Chapter 21 COCKTAIL WOES

EVE

"So, Eve, I do hope you'll be able to make it?" He looks at me inquisitively, waiting for an answer.

"I . . .”

"Of course she'll be there, Mr. Faseun." Mother interjects, interrupting my lack of word flow.

What Mr. Faseun is doing at my parent's place so early on a Saturday morning just to invite me for a party, baffles me.

I had gone to the kitchen to get a glass of water, because I was patched, what with all the alcohol I had drunk a day before at the failed Wizkid concert.

It was failed for me, thanks to what went down and 'he who must not be mentioned.'

Anyway . . .

I'd walked back to the sitting room after my thirst was fully sated and froze when I saw a man in the sitting room looking comfy on one of the chairs.

What the...

My first instinct was to scream, but then he called my name and I peered closely at him.

"Mr. Faseun?"

And he had smiled and gotten up from the chair.

"How did you get in?" Had he become handy with tools for breaking and entry now?

"I'm so very sorry, the door was unlocked when I knocked and I didn't hear an answer so I let myself in."

Who does that? Who lets themselves into people's homes uninvited?

Mum had come downstairs at that moment since she wakes up at the slightest noise.

And here we are.

So after two cups of coffee and a promise to attend the cocktail party taking place at an event center this afternoon with an invitation card in hand, Mr. Faseun finally departs amidst smiles.

Turning to mum, I give her the look - you know the one that says you shouldn't have done that -- but she ignores it and walks into the kitchen to start her cooking session for the day.

Honestly, mum?!

"What did I miss?" Tomide walks in just then, sleep still plastered all over his face.

"We're going for a cocktail party, yayyy!" I fake enthusiasm.

He lifts enquiring brows at me but I ignore his look.

"We need to talk Eve." He plops into the seat beside me and I groan inwardly.

I knew 'the talk' was inevitable, I had avoided it so far, unfortunately, I can't run away from it forever.

So I brace myself for the impact.

"Relax! I'm not going to chide you. You're not a child, Eve, so I obviously can't tell you what to do, but I can advise you."

I sigh, knowing every word he spoke is absolutely correct.

"Don't be so hard on Segun, he obviously likes you and..."

"Oh he likes me so much he doesn't want me as his girlfriend, hmm?" He flinches at the vehemence oozing from my voice.

"Eve, relax! From what you told me, he doesn't date and this is something that takes time with men of his em ---"

"Nature?" I cut in, again.

"Ahem... yes his nature." He finishes.

"See... you're even uncomfortable mentioning this wierd quirk of his." I scoff and turn my face away.

"Look, Eve, some men are like that. Matter of fact, the average man is like that. You just have to make him see you're worth it" He shrugs.

So now I'm getting advise from Tomide too.

Wow! I'm a real class act.

I sigh exaggeratedly. "Honestly, Tom, I'm not sure if I want to continue this back and forth with him anymore. Worst part is, our paths seem to keep crossing. His boss just invited me for a cocktail party for his office and that means he's also going to be there too. I really need support from you. Please come with me."

He sighs and looks at me. "You know I will, you don't need to beg me."

"I have a confession to make," I start, staring at the table intently. I can't bare to see the look of disgust on his face when I tell him I lied to Batman about him being my boyfriend.

"I...."

This time he cuts me off. "I know. You lied to him that I'm your boyfriend?"

"How did you...?"

". . . know? My boyfriend is coming in the next . . . Does that ring a bell?"

I'm suddenly not able to look at him because I'm embarrassed - no, I'm clearly mortified.

"Look! It's okay if you want to use me to make him jealous and all, fine, but please no touches and definitely no kisses either."

Finally, I raise a guilt ridden face to him and he smiles wryly.

"Thanks, coz, you're the best." I'm about to hug him but I remember what he just said.

We laugh awkwardly and bump fists instead.

*

"And so we present to you, the man of the day, Mr. Faseun."

Claps ring out, momentarily defeaning me. The soft music reduces and Mr. Faseun strides unto the stage amidst hoots and whistles.

We have front seats, enabling us see everything clearly. Row after row of people are formerly dressed. The men are fitted in red bow ties and black tuxedos and the women, whew - the women are wearing evening dresses ranging from flouncy to sleek, some with thigh high slits showing a variety of complexions.

I look down at myself - I feel underdressed.

"You look fine, coz, don't let these wanna-be high flyers make you feel unsure of yourself, just relax!"

I smile gratefully at Tomide and continue listening to Mr. Faseun make his introductory speech.

