CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
***EPISODE 20***
“Bisola oluwatoke, please your trophy awaits”
The host called out to me..I couldn’t get up from where I sat..Clarise quickly help me get up.
“Go on Bukky, please don’t cry up there, I don’t want any of the boys to find out OK”
I wiped my tears and sniffed in before I marched out, Vodka stood with her team on the other end with the trophy in her hands, she was to crown me..she was crying as she approached me, for what?
“This one never even see life she dey cry?”
I thought..she crowned me, and hurried off, I was supposed to take a photograph alone which would be the new face of “The House Of Earl” but I insisted me and my crew take the photo together, we all worked for it..
It was time to give my speech..my hands were shaking..I am not supposed to cry, yes I should be happy right now. As I collected the mic, I looked sideways to Clarise.. She beckoned with her eyes..that I should fight this.
I cleared my throat
“I started as nothing in this house, and today I proudly lift this trophy..I am here today because of one woman..”
Oh God, its Madam Clara, she made me who I am, that was what I planned to say, but she is gone now..
I swear I tried so hard to hold it in but I burst out crying profusely.. I couldn’t hold the pain..I could hear the audience murmuring for a while before the roared with applause..they would be thinking its tears of Joy..only one person understood..I bit my lips, I tried so hard to control myself, but the moment I met his eyes with tears dropping uncontrollably, he asked with his eyes
“What’s wrong Bukky?
I said in my mind
“Mum is gone David”
And he understood.
*************
“Thank you”
That’s was the word I could finally say before I dropped the mic and followed Clarise down to Madam Clara’s flat
She laid on her bed..it seemed she was smiling..
“Clarise she is smiling”
I said and sat with her
“She is not dead”
Just then David walked in, Jeremy followed from behind..
“Mum? Mum?”
Jeremy hurried to her, Clarise had called the ambulance already..Jeremy was crying profusely..well David..he was just quiet, starring..he just walked to her and held her hands..I knew he was hurting, I could tell..
And so it happened that Madam Clara, the woman who changed my life forever, a woman I could boldly call my mother, was gone..
I never knew they had lots of family members until now..you need to see how they flocked the fashion house..Madam Clara had insisted she should be buried in the fashion house before her death, it was where she built her life..it was her home..and so David made sure her wish was granted..despite the complaints of the family members who insisted she must be brought to her hometown..
“None of you were here when my mother struggled all her life, none of you were here when she built this fashion house! Now you all want a share in her money?! Impossible!! She would be buried here, our pastor would supervise everything! Not a dime would be spent for any of you! If you don’t like it that way, please use the door!”
Within minutes their bickering tongues seized to just distant murmurs..
Madam Clara’s death brought the boys back together, they had to be strong for each other..although David had not shared a tear since, and it bothers me..
****************
Madam Clara was laid to rest a week later, there was no time to waste, it was all just as she had requested..the House Of Earl built her statue and placed it in the centre on the big compound..an icon to always remember..the house went cold for weeks, even Vodka was strangely calm..No Fashion, no sales..everyone were all on black attire..I instructed that, for the next one week..Fashion should just wait for a while first..or so we thought before Joanne resurfaced..
I didn’t even know she was back..Jovita brought the gossip..well it should be good news right? Joanne is my buddy..is she? She is the only stumbling block to reach David! But that’s not the problem now.
“She is saying she came back to take what’s rightfully hers” Jovita said
“Take what? I don’t understand” I had to ask..
“She wants to own the House Of Earl”
My head sparked fire..
“Over my dead body will I let that happen”
****************
This was simply ridiculous! There was no way I would let this happen..I had not been out of Madam Clara’s flat for a while..I just felt I wasn’t ready to face the world yet..But now, well I went to my wardrobe, picked a trench jacket, a blue jean and an Oxford white canvas..
“Where is she?”
Jovita smiled when I came out, she had been convincing me over the weeks to shake it off and step out, but she failed, seeing me all dressed up now felt like she actually achieved something..
“Addressing the models as we speak, in the Hall room”
You can imagine the guts, who does she think she is..I followed her to the hall room and bounced in, interrupting Joanne
“Joanne, you didn’t inform me of your unexpected visit”
I said as I approached her
“I appreciate the informality but I would soon be your boss so I would love it if you show some respect”
Her words sent fire to my brain..keep calm Bukky, keep calm Bukky.
I met her eyes now, putting my hands in back pocket and with a gesture I smiled and answered
“Soon, not yet..”
She made an attempt to walk out but I held her back
“And one more thing Joanne, make no mistake, I bow to no one”
She shook of my hands..
“Well we shall see about that, wouldn’t we Bukky?”
As I watched her walked out my spirit boiled within me..what was really going on? David has alot of explanation to give..I turned to the models starring and murmuring among themselves
“Look around people, without you and I, there is no House Of Earl..So we bow to no one, remember that!”
Well they were all well behind me on this one..I went straight to David..he was in his office as expected..starring out of the glass windscreen
“David what’s going on here?”
He was quiet for a while, before he turned to me
“Don’t worry I’ll handle it”
His answer was not satisfactory, and for some silly reasons it annoyed me
“Handle what?! Your so called fiance is flaunting about threatening to take charge of this house and you’re like I will handle it!”
He was still calm..
“Bukky sit down, and hear the whole story”
When he was through I gently walked out of his office..don’t worry I would tell you what he said but for now I need someone by my side.
Vodka happened to walk by at that time..just the person I was looking for
“Bukky, I am sorry for everything I have done to you, I’ll change..”
I didn’t let her finish before I hugged her
“It’s OK, Vodka I don’t need you to change, there is a battle we need to handle together, what do you say?”
Without hesitation she replied
“Count me in”
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