BUKOLA

“Who said anything about you being my sexual object? Of all things, I can't disrespect a woman in that light. I just don't want your numerous partners in my house. Or interfering with my reputation.” I really wish I could slap this man right now, but let me respect myself before he slaps me with lawsuit. I really find his statement disrespectful.

“Uncle, I was on my own o, you carried your leg to my house to rope me into this. The least you could do is agree to some of my terms.” I fight back. How many days of knowing this man and I am honestly exhausted just communicating with him.

“You had an option not to.” He defends with a shrug of his shoulders.

“You sneaky bastard. You act like I had one when you left me with none.” I watch as his chair swivel left and right, his gold colored pen dancing in between his fingers.

“Look, Alright. We can ‘pretend’ to date for a while. 3 months is all you are getting and after that, we get married. Nothing more.” Nonsense man. At least, I don't have to start answering numerous questions.

“Alright.” I answer.

“No ‘Thank you' or ‘You're amazing, Aminu’ ?” His questioning gaze burns into me.

“For what? Are you doing me a favor?” He just continues staring at me bitterly.

“Are you going to sign that?” He asks.

Letting out a snicker, I flip to the last page and append my signature.

“Done.” I sigh, tossing his own copy of the document to him.

“Good. Now that that is out of the way, get ready. We meet my family tomorrow “ He deadpans.

“Your family? Is that not too sudden?” I ask him.

“I thought you were educated enough to digest all you read?” Another insult again.

“Your unfiltered tongue will be your doom.” I fight him and he laughs.

“There's so much my unfiltered tongue can do.” His gaze sweeps through me sensually.

“Perv.” I mutter.

“Accompany me to family dinners and public gatherings." He points out the line in the document.

“Yeah. But I didn't think it would be this sudden.” I defend.

“The moment you signed this document, it became binding on us.” He states.

“Whatever.”

“Look, I don't have time to engage in meaningless banters with you.” I scoff. No, I'm the jobless one.

“Uncle, Brother, Sir, look here too, you waltz into my life proposing marriage or blackmail. Do you think I also enjoy the stupid back and forth arguments we have?” I could see the fire blazing in his eyes.

“You are very disrespectful.” He points out.

“You have not seen disrespect.” In short, I don't have time for this argument again. I have things to do tonight.

“Geraldine will pick you up tomorrow by noon. She's a stylist. Do whatever you want, just get yourself ready for 6pm.” With his tone, you'd find it difficult to comprehend that we just had an argument. Again.

“See you tomorrow, Sir.” I state, my voice dripping sarcasm.

“Dumb dumb.” I mutter under my breath.

“Same here, Ma.” His tone matches mine and I just huff in annoyance.

I don't miss the glare his Secretary sends my way as I exit his office. Aunty, you will be fine.

True to his word, by 12pm the next day, a knock sounds on the door. I already had a hunch about who it was. So, I strut to the door, a bounce in my steps, and open it.

“Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Geraldine.” Wait a minute. Nothing prepared me for this! I am awestruck. When he said Geraldine, I wasn't expecting the celeb Geraldine at my doorstep.

“Wow. Please, come in.” I offer her a drink and some light refreshment.

Now, Geraldine Wells is a model and a fashion expert. The woman even has her own modelling agency. She was MBGN 2010 and came first runner up at the Miss World Contest. The number of brands that associate with her, both local and international. Honestly, Geraldine Wells is goals!

Seeing her so close, she redefines the words 'gorgeous' and 'flawless'. She has very minimal makeup on and still a beauty. She even looks out of place sitting in my parlour.

“Thank you.” She says, munching on the snack.

“Please, I'll be back soon. Let me just get ready.” She just smiles at me before I head up.

I have already had my bath so it was just a quick shower. After drying up and applying all my skincare products, I throw on a top and skirt before going back to join her.

“All set.” I announce and she just smiles. Seems she does not talk much.

“Oh. Don't bother about driving. I came here with my driver.” She waves off.

When we arrive at the parking lot of the house, I am stunned. A freaking Range Rover Velar.
Like they say, follow who know road. The rich associate with the rich.

