Chapter 31: Chapter 31

A week had gone by and Uyai and the other girls had undergone series of training that seemed to be unending and Uyai was worked harder than others. Mrs. Chance felt that as a novice in the modeling industry she had to be thoroughly drilled in the field. Sometimes Uyai thought she was in a war field preparing for battle. The girls had insinuated in clear terms that it was indeed a battle of beauty and wits; they had prepared gadget consisting of different brands of cosmetic kits supplied by Mrs. Ekpenyong. Their costumes were exquisitely designed by Mrs. Chance and her apprentices who were as good as she was. All these preparation was geared towards the beauty contest that'll ultimately decide their fate in the modeling Industry.

"Newbie is beginning to get the hang of this." Miss Fiona commented as she played with the camera that hung about her neck.

"She is isn't she?" Catherine stole a glance at Uyai who was wearing another of Mrs. Chance's designs and was now cat walking on the makeshift runway, a piqued look crossed her face for a second but then disappeared as if it wasn't there in the first place.

"Yeah, her movements are becoming flawless, her stance are less stiff and more sophisticated and dare I say seductive. I'm impressed. Who knew that her transformation would be mind blowing." Miss. Fiona continued not minding that the other models were beginning to let loose a frown by her words.

"I'll have to agree with you on that. Who would've thought." Presh couldn't help but concur having noticed the newbie's accelerating rate of progress.

"And here I was saying she doesn't have a chance. I take back those words, she does." Raina smirked as she watched the subject of their discussion strut on the miniature stage. "You know what? I need to talk with Mrs. Chance." Raina said her eyes glinted with determination.

"About what?" Catherine eyed her suspiciously.

"You'll find out." Raina replied curtly and distantly that it made the Catherine narrow her eyes as she tried to gauge her expression, but she couldn't, Raina had already walked out and was headed towards Mrs. Chance who was in deep conversation with a dance choreographer Mr. Krizzi who together with a theatrical troupe had come to use Mrs. Chance fashion studio equipments for a photo shoot.

"Really? I still don't think she has a chance and mind you her movements are so not flawless." Isabelle scoffed and flicked behind the strands of her Brazilian wig in contempt as she responded to the praise Miss. Fiona's had given to Uyai.

"I beg to differ, look." Miss. Fiona pointed out with an amused smile to the audience their subject had attracted.

Uyai continued walking with a seductive sway to her hips oblivious to the attention she seemed to be getting from models alike, and other occupants of the studio including two familiar gorgeous guys who were noticeably vying for her attention.

"I'll go take a look. This must be interesting." Presh murmured and also strode off.

"Are you coming?" Miss. Fiona turned to the other two; Catherine and Isabelle. The look she saw on Isabelle's face was expected but not the dark expression Catherine wore. It was frightening and goodness! Gave her the chills.

As much as Isabelle and Catherine detested the attention newbie seemed to be getting, still it didn't hinder their limbs from moving towards the direction of the growing crowd.

The sound of music had increased, vibrating the padded walls, chatters had reduced to whispers and murmurs. Eyes were more attentive as they followed the movement of the beautiful lady who was looking like the next Miss. World give the runway a beauty of it's own as her hips swayed to the beats of the song. She was no longer strutting but dancing soulfully to the background music so enraptured that she was indeed oblivious to the crowd that had formed. Her eyes were both closed lost in the music.

"What is she doing?" Raina asked immediately noticing the girl was now dancing entrancing everyone with her fluid movements

"Dancing I believe." Mrs. Chance had paused stunned as she saw her newly recruit turning her runway to a dance stage.

"I didn't know you train dancers too." The dance choreographer Mr. Krizz commented as he admired the gorgeous lady who seemed to pull in the crowds with her dance moves.

"Well I don't. Sincerely I have no idea what has gotten into her. May I be excused?" Mrs. Chance didn't wait for his consent instead gave him a curt nod and began to walk purposefully towards Uyai.

"She's good." Mr. Krizzi commented to no one in particular.

"She's definitely full of surprises." Raina smirked amused shaking her head in disbelief and admiration. "Excuse me." she also told him curtly and left him there standing alone.

Imagine Uyai's surprise and mortification when she discovered the hundreds of eyes on her form immediately she had pried open her eyes. Her eyes had widened and her facial muscles had contorted in a shocked and mortified expression. Immediately following her facial muscles, the muscles in her limbs had suddenly become tensed immediately ceasing her movements leaving her in a frozen state and she stayed that way for few seconds before thunderous claps filtered the studio causing her muscles to twitch and then align themselves to a proper stance. Uyai recovered from the shock she felt, but a growing tremor began in her limbs when her eyes found Mrs. Chance who folded her hands underneath her breasts, piercing her with a look that screamed she was in big trouble. Her body responded immediately as if she was fueled with renewed vigor that she hightailed out of the makeshift runway with trembling limbs only to be occluded by two familiar gorgeous faces, both dressed corporately, the only thing missing was a tie.

