From Trash Bag to Cash Bag

Chapter 8.

It's 7am. 

The main hall of the great White Mansion, which belonged to the great Mr Auroville and inherited by his wife, Dorothy, was teeming with so many people; sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grand sons-in-law, grand daughters-in-laws and great grand children. 

Dorothy, Mrs Auroville is celebrating her 99th birthday today. Though she was very old and advanced in age, yet she had a lovely stature that deceives people of her real age. 

Some said that she had spent her youthful ages drinking tea made from the old ginseng root and some other roots, which are now proving effective in her old age. 

She was adorned and set in a very special and beautiful chair. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the large hall complimented the tone of the interior, giving such a surreal feeling and sight. 

Gentle wheezes of ancient sprays washed through the air, giving such a pleasant smell in the hall, no matter the confluence of different colognes worn by the people in the hall. 

"Grandmother, on your pleasant birthday, I brought you this necklace. It has the pendant made of palladium." A young man stood up and presented his gift. 

His name was Jones. He was Harold's cousin. 

"Oh wow. Mr Jones." A woman who was standing next to grandmother exclaimed. 

She rushed to Jones and collected the box of necklaces. She hurried to her grandmother and showed it to her,

"This is such a beautiful gift, grandmother. It is worth nothing less than thirty thousand dollars." The woman said in excitement. 

When grandmother heard that, her old face folded into a small smile as she gazed and nodded slowly at Jones. Jones sat down really happy. He had just gotten a nod from grandmother. What a great day for him!

Harold was sitting in a corner with his family. Each family was in different corners and grandmother in the centre of the space. 

"That haughty, Jones. He always wants to show himself." Harold cussed. 

"Let's see how he will feel if I present my gift." Harold smirked. 

Harold was about to jump on his feet when his mother glared at him. 

"Don't be so foolish. Shouldn't you wait a while to see who your real rival is?" Madam scolded him. 

Harold slowly sat down. Though he was still displeased, he could only but take the advice of his mother. After all, no matter what happens, their mother wants the best for them. 

And he perfectly understood what Madam was trying to say. 

"Grandmother. Here is my little gift to celebrate a good life and health." A beautiful young lady stood up. 

While she brought out her gift, she looked in the direction of Hannah and scoffed. 

Her name is Doris. She was Hannah's niece and bold rival who always loved to get in Hannah's way. 

"This is a rare jade bangle which has been stored away in the nation's museum. It is believed that whoever wears it will have more strength and calm." Doris explained. 

The woman ran to Doris and collected the box, too. She hurried to grandmother. 

"Oh grandmother, your grandchildren really love you. This jade bangle was the same bangle that the great emperor from the golden of Jade City fought for and gave to his queen. Miss Doris must have gone through so much trouble to get you this gift. Believe me, grandmother. This bangle is worth nothing less than $90,000."

Everyone gasped when they heard how much Doris spent on the bangle. Jones could do nothing but hide his head. His gift was worthless compared to what Doris had just given. 

Grandmother nodded at Doris and smiled. Doris smiled back at her, then took a glance at Hannah, who sneered. 

The reason for the feud between Doris and Hannah was the difference in their families. In Doris's family, both men and women could have a shot at power and fame. But in Hannah's, it was much more patriarchal. 

So Doris taunts Hannah because of that. If Derek helps Hannah repair her status, she might put her head up again and have her revenge on Doris. 

"Grandmother, we have one family left before you say what you wanted to talk about." The woman who was collecting the gift said to Grandmother. 

All eyes went to the family of Madam. 

Mr Aurovilled and Dorothy gave birth to three children. Two sons and a daughter. Making three families in the hall. But each family has expanded with children and grandchildren. 

"Let's have the last family before son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws bring their gifts." The woman announced. 

"It's time." Madam nodded at Harold, and he got up.

"Here is our little gift to our lovely grandmother." Harold presented the gift. 

The gift collector hurried to Harold to collect the gift. 

"Please forgive me. I will humbly present this to my grandmother myself. We only get to see her beautiful face only once in a year." Harold refused to give the woman the gift. 

