Chapter two.

Mokunfayo Badmus:

I already knew the day was going to be a long one before.

Waking up to the annoying squeals of Bisi didn't only validate that, it was also a pointer that the day was going to be endlessly frustrating.

"Happy anniversary sister mi, rise and shine!!!"

What did I just say?

She bounced on my bed like an excited kid that got a Christmas present from Santa. Only that it wasn't Christmas yet and Bisi wasn't a kid. An audible groan escaped my lips.

"Is that why you came to wake me up this early?" I grumbled.

"I have to prepare you for your dinner date," she blinked innocently and I let out an even louder groan before shooting her a black look.

"Seriously Bisi it is just six AM! Do you not understand the concept of  dinner anymore eh?"

She rolled her eyes and shrugged nonchalantly like she hadn't just disturbed my sleep that had barely just began over a useless anniversary date with some bozo I didn't care about.

Deep breaths Mokun. Deep breaths.

If looks could kill, Bisi would have dropped dead to the pool of her own blood due to the daggers I was currently shooting her way.

I furiously shooed her out of my room and returned to my bed in hopes that I would be able to catch the next bus to lala land.

I ended up staring blankly at the white ceiling, deep in thoughts. Serious thought about Richard.

My relationship with him had lingered on for too long. Today made it two years and I sincerely couldn't help my worry.

Richard was sweet, caring and understanding to a fault, but I didn't feel anything for him. He was just but a trophy to show Cordelia the whore that I could also get a man if I wanted to.

When she'd challenged me, in the presence of a full house, two years ago to get man if I was sure I wasn't gay, I'd said yes to Richard's proposal without a second thought and brought him home, but like a leech, he hung on and I hadn't been able to shake him off for the past twenty-four months.

It wasn't that he wasn't good looking or rich or morally upright, in fact, he was the full package. I didn't just feel anything for him. I wasn't good enough for him.

I had and would only fill his life with bitterness in return for his love.

All these weren't exactly my reasons for the serious thoughts. I was worried because lately, he'd been initiating discussions about marriage and how it was all that was left to complete him and even though he noticed my passiveness about the topic, he didn't stop talking about it.

It was possible that a proposal would pop up one day and I wouldn't be able to say yes. Even though I didn't love him, I wouldn't allow that blemish on his reputation.

So I decided, as I got out of the bed to prepare for the meeting I was to attend with my annoying boss on the Saturday morning, that I was going to put an end to the relationship. For good this time.

It was what was best for both parties; I wouldn't waste his time anymore and he'd stop harassing me with his romantic nonsense.

❇❇❇

Meeting with Mr. Showemimo, a prospective client of my boss - Ade Cole, went well. Save for the constant urge to face palm the shameless fifty-year old as he wouldn't stop flirting with me.

I was the personal assistant to the most promiscuous man on earth, with equally promiscuous business associates and clients hence the emotional exhaustion that had become my daily bread.

Even at that, if I was asked to choose between my current job and practicing with my certificate, I would choose the job in a heartbeat.

It wasn't because of the meagre salary nor because of my love for the job and definitely not because I had a crush on Ade Cole - a single father of two in his late forties.

Ewwww! that's gross.

It was because I couldn't bring myself to fight for the justice that denied my family.

That one is another story for a different day.

I walked into madam Peju's living room two minutes past six in the evening and Bisi snatched me away almost immediately, grumbling about having limited time to work with, while at it.

She had insisted, despite my disagreement, on giving me a makeover for my dinner date, her excuse being that she had a feeling that the night would be a memorable one. I sighed in resignation after trying to convince her one last time that I was convenient in my work clothes before walking into my bathroom to take a bath.

When I came back, a full outfit was already laid down on the chair next to my dresser;

Black glittering gown, silver stiletto heels and matching clutch purse, a box full of makeup, mum's diamond earrings...

Olabisi was surely joking!

"Sister mi, you took long enough! Now let's get started," I whirled around with murder intent the moment I heard her annoying little voice.

"Don't tell me that's what you have in mind for me to wear because you already know what your answer is."

Bisi wouldn't dare tell me to dress that way, she knew what it meant to me.

She sighed and placed both hands on my shoulder like a boyfriend trying to assure his beloved, I shrugged it off.

