First Impressions

5. Mabel

I love the city of Lagos!

As I walk from one store to another in the mall with my shopping bags, a plethora of roaming male eyes follow me. Some longing, others envious and most wishing they had me on their beds at night even though they are with their wives or girlfriends. Women might also be wishing me ill, but I'll never let it be heard that I didn't make the best of what I was given.

The main reasons I love Lagos. One, the weather. Two, the gigs. Three the fact I can do whatever I like, and if someone doesn't like it, they can go and jump into the lagoon. Life is too short to live based on people's imaginations. I have come to learn that the hard way; Lagos is the land of opportunities, the capital of fake it till you make it citizens.

When I was size 14, 5'9 tall with geeky glasses on and told my so-called friends that I wanted to be a model, event planner, and in general a media person, they all laughed at me. I felt less than my dreams for a while before I developed the courage to work on myself as I was all that mattered in making my dreams important to them and bringing it alive.

It took me almost a year after college to bring down my size.

I ran, walked, drank green juice, did water fast for three days every week, slept like a log at the end of it, and repeated the process weekly. There was a drastic change from the pudgy bulldog I thought myself to be, to looking like Tabria Majors – that lady broke all the rules! Yes, she did and that is what I am doing.

Back to loving Lagos, the weather allows me to wear whatever I want to and by whatever, I mean a checkered bum short and plain white tee, which is comfortable for the beautiful weather and temperature of 31˚C.

In Lagos, the gigs are endless. There is always one party somewhere, which is why I am out and about looking for what to kill them with. Well, not necessarily kill them since I work for a company now that has rules on employee conduct both in and out of the office, but something that would get people buzzing and asking me to come for their events.

When I combine my store purchases with my bend-down-select purchase, I create a 'wow' and 'where did you get that combination from' effect. In other words, I package myself well. With packaging comes expenses and if done well, jobs to pay off the expenses. I have taken my time and I make sacrifices to look this good 24/7. The other option is to go the sugar daddy route. It is easy and open, but I prefer my independence to being someone's plaything.

Light rays from the open ceiling reflects on a shiny surface that begs for my attention. My eyes move in the direction of the reflection and settles on a silver wristwatch.

He would love that.

Moving closer to the display, I gaze longingly. My eyes move around, and the price makes me gasp.

"For what now?" I say to myself.

I might live a little above my means, and yes, I know they say it is best to sew your cloth according to your material, but I love doing what makes me happy. In my mind, we are in a serious relationship, if only he would look at me that way again.

It's not even a couples' wristwatch. I am sure he wears pricey watches. I know this because I am an employee in one of his companies. When I say one of his companies, I mean one of about five booming companies that range from tech and telecoms, to hotels. The guy is a wiz.

I was just about to walk away from the storefront when a friendly sales attendant walks out of the store. Her smile captures my attention and the corners of my mouth turn up.

"You love it too ma'am," she smiles as she asks.

"Who wouldn't?" I clear my throat, trying to soften my naturally deep voice. My voice tends to go asleep on me sometimes, that is the best definition I can come up with. It helps in my business though, more like side hustle.

"You can come inside, we have more. You would love them, I promise," Tolu, her name tag reads. She speaks animatedly as she stylishly directs me into their store.

"Please drop your bags with the security," she has her hands intertwined in composed glee. I guess I am her first sales catch of the day.

Ten minutes later, I am still in the store, repeating the cycle we've been on, "You don't like that one?"

"Nah."

I go through almost everything in the store, and I am undecided. Tolu keeps bringing one collection after the other. The beautiful thing about their products is that they all had unique stories behind their creation.

I wince, "I can't make up my mind."

Tolu looks like I just told her I was going to tell her employer not to pay her salary for the month. I feel sorry for her.

"It's not you. Your service has been impeccable. It's just that. . ." The person I want to buy it for might never get it from me. I don't even know if he still loves wristwatches like he used to.

"You know what, just pack the one I saw in front," Tolu brightens and returns to being her animated self.

Pushing my luck, I say, "Add a discount too." This gets her giggling.

If I don't give it to him, I can use it for myself, because in Lagos, it is all about packaging.