Mr. Faseun forgot to tell me this was a cocktail awards night, but in fairness to him, if I had gone through the invitation card I probably would have known.

Slipping the invitation card out from my purse, I gaze in trepidation at it.

Yup! It says it right there at the top:

Cocktail Awards night for Deuce manufacturing staff.

At the bottom, I spy the wordings in bold letters:

Dress code: Formal.

I skip the dress code for the men as my eyes dance across to the dress code for women.

I groan as I see three words:

Gorgeous evening gowns in bold black letters.

Shit!

What girl doesn't want to look her best?

I feel like a drag queen in my casual top and distressed jeans.

At least I wore heels. That should count, right?

Who am I kidding? I stick out like a sore thumb...

. . . and not in a nice way!

Urgh!

I drop the invitation card and sink my head into my hands.

Screw this, I need to get out of here now.

"Tomide, we need to leave now!"

I clutch tightly to my bag, ready to hightail it out of here, but he puts a hand on mine.

"Eve, we only just got here. Please relax."

But I can't, I just can't. I don't like being in a position where I feel awkward and right now, I feel a hell of a lot of that.

I get up from my seat, knowing full well Tomide will follow suit.

As I weave through the tables, I put my head down, avoiding making eye contact with anyone.

Freedom has never looked so good than now, as I spy the exit sign some meters away.

I'm almost there, halleluia!

Until . . .

... someone clamps a hand on my shoulder.

"Eve... where are you going?"

I look up to see Mr. Faseun gaping at me with puzzlement in his eyes.

I swear this man is a stalker.

"I . . . I . . ."

"She's actually looking for the ladies," cuts in Tomide from behind me.

I'm breathing fast now. Lies don't come easily to me, unfortunately I need it at this point in time.

"Oh that! Look over there, at the corner, you'll see the female toilet and when you're done, I'll be here waiting for you." He points to a corner not far away and I stumble off, dazed from the direction in which everything is going.

Getting to the toilet, I touch up the powder on my face and stare once more at my scared reflection.

You can do this, you're a grown woman that can take on anything that life throws at her.

Yup!

Breath in, breath out!

I feel more energised as I make my way back out to the hall. Seems the awards have started in earnest, because I only see Tomide leaning against a wall, impatiently tapping his feet.

"I'm sorry, coz, guess I freaked out a minute ago. I can do this, please let's go back to our seats." I take his hand in mine, but he stays my movement and points to something in front of him.

Following the direction of his finger, I'm able to make out Mr. Faseun talking with two other people, their backs to us.

I turn back to Tomide, shrugging in the process.

"He says I should tell you to wait for him, he'd like to introduce you to someone." Tomide doesn't look like he plans on moving an inch from his perch against the wall.

I huff and roll my eyes impatiently. "I don't have time for this. Baby steps, Tom, didn't you tell him I'm antisocial? It's bad enough I didn't dress accordingly, and now he wants to introduce me to people too?" I shake my head in annoyance.

Tomide shrugs and takes my hand as if to say - let's go then, but at that moment Mr. Faseun calls out to me as he walks towards us.

I groan inwardly, unknowingly squeezing Tom's hand that's still in mine. He drops my hand like hot coals and I frown and shake my head, avoiding his eyes. I turn round to face Mr. Faseun, pasting a fake sweet smile on.

What, sweet lord have I gotten myself into?

"Eve my dear, I'd like you to meet someone very close to my heart."

He beams and spreads his hands for emphasis. The man in question is still some paces away from us, talking animatedly with a lady. I smile at Mr. Faseun in return, waiting for the introductions.

Tomide clears his throat noisily beside me, and I slide a glance at him, imploring him with my eyes to be patient. He shrugs and says nothing, looking bored.

Someone nudges us, wanting to pass and I make way, as two people move past us, greeting Mr. Faseun respectfully. Probably some of his staff.

I turn back to look at Mr. Faseun who is clearly waiting for the person to finish chatting with someone. So I introduce Tomide to him and we make small talk while we wait.

"Ah! Here he comes," Mr. Faseun beans.

I smile patronizingly as the man approaches us.

"I need to use the gents, Eve, please give me a minute," Tomide whispers in my ear, taking my attention off Mr. Faseun for a moment. I give him a nod and a smile as he walks off.

When I look up, my mouth falls open in shock.

"This is my son." Mr. Faseun claps the person on his back.

This can't be.

My mouth has suddenly become parched as I stare in shock at ...

Dee?

Dee is Mr. Faseun's son?!

Lord have mercy!