Chapter 29: Chapter 29

It was morning already, the sun rays radiating through the opaque sliding windows was proof enough. Uyai squinted her eyes as her pupils was yet to adjust to the sudden brightness. Feeling rejuvenated knowing she had had a good night rest, she lazily stretched her limbs and heaved a contented sigh.

A distant bird whistled.

"Good morning to you too." Uyai greeted.

"Good you're awake." A voice spoke and Uyai jumped startled.

"W-what...Oh it's you." She relaxed after seeing her sister all dressed, and admiring herself in the mirror fixated on the wall.

"Who were you expecting?" Affiong snorted. "Never mind. Guess what?!" she shrieked as she turned to Uyai, her eyes bright and wide with excitement.

Uyai couldn't possibly guess for the life of her so she just quirked an eyebrow waiting for her already impatient sister to tell her what made her so excited.

"You know the Ekpenyong's son, Peter I think that's his name. Do you know he arrived yesterday but I haven't met him yet though, but he should be home and oh my goodness I heard he's handsome at least I've seen it from his picture, but he's here and I can't wait to meet him." she finished her ramblings and all Uyai could think was did she even breathe at all?

"You're quiet. Why are you not saying anything?" Affiong queried suspiciously as she crossed her arm.

"W-well... I don't know what to say considering I've met him myself and yes he's quite handsome and loves to wink a lot." Uyai wanted to add but omitted that last part.

Slowly she stood from the bed and walked to the window to open the blinds when she saw a beautiful coloured bird hitting it's beak on the window as if to enter through it. He couldn't see her she noted, so she took her time to admire it's colourful feathers.

"Okay whatever." Affiong flicked her hand as if to wave her off. "I am going down to see him. Are you coming or not?" she asked, her tone impatient.

Uyai turned to her slightly annoyed as she looked at sister whose body language screamed impatience.

"Is that why you're all dressed up and wait did you use perfume?" Uyai sniffed as a nice flowery scent drifted into her nose.

"Yes I did, any problem?" Affiong quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh nothing." Uyai knew she appeared indifferent, it was only because unlike Affiong, she was not as eager to see him.

"Well go take your bath I'll wait for you so we'll go together. I don't want to appear eager."

Uyai choked and swallowed back a laugh that threatened to surface. Well you certainly are.

Uyai walked to the adjourned bathroom

"Hurry up will you." Affiong's voice rang out when she was just about to close the bathroom door.

Uyai took off her clothes and immediately got under the running shower, and of course she took her sweet time to bath, rubbing and sponging every part as she saw in those soap commercials. She put off the shower after a long while, and still took her time to rub herself dry with a towel. She could picture Affiong's face as she glared at the door.

One two three four...

"Uyai are you sleeping in the bathroom?!"

And that was her cue. Uyai came out of the bathroom only to come directly in contact with Affiong's glare. Her arms were folded beneath her breasts making the swell of her breasts visible and Uyai knew she had purposefully donned on that dress; the neck line was cut low to reveal her generous curve.

"What took you so long. Dress up quickly, there's no time before he leaves again."

Uyai rolled her eyes.

"It's not like you won't see him again. He's not running away." She told her and moved around her to the wardrobe where their newly purchased clothes hung. She blindly took out a red gown from the hanger and pulled it over her head.

She swept her hands over the dress and turned to examine herself looking at the mirror. It fitted perfectly. Uyai smiled satisfied with her looks and turned to Affiong who was appraising her looks with frown.

"Isn't that too tight?" Affiong cocked her head to the side as she frowned.

It didn't feel tight to Uyai, seeing she was perfectly comfortable in it. She shook her head in response.

Uyai watched confused as her sister appraised her looks with a frown and then said "Should I change this dress ? Don't you think it's too loose?"

Uyai rolled her eyes.

"Have you forgotten that you're pregnant and your baby bump is showing?" Uyai had to remind her.

"Do you have to remind me?" Affiong scowled. Now feeling self conscious she placed her hand over the protruded belly as if to conceal the apparent bump.

"Sorry o just saying." Uyai innocently gave a one sided shrug. "Well aren't you going?" She asked sister who still stood still with a frown marring her face as she scrutinized her slightly loose navy blue dress.

"Before he leaves again." Uyai added and was wasn't too surprised when sister jumped as if being electrocuted. Her eyes wide as she got out of whatever musings she was entranced in. Before Uyai could exhale Affiong had reached the door and almost pulled it off it's hinges, the base of her dress swirling lazily around her feet almost concealing the bathroom slippers she wore.

"Be careful." Uyai warned, but she didn't think sister heard her. Uyai quickly followed after her and gently shut the ajar door.

