Grace
Dinner party starts six so get ready.
I read his text again and hissed, the only fun I could boost of having during this business trip was the little time I spent with Chris at the bar which ended awkwardly with a kiss. It had been all business talks and meeting and honestly, I was thankful it was over.
Well, that is why it's called a business trip.
I stood from the bed and moved to the bathroom. It was just 3:30 pm, enough time to make myself up, send pictures to Monica and Natalie and get their reaction, which was the ultimate task since they both believed I might change into a suit.
"As if looking good to this dinner will make any difference, why didn't they just let me go with my suit for Christ sake," I lamented, letting my towel drop before stepping into the bathroom.
Minutes later, I sat in front of the large mirror with a dried face, my black dress was spread on the bed, my heels sat beside it, and my sliver makeup box took the lead in front of me.
"Time to perform my magic," I said, gently spreading out my makeup kit on the table.
My mum was a beauty perfectionist or a makeup artist as called by all. From a tender age of ten, she taught me how to hold the brushes, their uses, and laughed at my mistakes, especially when I ended drawing cutlass for an eyebrow which was mostly every night of our lecture in her room.
My dad, Mr Taiwo was a successful businessman in his field of importing car's part into Nigeria, therefore he wasn't in tune with the nature of her job.
He travelled around the world non-stop, spending only weekends with his family. I remembered his last trip was with mum, not for business as usual but a vacation meant for relaxation that ended with misery in the life of his children.
Almost an hour later, I applied my nude lipstick and stood, done with my makeup. I moved to the bed ready to dress but the vibration of my phone caught my attention.
I will send a car to pick you up at 5:30 pm, I need to attend to something urgently.
"Thank God," I mumbled, pulling the dress from my legs upward, an attempt to prevent destroying my makeup. I wasn't cut out for Kunle's attitude or his repugnance looks and honestly going alone would help re-arrange my thoughts.
I wore my silver cross earring and matching necklace that highlighted my neckline and rested on my long sleeve black dress which had a left side slide that ran up to my knees.
"Perfect," I said smirking my lips together as I moved to the next agenda. Pictures.
After minutes of pictures, I sent them on WhatsApp and went offline not ready for chitchat.
Immediately, my phone buzzed and I placed it on speaker waiting patiently for the inevitable insult from my best friend.
"Why you no go ever do something like normal human being?" She started.
"What did I do now?" I inquired, knowing well enough what I did, she was referring to the pictures I sent.
"Must you snap pictures like goat with your tongue out and eyes rolling like someone having a convulsion? abeg take better pictures," She said and hung up.
I took a much better picture with smiles and sent them. "People's husbands will die, we go show them!"
"Monica shut up, just tell me how I look."
"You look muah, you look perfect," she complimented.
"Thank you baby."
"You should be thanking me more, mumu you want to wear suit to party," She said, obviously still irritated by my choice of clothes.
"Bye-bye abeg, driver suppose come pick me."
"I need the full gist ok, you will tell me the reaction of your boss, his friends, you will tell me how many people whistled when you pass, you-"
I narrowed my eyes, cutting her short. "Yes, mummy."
"And you will tell me-"
"Monica bye-bye, I promise to give you the full gist, I cross my heart," I said crossing my heart.
She hung up and I moved to complete my dress up. I wore my shoes, put my lipstick, powder, my handkerchief, and very importantly my vexing money in my sliver purse.
***
I stood outside the multi-story building staring at the white gate as luxurious cars drove into the building.
I walked in and came to a stop. The number of people walking into the hall made me feel concerned.
This was meant to be a dinner for only five companies right?
I walked behind a lady in a very tight pink gown with ribbon at the edge, I twisted my nose at her choice of dressing but smiled recalling how worst I would've have looked in a suit. I surveyed my environment despite being here with Kunle for meetings.
At the entrance of the building was a red carpet that flowed straight in, beside the packed entrance we're securities on black and cameramen who took pictures of those willing to strike poses.
I walked into the hall meant for the dinner and felt an urgent need to knee before the event planner. The walls were covered with gold curtains, that tallied with the white covers of each chair surrounding tables decorated with flowers and nameplates for each guest. The stage had a band playing a slow beat that made me searched my brain seeking the name of the smooth jam.
Everyone was well dressed, including a heavily pregnant woman who walked past me in a shiny black gown with her hair cut low.
Thank God I didn't wear that suit, I thought, imagining myself on a suit in the adorned hall. I stood with my purse in front of me when I felt a hand around my waist.
I turned ready to give the God-forsaken individual a hot slap but stopped halfway with my hand raised when I discovered it was Chris.
"Jesus, was that meant for me?" He asked, joining his hand with mine in a high five.
"It was meant for the idiot placing his hands on my waist." I sighed, relieved from seeing a familiar face.
He skimmed my body and held my eyes with lust lingering in his pupil as he stretched his hands. "You look very beautiful."
"You look good too." He didn't just look good, but hot in his black suit and inner vest that was fully buttoned.
"No baby, you look very beautiful," He whispered, guiding me through the hall.
"And I think every guy here can't help but notice it, just like I do." I met his seductive gaze and felt chills ran down my spine.
"Haha, you are not serious," I shook my head and smiled, making light of his seduction.
He frowned and fixed his hands in his pocket as we stood beside a pillar. "I'm serious, look around."
I turned and caught the eyes of both the old and young each stealing glances at me.
My eyes came in contact with Kunle at the opposite side of the hall, his glass of wine danced in his hands as he held my gaze.
"You see what I mean baby?" Chris whispered. I shivered feeling unmasked, more exposed than I've ever felt in the club where I danced with only panties and bra.
"Grace?"
I turned and felt my heart danced at the sight of Kunle's dad smiling at me.
"Hope this rascal is not disturbing you?"
I shook my head and smiled at the old man whose blissful smile made me comfortable and less tensed.
"Chris oya excuse us, I need to talk to this beauty queen who is also my son's assistant. "
Chris nodded, winked at me and strolled towards Kunle who was engrossed in a conversation with a young man.
"Kunle told me, you work for him now," He said, walking me to an empty table.
"Yeah, been working for him for two months now."
"Hope my arrogant, stiff and annoying son is treating you right?"
I chuckled at his ability to describe his son in the perfect manner that gave justice to all the names I had in my head.
"Yes sir."
After the incident in the club, He only visited the club to apologize for his son's behaviour and ever since, he never showed up at the again.
"That's great, c'mon let's go greet some people, at least let me show off my beautiful date," He said locking hands with me.
I nodded and felt relaxed as he led the way introducing me to men and women, names I forgot the moment we left their table.
***
Glossary.
Why you no go ever do something like normal human being---- why won't you behave like someone who is sane.
Abeg take better pictures--- please take nicer pictures.
Bye bye abeg Driver suppose come pick me--- please goodbye, I'm supposed to be picked up by a driver.
Vexing money---- this is extra transport fare we Nigerians (especially ladies) carry along with us in case we get annoyed by someone, especially the person we went to visit or when we urgently need to go home.