Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Time flew very fast and soon it was the launch night, again Jade had been out since morning, making last minute preparations to make the night a success. The launch was starting 8pm but by 4pm, Lucy and Xiao Ling were already at the house to get me ready, "you are a very important person in this ceremony, there will be no launch without you. So I need to take my time to make you look outstanding," was Lucy's reply when I asked why she came very early, as for Xiao Ling, she just wanted to see my dress before anyone else did.

Lucy started by loosening my hair and fixing a new weavon, it gave me a different look, like my natural hair was actually long. It took about an hour or so for her to finish with my hair, then she did a natural kinda make up, something beautiful but at the same time inconspicuous. And then the dress, truth be told, I was expecting Lucy to choose an extravagant dress, something with slits, open back, drop neck which would expose part of my cleavages. But no, it was a long, armless, black and white sequence dress.

It looked so shinny and beautiful, it seemed the colour of the dress kept changing from black to grey to white, with each turn of the dress. When I wore the dress, it clung on my body as if it was made specifically for me, I walked around the room, spinning and gliding as if I was dancing, just to see if the dress would permit me to move around freely.

"I know that you are a great dancer but save your talent for later," Xiao Ling said as I did some dance moves in front of her. I went back to my seat as Lucy slipped a pair of 7 inches rhinestones sandals on my feet, "umm guys… I'm not sure I can walk on these, I don't want to fall and make a mockery of myself in front of the whole world," I said feeling a bit antsy.

"But you danced on similar shoes on the night of our examination," Xiao Ling said

"Really? I can't remember, I think it was 4 or 5 inches," I replied

"5,6,7, it doesn't matter, we have about 2 hours before the event starts, do you think you can use 10 to 15 minutes walking, and dancing on these shoes?" Lucy asked

"I guess we can try, it's better to fall here than there," I replied

"you know I've been to 3 of Jade's perfume launch and I must say, some things never change." Lucy started, "you are the face of Night Dream, which means you are the last to enter the hall, which also means that all eyes will be on you, everybody want to know who the face of Night Dream is…''

"And your point is?" I interrupted

"What I'm saying is that it'll be like a bride walking down the aisle," she said

"okay… I still don't get your point"

" Your name will be announced as the face of Night Dream and you'd march in, a place would be reserved for you to sit, when it's time for the unveiling, you, Jade and other important people will mount the podium to unveil boxes of Night Dream. Now doesn't that sound fantastic?"

"No…it sounds terrifying, all that attention, I wouldn't be able to handle it," I said

"why not?" Xiao Ling said as she stood between Lucy and I, with her back to Lucy, "you are a superstar model aren't you? This will be your debut," she said winking, I blinked nervous and forced a smile.

Lucy and I did a little dance practice, not that I couldn't dance but I was getting used to dancing in these shoes, it went on and on until Xiao Ling drew our attention that we'd spent more than 30 minutes waltzing and making an "entry March" from my room to the living room and back. Lucy did some finishing touches on my look, silver earring, and bracelet, and a silver clutch.

All set and done, I was ready to leave, then I remembered Juliet. As if on cue, Hannah came in to say that I should start going that Jade will be back to pick Juliet. We went, Max behind the wheel, Lucy on the passenger seat while Xiao Ling and I at the back seat.It was a 15 minutes drive from the house to the venue, there was a long line of cars from the building. "Why are the cars not moving?" I asked no one in particular, "celebs," Lucy scoffed. "They won't move in until they've made sure that 90% of the media coverage present have captured them. Most aren't here for the launch, they're here to show off the brand clothes and accessories they are putting on, ahh so annoying," Lucy said.

"What do you expect? Everybody want their picture on the front page," Xiao Ling said. Everybody except me, I thought.

‘‘I just hope I hear when I'm called, I don't want my…" I was interrupted by my phone ringing, I took it out of my clutch. It was my second sister calling, "how's my favourite baby sister doing?" she asked in Ibibio language, as soon as the call connected.

I rolled my eyes, "I am your only baby sister but please don't call me your baby sister anymore, I'm 18"

She shrugged, "old habits die hard,"

"yeah speaking of old habits, when will you stop calling people at night? Don't you ever sleep? And what if I was asleep?" I asked pouting

"Today is Suto's traditional marriage, so we've been up, cooking and preparing things," she replied

"oh… I wish I could attend,"

"There's no need to feel sad, that aside, where are you going? you look so pretty and did you fix your lashes?"

"You know if I didn't need your advice I would have ended this call, when last did someone remind you that you talk a lot?" I asked

"umm… just now. Forget about that, tell me where you are going," she pressed

"okay, okay, but before then I want to ask you a question,"

"alright, shoot"

"if you were supposed to choose a career for me, what would it be?" I asked

"What sort of dumb question is that? Anyone with complete brain will easily see that you are an actress," she replied

"you really think so?"

"I know so. I am 5 years older than you and trust me when I say that I really know you, it was right from nursery and primary school that you started exhibiting your acting skill, on your second day in secondary school you joined the school's drama club. Are you convinced or do you want me to tell you I knew that the first time you registered for Jamb, your first choice of study was theatre art and not English education? Mother and father didn't like the course that's why they made you believe that teaching was your calling, you may be like it but you're not that good at it."

"UT, you really think I have what it takes to be an actress?" I asked

"duh even the blind can see how good you are, mother still have some of your school plays on video tape and I must say, you really were awesome, I would say you shun teaching and go into acting, you would do great. Okay, why are you on perfect makeover? What have you been up to recently?" she asked and I told her everything, from when I went to Jade's office.

"oh my God, seriously? Ukpono this is amazing, soon all of New York will know about you, I'm so proud of you. My baby sister has grown up, I can't wait to tell big sis, and don't worry, mother and father won't hear about this from us.

By now the line of cars had reduced to a car before us. "UT, something is wrong," I said

"what is wrong?"

"I'm really really nervous"

"It is ok to be nervous,"

"That's not the problem, the problem is that I can't control my shaking hands," I told her

"then don't let them see your shaking hands," she instructed

"I gotta go now, thank you so much, for everything."

"Anything for you sis, there's something I wanted to tell you but it can wait, right now New York is waiting for you."

As if on cue I was called, "And now ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for, this event is not happening without a very important person. I'm sure y'all have never heard of her, she's an epitome of beauty, one with grace and confidence, everybody put your hands together for the Face of Night Dream, Ukpono Udofia"

My heart skipped a beat, Max came out and opened the door for me, I was surrounded by paparazzi, lights flashing at me.

"Miss Udofia,"

"over here Miss Udofia"

"Miss Ukpono this way,"

A valet came and took the car away while Max, Lucy and Xiao Ling led me inside.

I stood in front of the Night Dream backdrop to take few shots, as instructed by Lucy. My was able to get a hold of my shaking hands but when I stopped to take the picture and I saw more than 30 people struggling to take my picture, I decided to do what my sister said. I held my hand behind my back, tilted my head to the side and gave New York a bright smile, this wasn't acting, this was a genuine smile.

In less than a minute I allowed them to take few pictures and then I left inside.

I was led to seat on a table of 2 with my beloved Jade and Juliet

"you look so beautiful," Jade complimented as he took my right hand and kissed the back.

Juliet was about to jump down and hug me but I signalled her to stop, she just nodded at me and smiled.