Chapter 26: Chapter 26

They were in Tinapa, a tourist site. A large span of area with lots of attraction centres ranging from their large shopping malls, gaming areas, swimming pool with all the fun and more so scary slides and the finally the small stream that led to a river. It was good for a boat tour, Catherine had said and apparently also a suitable spot for a photoshoot and for Uyai's training.

Exactly what she said. Training.

They had driven there with all their studio equipment. Miss Philomena had brought her camera, and their costumes, the ones Mrs. Chance had designed.

Right now they were in large open space and thankfully away from the crowd and other Homo sapiens especially knowing who she was , she would feel humiliated.

Who said being a model was a walk in a park, well perhaps sometimes when you had to walk in a park literally for a photoshoot. Okay in simple English, being a model was not as easy as it seemed. Well if you think changing different clothes in the span of one minute was a feat, what would you say about walking on pointy death traps called heels with a bunch of thick heavy books placed on your head, while walking in a straight line on a lawn to your death. Yes. Death that's what she called it. However they called it a training ground, and that was where she was going to insert the 'scoff '. How does carrying heavy books on your head and walking on heels be considered as learning to walk or cat walk like they said. Well she might as well just dog walk without fear of falling and breaking her heels or worse lose both her legs.

It might as well be military training.

Uyai couldn't count the amount of time she had wobbled and fallen and had to stand up again only to repeat the same thing. When she had finally perfected the walk, at least that's what she thought only for her to hear the humorous remark from Mrs. Chance

"Finally you can walk in a straight line, but, you're walking like a stick, too too stiff."

Uyai just needed the permission to groan loudly and she was sure the whole ground would shake.

"Really?" She asked with gritted teeth. The thick books still sat comfortably on her head and her feet were still trapped in the deadly straps. Salty drops escaped the pores on her skin to trail down the sides of face reminding her that the bright beams of the sun was casted heavily on her form. It would have been better if it was the morning sun, at least she knew she was getting vitamin D, but this was a hot afternoon, with the sun roasting her dry while the others including her new mentor aka Mrs. Chance stood under fancy umbrellas leaving her to suffer the heat alone.

"Mrs. Chance, I still don't understand why you would need another model much less someone so naïve in the field. Are you that desperate? Or aren't we enough?"

It was at this point Uyai would like to introduce you to a very beautiful female, yes a model too who was more arrogant than anyone she'd had ever met. Meet Isabelle the lady who never knew what it meant to filter words before they proceeded out of her mouth.

"Shh..." Catherine hushed her.

"What? It's only a question. No offense Mrs. Chance"

"A question you happen to make sound like an insult. Seriously you need to quit it." Precious aka Presh looked up from her phone and said still sounding as bored as ever.

"She's my manager so I can speak with her however I want." Isabelle retorted, her umbrella still over head.

Uyai balanced the books well on her head and folded her arms. Carrying the books on her head reminded her of fetching water back home and she didn't miss it one bit. Thank goodness Mr and Mrs. Ekpenyong had a bore hole that supplied water to the entire house, so there was enough water to last a lifetime.

"Well honey need I remind you that she's also our manager, and of course you're running on a contract if you have forgotten."

"Please, I'll simply find someone else, do you know how many agencies are dying to work with me? " she raised a haughty glare aiming at Catherine who also returned her glare.

"With your attitude, I presume none." Presh innocently taunted, while delicately brushing away an imaginary loose curl of her hair. The purple and flowered patterned umbrella in her hand now stood as accessory being modelled for a shoot, as her eyes returned to her phone.

"Excuse me--"

"Guys really, do you have to do this? You think I like being under this burning sun?" Raina the gangster model interjected. As always her dressing was a sight for sore eyes. She wore a purple jacket over a black crested blouse. She wore a leather skirt that stopped at least two inches above her knees bordering on skimpy. Uyai still wondered why she wore socks, still black, that came up just a few metres below her knee and paired it up with black studded ankle boots. What a combination? And she called it fashion. What would she not see in this life?

"Even as you dey carry umbrella?" Catherine Chided in pidgin.

'Me that has to walk in killer heels under this unforgiving sun with thick books onmy head ñko?' Uyai wanted to chirp in. Her head was beginning to ache with all the weight and plus the sun's effect, she also felt dehydrated.

"This fancy thing? In fact why do we have to stand here and watch this. At the rate newbie is going we might as well wait for an additional ten hours and do you see this? My face is now oily and who's going to retouch my makeup because I didn't bring my kit? Where is Fiona sef? "

"I am here oo." The beautiful petite lady raised her hand to signify her presence.

"Good." Raina sighed in relief and began to fan herself with her hand.

"I can't keep standing with this heels oo. It's too early for me to start having blisters oo" Isabelle complained.

"For ya mind you've never had blisters before abii?" Catherine gave her a once over, snorted and then proceeded to roll her eyes.

