BRIANNA

I left Cherry’s place around seven, after we’d finished catching up. I got to the house and stepped inside.

“Mum! Mariana! I’m home!” I hollered, immediately noticing the sitting room was empty.

“Welcome, Brianna, we’re in the kitchen,” Mariana yelled back, so I headed there.

“Hey, Mom, how are you?” I asked, hugging her.

“I’m fine, Brianna. How was work?” She replied, pulling away from the hug.

“Work was fine, but stressful, Mom. But we thank God,” I said.

“You went straight to your mom. You didn’t see me. Am I a spoon or a potato?” Mariana asked, her face feigning a pout.

“Actually, you’re neither a spoon nor a potato. You’re a complete set of cutlery,” I replied with a giggle, causing her frown to deepen.

“Mum! Brianna’s bullying me!” She whined, like a kid, and I burst out laughing.

“Don’t mind her, baby. Acknowledge your sister’s presence now,” Mom said, giving Mariana a serious look.

“No, Mum, she should be the one to welcome me home,” I retorted, throwing in a mock pout.

“That doesn’t matter. Acknowledge her presence now,” Mom repeated, still serious.

“Ugh, fine!” I groaned, turning to Mariana with a fake scowl.

“Hey, sissy, how was your day?” I asked, my scowl transforming into an overly sweet smile.

“I’m surprised you asked about my day. But my day was fine,” she replied, beaming.

“Good,” I sneered playfully, turning to Mom.

“I’ve done it, happy now?” I chuckled.

“Yes, I’m happy. It wasn’t so hard, was it?” Mum asked.

“It was sooo hard, I had to force myself,” I groaned.

“Whatever. Go freshen up so you can eat dinner,” Mom said.

“Okay, Mum, I’ll be back in a jiffy,” I replied, then dashed upstairs to my room.

|FEW MINUTES LATER|

I came downstairs after taking a quick bath and changing into comfortable clothes. The table had been set, and tonight’s dinner was baked potato and baked beans.

“That was fast,” Mom commented when I entered the kitchen.

“Of course it was, I’m starving. With the smell of this meal in the air, there’s no way I wouldn’t be quick,” I replied.

“Foodie,” she chuckled.

“Mariana, say the Grace before we start eating,” Mom said to Marie, who did as she was asked before we dug in.

“Hmmm, Mom, I need your help with something,” I said after a few minutes of eating in silence.

“What’s that?” She asked.

“Can you lend me a few of your long gowns? You know, the ones that are a little big on you? I need them,” I said, and she looked at me curiously.

“Why do you suddenly need my long gowns? I thought you didn’t like them. And why would you want to wear my clothes?” She asked.

“I just need them, Mom. I’ve developed a sudden liking for them, and I’d like to wear one tomorrow,” I replied, hoping to convince her. But my mom, ever inquisitive, wasn’t easily convinced.

“You know me, Brianna, I’m not going to be convinced by that answer,” she said, looking unimpressed. “Now tell me, why do you want to wear my clothes?”

“Fine,” I sighed. “I was told that the clothes I wear to work aren’t conservative enough, so I want to start wearing more conservative clothes to work starting tomorrow,” I explained.

“Who said such a thing? I’ve never seen you dress unprofessionally to work,” Mariana spoke up.

“Exactly, who said so?” Mom seconded.

“A crazy person said so, but he’ll take back his words tomorrow. I just need those long gowns,” I said.

“Okay, I’ll give you the gowns. Remind me tomorrow morning when you’re ready,” she said.

“I will. Oh, and please, I’ll need one of your scarves, too,” I added, and she nodded.

“Okay, just remember to remind me,” she said, and we continued eating.

|NEXT MORNING|

I had just finished my bath and slipped into my underwear when Mom called me to her room. I quickly wrapped a towel around my body and went to her room.

“Good morning, Mom,” I greeted.

“Morning, Brianna. I’ve got the clothes you need,” she said.

“Thank you,” I grinned.

“It’s nothing. Pick the one you want,” she said, pointing to a bed where several gowns were laid out. I went closer to examine them, picking out the biggest and longest one.

“I choose this one,” I said, raising it up.

“Okay, here’s a scarf to go with it,” Mom said, handing me a scarf that matched perfectly.

“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best,” I said, hugging her and pecking her cheek before walking out of her room, feeling pleased.

I untied the towel, got dressed, and looked at myself in the mirror. The gown was huge and long, just what I wanted. I smiled satisfactorily. I looked like I had been thrown into a sack of potatoes. The gown almost swept the floor, like a traditional agbada.

I tied the scarf around my head, resembling a hijab. I look so conservative right now, I thought, chuckling. Mr. Adrian would be shocked when he sees me.

Satisfied with my look, I grabbed a heel from the shoe rack to add some height so the gown wouldn’t drag too much. I grabbed my handbag and headed downstairs with a wide smile.

Mom was sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper.

“Mom, I’m ready to leave for work now,” I announced, and she looked up from the paper, taking in my appearance for a few seconds.

“Alright, I must say, you look really weird. I wonder what people will say when they see you on the street,” she chuckled.

“They can say whatever they want. You should know by now that I don’t care what people think or say about me,” I said.

“Yeah, that’s right. Won’t you eat before you leave?” she asked.

“Nah, I’m not hungry. I’m running late, and I’ll get something at the cafeteria during lunch,” I said.

“Still, you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” she pressed.

“I know, but I’ll have to skip it today. Love you, Mom!” I blew her a kiss and dashed out before she could convince me otherwise.

At the bus stop, I boarded the bus and felt the eyes on me. The people there were whispering, but I didn’t care. The passengers on the bus were just as curious.

I arrived at work 45 minutes later, and the staff in the lobby immediately started murmuring as I entered.

“My gosh! What is she wearing?”

“Has she lost her mind?”

“Doesn’t she know this is a business environment? What kind of dress is that?”

I ignored their comments and walked straight to the receptionist desk. Kristen’s mouth dropped open when she saw me approaching.

“Close your mouth, babe, there are flies around,” I teased, and she slowly closed her mouth.

“What are you wearing!?” she whisper-yelled.

“A dress,” I replied, keeping it simple.

“This is not a dress. You look like you’ve been thrown into a sack of rice,” she said.

“That’s exactly how I wanted to look,” I replied with a grin.

“Are you okay? Is there something you’re not telling me?” she asked, checking my temperature with the back of her hand.

“I’m perfectly fine. Is the boss in?” I asked.

“Yes, he is. Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked again.

“I’m absolutely fine,” I said.

“I’ll see you during lunch,” I added before heading for the elevator. It took me to the floor where my office was. I dropped my bag on my chair and then had an idea.

“Ah! Let me go get him his coffee. It’s been a while since I got it for him, and he hasn’t asked for it either.”

I went to the last floor, left the building, and got him coffee from Tatiana’s Café. When I returned, I went to Mr. Adrian’s office instead of mine. I knocked on the door tentatively, taking a deep breath before his voice called out for me to come in. It’s now or never. I can’t wait to see his reaction, I thought, opening the door.