Uyai followed the anxious Affiong to the veranda where he stood in beach shorts and and a vintage shirt while he attended to Gift who kept her gaze attentively on him as if as if he was revealing to her the mysteries of the world.

Uyai backed away a little to see what sister was going to do as she neared Peter who at that moment was turning to acknowledge the presence he felt behind him.

It was suffice to say, that their meeting was quite unconventional, seeing the first thing sister did as he turned to face her was release the content of her stomach on him. It was quite an embarrassing feat for Affiong and a funny one for Uyai if you could picture the look on Peter's face when that happened. The painted smirk he usually wore was completely wiped off, in it's place was a scowl as his lips were curled in derision and his nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Oh oh!" Gift broke the silence. Her eyes were wide and her mouth had formed an 'O'.

It was then Affiong had come to her senses and immediately let out a gasp.

"Oh my God! I-I am so sorry. I didn't mean to, I-I..." With her breathe stinking of vomit she apologized profusely even going ahead to use her hands to wipe off the vomit off his vintage shirt. All she did was further worsen it. Peter who had not been quick to react immediately realised what she was doing and quickly shrunk from her. His lips were now in a thin line as he tried to hide his disgust.

"It's okay." he pulled her hands away from him much to her chagrin.

Was she the new maid? And was she pregnant? Peter thought unamused.

It was then Uyai had noticed her sister's eyes. They were teary and all she needed was a moment before the wells broke loose. Already her lips were wobbling and Uyai knew her sister was about breaking down; the pregnancy hormones were at work.

When Peter had observed the nearly close to tears lady, the look on his face said that he was momentarily taken off his guard seeing he wasn't expecting that kind of a reaction from her especially knowing he was the victim.

Uyai could understand his turmoil and could imagine that he was unsure whether to say sorry or simply walk away. Eventually after much contemplation he had decided to do both.

He had not noticed Uyai, but when she greeted him, he suddenly came to a halt. He turned and his eyes locked with her amused ones and he grimaced.

"Hello Uyai." He forced out, wrinkling his nose and turned his back to her immediately.

Uyai could only shrug when Affiong raised an eyebrow.

"I think you've made uncle Peter angry and er, you might want to clean that up. It stinks." It was Gift who spoke, her nose wrinkled in a disgusted fashion.

Uyai ignored her and walked up to Affiong whose face was now downcast. "I think you should go clean up." she suggested softly, with a hint of pity distinct in her voice.

Affiong looked at her vomit smeared dress and her hands that were soiled with the disgusting substance and involuntarily winced.

"Gift help me get a mop and a bucket." Uyai called over her shoulder to Gift.

When she heard no response, she turned to find that the girl was gone. Uyai shook her head in resignation and was about to go get it herself, when she saw Gift walking towards them with a mop stick in hand and a bucket in the other.

Uyai sighed relieved. "Ah thank you. Bring it here." She motioned and took the mop from her. Affiong had still not moved and Uyai had to forcefully nudge her to go clean up. She relented immediately and ran towards their room.

Uyai was still mopping when she heard voices that sounded too familiar. A particular one was loud and immediately she knew the company that had just arrived.

"Uyai!" It was Mrs. Ekpenyong

"Gift help me keep it in our bathroom." she told Gift who was playing with little pebbles. "Yes Auntie I'm coming!" she hollered back a response to Mrs. Ekpenyong's call.

By the time she had gotten to the sitting room, she was met with a grinning Catherine, an aloof Presh, no surprise there, her eyes were fixated on her phone; a very annoyed Isabelle who also appeared to look jealous which was quite disturbing how she could deduce that from a single expression. Like Presh she had her eyes on her phone, her eyebrows were knitted in concentration as she scowled at whatever was in her phone. The next person who she was finding hard to recognize sat down quietly on the sofa. The usual cocky attitude she wore was obviously missing and of course her fashion sense had completely changed overnight, and she meant that literally; she wore a navy blue shirt that stopped beneath her knees, a chiffon blouse was tucked neatly into the waistband, unlike the Raina she knew, this one actually wore a ballet flat and clothed completed her ensemble with a pair of glasses concealing her eyes that were usually lined with with an eyeliner. She looked completely different with absolutely no makeup making her appear younger and she dare say innocent. Uyai didn't know if it was a bad idea to ask if Raina was a twin.

"Uyai!" Catherine exclaimed with a grin. Then noticing the bewildered expression she wore as her gaze was fixated on the Raina lookalike. "Yes. That's Raina." Catherine told her with a shrug.