"Yes I hav--" Isabelle began to retort, but was immediately shushed by Mrs. Chance who all this while had been too quiet and that was because she was on her phone, texting someone very important because she kept a serious front typing away furiously like her hand was ablaze.

"That is enough. You're a model Isabelle. It's your job to stand for hours with heels, you should be aware of this by now since apparently you're hot on the market. Agencies are dying to work with you, then I am sure you'll be happy to know that your contract with Reeves en bloc will be expiring very soon." Mrs. Chance said in a hushed tone. She was too calm and Uyai thought she must be used to it, if not then it was dangerous she was calm.

Okay, Uyai would definitely go with the latter because Isabelle began to squirm in discomfort. Although she tried to keep a proud stance, unfortunately she was unable to pull it off. She was probably regretting what she said now.

"Uyai again." She instructed, after pulling her eyes away from Isabelle to look at Uyai sternly.

"Mrs. Chance?" It was Raina, her hand was slightly raised like a student who was about to ask a question, and she looked too innocent doing that. This was surely a trick.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Mrs. Chance raised an annoyed eyebrow and shot her a glare. She didn't flinch back like Uyai expected, but continued boldly with her question.

"Aren't we doing a photo shoot? Can't we start while you continue with U-whatever newbie's name is. Philo is here, so is Fiona, so why do we have to watch her?" She gestured to Uyai.

"Because you can't do the shoot without her, this ensemble requires five of you." Mrs. Chance began as calmly she she could but she was beginning to loose her patience. They were gradually hitting the wrong chord and if she lets it, she would bark a dangerous tune.

"But she's no where near good." Isabelle began to protest, buy Mrs. Chance shushed her immediately.

"Who said she isn't?" Mrs. Chance challenged

"Er...you did. You said she was too stiff." It was Presh who spoke up candidly

"Exactly, which can be worked out."

"You just have to tweak and shake what you got Uyai." Catherine playfully said, giving Uyai a mischievous wink.

Uyai couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Funny, like she's got anything." Isabelle snorted loudly.

"No offense sister, she's got double of yours." Catherine retorted.

These two were really not seeing eye to eye.

"As if." Isabelle scowled and shot Catherine a glare.

"Uyai, just as Catherine has said, you have to swing your hand while you walk and sway your hips. You're a woman, walk like one." Mrs. Chance continued ignoring the ladies jabs of insults as they threw it at each other.

"Like this?" Uyai began to move her hips as she was directed.

"She's really hopeless." Presh groaned as she looked at the newbie who moved like her butt was on fire.

"I second that." Raina concurred.

"You see what I told you?" Isabelle snickered trying to prove her point.

"Like you were any better when you began." Catherine remarked snidely.

"If you must know, I began modelling when I was eight."

"Wow! And now you're on cover page of Vogue magazine." Catherine continued sarcastically with a smirk.

"She wishes." Raina guffawed and Presh snickered.

"Would you stop with your bickering? It's giving me an headache." Mrs. Chance yelled, her face upturned in a scowl.

"Sorry." They muttered in unison.

"Okay. Uyai what is wrong with your hips?" Mrs. Chance asked.

"Nothing." Uyai replied immediately.

"That was a rhetorical question." Mrs. Chance sighed. The girl seemed hopeless but she was far from it. She just needed a little remodeling.

"Catherine, show her how it's done."

"My pleasure." Catherine smiled sweetly and then tauntingly shot Isabelle a smirk.

"Uyai watch her attentively." Mrs. Chance advised.

"Okay." Uyai watched as Catherine angled her hip, both hands down, her head held high and her back straight. She began walking, swaying her hips gently from side to side her hands freely swinging along. She looked sophisticated, beautiful and bold while doing so. Uyai was envious of her smooth and fluid movement, even the way she paused and turned was enticing, but not suggestive.

"That's enough Catherine. Uyai you can continue. Remember, not too much, just go with the flow."

"What if she tries this with music? It will help." Raina suggested.

"That's a good suggestion. Someone should--" Mrs. Chance nodded in approval.

"Already on it." Raina said and tapped her phone. The song began.

"Now Uyai, work with the song, with the beats, let the beats guide the sway of your hands and hips. You can get rid of the books now."

Thank God! Uyai sighed in relief.

"Isabelle, help her with the books."

"Don't worry! I can do it." Uyai said when she saw a frown begin to form in Isabelle's face.

Uyai brought down the book from her head and carried it to where Miss Philomena and Fiona sat discussing about God knows what...

"Can I place it here?" Uyai asked

"Yes, just place it next to the camera." She motioned to the Camera bag which leaned against a tall coconut tree.

After dropping it, Uyai moved to her position and immediately began her walk allowing the song to direct her movements while mentally picturing Catherine walking and the models she had been forced to watch by Gift.

