The impending fashion show had been the talk of the town for days even though it hadn't started yet. Being a torrid day in the month of October, all roads lead to MAPLE fashion industry exhibition, one of the biggest and wealthiest fashion exhibition in the country.
"Who designed the dress?" Folajimi pointed at the current model on the runaway as he turned to his twin sister who had plastered a huge grin on her face right from the commencement of the fashion show.
They were both seated in the VIP's area. Folakemi turned to him with her unwavering smile, "Lisha"
Folajimi titled his head with furrowed brows, "Who is Lisha?"
Her smile faded a bit as her brows creased, "My goodness, don't tell me you don't know Lisha? Our foremost award winning most popular designer? Jimi, what have you been doing?"
He creased his brows before replying, "The name rings but you know neither do I patronize female designers nor do I frequent our female section here," he stole a look at the runway, "I really don't know much about them," and Folakemi shook her head in disbelief.
"Then you have to find out yourself, the only thing I can tell is that she's the elder sister of that model." She pointed at the most beautiful model on the runway, she was MAPLE's greatest asset in the modelling world.
"Oh, that's so…." the resounding applause broke into his words and with impulse he joined in the clap before Folakemi walked gracefully to take hold of the microphone.
The applause came to an halt the second she smiled with the mic in hand.
"Good day everyone, once again, you're welcome to MAPLE fashion exhibition, it..." After her brief superb speech, the clap resounded again and before the ovation could subside, the male models graced the stage.
In nothing less than an hour later, the fashion show ended.
"You were really good out there," complimented Folakemi as she walked into the changing room.
A smile shadowed Nikki's mouth before her response, "That's me for you." She replaced the lipgloss into her cosmetic bag before turning to Folakemi.
"You look as beautiful as ever," Folakemi commended again as she scrutinized Nikki again. She'd changed out of the new designs and had tucked her willowy body in a blue shrug like belt top on black jeggings, it was one of those clothes designed by her elder sister, in fact Nikki's wardrobe were a full exhibition of Lisha's designs.
"Thanks, anyway, I've got to go now," she picked up her bag and proceeded to walk out of the waiting room with Folakemi. Right from when Nikki got employed in MAPLE, she'd been best buddies with Folakemi, even though she was her employer.
"See you later," Folakemi waved at Nikki as she drove out of the exhibition ground.
Folakemi sauntered into the company immediately Nikki was out of sight, as she stepped into the elevator, Lisha smiled at her.
"Your designs were great, I'm certain calls have been coming in," she said to Lisha who nodded in return, it wasn't something so new considering her pedigree, for she was regarded as the best female designer in MAPLE.
"Thanks, um, do you know if Nikki is still in the waiting room?"
Folakemi shook her head before replying, "No, I think she went for Miracle"
Lisha took a glance at her gold wristwatch before looking up at Folakemi, "Oh, it's really time for her to pick up Miracle"
**************
Nikki tuned the music blasting out of the radio politely low and all she could really hear from the speakers was the throb of the beat as she nodded slowly to 'Stuck with You' by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
She found herself halting her drive and the only cause was the traffic. Traffic had always been the order of the day in Lagos. There was nothing more irritating and frustrating than having to sit in your car for several minutes or even hours sometimes without moving or probably on a snail pace. It slowed to a crawl which resulted in her getting to Miracle's school late.
As soon as the five year old girl sighted her mother, she ran up to her with a wide smile and Nikki hugged her tightly before they both got into Nikki's Toyota Coupe sports car, the one MAPLE had awarded her last year for being the best model, she was not only the best model but also the hottest and most beautiful one which earned her envy from other equally good models at MAPLE but she showed to care not.
Miracle kept on chattering with her mother throughout the ride. Almost an hour later, they got home.
"Welcome," Gran greeted as she opened the door widely for Nikki to come in since Miracle had already jumped on her blocking a sizeable part of the doorway. Gran and Miracle were like best friends. It wasn't surprising considering the fact that she had literally taken care of Miracle right from the moment she was brought forth into the world.
"Gran, where are we going tomorrow?" Miracle questioned as Nikki chuckled before heading straight to her room leaving Gran and Miracle downstairs.
After changing into a casual wear, she heard the sound of the horn downstairs, apparently it was Lisha, her guess was confirmed when she peeped through her window and saw Lisha alighting from her wine Range Rover Evoque.
As she descended the stairs, Lisha walked into the house with the stuffs she'd probably gotten from the grocery stores in the estate.
"You came home early today," Nikki said as she collected the stuffs from Lisha, without waiting for her response, she walked to the kitchen while Lisha went up to her room.
After taking a shower, she got dressed in a short black gown and sat on her bed before she heard the beep from her phone, rummaging through her bag, her eyes widened as she looked at the caller ID.
Dad. Her dad, her freaking dad. What got into him? He never called her, this was the first time since forever, he rarely spoke to her except if his wife forced him to.
She contemplated on picking the call for some seconds before she finally gave in.
"Hello, Dad" she said duly.
"Hi, Lisha"
Her eyes widened yet again, he'd never called her Lisha but Felicia.
"Um, is everything okay?" She asked when she eventually found her voice.
"Yeah, I just decided to check on you, what of your sister?"
"She's fine," the surprise laced in her tone, she was still finding it hard to believe.
They spoke for some seconds, mostly exchanging pleasantries before the call ended with Lisha still holding her phone in astonishment, her mind still wavering, finding why he would call. She believed that call did have some reasons or must it be some colouration yet to be revealed. It was Gran's call that brought her out of her reverie and she shook it off before going downstairs.
"It's almost time for dinner, go and help Nikki, you know that girl cannot cook anything," Gran mocked while she stroked Miracle's hair, they were both watching Cartoon.
Lisha nodded before walking into the kitchen where she met Nikki sitting on the stool pressing her phone.
"Hey," Nikki greeted upon her entrance.
"I almost fainted seeing you in the kitchen, you never come to the kitchen except to serve your food," Lisha joked as she walked to the shelf.
"I decided to stay with you while you cook," she placed her phone in the back pocket of her bum short before looking up at her elder sister.
"What got into you?"
"Nothing, just decided to learn cooking," she got up from the stool and walked over to Lisha who still wore a surprised look, seems the day was filled with surprises for her, first it was her dad, then her sister who never had interest in cooking.
Maybe this month would be a beautiful one after all, it might not seem like what she'd envisioned.
"What should I help you with?" Nikki queried with a smile and Lisha snapped out of her thoughts.