"Wow Uyai I'm impressed." Peter commented with a smirk and a mischievous glint in his eyes as he slowly appraised her form as if following the lines of the figure hugging dress that flowed to her feet in a swirling fashion.

Uyai swallowed nervously and shyly casted her eyes down only to raise it up again at the next remark coming from the other young man that stood with him.

"I'm surprised." Effiong said. His eyes shone with awe, disbelief and something else she had noticed for quite a while but couldn't place her finger on. "You dance." he continued as his eyes locked with hers "and beautifully so. I-I was most definitely entranced." he said still with that look she couldn't decipher.

If Uyai could blush, that would've been the case. In her shy state she wanted to explain that she likewise didn't know she could dance as she'd never done so and also was quite perturbed that her body had performed such activity without her permission. Now there was high chances she was going to receive a scolding from Mrs. Chance.

"By the way you look stunning." Peter grinned boyishly at Uyai and moved to hold her hand but Effiong intercepted him. He had moved a second faster and now had Uyai's hand clutched in his.

Peter shot him a look and Effiong didn't back down; he raised a challenging brow and Peter smirked.

Game on! It said.

"Indeed you look beautiful." Effiong said to her. Uyai smiled shyly and demurely as she looked at Effiong; they were both smiling at each other foolishly that Peter scoffed loudly. Effiong stiffened and tightened his grip on Uyai's hand causing her to squirm a little startled by the sudden pressure on her hand. Uyai looked at Effiong questioningly but he wasn't looking at her but glaring at Peter heatedly that she could feel the growing tension between the two.

"Peter is that you?" It was Catherine. Immediately her suspicion was quelled, when Peter turned to her with one of his award winning smiles.

"Catherine!" he acted surprised but already he'd glimpsed her form earlier and was not inclined to meet nor greet any of them. His main purpose for his visit for the past two weeks was Uyai but then again he didn't want to appear rude and dismiss her. A good reason for that was, he was a very good judge of character and Catherine to him appeared fishy and that to him made a dangerous woman; a woman untrustworthy.

Catherine grinned charmingly at him and immediately curled her arm underneath his. Her gaze left him and she turned to Peter and waved the hand that was free. " Peter."

"Hello." Peter returned her greeting.

"Sorry to interrupt this meeting, Uyai come with me." Mrs. Chance came up to them. Her eyes were hard as she looked at Uyai who immediately flinched.

Peter felt as Catherine stiffened besides him, he glanced at her to see the muscles in her jaw ticking. He wondered what brought up such reaction, so he searched her face and discovered that her eyes were unfocused and glaring at the dark beauty who was across them. He felt her heave a breath then released it as if trying to calm her nerves; She succeeded. If Peter was non too wise he would've thought he'd imagine her reaction.

Uyai timidly and quietly followed Mrs. Chance, her stiletto heels clinking soundly on the tiled floor.

"Catherine you too." Mrs. Chance said without a backward glance, and Catherine followed suit.

They followed her to her office, a part of the studio that was reserved mainly for her business dealings. The door was left ajar so Uyai could see the other models lounging on the sofa including Miss. Fiona; they all sat crossed legged as they faced the the chair opposite them.

"Close the door." Mrs. Chance ordered as soon as they'd seen themselves in. Uyai quietly closed it with a click and proceeded to lean on it since the chairs were all occupied, the last one that seemed vacant was reserved for Mrs. Chance and instead of sitting she stood behind it holding it in a firm grip.

"Now that we're all here, I better not waste your time." Mrs. Chance began "One of us here had decided to forfeit the competition and she has her valid reasons which I dare not question since it's her choice." her eyes moved quickly to sofa where Catherine, Presh, Isabelle and Raina sat and Uyai wondered which one of them had decided to forfeit such a milestone in their career. Uyai couldn't guess because they'd all deemed it important as a stepping stone to boost their modelling career, so who could it be?

Uyai was sure the question was shown on their faces because Mrs. Chance coughed and called out to Raina. "Raina why don't you..." she trailed off giving room for the model to speak.

Raina cleared her throat "You know me girls, as much as I like modelling and pissing my parents off, I love what I'm currently studying more and though this doesn't seem like a credible reason, I won't like to distract myself with a competition like this when I could be channeling all that energy for school and we all know how stressful studying medicine is--" she paused a little and gave Mrs. Chance a pointed look that undoubtedly got them curious, "Mrs. Chance I know this competition requires only three participant from this agency and the reason you worked us this hard is to eliminate two of us--" Mrs. Chance eyes had widened in surprise.

There was a collective gasp showing that the models were unaware.

"I-Is this true Mrs. Chance?" Presh sceptically asked as she looked from Raina to Mrs. Chance.

"Yes that is true." Mrs. Chance answered with a nod.

"But you didn't mention it, we could've worked harder, I could've worked harder." Presh cried in disappointment.

"So just three of us huh?" Catherine spoke up with a distant look on her face as if she was thinking deeply of something.