Uyai was taken aback for sure and was about to ask--

"Arit, I appreciate you coming this early, but isn't it too early for a fashion shoot?" Mrs. Ekpenyong Uyai just noticed was in a somewhat agitated conversation with Mrs. Chance.

Uyai moved to greet them. "Auntie good morning. Good morning Ma." she greeted them both.

"Eh morning." They waved her off absentmindedly and continued their conversation.

"This shoot requires a sunset. We need a natural setting to make it more appealing." Mrs. Chance said in a convincing tone.

"As much as I'd hate to put a damper on your mood, I don't think you'll find any sunset now, it's past seven." Mrs. Ekpenyong folded her arms.

"W-Well, it's not too late, The site for the shoot is known to have a lasting sunset. If we can just go there in time then--" Mrs. Ekpenyong didn't let her finish.

"Arit Are you listening to yourself? What are photo editors for? If in this age and time you're still depending on nature to give you a perfect shot, then you're still living in the eighties. I'm beginning to think that is just an excuse--" Mrs. Ekpenyong quirked an eyebrow.

"It's certainly not. I did plan to use the sunset, but now that you've mentioned the time, we may just have to postpone it to another day."

"Wait. Mrs. Chance does that mean no more photoshoot today?" Raina asked hopefully from where she sat.

"Certainly there is, there are others scheduled for day, why?" Mrs. Chance threw her a look.

"I have a class today." Raina said.

"Oh!" Catherine exclaimed with understanding.

"Oh! That explains the dressing then." Mrs. Chance nodded in understanding.

"I don't understand" Uyai couldn't help but blurt out.

"It means there's a Dr. Jekyll in our mist. In this case the Dr. Hyde is the model." Catherine surmised with wry smile.

"Eh?" Uyai looked at her as if she'd grown wings, so did Mrs. Chance and Mrs. Ekpenyong.

"That doesn't make sense at all." Mrs. Chance said.

"It does make sense if you've watched the movie." Catherine tried to defend herself. "Okay what I mean is, she has two persona. This one right here," she pointed to Riana who had on an innocent look. "is the real Raina who loves school and is actually studying medicine. Yes, she wants to be a doctor, imagine that." she snorted and continued "The model you know is just the rebellious part of Raina trying to piss off her parents which you must know is working. You can literally hear their disapproval during phone calls, especially her mother she talks a mile a minute and her voice can wake the dead. So I'd like to introduce you to the real Raina. Woah! That was a long speech." Catherine blew out her breathe after she was done talking.

She looked at everyone, each wearing different expressions on their face. Uyai more confused than ever.

"I don't understand what is going and I don't think I care, but Uyai isn't going anywhere till she's done with house chores." Mrs. Ekpenyong said strictly.

"Of course I won't take her away from her responsibilities."

"Good."

"That reminds me, lest I forget especially now you're here and of course everyone is here, I might as well use this opportunity to announce something--" she paused and watched to monitor their reactions.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Mrs. Ekpenyong said tentatively.

Mrs. Chance ignored her and continued.

"I have decided to enter you ladies in a contest. The forms have been filled and I just need your permission to sign, so I can submit it. So... What do you think?"

"What kind of contest?" They asked at once.

"A type that would boost your career as a model and of course a great addition to your CV if you manage to win."

"I'm in. I don't care as long as it'll take me places." Isabelle said

"Mrs. Chance you've not exactly defined the contest, like the name, the theme, organisers or sponsors, it sounds vague to me." Presh said after being quiet for long.

"It's sponsored by a company in France. They own different fashion brands world wide and they need international models as major ambassadors for each brand. So of course it's going to be tough competition." she breathe.

"That sounds promising but don't we get a name?" Raina spoke out.

"La Création." Mrs. Chance replied curtly glancing to view

"I'm guessing it means the creation?" Catherine said.

"Yes." Mrs. Chance nodded in affirmative.

"I have a little knowledge of French you know." Catherine shrugged cockily.

"No one asked you and besides it's obvious." Raina rolled her eyes.

"Dr. Hyde is back." Catherine retorted.

"That's a lame analogy." Raina scoffed.

"While I am usually not interested in these things, I have to ask, isn't there some sort of requirement for this contest?"

Everyone turned to Mrs. Ekpenyong when she asked this knowing she asked a suitable question.

"Not necessarily, you just have to be a model that has been signed with an agency, in that case mine."

"Does this concern Uyai as well?" Mrs. Ekpenyong asked and all eyes turned to Mrs. Chance awaiting answer.

"Of course."

"Well she won't be partaking ." Mrs. Ekpenyong said in finality.

"Well, why not this is a good opportunity for her." Mrs. Chance protested.

"Because there's very little chance she'll win the contest. She has little or no experience."

