Chapter 7 Lateness Is Inevitable

It was a norm in the Costello Mansion for dinner to be observed at sharp 7pm and it was already 7;47pm; Noah was fourty-seven minutes late as it is.

Katniss was worried and had already began to pace to and fro impatiently because apart from the tense feeling of anxiousness that jittered her, she was equally pissed at Noah for being tardy.

She was aware of Noah's habitual way of showing up late for the things that matter, he's hardly punctual. His late coming further extends to their dates and outings in which frequently results to Katniss' impatient waiting at the venue while Noah either intentionally or unintentionally doesn't show up on time.

It can't be helped though, the lousy habit of tardiness had sunk deep into the man. Nevertheless, he should've at least TRIED to show up early for this. For Christ's sake, this is his first meeting with his future in-laws and he should've beared it mind that first impressions go a long way especially with parents like her's who the little things seem to matter the most to them.

That's why she had previously reminded and pleaded with Noah to be on time for this dinner that meant the world to both of them and yet, he decided to go deaf-eared on her and still hasn't showed up yet.

He can be very stubborn at times.

You see, one thing Mr. and Mrs. Costello loathed dearly was tardiness; To them, being tardy simply interprets to being unserious and irresponsible. Katniss was aware of this and she feared that Noah's lateness might have already left a bad impression on her parents and they're probably annoyed with him even without getting to meeting him. This was what made Katniss to fret and worry.

"It's already 7:50pm." Mr. Costello sighed after taking a glance at the grand golden wall clock hung in the main lounge where the family was gathered awaiting Noah's arrival.

"How irresponsible to keep us waiting without properly informing us about his intended late-coming. Preposterous!" Lady Lucinda spoke accuentedly in indignation and in a slightly aggitated manner.

The period in Lady Lucinda's statement was followed by silence, a typical type of silence that frequently occurs in the Costello's mansion. It simply meant that everyone else in that room kind of or completely agreed to Lady Lucinda's statement. Nevertheless, no one dares say a word to second her statement or acknowledge they had agreed with her because that'll just give her motivation to keep talking on and on about whatever topic on ground and it gets annoying overtime. So it's best she doesn't know people agree with her or as much as listen to her, for the greater good.

So yes, everyone mentally agreed with Lady Lucinda that Noah was wrong for coming late to the dinner and not informing the the family of his intended late-coming.

However, everyone had their own approach to the notion. Noah's tardiness had Katniss' pacing to and fro the room with her phone in her hand as her eyes were instensely glued to the screen, constantly checking the time and if Noah has sent a text and in case he decides to call, she won't miss it.

Lady Lucinda's demeanour was quite apathetic as one couldn't depict what she was thinking about at the moment but it definitely won't be farly fetched from the fact that she's gradually grooming a stem of hatred in her heart for the young lad. It has already been previously established that Lady Lucinda hates to be kept waiting.

Chief Costello wasn't too pleased with Noah's late-coming either, although he wasn't TOO angry because you know sometimes rich people like to show up late to events. Although he loathes lateness, he finds himself showing up late for an event once or twice in a while.

"Lateness is inevitable." Chief thought.

"Maybe something came up last minute resulting to his late-coming which may eventually turn out to be a total no-show. Or could it be a road accident? Slow traffic? An emergency? Whatever be the reason though, he leaving us in the dark is not acceptable as whatever the case may be, the most decent thing to do is call and inform us of your late coming." Chief further reasoned.

Well not all wealthy men share the same opinion as Chief Costello regarding tardiness. While some loathe it as much as he does, a fair percentage do it because they're wealthy therefore no one can question them and their decisions, others see it as a way of life. They're fond of being late because it creates an avenue for someone to anxiously wait for them, to miss them and to yearn for them to show up. According to Chief Costello's 'personal research, most rich people like to practice the latter and that was probably the intent of Noah.

The silence went on for a few minutes and it seemed like Zayne, Katniss' older brother had had enough of it already; not only the boring atmosphere the silence created but also the fact that he was famished and Lady Lucinda told everyone NOT to eat until Noah arrives. Zayne had had just about enough of all that, he was very hungry and his wrinkled facial expressions said it all.

"Ugh, I'm not sure I can wait any longer. Katniss' finance is technically a no-show, dinner must've probably gotten cold and I'm still hungry." Zayne groused breaking the silence and everyone else was snapped out from their enclouded world of thoughts.

"I'm heading out to eat." He added and then rose from the sofa in a bid to leave the house.

"You'll do no such thing son." Lady Lucinda immediately rebuked her son and he groaned, annoyed by his mother's rebuke before halting his steps.

"You will sit down and wait for Katniss' fiance to show up, do you understand me?" Lady Lucinda added and Zayne rolled his eyes before attempting to protest to his mum's decision.

"But mum!"

"Zayne Costello! You will do as I say and wait for Katniss' fiance to arrive, do you get me?"

"All the members of this family must be around for the dinner introduction." Lady Lucinda chided and an already annoyed Zayne grumbled some inaudible words before lowering himself on the sofa.

Katniss who had previously left the main lounge during her brother and mother's berate to call Noah on the phone had now returned and announced to her family that after she gave Noah a thorough yelling for keeping them waiting, he told her he's close. A small weight of relief could be seen lifted from everyone's demeanour as the tenseness of the impatient waiting died down a bit.

•••

At 8:18pm, the doorbell rung. It's chime clicked an abrubt halt on all activities going on in the mansion and also induced an instant silence amongst it's occupants.

They knew, they all knew. It was like an inkling but a rather assured one. It was definitely him, the long awaited visitor was here. Katniss' fiance.

A weird feeling slithered down Katniss' spine; it was just like her previous jittery anxiousness but triple the nervousness. A hint of a smile managed to surface at the ends of her lips. He has finally arrived.

The silence lasted not longer than ten seconds. Murmurs from the corners, here and there, mostly originating from the lips of the housekeepers and housemaids soon took over the atmosphere. They too have been longing to see the allegedly ridiculously 'rich and handsome' fiance of Katniss, a topic that had never ceased from their tongues and gradually made it's way to the top gist during their midnight kitchen gossips.

One of the housekeepers quickly left the discussion going on amongst her colleagues and scurried over to the door to do her biddings. So silly of her to keep their guest waiting, this would surely earn her a yelling itlater on.

The housekeeper couldn't wait to see the face of this young man. Surely, Katniss knows better than to bring home a man who's not up to standards; her mother and father's standard of an ideal husband that is.

The housekeeper usually overhears when Lady Lucinda's shamelessly tells Katniss about the selfish and ridiculous traits she feels she should look for in a man all in the name of 'requirements for a good husband befitting the Costello Empire's princess.'

" A wealthy man definitely, it is also essential he is the son of a prominent member of the society. Next he should be very handsome, with a nice stature not a short and stout man who wouldn't be presentable. We would be ashamed to call him son-in-law in public." Lady Lucinda's words replayed vividly in the housekeeper's memory. For all the housekeeper remembered, Katniss usually seemed unmoved by her mother's requirements as she seemed to have her own personal requirements in a man and her mother's were more or less useless to her.

Nevertheless, Katniss wouldn't dare bring and unworthy man home to see her parents, he's definitely going to be rich and handsome regardless of Katniss' preference.

It was the moment of truth. The housekeeper gently held down the door handle and pulled openthe door to reveal...Wait what?