The reflection I saw in the mirror was bad, no.. it was freaking terrible, my natural afro textured off-black hair was twisted back in braids that reached below my shoulders, I had slender sea green eyes and short lashes just a little above average length, straight slightly upturned pointed nose and dark olive skin.
I had a piercing on the left side of my nose though, I got it six months ago. Alfred insisted I should try something new to get over myself, she got one herself also but I could count how many times I've put a ring on it.
My plump lips were a natural red rosy color and I had a triangle shaped fitted body looking like just a slight add in my upper body would land me the hourglass figure. I knew I was beautiful, at least initially and even do now that I'm terribly broke.
I just losed money not my beauty, though my skin was not very smooth and tender as it used to be when I had all the best skincare products and the scorching sun of the country side hasn't dealt me really bad.
Among common folks around, my charm was quite unique in it's own way. My eyes especially, made me stand out mostly and caused many piercing gazes to be fixed on me.
But now, looking at reflection in the mirror, I don't think so anymore, my hair had undergrown and didn't look good, my eyes were strained from obvious lack of sleep. I'd rather not give more details of how horrendous I had looked.
"Tell me you have something to do with me right now Alfred" I asked her
She smiled "of course, this sister here is always prepared, never to be caught unawares" she opened her bag and brought out hair and makeup tools.
"And why does it look like you were on your way to style a high fashion model?" I arched a brow at her.
"You could say that actually.. I had gone to glam up Esperanza, seems like she got ditched by her makeup artist" she said mindlessly.
"You went to meet who?" I was shocked, Esperanza is a well known successful actress, how was she able to know such a person?
Alfred froze, seemingly realizing what she had said "You're connected to such a person, hmm?"
"I.. I mean... we met by chance, I was just opportuned to make her up" she stammered
"And your brain wasn't fast enough to think of a more believable lie? You met Esperanza Saint by chance? Is she some random street vendor?" I looked at her like she wasn't making any sense.
"Hey! I'm not that poor, I can meet whoever I want!" She rolled her eyes
"Oh really?" I sighed "look seems like we'd have to schedule a time to catch up on each other's lives because it seems like I'm missing quite a lot of details in your life"
"And I'm not?" She said back to me, I didn't speak anymore, that was true.. I haven't told her anything about myself. Especially about the incident that happened in school, she probably knows about my family's downfall as it wasn't a secret.
"Let's hang out some time later and I'll tell you whatever you want to know about me but I won't force you to talk though. It's fine I understand you" she gave me a warm smile.
"Okay! now let's remold Jena Green!"
"You seem more excited than I am though" I chuckle.
I took my bath and she helped me wash my hair with products that looked pretty expensive and smelt very nice. She losed my braids and restlyed it like a pro, like she had been doing things like this forever. She had been the one handling my hair ever since I got to know her but she's getting really good and perfect at it lately.
She wiped my face and worked her magic, trimmed my brows, didn't apply makeup though. After she was done, I stared at the mirror and couldn't remember the last time I looked that good.
"Now, go have some beauty sleep to remove those scary eyebags and you'd be perfection" she concluded and handed me some hair and skin products.
"You don't look really good these days Jena and I don't like it, take care of yourself, look good for me and... for my future in-laws!" She winked, I let out a soft laugh.
"See? You should smile more, you're breathtaking, my knees would've been bleeding from a hard falling, in love with you if I was a guy" this girl
"And why would it bleed?"
"Because your cold ass would let me fall and break my poor heart" she said dramatically and cleaned her non-existent tears.
"Would you stop? This act doesn't suit you" I laughed at her
"A genius like me can fit into any role" she retorted.
We bantered until we fell asleep and slept for long hours, not knowing when Wenie and my mom came back. I felt good when I woke up, my face looked smothe and I was radiating a different glow for the first time in forever. I decided to look out for myself now like Alfred had told me and prioritize my wellbeing.
Alfred also styled Wenie's curly short rose gold hair into cute pigtails and left strands on her face.
...
The next few weeks went by in a blur, I started the job Mr. Wilson offered me and avoided Wenie or anyone that would notice me as much as possible and that resulted to me returning home really late. My mother had started questioning my whereabouts everyday.
Evading the question hasn't been easy but it looked like I wasn't going to get out of the situation today as my mom looked really angry and wasn't ready to hear any more excuses from me.
As I stepped into the the compound and made my way into the house, pushing my door open I was very taken aback to see my mother in my room with an expression not used to welcome a daughter home.
I stepped back and made to close the door immediately when her voice resounded in my ears.
"Aren't you supposed to greet Jena? And Where. Are. You. Coming. From?!"
I took a deep breath and stepped in, closing the door behind me.
"Mom I was just out and I'm back now" I gave a small smile
"Out. Doing. What?" I'm doomed today!
"Did you get a job or something? You can just tell me about it, I won't stop you from working considering our situation now"
Sigh.. might as well just tell her now
"Yes mom, I went to.. work"
"You're returning so late at night, I don't like this job of yours Jena, I know we're tight on money but you don't have to go extra mile" she said in concern.
I held her hand " don't worry mom, I will be fine" I reassured her
"So, what work is that and where is the work?"
"Promise me you'd be calm mom"
"I'm very calm, are my not?"
"Yes you are now, but I'm not sure you would be when I tell you"
"What? Oh my Jena! don't tell me you work at a brothel" she became alarmed
"I don't mom" she looked relieved for a moment then returned her questioning gaze to me. I opened my mouth and.. finally told her everything with principal Wilson.
She seemed to have frozen in place, and after a few minutes..
"You. Did. What??!!"