Chapter 1

"Calm down, will you?"

"Peace, you don't understand. I'm happy that he finally wants to introduce me to the world but then, there goes his family.

They are quite infamous for always maltreating the less privileged, so I am scared."

"Babe keep calm, Alex loves you and that is all that matters, Peace reassured."

Oops, pardon my manners.

I'm Vivian Blakes. I don't know if I should say I'm a Nigerian or just claim to be an American. Either way, I'm African-American.

My parents are both Nigerian and they spent their youth over there, making beautiful memories.

They moved here when mom realized she was pregnant and she continues to live here ever since dad's death because she claims she has nothing left to go back to in Nigeria, not when dad would be no longer be by her side.

She never explains why though.

So that explains it. I've lived all my life right here in New York so my life is here.

Ouch, I forgot to mention peace, sigh

Well, peace is my sister and best friend. We grow up together like a family.

She was abandoned by her parents when she was 10. They used to live next door.

Rumour has it that her mother left to marry some influential man and her father committed suicide. But nobody knows what the truth is other than her mom is quite famous and influential now, but she never comes back for her.

So ever since, she has been living with my family since mom refuses to give her up to the social welfare.

Again! You must think that I talk too much but Nah, I just love explaining in detail. It is my job anyway, after all, I am a writer. Not popular yet but come on, Rome is not built in a day.

And of course, I have a side hustle which is journalism. I work as a freelance but I don't want to be committed to it since I'm more of a fantasy person than that of reality.

And yeah, you must have heard peace and I talking about some guy and his family.

Sigh, I wake up feeling both anxious and excited, all thanks to Alexander.

He called saying he has made up his mind and he will be introducing me to his family at the function.

He is going to make an announcement in front of the filthy rich Americans and of course, his not so kind family that I am his girlfriend.

The thought alone makes me shivers. I mean, it's quite encouraging to hear because it shows how determined he is in taking our relationship to the next level. But my concern is his family which has a bad reputation for how they treat people below their criteria and the nosy rich people that would be there with their judgemental eyes.

I snap out of my thoughts when peace pinches me in an attempt to call my attention, smiling from ear to ear like the fool that she is.

"What?"

She ignored my angry expression begin to talk in high pitch, showing how excited she is.

"Omg! Vee, you won't believe this..."

"What happens?

I asked, clearly not amused."

"Okay, so when you zoom off to God knows where, I went out for a quick walk, only for me to be stopped at the entrance by a bunch of loads and a few eyes were glancing at me.

I was scared for a while, but then, Alex called saying he sent them over and they will be the ones to dress you up for tonight.

He said he picked 3 dresses which he assume will look good on you but the black is his favourite. He also added that he bought a matching purse and heels for each of them so you can choose to wear any of your choices.

And lastly, he said you should always keep your phone on because he has been trying to reach you."

"you kidding right?"

I'm a damn serious girl!

I don't understand, for what?

"When did you become so slow?

Alex sent a few people over to make you look stunning for tonight. Which part did you not understand?"

Omg! What am I supposed to do?

Get your ass ready because you don't want to keep him waiting for too long. and your makeup artist and hairstylist are waiting downstairs. A car is waiting outside too.

Wait, what?

he sends a car too?

Well, you can walk if you want.

I roll my eye at my stupid best friend's choice of words when she knows how I'm feeling at the moment.

I took my time in the shower as I allow the cold water to run down my body. It helps to keep calm for a while.

Once am done with my business, I wrap a towel around my body and allow the make-up artist to do her thing.

She spent three hours painting my face and honestly, I'm tired.

Yeah, she is friendly and all, I got to know almost everything about her in 3hours.

She's a mother, she loves her job, her kids are annoying but cute and yeah, guess you get the picture. To be honest, she is funny and friendly. And no, it's not a facade, she is genuine but I don't know what I'd be facing tonight so I have no interest in her chit chat.

She seems to notice my discomfort because she stopped talking for a while before she finally speak up.

"Are you nervous?"

"Is it that obvious? I mean, yes, I am."

And then she smiled.

"What's funny?"

"You are, she said."

"What, I am?"

"Your look my dear, it's funny. You know I am just an average girl that got married to a wealthy family too. A lot of people criticize me and called me a gold digger but that doesn't stop me from loving my husband. And look at me now, I am happily married with two beautiful kids to the C.E.O of everything you need. His family still hasn't accepted me completely but at least, I'm with the one I love."

