Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Uyai's hand drummed nervously on her thigh as she sat on the sofa, her back armoured straight and her thighs locked tightly while she stared at Mrs. Chance who looked down at her through the lens that jutted down her nose bridge threatening to fall off with further facial contortions. Already her facial features was schooled in incredulity as she stared at Uyai as if she'd gone insane.

Uyai held back a sigh and caught her lower lip between her teeth, forcing her gaze to stay still and not waver to the intricate drawings on the flower vase that sat comfortably on the mahogany table.

"I seemed to have heard wrongly, correct me if I'm wrong but did you say you're quitting the contest?"

"Yes." Uyai nodded releasing her lip.

"Well why? I need an explanation!"

"M-My parents won't allow it." Uyai stumbled out a reply

"Explain please." Mrs. Chance muttered tiredly, her manicured fingers pushing the glasses farther up her nose then moving further to massage her temple. It was at that point she noted Mrs. Chance makeup free face letting Uyai for the first time glimpse the stressed wrinkles, the drawn lines by her lips that could pass for laugh lines. It was more prominent now especially with the way her lips slanted in a frown. She looked stressed out and Uyai was uncomfortable with the fact that she was adding an item to the lists of her worries.

"They're not comfortable with beauty contest because of what it entails." she mumbled the latter shifting uncomfortably, her back ached with the position that was deemed proper posture when all she wanted was to either slump her shoulders or lean comfortable on the sofa. Unfortunately she couldn't afford to do that now, she was in a dire situation and she felt she had to be alert and-- minus being alert she couldn't even relax if she wanted to because she came with her a delicate news that was sure to incite some level of fury...

"Pray tell what does it entail?" Mrs. Chance titled her head to the side, her arms were crossed beneath her breasts as she leaned back on her chair. Though she appeared calm, the ticking muscles in her jaw gave away the knowledge that she was irked and was trying with all her might to conceal that fact.

Uyai gulped nervously, still squirming, her hand went to scratch the back of her neck as she forced a reply. "T-The part where we model in bikinis..." she trailed off, her voice raspy.

"Is that it?" Mrs. Chance said with gritted teeth. Her eyes flashed in annoyance as she glared at Uyai.

Uyai flinched at the sudden glare. When she nodded in affirmative to her question, it was a stiff and tentative one.

"And when did they get that information? I thought they're back in the village." She inquired, suspicion marred her expression.

"They came yesterday to visit, and somehow they're familiar with that fact." Uyai grimaced with a slight shrug.

"How can I possibly accept that you're quitting?" Her nose wrinkled as she pushed back her chair. Uyai watched as she stood up and reached for the phone on the table, tab a few buttons and placed it back on the table

Uyai heard a loud ring and knew she had placed it on speaker. Uyai leaned forward a little with squinted eyes and read the name that appeared in reverse. It read Caro.

She was calling Mrs. Ekpenyong.

The phone rang a few times before her voice came through.

"Arit." She said in greeting.

Still frowning, Mrs. Chance bent her head a little and without mincing words spoke "Caro good evening." she greeted out of courtesy, and continued without a pause "What is this I'm hearing about Uyai quitting the contest? I thought we discussed this already."

"I know, I know. I can't explain this over the phone so I'll come to the studio. I'm really sorry to have spoilt your plans."

"I'm stressed out as it is. Please come quickly so I can know if I'll have to make further arrangement. I prefer you'd come early." Mrs. Chance said and without waiting for a reply, ended the call.

Uyai drew back and resumed her stuff position, her expression grave as she casted her eyes to her laps. She really had been looking forward to the contest not just for the win, but for the experience and excitement that accompanied such a programme.

"You can leave." Came Mrs. Chance resigned voice.

Uyai looked up just in time to see her flick her wrist in the direction of the door, quietly motioning for Uyai to leave her office.

Uyai heaved a sigh and proceeded to do as she was told. Languidly she arose and went straight to the door, her shoulders slumped as she pulled the door open only to be met face to face with five startled faces. They looked as though they'd been leaning on the door, probably eavesdropping.

"W-what..." Uyai sputtered as she looked from one to another as they pretended not to look guilty however failing miserably for they'd been caught eavesdropping. Uyai had it in mind to smirk but she was just too tired for that. So all she did was quirk and eyebrow until they got themselves and made way for her.

Uyai gently closed the door still facing them. Of course they didn't waste any time in probing her with questions.

