There was only one problem.

There was no way I was going to the party without an invitation.

Should I disguise myself as a maid?

Noooo.

I paced around the sitting room, thinking.

“Let me think…”

Then it hit me.

I went straight to meet my cousin.

“Brother.”

He looked at me suspiciously.

“This one you’re calling me brother, what do you need?”

“I wanna follow you.”

I gave him my best puppy eyes.

He stared at me for a few seconds before shaking his head.

“See those eyes? It’s not gonna work on me. You ain’t going anywhere o.”

“I want to go, please.”

Before he could answer, Elon walked in.

Elon was my cousin’s closest guy. A very fine Benin boy.

I immediately ran to him.

“Why are you frowning, Princess?” he asked, touching my cheek.

“I wanna go to the party, please.”

Elon looked at my cousin.

“Make she go na, guy. Shebi her mates dey there? Make she go joor.”

My cousin sighed.

“Oya, sharp.”

Then he looked at me.

“Na this cloth you wan wear?”

I looked down at myself.

“No. I’ll go home and change, please.”

After a little back and forth, they finally agreed to drive me home.

***********

The moment we started going, I already had the perfect outfit in mind.

A burgundy bodycon gown.

My burgundy heels.

And my bouncy wig—the one I practically forced my cousin to buy when he was getting one for his babe.

In no time, we got home.

“Five minutes!” my cousin shouted as I jumped out of the car.

I didn’t need more than that.

I rushed inside, changed into my gown, fixed my wig, put on my jewelry and, of course, did my lip combo.

The goal was to look irresistible.

The goal was to make Femi lose his mind when he sees me.

But wait…

Would he recognize me as the girl he made eye contact with a few weeks ago?

Imagine him walking up to me and asking me for a dance.

I grinned as I added the finishing touches to my makeup.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

Damn.

Beauty dey cry for here.

I walked out, feeling myself.

Elon looked stunned.

Wait, who wouldn’t? 😏

My cousin looked at me from head to toe.

“See as you look like Benin masquerade.”

I gasped.

“Your babe fine reach me?”

Elon laughed softly.

“You’re beautiful. Really beautiful, Princess.”

“Thanks.”

I smiled.

For a moment, we just stared at each other.