The drive to the shopping complex was a short one. The driver immediately opens the door for her and we alight, making our way into the place 'Saffy Couture'.

“For Aminu’s family, I suggest you go with something not revealing and still classy. I know how they can get sometimes.” She says with a smile.

“Oh. Not to worry, I am not interested in your man. I see the look in your eyes.” She teases. I thought she didn't speak much. My man ke. Internally, I scoff. I want to smartly respond but I remember the agreement is just between me, that nonsense Aminu man and his lawyer. So, I just force a smile before responding.

“Thank you.” The attendant immediately recognises her when we finally get to her.

“Madam. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Kome. Is Saffy in?” Talk about influence, though.

“No, ma. But she told me you were coming.” She responds with a smile. All these niceness because someone wants to spend plenty money here.

“Let's get to it, then.”

I have never had a real experience of shop till you drop until today. We went to different stores to purchase different items ranging from Shoes, Jewelry, Purses, even lingerie.
If only she knew. Definitely not wearing any lingerie for that annoying man. Besides, Aminu's attitude is a serious turn off.

Now that we are done shopping, it's a few minutes past 3pm and I honestly need to sleep because I am exhausted.

“Let's have a quick meal before I drop you off?” Geraldine asks and I just shake my head ‘No'.

“Thank you. You could get something for yourself. I'm too exhausted to eat.” She just smiles before responding.

“In that case, I'll just place an order when I get home.” We are settled in the car and she tells the driver to take us back to mine.

After she leaves, I have my bath and sleep, setting the alarm for 4:45pm.

•••••

Aminu's family.

One would expect them to be nice. These people are freaking snubs! The apple did not really fall far from the tree. Asides his dad who occassionally smiles at me, every other person was very unwelcoming. They have this questioning gaze in their eyes. It is a large family. So, it's easy to understand my discomfort.

“So, what do you do for a living, Bukola? Asides gold-digging my brother?” Ond of his sisters ask. This is going to be some very big shit for me. Instead of her to get cautioned, they just start laughing.

See this Aunty gap tooth. Rubbish.

“I would appreciate if you all respected my fiancee.” Aminu says in my defense, banging his hand on the wooden table.

“You didn't think of that before bring her here. What happens to Eunice?” Who the hell is Eunice?

“Eunice is old news, mum. And you know that!” His mom snickers, glaring at me, not even hiding her distaste for me.

What type of family did I get myself roped into? I know I'm being coerced to do this but a girl still deserves respect. It's not like I proposed this thing, her son did.

“Let's take matters like this off the dinning room.” His dad interrupts, followed by silence. Only angry clanks of cutlery filled the air. This is some really tense situation.

“Please, can we go?” As quiet as I could get, I whisper to Aminu. The only response I get is a glare.

My phone vibrates out a notification reminding me that I have work to get to later.

After having what I'd refer to as the worst meal of my life, the stupid man finally drops me home. He could not even apologize to me. I had to sit through all the insults at that unpleasant gathering.

•••••

To be perfect in this act of disguise, I had to learn how to be an excellent make up artist. Well, this started when I lost my job and needed some serious funding to rely on. Oddly, asking for help from my two besties was not an option. Oil Money could have easily gotten one for me through her connections but one taste at freedom from hectic 9-5 and I found myself spiraling down this path. It's terrible, I know. However, at this point, there was little I could do for survival.

On arriving at the building, I quickly let myself in, using my codename. Here's the thing; I usually get my make up done before getting here so people don't recognize me, even the girls in this changing room. It's part of my agreement with Lady B. She sends in my schedule for the night and I appear in accordance.

“Ginger, what's up?” Amber asks.

“I'm good. You look hot, girl. Damn, what princess are you to be dressed as?” I do a 360 spin, wiggling my ass before clapping hands with them and throwing light kisses in the air.

“Guess.” I batt my lash extensions.

“Snow white?” She asks.

“Nope.” I quickly rush to ky locker, pulling out my dress.

“Ta-da! Cinder-ella.”

“Damn! The men are going to need buckets to pack their drools because that's one sexy as hell Cinder-ella over there!” She hypes me up and I just smile.

So, yeah. Secret number one revealed. I am a stripper.