15

 Peace didn’t get much sleep as she was nervous about the board meeting. Her eyes were slightly sunken and dark circles had appeared under her eyes. She got off her bed and went to freshen up. It took her a few minutes before she walked out with water dripping off her face. She saw Ada sitting on her bed.

“What happened?” Peace asked while drying her face with the towel she had in her hand.

“Don’t do it like that. How can you deal with your face so roughly, it will fall off,” Ada pulled the towel off her hand.

“What?!” She asked.

“This is a body towel you can’t use it on your face,”

“Isn't the face part of the body?” Peace asked while lifting an eyebrow.

“Gosh! Look at your skin, it looks like it's about to fall off your face,” Ada held her chin and moved it to and fro as she exaggerated.

“I don’t have time for this, I have to get to the meeting.” Peace pulled her hand off her face and walked over to the wardrobe to pick an outfit.

“No, no, no! You are not wearing these boring clothes for the board meeting,” Ada closed her wardrobe door.

“Do you have something better for me?” Peace asked.

“Sure I do! I woke up early just so I could dress you up for your special day,” Ada had a smug expression on her face making Peace feel cold.

“Bear in mind that I am going for an official meeting with the shareholders of the company, not to a club,” Peace added.

“What’s the difference? Either way, you are trying to catch their attention.” Ada grinned and picked up a light blue dress that reflected Peace’s eyes. It was a short A-line dress. And a pair of white heels.

“I knew you would like something flashy but couldn’t let you wear those formal suits of yours. Now come on, sit here, I will fix your face a bit.” 

It took Ada Twenty minutes to fix Peace’s sorry state and now she was ready. Unlike the usual makeup that made her look aloof and distant. Ada chose to give a bit of warmth to her icy face. Her eyelashes were curled up making her deep eyes more visible. She tied her long hair into a high pony. Peace, without doubt, looked very stunning, 

“Is it done? Because I don’t have much time left.” Peace glanced at the clock on the wall and spoke.

“You are good to go, and don’t frown, try to smile and don’t be too harsh on the people, Learn to forgive!”Ada advised.

“Okay, Mother!” She sarcastically spoke.

“God forbid! I don’t want to have a daughter like you,” Ada chuckled and said.

“Sure I will deal with you once I am back,” Peace walked up to the table and picked up the laptop and the files.

 She stepped down the stairs to see Alex eating his breakfast, he had his back towards Peace so he didn’t see her, but she approached him slowly and picked up a sandwich from the table.

“Did Charlotte eat already?” She spoke, Because she walked up on him so sneakily, Alex jumped in fright and when his eyes fell in Peace, he looked speechless.

“What!” She said,

“Who are you?” He asked dramatically.

“You don’t want to know,” Peace replied.

“No, I am serious! You look so different— you look (beautiful)” he didn’t say the last word.

“What?” Peace asked,

“Nothing, I am going to bring Charlotte her breakfast you don’t have to worry about her,” Alex got up in a daze still staring at Peace with breathless gaze,

“Okay, bye then,” Peace spoke in a soft voice and bit the sandwich as she left.

                ——————————————————————

The conference room was filled with wild whispers, the men in expensive suits occasionally glanced at their watches and then back at the door. They looked like they were desperately waiting to tear someone apart. The door opened and Isaac walked in through the doors, there was a sudden silence in the room, the eyes that met his dominating gaze were not expecting him to walk through those doors.

Suddenly low whispers took over the room.

“Why is he here? He never attends these kinds of board meetings. He doesn’t even own that many shares!”

“I know right! He only has the 2% of the shares in the company,” 

The whispers reached his ears but he didn’t give much attention to them and sat in the seat reserved for him.

While the whispers were in full swing the door opened once again and a girl with an attractive aura walked in. She had her chin high up, and her fierce gaze scanned the surroundings. She was holding onto a blue file.

Many of the shareholders' eyes shifted towards the new person. They were old, but the lusty look in their eyes was still young and new. Isaac didn’t bother turning his head around. The man behind the girl took the lead and stood in front of the huge screen, Peace too stood beside him and looked around at the men surrounding the table. Some were confused while the others had a hint of lust in them. It made PEace frown a bit.

“Let me introduce our new CEO, Miss. Peace Leon Jackson—“ he spoke with enthusiasm, but when the words fell on the ears of the men sitting around the table, their gaze of lust melted away and was replaced by hostility.

Isaac got interested in the person that had caused a stir in the surroundings and he looked up from his phone screen to see the beauty that could melt away one's heart.

He remembered her face from the airport, but her previous cold and empty gaze were warm today. Her face twitched as she saw the response of the crowd. She looked weak and one wanted to stand beside her and protect her by taking in all the hostility himself. The group of old men started murmuring amongst themselves and finally one decided to speak, which caused Isaac to wake up from his deep thoughts.

“But she is a woman! How can we let her lead such a big company”

“He is right! How can you decide without asking us? Board members are supposed to choose a CEO that has the potential to lead, we don't want someone weak like her.”

Isaac kept silent and looked at her face losing color, it was clear that she was getting uncomfortable by their comments.