The Cold CEO's Woman

Anita Baker was a 24-year-old woman. She had graduated from the university. She was her parents' first daughter and had five younger sisters. Her father was a banker, while her mother was a trader.

Anita was fair-complexioned and shaped with curvy hips. Among her sisters, she was the fair-skinned one; the rest were dark or light brown. She looked like her mother but more striking. Her father accused her mother of cheating and doubted he was her father because she was fair. Her mother kept mute and told her not to mind him, insisting she was his child. Her father threatened a paternity test because he could not understand why she was fair unlike her sisters.

Her younger sister, Flora, a 22-year-old dark-skinned beauty, disliked her even though Anita was two years older. Four of her sisters hated her, except for her youngest sister, Glory, who loved her. They say blood is thicker than water, but in Anita's case, water is thicker than blood.

Anita's father, Mr. Joshua Baker, did not stop sending her to school. He accused his wife of cheating and forcing another man's child on him to secure a marriage, but he sent her to the university to study business administration. Anita was happy as she wrote her final exams, and the results came out with flying colors.

Because of her father's accusations toward her mother, Mrs. Tonia Baker, Anita refused to accept any relationship. She went on dates but ended up rejecting proposals. Her best friend, Temisa Patrick, advised her to give love a chance, but she refused.

"My father accuses my mother of cheating, yet he goes back to her and gets her pregnant with the six of us. Mother says Dad loves her, but his daily insults do not show that he loves her," Anita said. She shook her head as she spoke to her friend during their second year.

Handsome, well-to-do guys wanted Anita, but she felt they wanted to use her. She feared once they broke her virginity, they would dump her or accuse her of cheating, just as her father did to her mother.

Anita sat in a private room with her best friend, preparing for their final convocation.

"Anita, I am happy. We will be parting from this school; I cannot explain how much I have missed home," Temisa said.

"Me too," Anita replied. She knew it was not true; she hated home and the prospect of her father's insults. Her sisters, Flora, Esther, and Favour, would torment her, calling her an outcast because they were jealous of her looks. Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

"What is it, girlfriend? You do not look happy, even though you are graduating as one of the best students today," Temisa asked. She stood up from the seat facing the mirror and walked to the couch to meet Anita, but Anita shook her head and stared at the wall.

"What is the problem, dear?" Temisa approached and crouched in front of Anita. She knew the problem; Anita had told her why she hated men and saw them as scumbags. "Do not worry. When I get home, I can talk to my mother about you living with us for your I.T. until you get a job to cater for yourself."

"Thank you," Anita smiled.

Temisa responded, "You are like a sister to me. Do not worry or cry. Graduating with a first class is no joke; you should be happy. Come sit here; let me apply makeup."

Temisa pulled Anita up. Anita smiled and walked to the mirror in the room they shared.

"You know I do not like makeup," Anita said as she sat and watched Temisa open a makeup kit and prepare her brush.

"I know, but today is your lucky day. You should look sweet when collecting your awards. No excuses; do this for me. It will make you smile and lighten your mood."

"Okay," Anita replied. She stared at her reflection in the mirror as Temisa applied brown powder to her face.

Temisa started on Anita's eyelashes, then switched to her cheeks and nose. When she was through, Anita was stunned by her look. She had never applied makeup before. Staring at her reflection, Anita was speechless; she understood why Temisa had so many boyfriends.

Temisa was a billionaire's daughter; her father worked in the Benson Group of Companies. The Benson family was one of the richest in the country. Anita had read about them and wished she could work for them, which was why she studied to graduate as one of the best students. Anita thought of asking Temisa to help her apply to the Benson Group, but she knew it might seem like she was trying to gain an unmerited favor. She did not want others to see her as a gold digger, so she decided not to ask for help.

"All done. See how sweet you look in the mirror? I am the best makeup artist on campus!" Temisa fanned herself while Anita smiled.

"Do not over-hype yourself because of me, girlfriend. You tried, but I do not like makeup," Anita admitted.

"Shut up! I hope a handsome guy sees you today and asks you out," Temisa giggled.

Everything about Temisa involved guys. She changed boyfriends every month and did not care what other women said. Temisa did not believe in love, preferring to date different men. She never admitted to sleeping with the guys she dated. It was difficult to believe, as she was seen with different men at the beach, restaurants, or clubs. She claimed she was a virgin, just as Anita was.

Anita did not believe Temisa. She thought a virgin should be calm and keep to herself, but Temisa dressed in crop tops and seductive clothes.

Temisa was a dark-skinned beauty, curvy like Anita. She was not jealous of Anita's fair skin. They were in the same department and became best friends. Anita was more intelligent, while Temisa liked to party.

"Let us go out; I am sure our families have arrived," Temisa said. She packed her things and makeup kits into her box and zipped it closed. She had rented the room where they stayed during the holiday. It was their final year. Anita dragged out her bags, as she was going home after the ceremony.

They stepped out to witness the final event and the awarding of the best graduating student. Anita Baker was called and awarded a first-class degree for academic excellence. Temisa smiled and clapped as her friend stepped out from the crowd of families to receive her awards.