Harold walked to grandmother and fell on his knees. He bowed and presented the gift. Everyone was really curious to see what was in the big box. 

The gift collector hurried there and opened the box. There was a golden jar that had beautiful pearls around it. It had a purple emblem. 

When the gift collector saw the gift, she gasped for air. 

"Is this even real? Does this exist? We thought it was a myth." The woman exclaimed.

The woman was much more excited than the birthday girl, mother, I mean. 

When grandmother saw the emblem, her eyebrows lifted. Harold saw her expression. He smiled hard. He was happy to have impressed her. 

"Thank you, Harold. Your mother is lucky to have you." Grandmother said to Harold. 

Jealousy suddenly burned through the whole hall. Grandmother had only nodded and smiled to the rest, but she thanked Harold?! Not only did she thank him but complimented him!

What a great feat!

"I'm not even sure how much this would be worth. I'll only take a guess. It worths over $150,000" The woman, gift collector, said on top of her voice. 

Everyone gasped as Harold walked triumphantly to his family. His family has obviously secured a favour of grandmother, which will prove useful soon enough. 

Now was the time for grand sons-in-law and daughter-in-law to present their gifts. Everyone went to present their gifts. Some got nods and some nothing!

Achiel got up, too. 

He walked to grandmother and presented his gift. The gift collector noticed what he had just given,

"Hey! You!" The gift collector called Achiel. 

She called at him so casually. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking. 

"Oh crap, this trash bag." Harold cussed when he saw what was happening. 

"When did he even leave here?" Marion wondered, looking bothered.

 They had just gained the favour of grandmother. They can't risk having a trash bag ruin it for them. 

"What is this gift that you brought to grandmother? Is this an insult to her? Even if you are broke and can't afford much, shouldn't you at least borrow to appreciate your grandmother? What is this insult?!" The gift collector yelled at Achiel.

She picked up the gift. It was something very tiny and insignificant. It was wrapped in a tiny foil. 

The woman put the gift up for everyone to see. 

"Even our cute Harry bought a tangible gift for grandmother." She scorned. 

Harry was a four years old boy. A great grandchild. 

Everyone started to cuss at Achiel, at the same time insulting Madam's family. To discredit them and turn the favour of grandmother sour. 

"If your son-in-law is wretched, should you bring him to insult grandmother?" Doris' mother said, sneering at Madam. 

"How can a family be so slow witted and dismissive?" Jones scorned. 

"I swear I'll kill that bastard." Harold swore. 

Harold fumed in rage and was about to stomp off towards Achiel when Madam stopped him. 

"Mother?" Harold almost exclaimed. 

Harold was confused, but Madam won't give him permission to go. 

Suddenly, grandmother beckoned at the gift collector,

"Let me see." Grandmother demanded. 

Everyone kept quiet. Grandmother has spoken. The gift collector hurriedly took the gift to grandmother. 

"It's not worth the curiosity, grandmother. This is just a piece of ---"

"Unwrap it." Grandmother commanded, in a low tone. 

The gift collector reluctantly unwrapped the foil to reveal a red pill. When grandmother saw it, her eyes suddenly gained strange strength. 

Grandmother tried to get up on her feet, and everyone jumped on their feet, bowing,

"Grandmother." They all chorused.  

"Grandmother." The gift collector hurried to grandmother to help her. 

Grandmother collected the red pill. Then she lifted her gaze and beckoned at Achiel. Achiel walked to her and bowed. 

Everyone was watching in great fear and anticipation... what the hell is happening... Why is grandmother standing up?!!!

Grandmother lifted Achiel up to stand upright. She smiled at him. She nodded. Then she touched two of her fingers to his forehead. She kissed those fingers.

Then she hugged Achiel. 

The awe that filled the large hall was overwhelming. Not one of the people present understood what the hell was happening.

Who did Grandmother just hug? Achiel? The trash bag? How? Why?

The other two families who had been aiming insults at Madam couldn't even bring themselves some relief off the shock.