By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Night was swiftly falling as the business of the city slowly began to come to an end. Within each house a flickering, warm, orange, light filled every place. At this moment, Michael, who was wearing a black fitting, custom made suit, walked out of his office, holding a few files as he walked through the hallway, heading for the designated elevator. The transparency from the reinforced glass at the hallway, allowed the gentle orange radiance of the setting sun to fall upon every nook and cranny inside, thereby, causing the hallway to exude an aura of warmth, beauty and peace.
Just as he was about to enter the elevator, Michael's phone rang, and he picked up the phone. With a magnetic voice he said, 'Hope Chioma is coming to the restaurant tomorrow?'
'Yes, Sir,' Emeka said from the other side of the phone. 'Everything is ready sir...'
'Mhm,' Michael replied and hung up the phone.
After Michael stepped out of the elevator, he went to his car which was parked at the entrance and drove straight home. Thinking about how Chioma would react at the surprise party that would happen tomorrow at Jimmy Carter Street made his mood automatically uplifted. Firstly, Chioma was going to appear with the dress Audrey had purchased for her after which he would present the dress he had secretly ordered for her, dress from Catherine Walker's Premium Collection. The dress was one in the entire world, and it was the brand used by British Royal family. Tomorrow, he was going to make the whole world engrave his love story and that of Chioma in their hearts, forever.
The following morning arrived with brilliant sunlight spreading throughout the city of Abuja. The weather was beautiful and hopeful. It was the day, so many people that knew about the surprise party was waiting for. Chioma was the only one that wasn't aware of what was going on. She had thought that Emeka had asked her to come this Saturday because he wanted a small get-together with his staff. She wanted to dress casually because she felt that it was not something to show up in a high-end dress. To be frank, this morning she was still debating whether to go or stay at home, but thinking of how sad her boss would be she felt that she should go, and again, Audrey's call this morning reminding her to wear that dress she had bought for her left her with no other choice than to dress up in the dress.
Chioma walked to the living room after dressing up. Andrew, who was sipping tea with Louisa, turned their heads to look at Chioma who was looking stunning in her outfit. She wore her hair down, and on her slender feet was a pair of mulberry high heels.
Chioma's delight was displayed as she called out, 'big brother Andrew.' She happily walked over to him, spinning a circle. Both Louisa and Andrew couldn't help but laugh. 'How do I look?'
'You look just like Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge... I think I have seen her wear exactly that dress...it fits you perfectly well just like it did with her, ' Louisa said with a beam. 'You look stunning in that dress...'
Chioma turned to Andrew, expecting him to say something. Andrew put his cup of tea on the centre table. Smiling, he stooped down to make a Knight greeting.
Beaming from ear to ear, Chioma raised the end of her dress, and blissfully returned the greeting.
'You look beautiful...' Louisa praised.
'Mum...I don't see why I should dress like this just to go to work...I would look odd if nothing at all happens at the restaurant...'
'The dress is yours, how would you look odd in what's yours? Besides, you don't have to stun everyone there, but you should at least look presentable, right?'
'Mum, is not like I am going for a beauty pageant. Anyway, Michael wouldn't be coming, so, I should stop you from nagging me.'
'As the soon to be madam of Moon Corporation, you should dress beautifully even if you bought the dress from a cheap store...you should go already,' Louisa urged Chioma to leave.
Chioma picked up mulberry clutch and started towards the door. As Chioma opened the door, she saw Sharon limited edition Bugatti slowly drive in. Before Chioma could speak, Sharon stepped out of her car, dressed in a snow-white shirt paired with a high-waisted pink A-line skirt. The brand clothes were normal business attire. Chioma was very curious as to what was going on and walked towards Sharon who was smiling sweetly.
'I have come to pick you up. You have an interview with Sharon TV,' Sharon said with a smile on her face.
'You drove all the way here just to pick me up for an interview you didn't tell me about?' Chioma seem to think that something was really going on. But she couldn't quite figure it out yet.
'Yes, Chioma...by the way you look beautiful in your outfit.'
Sharon tried to use the job she offered her before to convince Chioma. However, Chioma said calmly, ' I have an appointment with my boss, so I should leave already. '
'Um...then I will bring you to him after the interview. I promise you that the interview will just be for a few minutes.'
'How can I be so sure?' Chioma was confused. She glanced over to Louisa and Andrew who stood by the door urging her to go with Sharon first before heading for Star Restaurant, and didn't say anything.
'Chioma, give Sharon a chance,' said Louisa. Louisa smiled at Chioma but didn't know how to explain everything to her. 'Is just an interview...’
Sharon added, 'You're Michael's fiancée, I think you need this interview to express how you feel towards him. There's nothing wrong with that, right?'
'Of course, it's a good opportunity to express my feelings...but I'm little confused with everything happening.'
'Then, you should come to me. I certainly promise to drive you to your workplace.'
Sharon was here because Michael had asked her to grant Chioma an interview in her TV station. If Chioma doesn't agree to go, then she would be shattering a part of their plan. Interviewing Chioma was among the plans for today.
After hearing what Sharon said, Chioma hesistated. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone.
'Chioma, why don't you believe me? I mean well...and I will stand by my word to drive you to Star Restaurant.' Sharon was a bit hurt. She felt Chioma was hesitating because she didn't trust her. She wanted to reveal the main reason behind this, but didn't know how to go about it. She doesn't want to ruin the plan.
After a few seconds of silence, Chioma walked towards the car. Sharon followed her. Once she was about to open the passenger door, Chioma turned to Sharon, looking into her eyes, Chioma smiled and said, 'Just by looking at your outfit I can't help but say that you look good in the outfit...you look good as an assistant and manager,' she praised.
'Then let's go already. We can't waste time.'
Then, Chioma got into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt, as the car slowly drove out, heading for Sharon TV.
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