Betsy_Njeri_9053

Zoe Achieng, a 25-year-old Nairobi-based content creator, suddenly finds herself homeless after a gas explosion leaves her apartment in ruins (along with her dreams of being a Pinterest queen). With nowhere else to go, she moves in with her estranged, drama-loving aunt Pauline, a retired actress who still thinks she’s starring in her own soap opera.

Zoe quickly realizes the real challenge isn't just rebuilding her life—it’s surviving her aunt's outrageous routines, her neighbor's pet goat (who thinks he's a dog), and dodging the well-meaning setups from her aunt who is determined to get her married off to "any man with a job and a neck."

Meanwhile, Zoe is hiding a secret: she was on the verge of launching a major brand collaboration—until the explosion literally blew it up. As she tries to fake perfection online, the chaos in her real life becomes harder to hide.

Through the madness, unexpected friendships, and hilarious confrontations with Pauline’s chaotic church group, Zoe learns that perfection is overrated, and sometimes being knocked off your high horse is the best thing that can happen to you.

RENT-FREE PROBLEMS

"Ghosted by a Brand Deal (And Other Tragedies)"

Zoe was glowing. Not metaphorically—she'd actually put on too much highlighter and now resembled a shimmery disco ball with Wi-Fi.

"I can feel it," she said, pacing around the kitchen in her favorite silk robe. "Today is the day a major brand discovers me, offers me a deal, and I buy matching robes for everyone. Even Sir Squawksalot."

Sir Squawksalot, perched on the spice rack, muttered, "Manifestation doesn't work without a moisturizer sponsorship."

Subject: "Hey Zoe! Let's Collaborate!"

Pauline ran in, holding a whisk and a mysterious bowl of something she claimed was "experimental pancake soup."

"Only THE brand I've been manifesting for months! BerrySkin Naturals! Their products are like gold dipped in moonlight. They just said 'Hey Zoe, let's collaborate!' That's practically a marriage proposal!"

Sir Squawksalot pecked the counter suspiciously. "Read the fine print, human."

Zoe clicked the email, heart thumping.

"We've been following your content for a while and think you'd be a great fit for our new Berry Bubbles line! Let us know if you're interested, and we'll send the brief!"

Zoe responded in 0.3 seconds flat.

"OMG YES, BERRY ME IN BERRIES! I am ready, available, and emotionally committed. Kindly brief me into oblivion."

Then she hit send, leaned back, and waited for the brand deal of her dreams to land.

Day Four: She started talking to her skincare products like they were her exes.

"You were there for me when my pores betrayed me. And now… they ghost me? How dare."

Day Five: She filmed a parody titled "Love Me Like BerrySkin Never Did" where she dramatically hugged a loofah to the sound of heartbreak ballads.

Sir Squawksalot, watching her from the sink, whispered, "She's gone full tragic influencer."

"You've got to let it go, Zoe. Maybe it wasn't personal. Maybe they lost your email. Maybe the intern spilled berry serum on the keyboard."

Zoe nodded solemnly. "Or maybe… I was just too shiny."

She looked in the mirror. "Have I blinded the brands with my potential?"

Sir Squawksalot: "Unlikely. You didn't even spell 'collaboration' right in the subject line."

But just when she was about to dramatically delete her Gmail account and become a cactus farmer in Turkana, the second email came.

"Hey again! Apologies—our earlier message was meant for another Zoe Achieng. Small world, huh? Best of luck!"

Zoe stared at the screen, speechless.

Pauline gasped. "They… mistook you for another you?!"

Zoe whispered, "I got ghosted... by myself."

Sir Squawksalot flapped onto the table and squawked, "Get ready. I'm about to send a strongly worded tweet."

But Zoe raised a hand. "No. I'm going to be the bigger content creator."

She opened her camera, took a deep breath, and recorded:

"To the Zoe they meant to reach: I hope you get that Berry Bubbles bag, girl. And to BerrySkin Naturals… I'm still open to washing my face with betrayal if you ever change your mind."

People called her the Queen of Emotional Skincare.

BerrySkin Naturals eventually replied with:

"We've seen the light (and your highlighter). Let's talk again—this time, on purpose."

Zoe grinned. "Sometimes, rock bottom is actually exfoliating."

Ghosted by a Brand Deal (And Other Tragedies)”