My Regret Part 4

"Emmm but ma I need to think about it. I know you're trying to help me but ..."

She laughed, turning to me as she pressed a small towel to her neck. "Poverty is really a disease. My dear, if anything gets me out of this place, I'm never coming back. So, the choice is yours. Are you in or not?"

"Okay, okay, but what about my room? You've not told me the job I'm going there to do ma. Secondly my stuffs, I need to take my credentials and clothes, just in case. And I have to let my neighbors know I'm traveling. I also need to—"

"Hey girl, you're wasting my time," she interrupted, firing up the engine. She was about to drive off when I finally caved.

"Sorry ma. Sorry I'll go. I'll go." I blurted out.

She smirked, pointing to the back door. "Use the back." With that, she sped off, leaving no room for second thoughts.

She drove me for hours until it was late due to the traffic. She pulled over at a hotel where we spent the night. During the drive, she took over seven phone calls, juggling conversations as we traveled I couldn't hear what she said since via the phone since it wasn't in English language. At night she brought a particular lotion and instructed me to rub it on her back which I did.

The following morning, around 8 a.m., we got ready. She bought me some food, a wig, an orange coloured ball gown, and a pair of high heels. The gown was short, and I wasn’t comfortable with its length, but I had no choice but to manage since I hadn’t paid for it. Walking in the heels was difficult for me because the last time I wore heels was many years ago during my university matriculation. Even then, they were borrowed, and I only used them for that one day.

We kicked start the journey afterwards till we eventually crossed a border. when we got to a spot, I removed the heels from my legs due to the discomforf. All the questions I asked her about where she was taking me fell on deaf ears. She only told me not to disturb her till we get to where we were going. It wasn't until later that I noticed a signboard that read "Ikoyi, Lagos." we were surrounded by vehicles and luxurious houses that left me both speechless and confused.

After hours of driving, she finally stopped in front of a duplex gate, turned to me, and told me to drop. One side of the duplex had over three stories. "Someone will come and pick you up," she said as the gate opened for her to drive in. Moments later, another girl, who appeared to be a few years older than me, emerged through the gate. Her bottle-shaped brèasts sagged under the vest she wore which looked somehow irritating to my eyes. She had a pair of short joggers that barely covered half her thighs.

She gestured for me to fóllów her, and I obeyed. As we walked inside, I couldn't help but notice the stunning cars, vibrant flowers, and intricate decorations that adorned the place. We both ascended the stairs and took me to a very spacious room. I was constantly gazing at the chandeliers and other decorative stuffs above. At the far end of the room, a bed was occupied by five women in different wrappers, fast asleep. Nearby, a table held an assortment of fruits, including apples and bananas, along with a full loaf of bread and an unopened bottle of butter. "Go to the table and eat whatever you want. I'm coming." She said and left there.

---