Uyai moved wordlessly and stiffly away from Miss Chance office. Her gaze straight ahead as she walked the lit corridor and they followed closely behind giving her little room to breathe.

Raina who had been mia for a while started first. Her question was direct and blunt. "Are you quitting the contest?"

"Why would you do that?" Miss Fiona enquired curiously before Uyai could answer Raina, her voice laced with worry. Uyai shifted her gaze to her and she was about to reply when Presh chimed in.

"Does it mean I have a chance?" Her voice was an octave higher and her eyes were round as she looked hopefully to Uyai.

"I guess..." Uyai trailed off uncomfortably quickly glancing at Catherine and Isabelle to gauge their reaction.

As expected, they both had a satisfied gleam in their eyes.

Uyai scoffed, could they be more transparent?

"Good thing you are quitting, you weren't supposed to partake even." Came a condescending comment from non other than Isabelle that made Uyai grit her teeth. "You're just a novice and no match for the other contestants including me. I still wonder why Mrs. Chance chose you." She continued haughtily even as no else spoke or affirmed her comment.

Unconsciously Uyai's palms fisted by her side as she tried to control the urge to forget her fist in Isabelle's face.

"Isabelle It'll do you good to shut that gutter up!" Just at the right time, Raina came to her rescue, hehe and she did it so sassily that Uyai couldn't help but smirk at Isabelle who blinked in shock and was looking at lost for words, with her mouth gaped open like a fool.

"You might want to close that up, you don't want to catch flies." Uyai told her and immediately she clamped her mouth shut.

Ha! Take that! Uyai thought, mentally applauding herself for a good retort.

"W-Who do you think you are? You think you're all that just because--" Isabelle started angrily, her nose flared and her breath was unsteady as she glared heatedly at Raina who unfortunately was no match for her.

Before she could complete her sentence, Raina attacked her head on, she went up to Isabelle until the stood toe to toe. Everyone and everything stilled, as they watched with keen eyes the drama that was unfolding right in front of them. "Because I'm beautiful, intelligent etcetera, so yes I think I'm all that. What can you say about yourself? Who. Do. You. Think. You . Are?" Raina challenged, punching each word as she jabbed her index finger in front of Isabelle's face.

The latter had the mind to shrink back in intimidation, her mouth opened as if to retort but fear held her captive, she was blinking so rapidly Uyai was afraid her eyelids would fall off.

Uyai could understand her hesitance because goodness! Raina was scary when she wanted to be.

"Do you think they're going to fight?" Presh voice broke the ensued silence as she attempted to whisper to no one in particular. They all heard her.

"Break it off you two." Miss. Fiona told them "and Isabelle it's better you watch what you say from now on." she scolded, her eyes hard. Raina complied backing off with a scowl.

"This is entertaining and all but Isabelle is right." Came a calm voice.

Uyai and others turned to look at the owner. She wasn't looking at them for her eyes were lazily examining her nails.

"I can't believe it." Raina shook her head as she looked at Catherine. "You too?"

"What do you mean by you too." Catherine raised her head, her eyes shone with indifference as she made the next sentence, "I'm simply stating the obvious since you people are being cowards to admit it."

"Wait a minute! Just a little competition and you've shown your true colours--"

"A little you say." Catherine eyes flashed in a glare. "This is something that models work hard to achieve and you call it little? More than half of the top models yearn for this opportunity to be an ambassador for a world wide brand and you want merely a newbie? Someone who has little or no qualifications to partake in such a competition to, to--"

"Are you that insecure?" Riana gave a short laugh, intentionally fixing Catherine with a look of pity knowing that she would take offense.

Of course she took the bait. "What do you mean insecure?" She glared at Raina "I don't need you or anyone for that matter to tell me what I can achieve and I certainly do not need her to feel insecure." she pointed to Uyai.

"Really?" Raina asked sarcastically, "Is that why you've been so friendly to her during this period?"

"I don't know which side I should stand for. Technically I'm supposed to be against you Uyai. After all you're taking my spot." Presh whispered to Uyai who only shrugged indifferently

"Be my guest." Uyai whispered back. Arguing was just pointless. She was quitting already and they were still making a fuss about it.

"I'm too good to do that. Unfortunately I can't dispute the fact that you're a natural. It means you're good by the way. You could actually make it big if you want to." Presh complimented wryly.

"Why? Thanks for believing in me." Uyai spared her a surprise glance and received a friendly nudge from Presh

"No qualms. It's a good thing you're quitting." she smirked.