"Do you think your husband is happy though?"

"He certainly is. He made a choice, he choose his happiness, and that is me.

He is not on good terms with his family at the moment, but it has always been like that, even before I came into the picture."

"Wow! and you are fine with that?"

"My husband told me not to worry, so for my own sake, I listened to him."

"But am scared!"

"Why, of what?"

"The thought of embarrassing myself in the presence of his family is not so exciting. You know this will be the first time I will be going to such a classy party, filled with influential people with power. I feel like I don't belong there.

What if his parents don't like me?

They are quite infamous you know,

What if they embarrass me in front of everyone, I'll be so ashamed. I don't know why I feel so uneasy and I have a bad feeling about this, but it's inevitable."

"Stop the what-ifs and stop looking down on yourself. You are beautiful and kind, anybody would love you."

Maybe that would be my weakness "naive"

"Girl, you need to work on your self-esteem and confidence. He loves you and that is all why he is doing all these. So keep calm and let me do my wonders."

With that, we stop talking and she continues to paint my face.

Finally! We are done.

They refuse to allow me to see what I look like until the hairstylist is done and am fully dressed.

"How is that fair?"

"Nothing is fair in this world young lady, says the hairstylist."

While Gabriella, the make-up artist continue to whisper things to peace, which made both laugh hysterically.

"Girl! You should see your face right now, peace mocked."

"Will you ever be on my side?

Ugh!"

"No, never she sings."

Finally, after five tormenting hours on makeup and hairstyling, they think it's time to set me free.

Peace showed me the three dresses, Alex picked for me and honestly, they are all breathtaking.

One is a purple sleeveless body con gown that looks fitting. It is neither short nor long. It is beautiful.

The other is a long strapless red gown. It shines brightly under the dim light and I can tell that It fit in perfectly, as it curves around my waist nicely but then, it's too revealing for my likeness.

The third dress is a black gown. It fits in like my second skin and damn, it is glamorous. One can catch a glimpse of my cleavage and could see what I wear underneath the dress but it looks so appealingly.

Gabriella being to tear up, telling me how beautiful I look in the dress.

The hairstylist which I've learned her name to be Laura complimented me too and advised me to settle for the black dress.

Peace being peace announced that I'll be going for the black dress, and they all agreed on it.

After dressing up, they eventually thought its time for me to check myself out in the mirror.

"Omg! Who is this?"

That was the first question that pops into my head after seeing my reflection in the mirror. I wish I can look this good daily.

"I know, right? You look so gorgeous, Gabriella cheers."

"No, beauty is not doing justice to this amazing look. You look mature, smart, confident and breathtaking. Laura smiled."

"Hot, if I may add. Peace said, looking so proud. (you know the smile your mom gives you when she's proud of you? yeah, that one)"

I almost burst into tears but Gabriella warned me not to spoil her beautiful work.

After saying thank you for the tenth time, Gabriella and Laura excuse themselves saying they have to go home to prepare themselves for the party too.

Laura is also the wife of some powerful politician.

I wonder how they are both so cool, unlike the proud rich people I've encountered in the past.

After saying goodbye, I was left alone with Peace.

"It's 7 already, you should be on your way now."

"Ain't you coming along?"

"Vivian, you know I don't belong there."

"What do you mean by you don't belong there?"

"You know how I feel about people in power."

"But peace, I can't go there alone."

"Vee, you can't be alone. Gabriella and Laura would be there."

"But..."

"No, but vee, let me see you off."

Just like peace said, a car was waiting for me outside.

The car looks expensive but then, what do I know about cars?

I was greeted by Mike, Alexander's driver.

"Hello ma'am, you look charming."

"Thank you, Mike"

"Shall we?"

I looked at peace, to find her already looking at me.

"You have nothing to be afraid of, you are amazing and you don't want to keep your man waiting for too long."

"Sigh, let go mike"

"Bye girl, I love you."

I replied Peace with my charming smile as we zoom off.

The drive to the function was silent. Not awkward, but comfortable.

Mike probably knew I needed it because he kept quite unlike the usual mike that would have made fun of me.

He kept quiet and I mentally thank him for it.