want to go back there. I did not want the employees to know my date left me in the sidewalk. Taking calm breaths, I walked to the edge of the sidewalk and waited for a cab.

New York City was known for the yellow cabs, right? So one would pass through this street anytime now. Anytime.

The street was so deserted except from the lights in the buildings. I should swallow my pride and just go inside the restaurant to call the house. Turning around, I started for the door when a black Range Rover stopped in front of me. Edging away from it, I quickly turned back to walk.

From behind me, I heard the door slammed open and loud footsteps. When did the restaurant door get so far away? Taking deep breaths, I sneaked a glance behind me and at the same time, a hand wrapped around my arm.

"Hey!" I startled and cried out, instantly trying to pull my arm away. Two men in suits were standing before me. The nearest one had my arm prisoned and the other one swiftly went behind my back and blocked the restaurant from my view. "What is the meaning of this? Unhand me right now, Mister."

"I'm sorry, Ma'am." The man before me said. "But you have to come with us."

With that they started pulling me and I opened my mouth to scream, when the man behind me said. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Besides I assure you, we won't do any harm on you, Ms. Davis."

I blanked.

How did he know my name? Who were they?

Thinking logically, I finally screamed, but the two men dragged me firmly into the waiting car before anyone could come out and aide me.

******

A/N: Hey Everyone.

As you can see, this chapter was for showing us Ashley's personality. Trust me, many wouldn't like her at first but that's the thing, she had grew up different. Actually, it feels like she still hasn't grew up. Maybe she doesn't get the space she needs to grow up.

But I guess, with more space and a new dashing man, she might evolve into something more likeable and beautiful. ;)