"All the more interesting. I love challenges." Isabelle added with a smirk, not resisting, she briefly glanced at Uyai with a look of challenge. It was clear to Uyai she'd become a target.

"So... I'm going to be doing us a favor and lessen this competition by eliminating myself first, so cheer up ladies it's all good." Raina said with a smile trying to dampen the tensed atmosphere.

"So one down, one more to go. You just raised the stakes Raina." Miss. Fiona shook her head amusedly. She was going to enjoy the drama that would unfold.

"Did I? I was not aware." Raina said innocently but Miss. Fiona could see through her facade. Like her, she loved drama.

"Since we've established that this is an earnest competition and only the qualified three would move on to the next round which is the main contest itself. From there each of them would decide their fate." Mrs. Chance spoke coolly and professionally. "Any questions?" she paused.

Silence.

"I'll take it you're satisfied with the conditions. You're dismissed." She concluded.

***

"Don't you have someplace to be?" Peter asked Effiong. They stood beside each other facing the opened window so it was easy to see the busy street, which was mostly occupied by students of the University of Calabar moving around in rag clothing with rattling cans whilst they presented it to pedestrians on the highway to put in a few Nairas.

"What do you mean?" Effiong asked

"I mean work. Don't you have work to go to?" Peter clarified.

"Have you forgotten, I am my own boss." Effiong spoke calmly tucking his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

"How can I?" Peter muttered sarcastically.

"What are you doing here?" Effiong inquired as he turned from facing the window to look at Peter.

"Funny, I should ask the same question. What are you doing here Effiong? If I can recall you have no business with models." Peter also turned and looked at him, he too had tucked his hands into the pockets of his trousers. So they now stood facing each other.

"Since I can see how curious you are, I won't disappoint you." Effiong paused and then said seriously, "I am here for Uyai."

Peter was startled at the blunt reply and it showed in his expression. "Well, well well, then you should know by now that I'm also here for the beauty." Peter told him with a smirk.

"Why? If I may ask." Effiong challenged.

"Do I need a particular reason?" Effiong shrugged still smirking.

"Yes you do." Effiong forced a smile.

"Well what is yours? And please refrain from telling me it's because she's from your village which is why you care so much to visit her for the past week. I definitely won't accept that reason." Peter told him a snort.

Effiong laughed humorlessly. "While I'm sure you wish that is the case, it isn't. I like her." Effiong saw his friend's unconvinced look and smiled slowly, "Yes I like her, it's been a while now and while I was too ignorant of my feelings for her, I had made a mistake and directed my attention to her sister due to obsession--" Effiong spoke with a far away look that Peter had to interject.

"Holdup, what do you mean? How long have you had feelings for Uyai? And which sister? Is it the one I know?" Peter queried all at once, his voice rang with curiosity.

"It's complicated and I messed up which makes it more so." Effiong said.

"Guy you're speaking in riddles, what do mean it's complicated and by messing up do you mean with Uyai's sister the one currently staying in my house?" Peter asked worriedly.

"Yes." Effiong answered with a nod.

Peter gasped.

"Goodness! Does it mean you're the father of her child? You got her pregnant?!" Peter whispered yelled, his hands had left his pocket and one was pointing accusingly at Effiong.

"God No!" Effiong refuted aghast at the accusation.

"Then what do you mean?" Peter frowned.

"What I meant was that I tried to woo her with Uyai's help but failed because someone else came along, and thankfully it didn't work out, I would've made a big mistake." Effiong sighed.

"Oh. So what happened to the father?"

"He's a married bastard. Broke her heart and left." Effiong hissed.

"What a pity. So you like Uyai. When did you begin to discover your feelings for her?" Peter asked with friendly curiosity.

"I can't really tell, I think I've liked her all along. I think coming to the city spiked it."

"You could add the fact that she's beautiful." Peter smirked.

"That too, but trust me she wasn't always like this. If you knew her before now, you my friend wouldn't give her a backward glance." Effiong told him.

"Really? I doubt that." Peter shook his head in denial.

"If you say so." Effiong said and suddenly fixed him a look that said he was being serious about what he was going to say next.

"Spill." Peter gave him the go ahead.

"Stay out of my way Peter. I want her this time and I don't need you to meddle." Effiong said stiffly.

Peter smirked. "What if I tell you I want her too?"

Effiong stiffened. "Don't. Don't let a girl come in between us." Effiong said with gritted teeth.

Peter chuckled "Be rest assured I won't." Peter gave Effiong's back a friendly pat. "Besides, I see the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is looking, I'm no fool and I won't compete with that."

"Good." Effiong swallowed a relief. "That Catherine girl, she's into you." Effiong told him with a smirk.

"Nah...she's not my type." Peter dismissed with a wave and turned back to face the window.

"Now that is a cause for concern. She is beautiful." Effiong reminded him as he too also turned to face the window.

"Only on the outside." was his only reply. Effiong was puzzled.

"Effiong ." A soft voice called his name and he couldn't help but release a slow smile as he turned to the owner of the voice.

"Uyai." he smiled.