Chapter 39: Chapter 39

I cried until I had no tears left, I cried until my head and throat hurt it. You wanna know why I was crying? Why I acted this way when it seemed things were going perfectly? The answer is simple, I was tired of people seeing me as someone else, I am just Ukpono Udofia, not Mommy UK, not Jade's girlfriend or fiancee and not a superstar model.

I was able to pretend I was Jade's girlfriend because it seemed easy, no biggie but this was a bigger issue. I was uneasy when I was Jade's plus 1 at Penelope's birthday party, at least I was just a guest, no much attention.

But as the face of Night Dream, I will be all over the news, people will want to know who I am, I won't even have the freedom to move around because I was no longer an ordinary person but a model. What would I do if my parents happen to see me on the news?

they'd be upset I lied to them, I know that I wanted to be different, to accomplish what none of my family members had done but this wasn't the life I wanted to live. After crying for 20 minutes or so, I comported my self.

I didn't even come with my phone or bag, I looked at my face in the mirror, I looked horrible, the mascara I used made my tears black. And I wasn't with handkerchief or anything to wipe it off, I held the part of my dress that was dragging on the floor, turned to the back and dabbed the black tears.

When I was convinced that I looked presentable, I opened the door slightly to tell Scott to go bring my things from Jade's office but when I opened the door it wasn't Scott standing there, it was Jade.

"Remind me never to make you cry, you sound so horrible when crying," Jade said and I laughed. "There it is, I thought I'll never see that smile again, can I come in, let's talk about this?"

"of course, come in," I said and he got into the car, "I think these belong to you," he said handing a bag to me, I peeked in and saw my clothes and shoes and my purse "thanks," I took out my phone and kept the rest of the things on the passengers seat.

"wanna tell me what's bugging you?" he asked

"Jade I can't do this anymore, I can't continue smiling and telling people that we are in some kind of romantic relationship when it's not true. The lies and pretence is suffocating, I am talking about my future, I don't want these pretence to affect me when I want to settle down into a relationship." I told him

"Is that really what is disturbing you, lying to people about us?" Jade asked

"yes, I'm scared of people wanting to know all about me when they see me modelling for Night Dream, I'm scared of what my parents will say, I'm scared of living a life in which everyone is watching my moves, waiting to see me do something I'm not supposed to do," I replied

"UK, you are scared for nothing, this is a one time thing, after the launch you are back to your normal life. As for the part of pretending that we're a couple, you don't have to pretend, let's make it real."

"What did you say?"

"I want to date you, I want you to be my girlfriend, this time for real, no more acting," Jade said. I couldn't believe my ears.

"No Jade, I'm not going into a relationship out of sympathy, I won't date you because you feel sorry that I have been telling lies for you. I want a real relationship, filled with love and happiness, and everything a relationship comes with. Both the good and bad," I said

"UK, I don't love you, I'm not going to lie, but I am willing to learn how to love, I see you as a very special person and I'm sure with time, everything will be perfect, let's give this a try. No more lies, no pretence, everything will be real." Jade said looking at me in a way I've never seen him look before, this wasn't him flirting, this was him courting me. "so...?" he asked

I nodded, I can't believe all these happened today. I made Jade happy, I saved the company by becoming a model, and now Jade is my boyfriend.

I can't explain how I felt, happy? confused? Tell me..."What do you say?" Jade asked, jerking me from my thoughts

"I want that too Jade, I want an authentic relationship, no more lies." I replied

"As of today, you, Ukpono Udofia, are now officially my girlfriend, which means I get to smooch with you anywhere at anytime," Jade said smirking

"And as of today, you are not supposed to look at any woman in a lascivious way, or you will get it from me," I said

"of course, all my attention will be on you and Juliet but mostly you, so rest assure that you have no competition," he answered.

Scott came in and drove the car away, on our way home I got Claudia's phone number from Jade because I forgot to get it when we were together, she told me Juliet was still at her place and so Scott had to change direction to Katie's house.

When we got there, Juliet had fallen asleep, Claudia said they had dinner already and so I didn't have to wake her up. Jade carefully took her to the car and we went home.

Jade and I had dinner alone, it wasn't a candle light kinda dinner but it felt romantic for me, Jade talked about the preparations he'll make for me on the launch day, he would be going without a plus one.

And after all the dignitaries and guests have arrived, I will be ushered in as the face of Night Dream. even though Jade made me believe I had nothing to worry about, the thought of all attention being focused on me made me antsy.

The following day was a bit busy for me, Jade brought a woman that was to take care of my appearance the following day, she brought about 5 different dresses for me. According to her, nothing in my closet seemed fit for me to wear to the launch, I didn't even know what to choose. "You know what Lucy? surprise me, just give me the best you've got," I said, handing the reins to her.

Jade and Scott had left very early to get things in place for the launch, after Lucy had left, I called Xiao Ling and Darren to come over, it's been a while I saw them.

I went to the kitchen and made pimiento cheese roll ups for them, about 30 minutes later both of them arrived together, after hugging and exchanging pleasantries, I told them about Jade and I and the launch.

"Oh my goodness UK!" Xiao Ling shrieked and hugged me, "I heard that Jade's company found a new model and that the launch will still take place tomorrow, but I never expected that the new model was you," Darren added. They were praising me for helping Jade, to them, especially Xiao Ling, I had done the greatest thing anyone could ever do for Jade.

"so tell me, which clothes have you chosen to wear?" she asked

"I don't know, Lucy is taking care of my dress and everything," I replied

We chatted about different things for hours, at a point Darren left, saying he had something to do, leaving Xiao Ling and I. "Okay Ling, spill it. What is going on between you and Darren?" I asked

Her mouth dropped in surprised, "you think I didn't notice anything?" I asked

she scoffed, "you're being delusional, Darren and I? never happening,"

"but he's a really charming guy and you 2 are perfect for each other," I said

"no way, I've never seen anyone with half of Darren's ego. He enjoys annoying me and acting all great and mighty, it's so exasperating," she said

"I think someone is in love," I said in a sing songs voice, "shut up" she said slapping my arm playfully but I could clearly see red dots on her cheeks.

"Have you thought of probably changing career?" she asked changing the subject of discussion

"no, why do you ask"

"hmmm... it's just that being the face of Night Dream might be a starting point for you, maybe teaching is really not what you were meant to do. if it were me, I'd go into full time modelling or acting, you are young and beautiful, and Jade is here to back you."

This was the second person telling me this, it had me thinking if coming to America was really for the scholarship or to get away from my parents' strict clutches, maybe after the launch I'll talk to my sister about changing career, she'd know what I should do.