She wasn't aware of when they had reached the main studio but that wasn't her concern.

What were her parents doing here? She couldn't remember Mrs. Chance telling Mrs Ekpenyong to bring along her parents.

Uyai left the others and walked up to her family. Yes, her family. Mother, father, grandmother and Affiong who were standing absentmindedly, their gaze roving round the studio. Father stood akimbo as his gaze roamed the almost crowded studio. He looked so out of place standing there with both hands on his waist, his stomach protruded while grandmother stood beside him, mother was busy gazing at Affiong's stomach as if she still couldn't believe that her favourite daughter was with child. Uyai shifted her eyes back to father and observed as he scrutinized the environment, his eyes lingering on the the skinny models who were posing for the camera. She watched as a frown overcame his features and she could probably imagine what was running through his mind.

"Papa what are you doing here?" she waited still his eyes left the models and landed on her.

"No wonder you're working here. Why they look just like you." he said ignoring her question.

"Papa?" Uyai sighed, her eyes questioning as she sought his.

He ignored her again. "Affiong was right, but what do you people do? Model for broomsticks?" He said the latter louder for the hearing of the other models no doubt.

Uyai glanced sideways to Affiong who only shrugged innocently. Uyai shook her head and deftly glanced at where Raina and the others stood. They all observed the scene with raised eyebrows. Uyai turned away with bowed head mortified.

"Papa why are you here?" Uyai repeated.

"Why? Is it a crime for me to visit my daughter at her workplace?"

"Cut it off son and tell her why we are here?" Grandmother said and Uyai smiled gratefully at her.

"By the way where's Mrs. Ekpenyong?" Uyai asked as she had not spotted the woman in question.

"Oh, she went to look for some Mrs. Change." Father answered mindlessly

"You mean Mrs. Chance." Uyai corrected rolling her eyes

"Yeah whatever." Father shrugged.

"So why are you really here?" Uyai repeated her question.

"You must be Uyai's parents." Uyai spun startled on hearing Mrs. Chance voice.

Her smile was welcoming as she came forward to her parents in tow with Mrs. Ekpenyong. Her head bowed a little in respect.

"Yes. You must be Mrs. Chang--"

"My boss." Uyai interjected before her father could call her Mrs. Change again.

Father forced a smile and deftly shot her a glare. Uyai swiftly looked away with a grimace.

"Yeah. Pleased to meet you." Mrs. Chance brought her hand in for a handshake.

"likewise." Father clasped her hand gently in his.

"Your wife?" Mrs. Chance looked at mother.

"Yes." father nodded

"Greetings ma'am."

Mother nodded stiffly, her eyes lingering on the her husband's hand which still held Mrs. Chance hand.

Hmm. Mother's jealousy was spiked.

"I'm her grandmother." Grandmother stepped up to greet Mrs. Chance.

Father reluctantly freed Mrs. Chance hand.

"Pleased to meet you Ma'am." Mrs. Chance greeted.

"Could I trouble you to come with me to my office?"

"Sure. No problem." Father answered immediately.

"This way please. Uyai you too. Come with us." Mrs. Chance turned to her.

In the office, Father was trying to explain his sudden change of mind. Uyai was interested to know the answer as well.

"After weighing the pros and cons..." father was explaining.

"The monetary value you mean." Grandmother chimed in.

Father coughed uneasily. "That too. I found out that the pros outweighed the cons." he continued,

"And by that you mean?" Mrs. Chance queried.

"If she wins she gets to travel the world, and establish connections. She'll be respected wherever she goes, minding how skinny she looks. I do hope she doesn't remain this way." he added.

"Does that mean you're comfortable with her wearing a bikini on stage?" Mrs. Chance quirked an eyebrow.

"What's a bikini?" Father enquired, puzzled.

"Pant and bra." Mrs. Ekpenyong supplied.

"No no no. Don't misunderstand me." Father shook his head frantically. "I'm not comfortable with that at all. But, considering the fact that she has no curve none so ever--"

Uyai winced.

"They'll be nothing to see. So it's like watching a stick walk on stage, so it's okay." Father waved nonchalantly

Uyai palmed her face.

Mrs Chance cleared her throat. "Err...if that's what you think. So um, she's not quitting anymore right?" She asked for confirmation.

"Yes. She's not." father nodded.

"That's settled then. Thanks for your support. Your daughter won't disappoint you." she assured.

"She better not." father said.

Mrs. Chance laughed it off as a joke but Uyai knew, father was serious.