THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS

Eleanor went over the plan in her mind and spotted a problem with Elvis’s plan which led her to the former question that caused their earlier rift.

"Brother, Aunt Lauren will also get the news that you came to the company. How do you intend to deal with that?"

"That’s not a problem," Elvis waved dismissively. "We will go there on a day that we are sure Aunt Lauren isn’t in the company. As for knowing when that will be, you can always get that from mom."

"Oh," but she didn’t know how it was going to be possible.

"But we have to be very careful, Eleanor, nobody must know of this plan. Not even your friends."

"I know what I should and shouldn’t share with my friends. Or are you insinuating that I cannot keep a secret?"

"I didn’t say that, but you know best if you can or cannot keep secrets," Elvis said while moving to the door.

"Humph! Let’s see who will be more careful."

She returned back to her doll and warned it with a stern expression. "See, brother doesn’t believe I can keep a secret. You must not tell anyone either, otherwise, I will be very cross with you."

******

The following day at school, as soon as it was getting close to break period, Sophia cornered Eleanor on her seat.

"Eleanor, it’s been long we hung out together. You’re always going off during break with Elvis. Don’t you want me as a

Your friend again?"

Eleanor was alarmed by what Sophia said. "What nonsense are you talking about? Of course you are still my best friend."

"Then why are you ignoring me?" Sophia looked aggrieved.

"I didn’t ignore you. It’s just that..." Eleanor remembered her brother’s warning and quickly changed her words.

" It’s just that I also need to hang out with my brother. You and I are always paired in the same group in class while my brother, with someone else."

Sophia stoped to ponder on Eleanor’s words. If that was the case, they can always work something out, so she proffered what she felt must be the best solution.

"So that is it? We can all hang out together then." That way nobody will be left out.

As good as Sophia’s idea sounded, it wasn’t going to work since she wasn’t just keeping her brother company but plotting out a very sensitive family matter.

Just when Eleanor was in a fix and didn’t know how to turn down Sophia’s request, their class teacher showed up.

"Eleanor, Sophia, can I see you for a moment?"

Eleanor heaved a sigh of relief. "Of course," she responded eagerly. That was a close call.

She has never been more glad than she was at that moment for the teacher’s interruption.

With relief she followed the teacher to her desk, while she held hands with Sophia.

The teacher took in their appearance again and nodded to herself. "How are your preparations for the sports event going?"

Sophia wondered why the teacher had called them and wished it would be over soon. She needed to get back to her discussion with Eleanor. "It’s going well, Ms Richards."

However, her friend Eleanor held a contrary opinion. "Exciting," Eleanor had a bright smile when she responded.

"That’s good to hear because I will need two of you to help me with something."

"Alright, Ms Richards. What do you want us to do for you?" Eleanor asked.

"Just like you heard in the hall, next week is our sports event. On the day of the event, some important guests will be coming and each class has been asked to send two representatives for specific aspects of the program.

"For our class, we are to send two girls that will welcome the special guest, the other class will also send two representatives each but for other things."

"And since you are both the most outspoken girls in the class, the two of you will represent the class."

Hearing what the teacher said, Sophia’s eyes lit up with delight, a huge grin spreading across her face. She clasped her hands together, barely containing her excitement.

"Really? We are representing the class?"

"Yes. What do you think about it?" Ms Richards asked.

From the twinkle in their eyes and the wide smiles on their faces, what their reply would be was very obvious, but she needed to hear them say it themselves.

"It is awesome Ms Richards," Sophia shrieked out an answer.

"We will represent the class, Ms Richards. "Thank you for the opportunity," Eleanor added.

"I know you would not let me down." The teacher had a satisfied smile on her face when Eleanor added that last sentence.

She had just taught them in the etiquette class about a week ago, to always express their gratitude whenever any opportunity is given to them to do something noble, and not to take it for granted, especially when there were other people who could do the same thing.

She was impressed by Eleanor’s sharp memory. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"From tomorrow, you will start practicing on how to welcome the guests when they arrive. So I expect you to be ready as your break periods will be used for the rehearsals.

"Can we tell our parents about it?" Sophia asked.

"Sure, you can. As a matter of fact, you have to inform them so that they can dress you up nicely on that day in a beautiful attire. The dress code will be communicated to them before the end of today."

"Ok, Ms Richards."

"You can go now and enjoy the remaining part of your break."

"Bye Ms Richards."

"Bye Ms Richards," the two girls waved.

They literally skipped from her desk and couldn’t wait to get out of the class to express themselves better.

"Really? Us? Eleanor, did you hear that?"

Sophia squealed with joy, clapping her hands together in excitement.

"Yes! We get to welcome the special guest! This is amazing, Sophia."

"I can’t wait to start rehearsing. What do you think our parents will say when we tell them?"

"I’m sure they will be very proud of us," Eleanor replied.