"You know what I'm expecting. Hurry"he said and took a seat on the shiny white couch ahead of us. I stood beside him like his personal secretary.

The attendant didn't take long to be back and she was coming with a glittering black suit. It was the latest branded suit of the most popular brand in France. What was the name again? Meanwhile, I didn't know a cloth could look this pretty. It was perfect. It was gorgeous.

"We'd be pleased to have you purchase the first pair of this piece that landed in America."the attendant smiled handing the suit over to Kodak. "This way sir"she gestured him to the changing room. All these while, I was still in awe, because I began to see why everyone was after wealth. It gave power, it gave comfort. Mere looking at that suit alone, I could already feel the aura it emitted, let alone on a perfect Kodak body, it'd be magnifique.

Kodak came out not quite long and just like I expected, he was stunning. He looked like a demigod.

"Do you like it Mr Roland?"the attendant quickly asked him smiling from ear to ear and I noticed she was a bit flirty.

"Adele?"

It's me. He called me.

"Yes"I turned to him. He gazed directly on me, I could hardly breath.

"What do you think?"

"Me?"I chocked on my word. I looked to the attendant and she gave me a feisty look. Oh, she had nothing to worry about. I was simply just a hostage to a man she liked.

"It's okay"I finally muttered.

"Good"he replied and then turned to the attendant "She likes it, I'll take it. Pack up the cloth I wore before, I'm leaving with this"he said and began to walk out of the room, I clumsily scuttled behind him.

"Who does she think she is? He looked only at her!"I could hear the attendant yell and I shrieked in my insides. What was Kodak actually doing with me? Why have me? I was of no use to any job he did.

We got to the female section of the mall and an attendant came to him again. This one seemed nice.

"Welcome, Mr Roland"she smiled.

"Get her something to wear"he pointed to me.

What? No. I gulped saliva nervously down my throat.

"Would you mind taking a look through the clothes to pick your choice sir?"the attendant replied.

"Do you want to?"he turned to me.

"Uhm...er...er....erm"I continually stuttered as words could no longer leave my mouth.

The attendant chuckled "never mind sir. I would suggest a few wears for her"she smiled "please follow me"

We went into the changing room and she brought in just three gowns. One was red, another blue the other, light purple.

"These are latest branded wears sir"the attendant said.

I tried all of them but I fell in love with the purple one. It was a simple flare, but sleeveless and hug tight to my bust. I was so confused on why Kodak decided to dress me up. Even still, what happened to the luxury clothes in the wardrope back at the drug camp. I would have just worn one of those gowns.

The attendant brought in a black stiletto and I wore them on. Then, she accompanied it with a black pearled purse.

"Have her on a simple make up"Kodak mentioned.

I turned to him instantly, indicating I didn't want to. I wasn't a big fan of make up and I wasn't really comfortable with all the dressing but he paid deaf ears.

The attendant took me into another room that was soley for make up and the artists did wonders to my face. When they were done and I had a look at me in the mirror, I couldn't believe. I looked me, but a different version of me, the wealthy me, the classy me, the sassy me, they changed me totally and oh, yes, they did wonders with my hair, the pony tail was so neat. I kinda wondered where we were going to with all these expensive dressing. A party?

"What do you think of it?"Kodak asked me while I was still drooling over my appearance.

"It's okay"I muttered not raising my head to look at him, I felt shy. He only nodded before walking out and I followed him at once.

We got to the car and we hit the road again. The drive was silent, I could feel the density of the silence. The air conditioner stabbed my skin and I could hardly breath. We finally, arrived at a very classy, yet fancy mansion. Although it had the layout of renaissance houses, it was so unmatched to any other house I'd come across in my life time. As we drove in, I couldn't help but appreciate art and nature -the sculptures, the moulds, the sculpted statues, the flowers laying on the soil, the fountain and even the serene of the environment.

He parked the car in the garage and asked me to get down. Once my leg set foot on the ground, I lost all self confidence I had actually been building up and I was forced to ask him.

"What are we doing here?"

He smirked "Just stick with me. If you do well here, there'd be a higher chance of your quick freedom" he mentioned.

"Freedom?"I muttered not enough to his hearing and I decided to heed to his words. I would be of my best behaviour, act accordingly to his wishes and be out of there in no time.

We arrived at a grand hall and It was huge and empty, with high ceilings and marble floors. It was eerily quiet, and the air was cold and crisp. In the center of the hall was a long, rectangular dining table, set with fine china and silverware. Golden chairs were placed around the table, and the whole scene had a sense of luxury and opulence. In the corners of the room were large, ornate air conditioning units, which added to the chill in the air.

Kodak drew out a chair for me and I obediently sat, he took his own seat beside me. In total there were about eighteen seats. Nine on each side's and I wondered who would be occupying the rest seats. We sat quietly till the door suddenly burst open and couples began to troop in. There were just five in number amongst which including an older couple who seemed to be the focus of the gathering. They were dressed in fine clothes, and they looked like they belonged in a different era. The man was tall and imposing, with a stern face and a commanding presence. The woman was petite and delicate, with a soft face and a gentle manner. They stood next to each other, and they seemed to exude power and authority. I felt like an intruder in their presence, and I wondered what my role in this strange scene was.

"Mr Roland, pleased to see you. How nice to have you join us here once again"the petite woman beamed in smile on sighting Kodak and she modestly walked to give him a hug. The rest others took their seat and the only thing they did was smile at Kodak while taking their seats. I gnashed my teeth in confusion.

"Ah, you brought her today Roland. I see you are really strong willed"the advanced man laughed and I saw the corner of Kodak lips curve into a smile as he bowed respectfully to the man.

Her? I was the her?

"Thank you J

"Oh, don't flatter me." Stephanie grinned, finally taking her seat beside her husband.

Now I observed better, I noticed, the man was black race and the woman, white race. Was I missing something?

"Vanessa here, just got married yesterday"Stephanie began saying, pointing to the last girl almost at the end of the table. I guess that was her last daughter and child. She seemed the youngest and was of mixed race.

"I see. Congratulations Vanessa"Kodak passed on a flirtous smile to her. She blushed.

"Alright then, can we dig into dinner. I'm starving" Joe spoke and everyone giggled except I and Kodak. I only did what he did.

About four maids filed into the hall in a straight line and soon dispersed to serve out the dished. My mouth watered from all the expensive meals I saw and knew I was going to eat. I was a lover of sea foods and they had almost all there, fried and steamed -squid, crabs, fishes and others.

As soon as the maids were done, with our foods right in front of us, we began to eat. I made sure to savour each taste of every spoon I tasted. We ate in silence and I suddenly found the atmosphere getting tense.

"Do you mind? Your name lady?"Stephanie looked up at me with a big smile.

I chewed nervously. "Adele"I replied, I wanted to make no mistake.

"Adele? You are my daughter's namesake. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it for this meeting"Stephanie beamed and I nodded and went back to my food. Till she suddenly asked, "How do you feel about getting married soon?"

I swear that I chocked on my food instantly, Kodak was quick to pass me a glass of water and I drank from it. Marriage?

"She is the shy type"Stephanie giggled "I'm so sorry dear. Roland, I see you found yourself a rear gem"

Marriage with Kodak? He didn't tell me?!!