"That turned out pretty well..." John said as we got into my car. I was at the owners corner while he sat at the front close to the driver. I stretched my hand and slapped the back of his head and his yelped holding the place that I had hit. "What did you do that for?" he cried.
"Do not ever do that again, do you hear me? Why on earth would you charge twenty million naira for just one night's performance? You are very lucky they accepted when the sponsor called because I would have asked them to pay me five million just to spite you." I replied yelling. He remained calm for a few seconds surprised that I yelled at him. Even though I was my dad's spoiled child, he taught me to be polite and to speak softly to everyone including the domestic staff, so a lot of people who were close to me barely got the chance to see me yell or speak rudely to anyone. I had never yelled at John since he became my assistant and manager because I never had any reason to. But today's incident with the exorbitant price he had given to the organisers really got on my nerves.
"Well, it did pay off, didn't it? he asked after being silent for a while. "At least you walked away from that meeting twenty million naira richer. Didn't you?" he added.
He could have been right but my career was still very young and I didn't want to scare potential organizers from featuring me at concerts and events simply because of high price rates from my manager.
"Yes I did, but only because the chairman got that call. Do you think they would have accepted your crazy demand if he hadn't received that phone call from the sponsor? And did you see how Sarah stormed out of the room?" I retorted.
John probably got the message because this time he remained silent as the driver drove on towards the part of town that I lived in. I checked my wristwatch to know what time it was, and according to my watch it was already three thirty in the afternoon. My styling team would be coming by five and I really craved for a little nap because I was exhausted from the day's activities. After taking of my wig and laying it on my laps, I adjusted myself into a comfortable position and rested my head for a short nap. As I closed my eye, I recalled how the chairman had said the Awards ceremony sponsor asked him to pay me any amount I wanted. I wondered how rich someone could be for them to be willing to pay an artist any amount that was demanded aside other expenses that would be incurred during the preparation for the ceremony. I also remembered that I had forgot to ask who it was that was to sponsor the event in the first place and then my thoughts ended because I gradually slipped into a deep sleep.
I noticed the car had stopped moving so I opened my eyes and saw that we were home already, I couldn't tell how long I was asleep for but I was glad to be home. I opened the car door and stepped out with barefeet, stretching my body frame with my shoes and purse in one hand and my wig in the other hand. I had one thing in mind, to hit my bed for as much sleep as possible because if I couldn't, it only meant that I would go on my date looking grumpy.
"No calls, no disturbance and no noise till its exactly five." I told John as I staggered upstairs to my room without waiting to hear what he had to say. As soon as I entered my room, I didn't care to shut the door because it seemed like I was already sleep walking, I went straight to my bed and dumped my items carelessly on the ground before falling flat on my bed.
It was a lovely evening, the giant hall was beautifully decorated with pretty flowers and one could see the stars in the night sky through the roof. Soft music filled the air and there were so many people chattering happily in groups across the hall. As soon I moved further into the hall, it seemed like everything stopped and all attention was focused on me. I had picked my favorite red sequins gown which was slit from the bottom to my hips, exposing my thighs and I wore a pair or silver heels and my silver purse was in my hand. The shiny material of my dress and purse glittered beautiful with the help of the lights. I felt uncomfortable but I had to maintain my grace and elegance, so my red coated lips parted in a smile to shield my uneasiness. The men looked at me with admiration in their eyes but the ladies didn't seem so pleased by the attention I was garnering as I walked through the hall. I found my way to the bar and requested for a drink from the bartender just to calm my nerves. Thankfully, the attention shifted from me as I took my sit on one of the bar stools. I was served in few seconds so I picked up my drink and walked slowly towards the dance floor, wondering why John was not in sight.
"Hey beautiful" heard a familiar voice behind me and I turned towards that direction. I was transfixed by the figure I saw in the darkness, it looked very familiar and I wished it was not who thought it was. But with every step he made towards the light, it became clear that I was finally in the same room with my worst nightmare. Standing right in front of me was a man in a black tuxedo, tall, dark, broad chest and that smile... oh God not the smile. Marvin!