"Sister mi, you need this. You need to get out of this bitter shell of yours. It's been four years, sister mi! four years and I know you still blame yourself for everything..."

The look I stoned her made her pause for a while. We never really discussed what happened that day and she knew it. She knew why!

"See, I know you're still in pain but just for mum and dad's sake loosen up a little. They won't be in perfect peace if you continue to tread down this road, they want you to be happy!"

At the mention of our parents, my heart clenched and my shoulders dropped slightly. I couldn't help the sadness that overshadowed my anger.

She came over and held my shoulders, without much resistance from me this time, and stared into my eyes. Hers mirrored the sadness I felt, but it also held genuine affection and worry for me.

"Please do this for me brother Tunji, do it for me. Do it for you, I want the old Mokun back."

I wanted to enquire about how dressing like a slut along Allen avenue would help me get back to the 'old Mokun', but I nodded instead and grabbed the black sequined scrap and went into the bathroom to change.

I could feel her triumphant grin from behind me as I walked away.

The idiot knew I couldn't say no to her no matter now much I tried to.

Sigh.

*

Bisi was all smiles and stupid girlish squeals when she finished my 'look', I stood in front of the mirror staring blankly at what the woman in the mirror looked like. Although she looked more mature, she resembled the Mokunfayo of four years ago.

The black, sequined dress barely reached her knees, it left her back bare. Her wavy brown hair cascaded beautifully down to her waist level. The custom made Mokunfayo gold necklace with expensive crystals embedded in them accentuated her elegant collarbones, her rather bland face had been transformed into a flawless diva's with makeup,her feet clad in silver six-inch stilettos...

That Mokunfayo loved to live life to its fullest, the present Mokunfayo was but a bitter, empty barrel with an ironical name.

I can't do this.

Just as I was about to voice out my feelings, the faint sound of the doorbell filtered through the open door and Bisi dashed out of the room after warning me sternly, like a mother would a petulant child, to get down in a minute and not ruin her hard work. I sighed in resignation and followed after staring at myself in the mirror for one last time.

You can do this... you can do this... you can do this... was the mantra I busied my lips with as I made my way down the stairs, desperately hoping nobody would see me in what I was wearing.

None of the people I currently lived with got the opportunity to know the 'old Mokun' and they'd never seen me wear any other outfit apart from my lifeless work clothes and boring casuals. 'All of this' was going to be a shock to them.

Life never granted anyone of my wishes as I ran into madam Peju on the final landing to reach the living room.

I paused awkwardly when I realised that she looked more terrified than surprised. It was like she'd seen a ghost.

"Are you okay big mummy?" I asked warily and she shook her head vigorously as if trying to snap out of something.

"I'm fine... you just reminded me of... someone," she choked out and I felt a whip of guilt lash at my bare back.

Enitan.

"I'm sorry ma..." was what I could manage before she confined me into a heartwarming, motherly hug.

"Have fun tonight darling." Her voice was calm but the cool tears that touched my bare back said a different story.

I looked at her face in worry after she released me but it depicted nothing. She sniffed, faked a smile and nodded towards the rest of the stairs downstairs.

"Don't keep staring young woman, your Prince charming is waiting to take his Cinderella away, be back before midnight though."

We both laughed at that. Trust madam Peju to always reduce tension and awkwardness with her cheesy jokes. I kissed her cheek before walking down the stairs and even if I didn't look back, I knew she was still transfixed there in reminiscence of her lost daughter.

Another thing to add to your bucket list of things you caused.

Sigh.

Mouths flew open when I entered the living room. Because I entered from the dining area, Suliat, Priscilla, who occupied two dining stools were the first ones to see me and their gasps informed the others of my presence.

About six to seven girls were in the sitting room area, some were peering into their respective phones while the others just sat side by side, engaged in an animated conversation. All actions seemed to have paused when I fell into their line of sight.

My nervousness heightened. I searched around in unease for Bisi but my eyes found something more interesting, or should I say someone. Two people actually.

It was Cordelia the whore and her arm was linked with someone else's. It was none other than my Richard.

My vision suddenly began to get clouded with colour red.

AN: Mokunfayo is a Yoruba name I've christened my character with, it's literal meaning is I am filled with joy, which is sort of an irony to her current unhappy and bitter state.