"It is I."

"Natasha!" A middle aged lady screamed running over to hug Natasha as she strolled in with Jessica by her side, "Oh my God! I missed you so much you!"

"You too darling," Natasha said letting go, "this is my daughter in law I told you about; Jessica, Laura and Laura, Jessica."

"Ah! You didn't tell me your daughter was an oyibo Natasha nah!" Laura turned to Jessica and squeezed her tight in a hug, "Welcome my dear! Ah! Oyibo pepper! Omo see glow nah, see as her skin dey pop."

"Laura before you disgrace me and ask her which bleaching cream she is using, will you just take us in?" Natasha said with an eye roll.

Laura chuckled as she pinched Natasha's arm, "you're not alright," she whispered before saying, "so what's today gonna look like, huh? Are we going shopping or going to have a spa treatment or...?"

"We're just shopping," Natasha said, "we can look at other things once that's done."

"No wahala," Laura turned to the receptionist, "Zaina," she called out.

"Ma?"

"Tell Sade to send that my special wine up for my guest, okay?" The lady nodded in response and immediately went to action, she turned back and said, "Oya, ladies let's go!"

Laura and Natasha walked side by side up the flight of stairs while Jessica followed keenly and quietly behind them. Laura was taking them to the VVIP room where she would personally guide them through a wardrobe of original designers clothes.

Laura and Natasha had met a few years back when Laura's shop was about to close down due to financial problems. Natasha had been frequenting the shop and patronizing her for months so when she heard the news, she assisted Laura in clearing all her debts and also in repackaging her store. As a result of her investment, Laura's shop wasn't just saved but is now the second overall best shopping center in the entire state with branches littered all over the place.
To show her gratitude, she had made Natasha her business partner and become the person in charge of Natasha's personal wardrobe.

Laura finally stopped at a large door on the third floor with a VVIP engraved on it. She opened the door and with glee she squealed, "Voilà!"

Natasha and Jessica walked through the doors to avast dressing room. At the middle of the dressing room were three red sofas and a black marbled centre table that held a bottle of
champagne, a tray of ice cubes and three champagne flutes. At the right side of the dressing room were white wardrobes opened wide to reveal the rows upon rows of designer clothes, designer bags and other accessories, all arranged according to their worth. At the left side of the room was a large mirror and platform where the person dressing up would stand.

"Come, come, come," Laura said gesturing for them to join her at the table. As they sat she immediately popped the wine and served it to them.

Natasha sipped on her glass of wine and moaned in pleasure, she absolutely loved drinking champagne. Jessica on the other hand just held her glass in her hand while looking around in awe. Her brain was about to explode at the sight of all the beautiful dresses hanging in the room, in almost every shade of colors that there was.

"You like what you see?" Laura asked.

"Like? Ma, I love it! I just can't believe how I've been in this state for so long and have never come across this place before," she said.

Laura pointed at Natasha, "Ah! I love this girl ohhhh!"

Natasha chuckled, "Anyway can we get to the business of today? I am wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday and I can feel my skin crawl."

"Of course," Laura jumped to her feet, "Ekemini!" She snapped her fingers and one of her employees burst in through the door, "Oya set everything up, she's ready."

Natasha rose to her feet and pulled off her Dijon and khaki stripped jacket leaving her in her silk cream shimmy and beige colored jeans. The tresses of her curly black wig swayed down her shoulders as she sashayed behind the mirror to try out the different clothing items Laura had picked out for her.

Few seconds later, She emerged dressed in a high low gown that had shades of black, white and ecru. She accessorize with a pair of white pearl earrings and black pumps. Needless to say, on her ebony skin the attire glowed.

"Natasha pop! Ah!" Laura said jumping to join her friend at the mirror, "You have to tell me your secret Natasha, how can you be 49 years and you'll be glowing like someone in their late twenties, ni? Ah! Baby tell me your secret."

Natasha laughed before walking behind the mirror to try out some more clothes. Needless to say, everything she tried fit her like it was made for her and she always came back looking so stunning after every try.

"Natasha forget it," Laura said, "God took his time to make you Jhoor. That is from head to toe, he specially carved this one, I swear. When I look at you sometimes I dey wonder if nah one angel wey carve me abi I'm God's housegirl that's why I'm meant to look like this."

"Don't blame God, blame all the bleaching cream you like using," Natsha retorted, "see how you look like they mixed Coke and Fanta; up is fair and down is black."

"Natasha I hate you," Laura said laughing.

Jessica couldn't help but look down on herself each time her mother in law came out. Somehow, her mother in law looked younger than Jessica was. Jessica gulped down her drink and laughed to hide how insecure she starting to feel.

Although Natasha and Laura were in an active conversation, she could notice the change in Jessica's countenance. The poor girl was tapping her feet against the tiles, smiling shakily and
every time she stepped out in a new outfit, she noticed how Jessica's eyes would scan her and then turn away as if she were comparing themselves.

