The Cold CEO's Woman

On Friday morning, Anita Baker, a 24-year-old woman, prepared to leave the university hostel. She had just graduated from the university. She had five younger sisters. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a trader.

Anita was light-skinned and curvy, while her sisters were brown-skinned. She resembled her mother, but she was even more beautiful. Because of her fair complexion, her father had accused her mother of cheating on him and doubted that he was truly Anita’s father.

Anita's mother had kept mute about it and always told her to ignore her father’s words, assuring her that she was his child.

Joshua Baker, had once threatened to conduct a paternity DNA test on Anita because he could not understand why she was so fair, unlike the rest of her sisters.

Anita's immediate younger sister, Flora, a 22-year-old dark-skinned beauty, also disliked her, even though she was two years older than her.

Four of her sisters hated Anita, except for her youngest sister, Glory, who genuinely loved her.

People say blood is thicker than water, but in Anita’s case, water seemed thicker than blood.

Mr. Joshua never stopped sending Anita to school. He only kept accusing his wife of cheating on him and forcing another man’s child on him so he could marry her. Nonetheless, he still sent Anita to the university to study Business Administration.

–––

Anita was happy when she wrote her final exams, and her results came out in flying colours.

Because of her father’s constant accusations towards her calm mother, Mrs. Tonia Baker, Anita had refused to accept any relationship from any guy who asked her out on a date. She would only go on a date with the man, but in the end, she would reject his love proposal.

Anita's best friend in the university, Temisa Patrick, had advised her to give love a chance, but she refused.

“My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating on him, and yet he still goes back to her and gets her pregnant until she gave birth to the six of us,” Anita had told Temisa when they were still in their second year. “My mother says my Dad loves her, but his daily insults to her don’t show us that he truly loves her.” She had shaken her head sadly as she spoke to her friend.

Handsome and well-to-do guys were vying to have Anita—but she felt they only wanted to use her.

Anita believed that once the man crossed the bridge and broke her virginity, he would dump her or accuse her of cheating, just like her father constantly did to her mother, almost sending both of them into depression.

–––

That morning, Anita sat in a private room with her best friend, Temisa, as they prepared for their final convocation.

“Anita, I’m so happy. Finally, we will be leaving this school. I cannot explain how much I have missed home,” Temisa said.

“Me too,” Anita replied faintly, knowing it was not entirely true for her. She hated going home because she knew she would face her father’s constant insults towards her mother and her again.

Her three younger sisters, Flora, Esther, and Favour, would torment the hell out of her, calling her an outcast because they were jealous of her beauty, as if it was her fault.

Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

“What is it, girlfriend? You don’t look happy, even though you’re graduating as one of the best graduating students in our university today,” Temisa asked.

She stood up from her seat facing the mirror and walked over to Anita, who sat on the black couch.

Anita shook her head and stared away from Temisa without responding.

“What’s the problem, dear?” Temisa asked as she crouched in front of Anita.

Even though Temisa already knew what the problem was, she still wanted Anita to speak.

Anita had told Temisa several times why she hated men in general and saw them as scumbags.

“Don’t worry,” Temisa said softly. “When I get home, I can talk to my mother to allow you to come and live with us, even if it is just for your internship, or until you get a better job to cater for yourself.”

“Thank you,” Anita said, smiling faintly.

“You’re welcome, bestie. You know you’re like a sister to me, so you don’t have to worry or cry too much. Graduating with a first class is no joke, so you should be happy. Today is your most blessed day. Come, sit here. Let me apply some makeup on your face.”

Temisa pulled Anita up from the couch. Anita smiled faintly and walked to sit on the white chair facing the mirror in the private room they shared.

“You know I don’t like makeup,” Anita said as she sat down and watched Temisa open one of her makeup kits and prepare her brushes.

“I know, but today is your lucky day, so you should look sweet when collecting your awards. No excuses from you. Just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile throughout today and lighten your mood,” Temisa said.

“Okay,” Anita replied.

She stared at her beautiful reflection in the mirror while Temisa began applying a beautiful brown powder on her face.

Temisa started with Anita's eyelashes first. After that, she worked on her cheeks and nose, applying the makeup carefully.

When Temisa was through, Anita was stunned by her new look in the mirror.

Anita had never applied makeup to her face before, and staring at her new reflection, she was speechless. She now understood why Temisa had so many boyfriends.

Temisa was a billionaire’s daughter. Her father worked as a top executive in the Benson Group of Companies. The Benson family was one of the richest families in the country.

Anita had read about them several times and wished she could work for them. That was one of the reasons she studied so hard, reading day and night so she could graduate as one of the best students in her university.

Anita had thought of asking Temisa if she could help her talk to her father about getting an application into the Benson Group, but she knew that if she did, it might look as if she was trying to gain a favour she did not merit.

It might also make others see her as a gold digger or as a lady selling her body to men to gain favours. So, she thought against it and decided not to ask Temisa for her father’s help.

“All done now,” Temisa said proudly. “Don’t you see how sweet you look in the mirror? Oh my God! I’m the best makeup artist here on campus!”

Temisa fanned her face with her fingers while Anita smiled at her.

“Don’t over-hype yourself too much because of me, girlfriend. Yes, you tried, but I still don’t like makeup,” Anita admitted.

“Tar! Shut up,” Temisa said, giggling. “I’m hoping a handsome guy will see you today and ask you out.”

Everything about Temisa was guys. She changed boyfriends every month like clothes, and she was mean when it came to multiple relationships.

Temisa did not care what her fellow ladies had to say. She also did not believe in love; instead, she spent time dating different guys.

Well, Temisa never admitted to sleeping with any of the guys she went on dates with, and that was something Anita found difficult to believe.

Temisa was always seen with different guys—some at the beach, restaurants, and in clubhouses—taking different photos with them. Yet she still claimed she was a virgin, especially after Anita told her she was one.

Anita believed, a virgin was supposed to be calm and keep to herself so no guy would use her. But Temisa dressed hot, wearing bum shorts, crop tops, and all sorts of seductive and tempting outfits.

Temisa was a dark-skinned beauty and curvy like Anita, but she was not jealous of Anita’s fair skin. They were in the same department and studied the same business course, which made them become best friends.

Anita was more intelligent, while Temisa was the party-hard type.

“Let’s go out now. I’m sure most of our families have arrived,” Temisa said as she quickly packed her remaining things and makeup kits into her box and zipped it closed.

They had rented the private room where they stayed, so they often stayed there, even when the school was on holiday.

It was their final day to say goodbye. Anita dragged out her two boxes, as she was already going back home after the award ceremony.

They joined with other graduands to witness the university’s final event and the awarding of the best graduating students.

Soon, Anita Baker’s name was called by the chancellor. She was awarded a first-class honour and recognised for her academic excellence.

Temisa smiled as she clapped for her best friend, who stood up from where she sat among the crowd of friends and families attending the convocation ceremony.

Anita walked forward to the stage and receive her award.