KELENNA

Private Chef

The next day.

"Have fun Jide, I'm out." I said after getting ready to leave for work, Jideka was bent over a heap of clothes that I've been too lazy to put in order lately.

"Yeah, good luck and see you later."

"Bye."

"Wait, what's that work of yours again?"

"Me? I work as a private chef with benefits."

"Your menu?"

"Check your vision board, you'd see my tab."

"Get out."

"Already moving." I opened the door, about to get scarce.

"I will be leaving today."

I faced him immediately and before I could ask he quickly added.

"I mean going out, I'm going out not leaving...I noticed you don't have much food stuffs in the kitchen. Just some bread, spaghetti and a few cups of beans. So I want to go to the market to buy some things."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because you doubt yourself at times." He shrugged.

"Really? Mtcheew. And you won't disappear again?"

"No Victor, I really just want to buy things."

"Leave it. I'll get them myself on my way back. Don't step out!"

"Am I... kind of being grounded here?"

"Have a nice day in here Jide. And don't eat lunch by 4.00 pm." My voice trailed off with me into the corridor and out into the city.

.

.

.

Soon I was at Senator Suites, it wasn't a far distance from home. I got busy immediately, tidied up the place and arranged finished productions, sorted bulk fabric orders and packaged them, wrapped some Thank You gifts Mrs Victoria usually appreciated her big clients with and refrigerated more drink for individual customers.

The DStv stopped showing programs and I subscribed, our WiFi plan got exhausted and I activated another plan as well.

I no just know why this woman trust me with her phone, passwords and bank apps to be doing all these in her absence.

She even wanted me to be login to the account and manage it from my own phone, na me refuse oo. Which kind temptation be that one??

So she resorted to keeping it back at the shop 247 and use her other phone. I attended to a few customers that morning, who thankfully aren't the overly negotiating type — actually most of her customers aren't, maybe because she's a nice woman.

I don't have to worry much about selling too high or low, the prices are tagged to the clothes, makes my work easy.

Two twin girls came in holding hands and giggling.

"Hellloooooooo!" They greeted happily

"Good morning girls."

"Roger that!"

"Yeah...!"

Roger that? What a... unique way to respond to greetings.

"We want matching clothes for our twin boyfriends, they've worn enough polo and jeans for their previous birthdays." One of them said.

"Yes, we want them to upgrade to prestige now, let it be fire! No one should out drip them at that party!!"

Excitement was visible in their voice as they glanced around.

"Alright ladies, calm down first. We do have great matching senators...or any other style you want but none is in same color, except for single shirts. We've got perfect matching designs but the colour differs."

"Oh... Bliss, would that be good?"

"I think so...why not? At least to help guests identify who is who."

"Exactly!" I seconded.

"I'd like to see some good designs."

"Come further in then." The one addressed as Bliss excused herself to answer a brief call, while her sister followed me.

"What vibe do you wanna go for? Calm simplicity or—"

"Bless! Wait, I saved a bunch of cloth designs, I think we should look at them first." Her sister called out, seems like she's done with her call.

"Really? You do?" Bless smiled at her.

"Let me see them." I demand and she handed over her phone.

I scrolled through a gallery of over a hundred pictures of clothes.

"Is there a particular design you want?"

"I'm very indecisive, they're all good. Make a choice for me."

Omo today go long oo, why didn't she come with her boyfriend so he'd make his choice?

"Don't give me that look, it's a surprise gift." She looked away all shy and red.

Oh that's it? But why this one come dey blush ni?

"Oops! The look is withdrawn, hehe." I chuckled

"So which do you pick?"

"The thing is, we don't have most of these designs readily made. So if you want any, we can sew it but you'll have to get their measurements and all, then come back two days later.."

"No that won't work, their birthday is exactly two days from now, and getting their measurements would ruin everything."

"Bliss let's just buy already made ones."

"Their sizes?"

"Umm..." They both measured me with their gazes.

"I think you'll do." Bless said.

"I'll what?"

"You're exactly their size, so you'll do the fitting."

I opened my mouth to speak, but found no words. I just shook my head. It's going to be a really long day today. Bros be out somewhere chilling and basking in 'in addys' while I'm here, backstage and modeling for a runway show I won't be part of.

It wasn't easy with these girls, as they kept chosing this and that and then going back to the first option. After six clothes I had to get a bit mean and stop, if not they were going to shove me into every cloth in the shop.

Mrs Victoria should please come and handle this one herself.

Finally they settled for a modern minimalist agbada, polyester blend, wide-sleeved and easy. The kind of cloth that's simple, but elite and makes people look twice.

"Afrocentric! This is the one!"

"Yeah, I love it, they're always wild. I want them to be calm this year!"

"Take the deep olive green and white colour, but interchange it. Let them not wear same colour up and down. Whoever with the olive green, should pair it up with the white trouser and vice versa." I suggested.

"That would look awesome, I can already envision it. Thanks!" Bliss squealed.

"And please, no coloured foot wears!"

"Ahhh of course not."

"But... Bless, what of that skyblue timberland they ordered from temu for their birthday?"

I felt a heart attack coming... Skyblue what?! Disaster! A total disaster!!

I don't know the kind of expression I had on my face, but Bless looked at me and burst out laughing. I bet I looked like I was about to pass out.

"Hahaha...oh come on I'm sure they won't wear it with this. They have baggies for that."

"I hope so oo. Because I'd rather have them bare footed than wear... whatever it is you said they got from temu." I said.

They both laughed. They grabbed a couple more shirts, made payments and I served them drinks as they say down while I wrapped the clothes, since they said it was a gift, I put in a bit more effort in the presentation.

When I was done, I picked up a bottle water, feeling thirsty for talking too much since this girls came, and took the clothes to them.

"Here it is. Thank you for-"

"Oh my goodness! This is so thoughtful of you!!" Bless smiled.

"Thank you soo much uncle!!"

If not for the fact that I've already developed an inbuilt shock absorber to these girls by now, I would have spit out the water I was currently drinking.

Uncle?! Which uncle?? Who the heck is their uncle? I I rolled my eyes.

"Mummy Bliss, am I already old without knowing?"

"I'm not your mummy!" She whinned

"And I'm not your uncle."

"I...I didn't mean it like that, I just don't know your name... and I don't think you're old, you're actually very young, handsome...and nice."

"Oh...my dear sister Bliss." Bless facepalmed.

"Thanks, but I'll just go with nice, save the handsome and red face for your boyfriend."

"Huh?"

"Have a nice day Blissy-Bless."

"You too!" Bless waved, took her sister's arm and dragged her out.