"You know what, Laura, I'm bored," Natasha said, "how about we dress Jessica up?"

"Eh? Me?"

"That sounds like a plan!" Laura said clapping. She jumped up to her feet and together they dragged Jessica to the mirror. Laura pulled out a tape from the pocket of her black dress and after quickly rushing it she snapped for her fingers for her employee. When the girl appeared, she showed her the measurement and then the girl rushed into the wardrobe rummaging for clothes that would be her size and accessories to match.

"Oya, in you go," Laura said pushing her behind the mirror while the elderly women went to couch to drink some more wine.

Shortly, out come Jessica dressed in flannel neck baby blue long sleeved, loose gown.

"So do you like—"

"Next!" They chorused interrupting Jessica.

Jessica went back inside and she came out three more times but still the elderly women weren't satisfied.

Laura removed her glasses and wiped them on her dress before putting it on again and no this wasn't a nightmare, Jessica was standing before her in the most hideous attire she had ever seen.

"Ekemini!" She yelled at her employee, "I told you to dress my client in clothes and not this stupid garbage! Are you trying to make me look bad? Where did you get this nonsense she's wearing from sef?"

"Madam it's not me oh," Ekemini said, "I tried picking out better outfits for her but each time, she will refuse and pick this type."

Laura turned to Natasha and she said, "I think I made a mistake that's not my daughter in law. You should call security."

Laura sighed, "I guess we have our work cut out for us."

With that said, they grabbed her and pulled back behind the mirror to pull off the dress she wore. Once they pulled off the dress she stood before them in her built-in-bra and tights.

Laura threw her hands on her hand at the sight of it, "Hai! Wetin Laura no go see for shop?"

"Wait, don't tell me this is the type of underwear you wear before my son?" Natasha gaped.

Jessica looked down at herself and up then back up at the women, "Yeah. Is something wrong with it?"

"Blasphemy," Natasha gasped.

"Haew! She is asking oh," Laura said throwing her hands in the air like she were weeping.

"Jessica that's it! You and I are going lingerie shopping," Natasha added.

2 days later...

After the final touches and testing was down, Gillis had finally accomplished the dream chair and today as requested he was here in Lagos to deliver the first of its kind to a client.

DING DONG! He rang the door bell.

Few seconds later the door flew open revealing dear Mrs Vivian, "Gillis?"

"Mrs Vivian, good morning," he said.

"Morning, what are you doing here?" She quizzed.

"I'm sorry but I came to make a delivery and set up some furniture for a certain Miss Susanna Oma?" He said.

"Well, come on in then," she said, "Suzie will be right—"

"Who the heck is blasting my doorbell this morn—" Susanna paused at the sight of the hunk before her, her pupils dilated, she gaped and the hangover pills and cup of water in her hand fell down to the floor.

Being the gentleman he was, Gillis unconsciously rushed over to her side and carried the cup and pills, "Are you okay?" He said handing over the pills and cup to her.

"Oh I'm fine now. I'm perfectly fine," Susanna replied looking up at his chest.

God! He was a masterpiece! She thought as she looked at him, his wavy black hair, thick and bushy brows, his dark brown eyes, his straight nose, well shaven beard and finally thin lips. She had never met someone who made a white dress shirt and black denim jeans looked so delicious.

Wait a minute! Did Daze really hire a stripper for my birthday? Oh my God! She thought, a sly smirk coming up on her lips, This ought to be fun.

"Suzie," Mrs Vivian called out, "This here is Gillis, he said he's here to set up a chair you ordered."

"Wait he's not a strip—" she paused and cleared her throat.

"You guys can set it up over there," Mrs Vivian pointed to a spot in the parlor.

"Thank you Mrs Vivian," he said before his boys walked over to the side and started setting up the chair.

"Vivian?" Suzie whispered to her, "I'm guessing you know him since he called you by your first name and not Peju Timothy."

"Oh yes," Vivian smiled, "I met him at the Annual Craft convention. He's a really nice chap."

"Oh really?" Suzie chuckled, "For the first time in my life, I'm actually glad I know you Vivian."

Mrs Vivian stopped and turned to Suzie, she saw a flirtatious glint in Suzies eyes and how she kept licking her lips. She touched her arm and said, "Suzie don't, he's married."

Suzie said, "Well, that didn't stop you from having sex with my father, did it?"

The boys Gillis brought looked up at her and he whispered sharply, "Mind your business and continue what you were doing," they nodded and resumed work.

Mrs Vivian frowned at her words and said, "I don't like when you speak to me like that—"

"I'm sorry," Suzie said turning to face her squarely, "I must've given you the impression that I cared about your damn feelings," her voice deepened, "Now you go back to that hole you crawled out of and tell my father that if he wants to speak with me, he has my number and my email to do so. Or he could finally take my advice and grows some balls, man up and come to me himself! Tell my father, that I won't tolerate him sending over another one of his whores to my house again, got it?"