"I second that." Isabelle raised her hand.

"As much as I hate to agree with you Isabelle, I'm with her on this one Mrs. Chance. She's just a baby in the industry." Raina said and spared Uyai a look of apology.

"I beg to differ, but being inexperienced doesn't mean it's impossible to win the contest. She definitely has a chance of winning. " Catherine defended heatedly.

"While that is touching. There's a very slim chance of that happening." Presh said.

All Uyai could do was just stay silent while they decided and argue her future as a model.

"Mommy did you happen to see Freddy's cage. I think he's gone mis--" it was Peter strolling into the sitting room; he had changed out of his beach short and vintage shirt into a jean trouser and a sweatshirt. He stopped abruptly when he noticed the company in his parents sitting room.

"Peter?" Catherine spoke first, shock, surprise and excitement evident in her tone.

"Ladies, this is definitely a pleasant surprise." he turned to all of them with his infamous smirk.

"You know my son?"

"Yes. I believe we met before." Mrs. Chance answered vaguely.

"You live with Uyai?!" Isabelle asked aghast, with a hint of jealousy.

"Yes, it seems I do." Peter replied nonchalantly.

"Lucky her." Catherine muttered, but it was loud enough for all to hear.

Mrs. Ekpenyong coughed uncomfortably and Catherine just gave a wolfish grin.

"To answer your question, I seemed to have seen Gift with it."

"Uncle Peter, Freddy is eating Grandpa's groundnut."

Speak of the devil and she would appear in tow with a bird in a cage and a wide grin on her small face.

"Oh! The models!" she exclaimed immediately she saw them and came to stop in front of Peter. Not sparing them another look she threw Peter a disturbed one. "He refuses to talk and this time I don't think it's my fault. He ate Grandpa's groundnut that I gave to him and all he did after was quack like a hen. He didn't even say thank you." She frowned disappointed and glanced down at the parrot in the cage.

"Gift, you forgot your manners. Now greet our guest properly." Mrs Ekpenyong chastised with a frown.

"Forgive me. Good day everyone." Gift greeted and Uyai's mouth dropped open. Since when did Gift learn to be so polite.

"Have you guys had something to drink?" Peter asked after looking around and seeing no refreshments.

Mrs. Ekpenyong gasped. It had completely escaped her attention that she'd duly forgotten her manners.

"Uyai quick go get drinks from the fridge and some biscuits too. Tell your sister to assist you."

"You don't have to." Mrs Chance politely declined.

"Please if you will, I'm quite thirsty." Raina said.

The mention of Uyai's sister made the girls curious and of course Peter also.

Uyai nodded submissively and went to the kitchen to find Affiong in a heated argument with Glory the maid.

"...well you are the witch." she heard Affiong say to Glory as they both stood glaring at each other, both hands on their hips as they threw mouthful combats.

"Affiong?" Uyai tentatively called her sister, mentally wandering what brought about their throwing jabs of insults at each other.

"Ashawo(slut)..." they continued ignoring her.

"Affiong!" Uyai yelled louder.

"What!" Affiong yelled back her eyes still on Glory as if daring each other to look away first.

"Auntie wants to see you." she told her.

That seemed to grab their attention and they both turned to her at once.

"We have guest. Come help me get serve them."

They grunted a reply and that was how Uyai, Affiong and Glory went with trays filled with biscuits and soft drinks to the sitting room.

Peter now sat in between Catherine and Raina on the sofa.

Uyai strode towards them and kept a tray of biscuits on a stool and immediately they dug in.

"So Uyai it's been finalized that you'll enter into the contest. You'll have to thank Peter for that." Mrs. Chance and Uyai turned to Peter surprised. He only shrugged and winked.

"Just so you know, I'm still against it." Mrs. Ekpenyong said with curled lips that showed her disapproval.

"So Uyai which is your sister?" Peter asked when he saw glory the maid and the other lady that had earlier released the contents of her stomach on him, who accompanied Uyai.

Uyai pointed to Affiong and Peter coughed.

It was definitely not what he was expecting. He thought she was a maid, and a pregnant one at that. They looked nothing alike.

It was at that moment Glory the maid greeted Peter.

"Welcome Uncle Peter." she greeted.

"Eh thanks." Peter waved her off greeting in a dismissing fashion. He had a bad feeling about her, and the way she looked at him, felt that she was undressing him with her eyes. Not to sound conceited or anything, he was definitely drool worthy, but coming from her, he felt disgusted especially knowing of her ways with men.

"Wow! You two look nothing alike." Raina said and the rest concurred.

Meanwhile Affiong had only said two words and that was good morning and she said that in a super low tone.