When she was done, she turned to meet wide eyes. This time Uyai thought she must have done something wrong but she was wrong because they began to applaud excluding Isabelle of course.

"Good going Uyai. That was great."

"Wow! You learn fast girly." Catherine cheered

"You tried." Presh said

"Not bad." Raina shrugged with a smile.

"Now that we've established that you’re now better, we can now have our shoot. Philo? Fiona? Get ready. It's time."

"Yes Ma." They responded with a shout.

***

An hour later, after their shoot, Mrs. Chance had decided to take them on a treat. So right now, they were at a restaurant owned by one Senator Etim whose picture was pasted in almost every street corner, He was contesting for governor and appeared to have a lot of supporters. Mrs. Chance being one of them. She kept ranting about how great he was,

"...he and my husband went to school together. In fact he was almost my husband's best friend." She spoke amidst the spoonful of pepper soup she had ordered.

Uyai was curious and was tempted to ask her why they were almost best friend. She was sure the girls were curious but they all kept quiet while she talked, dutifully indulging her.

"Well his restaurant is dope. He must have lots of money." Raina mused out loud.

"Duh! He's a Senator and don't you know to be a candidate for governor tells you that his allowance alone is carried in big ghana-must go." Mrs. Chance answered with a slight roll of her eyes.

"That's right. This restaurant alone says it all." Catherine sighed dreamily and Uyai couldn't help but agree with her. The building was huge with opaque windows giving you a view of the city which bustled with business men and women, billboards displaying different adverts with neon lights showcasing traffic signs, especially the growing traffic, as cars blazed their horns furiously.

Uyai admired the mighty chandeliers that hung from the glass panned ceiling, it casted crystal like forms around the walls and floors. Especially on the table sets which were place diagonally, each row having six intricately carved metallic tables and chairs. Silver lamb stands were placed on each table holding candle like bulbs. Metal wares were arranged neatly. Wine glasses and a bottle of Champagne was placed on each table. The waiter like all others who were uniformly dressed, who ushered them to their table said the 'wine was on the house' but they all knew it was part of their bill.

Uyai thought everything looked too delicate and beautiful to touch. Jazz music played in the background giving it a serene atmosphere. Few occupants hummed along, like Catherine, she seemed to be in another realm as her head swayed from side to side as if intoxicated by the music.

Now, the most important thing was the meal. A delicious one at that. Uyai had decided to eat Chinese rice as they called it, since it seemed thinner and longer. She ate it with Chicken sauce and Salad. Of course the champagne was another treat and slowly they sipped it. Yes they, not Uyai though. She gulped it down every shot that they had to plead with her to maintain her composure and act like a lady.

"Don't embarrass me oo. Sip that thing, this one you’re chugging it down like no tomorrow." Catherine hissed.

"Haba. Take it easy abeg. The drink is not running away." Raina spoke this time, slowly shaking her head. She took a piece of fat she had sliced from her meat and put it on Presh food.

Presh scowled and retaliated by taking an onion from her food and placing it on Raina's plate and the other could only hiss.

Was Uyai even listening to them? Her mind was soaked with the delicious feeling she got from the wine. She doubted any advice would penetrate at the moment.

"Slow down Uyai and sip it gently." Mrs. Chance spoke, but her voice sounded so far away, like really far.

"Don't bother, can't you see she's already drunk." Isabelle snorted

"She is?" Catherine asked unsure.

"Uyai?" She nudge her

"Eh?" Uyai muttered deliriously.

"Are you drunk?" Catherine whispered in a hushed tone.

"Why are you asking her the obvious?" Isabelle snorted and returned to her food only to notice the additional fat and onions on her plate.

How did this get here?, she wondered.

"No." Uyai shook her head adamantly.

"No drunk ever admits they are drunk. It's so apparent, I bet she can't even stand up straight." Presh laughed.

"Maybe we should try that. Uyai stand up straight." she ordered

"Yes! I can walk st-trrr- hmmm." Uyai blinked and frowned perplexed. How come she couldn't pronounce the words?

"See." Presh said.

"I think we should go." Mrs. Chance suggested.

"But I'm not done eating." Isabelle began to protest.

"Well we are. Just take out your meat, besides there's nothing much left on your plate." Mrs. Chance told her.

"Well that was true, her reason for wanting to prolong their stay was in form of a drop dead gorgeous guy eating alone. He sat just a table in front of them; all she kept wishing was that he didn't have a girlfriend who he was waiting for. She also wished he'll spare her a glance just once. Maybe their eyes would meet and like in the movies, they'll be both entranced. Now this stupid newbie was going to spoil everything, she just had to get drunk at this time. So annoying!

"Come on, Catherine help me get her up."

"Uyai!" Maybe Catherine screamed her name a little too loud because the drop dead gorgeous guy turned to them and Isabelle almost choked on her breath. He was damn handsome!