"Su—"

"Now get out!" She snapped.

There were no words to explain how humiliated Mrs Vivian felt, she simply turned on her high heels and left without any arguments.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish," Susanna grunted, "God, I need a drink."

She damned her current hangover and grabbed another bottle of Hennessy and two shot glasses. She poured herself a drink and sat down at a chair where she could get a clearer view of Gillis.

Gillis was so her type.

Everything about him was causing a stir in her physically and mentally. Whenever he flexed his muscles while working, she moaned and drank more alcohol. He barely looked at her but in her mind, he was ripping apart her dress and having her right there on the table.

"And we are done," he said, "would you like to test it out?"

Suzie choked on her drink when he smiled at her. She didn't think it was possible for him to get sexier but how wrong she was.

"I will check it out later," she said, "how much is your money again?"

"80,000 Naira," he said.

"Okay," she said, "Why don't you join me for a drink while I wait for my p.a. to bring your money?"

"I don't drink but thank you anyway," he said, "and I can give you my account number to send the money because we're in a bit of a hurry to catch up with our bus back to Rivers state, Ma."

"Oh okay," she said as he handed over his business card.

"Thank you so much for your patronage and have a good day Ma," he said before leaving.

****

It was 2 hours since Gillis left her house but Suzie could still feel his presence strong in her house. Her mind was completely occupied with numerous obscene thoughts and images of him. She tried clearing her head from thinking about him with more alcohol but it only seemed to aggravate the situation.

"I'm here!" Announced her P.A., "I'm so sorry Miss Susanna, I could've come earlier but the traffic was terrible. I was stuck at one point for nearly 3 hours—"

"Bunmi, how much did I say you should pay for the chair?"

"80,000 Naira, ma," Bunmi replied.

"Double it."

"Ma?"

"No triple it!" She grunted, "No, scratch that. Send them ten times their offer and tell them I was pleased with their work."

"Okay ma," Bunmi replied.

"Damn it!" Suzie cussed.

"Ma, are you okay?"

"No!" She replied, "I'm not okay! I'm not okay at all!"

Suzie wasn't satisfied with just sending money, she wanted more, she needed more from that man. She couldn't just let him come in and go out of her life like that. He was her dream guy for crying out loud!

"Bunmi," she said, "I don't care how you do it but all I know is that by tomorrow morning I must be on the first flight to Lagos, you got me?"

"Yes ma."

She wanted Gillis and by all means was going to get Gillis.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Chapter 2 of the 3 chapter Bonanza! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 Dedicated to __janesse and Waleeyat

TORRI CORNER <let's talk>

🙋🏽Raise your hands if you've ever gone shopping with your mother and sisters/Aunties/fashionista friend?🙋🏽

It was during my high school graduation—😂😂😂 see how I said high school as if it was one posh school like that 😂😂😂 Omo the school nah streets oh—ANYWAY! So I was low key planning on dissing the grad because I don't have what to wear.

Okay, it's not like I didn't have what to wear but, you know after hearing my class girls talking about how their outfit was like this or that... I just realized I didn't have anything that could match/beat what they were saying hence the 'I Don't have what to wear' phase.

Okay so... One of my aunties (my love 😍) was already at our place for the holidays and when she heard I wasn't planning on not going, she took it UPON HERSELF to make me look 🔥🔥
So, she grabs my mom and I and goes like...'OPERATION DRESS JUDAH UP!' 🌝🌚🌝
On our way out, another one of my aunties pops up...she like came to the state to visit someone and decided to drop by but 'Since we asked'—nobody asked her oh 😑—she'll join us.

At this point I should've said no! They probably would've still dragged me along by my ears but I should've protested but they bought me over with a promise to buy me Shortbread 😔 ode!

Omo, that day was stressful dieeeeeeeeee! HAEW!

From the: 'Try this! No, Try this!'
To the: 'Why is she going to dressing room? My friend dress here! Is it breast/ bumbum that we've not seen before?'
Then to the: 'Eat food, eat food, Judah will not eat. I don't know who you're doing agbani for in this life. See how bone, bone, bone full everywhere. All the clothes sef none of them is your size.'
Followed by the: 'You want to wear sandals with your gown? Ah! Sister are you sure this is  your daughter? As in this is your blood? Haew! In fact take my slippers and wear so we'll know you've arrived.'

Ending with a *DRUMROLL PLEASE*:
'You say you don't like what? My friend if I nod you eh! Common carry this cloth and let's go.'

In the end, I love my family 😂😂😂
I also came out as one of the best dressed for the day so, KUDOS TO YOU AUNTIES! YOUR BABY GIRL ENDED UP LOOKING LIKE A SPICE 👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾👸🏾