The Cold CEO's Woman

Anita Baker was a 24-year-old woman. She had graduated from the university with first-class honors. She had five younger sisters. Her father was a banker and her mother was a trader.

Anita was light-skinned with shapely hips, while her sisters were brown-skinned.

Furthermore, Anita resembled her mother but was far more beautiful. Her father had accused her mother of cheating on him and doubted that Anita was truly his daughter.

Anita was strikingly fair, but her mother remained silent about it and told her to ignore her father, insisting that she was his child.

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

Her immediate younger sister, Flora—a 22-year-old dark-skinned beauty—also disliked her, even though Anita was two years older. About four of her sisters hated her, except for her youngest sister, Glory, who genuinely loved her.

They say blood is thicker than water, but in her case, water seemed thicker than blood.

Mr. Joshua never stopped supporting Anita's education despite his constant accusations. He accused his wife of cheating on him and forcing another man’s child on him so he could marry her. Nevertheless, he still sent Anita to the university to study Business Administration.

Anita was overjoyed as she wrote her final exams, and the results came out in flying colors.

Because of her father’s constant accusations toward her calm mother, Mrs. Tonia Baker, Anita had refused to accept any serious relationship. She would go on dates with guys who asked her out but always ended up rejecting their love proposals.

Her best friend at the university, Temisa Patrick, had also advised her to give love a chance, but Anita refused. “My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating on him, yet he still goes back to her and gets her pregnant, giving birth to the six of us,” she said, shaking her head as she spoke to her friend during their second year. “Mother says Dad loves her, but his daily insults show us that he doesn’t truly love her.”

Guys constantly pursued Anita—handsome and well-to-do men—but she felt they only wanted to use her. She feared that once they slept with her and took her virginity, they would dump her or accuse her of cheating, just as her father constantly did to her mother, pushing both of them toward depression.

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

“Anita, I’m so happy! Finally, we are leaving this school. I can’t explain how much I’ve missed home,” Temisa said.

“Me too,” Anita replied faintly, knowing it wasn’t entirely true. She hated going home and dreaded facing her father’s constant insults toward her and her mother again, while her three younger sisters—Flora, Esther, and Favour—would torment her, calling her an outcast out of jealousy over her looks, as if it were her fault.

Anita shook her head in sadness. Temisa noticed.

“What is it, girlfriend? You don’t seem happy, even though you’re graduating as one of the best students in our university today?” Temisa asked. She stood up from her seat, faced the mirror, and walked over to Anita, who was sitting on the couch.

Anita shook her head again and looked away without responding.

“What’s the problem, dear?” Temisa approached and crouched in front of Anita. Even though she already knew the issue—Anita had told her why she hated men in general and viewed them as scumbags—Temisa continued, “Don’t worry. When I get home, I can talk to my mother and ask her to let you come live with us, at least during your industrial training until you get a better job to support yourself.”

“Thank you,” Anita said with a faint smile.

“You’re welcome,” Temisa replied. “You know you’re like a sister to me, so don’t worry or cry too much. Graduating with a first class is no small feat, 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 seat. Anita smiled faintly and moved to sit in front of the mirror in the private room they shared.

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

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

“Okay,” Anita replied. She stared at her beautiful reflection in the mirror while Temisa began applying the makeup. Temisa started with Anita's eyelashes, then moved to her cheeks and nose.

When she finished, Anita was stunned by her transformed appearance. She had never worn makeup before. Staring at her new reflection, she was speechless and finally understood why Temisa had so many boyfriends.

Temisa was a billionaire’s daughter. Her father worked in the Benson Group of Companies, one of the richest families in the country.

Anita had read about the Benson family and dreamed of working for them. That was one reason she had studied so hard and read day and night to graduate among the best students in her university.

Anita had thought of asking Temisa to help her get an application at the Benson Group through her father, but she decided against it. She feared it might seem like she was seeking an undeserved favor, and others might view her as a gold-digger or someone willing to sell her body to gain favor from men.

“All done now,” Temisa said. “Don’t you see how stunning you look in the mirror? Oh my God! I am the best makeup artist on campus!” She fanned herself with her hand while Anita smiled.

“Don’t over-hype yourself too much on my account, girlfriend. Yes, you did well, but I still don’t like makeup,” Anita admitted.

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

Everything for Temisa revolved around guys. She changed boyfriends every month like clothing and was unapologetic about her multiple relationships.

Temisa didn’t care what other ladies said. She claimed not to believe in love and insisted she had never slept with any of the men she dated—something difficult to believe. Temisa was often seen with different guys at the beach, in restaurants, and at clubs, taking photos with them, yet she maintained that she was still a virgin, just like Anita.

Anita had found that hard to believe. In her view, a virgin was supposed to be calm and reserved so no guy would use her. But Temisa dressed provocatively in bum shorts, crop tops, and seductive outfits.

Temisa was a dark-skinned beauty with sexy curves like Anita, but she was never jealous of Anita’s light skin. They were in the same department and studied the same course, which had made them 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. She quickly packed her remaining things and makeup kits into her box and zipped it shut.

They had rented the room they shared, so they often stayed there even during school holidays. It was their final year, and they were saying goodbye.

Anita dragged out all her two boxes, ready to return home after the awarding ceremony.

They stepped out to witness the university’s final convocation event and the awarding of outstanding graduates.

Anita Baker was called up and awarded a first-class degree with recognition for her academic excellence.

Temisa beamed with pride as she clapped for her friend. Anita stepped out from among the crowd of graduands and family members attending the ceremony and went forward to receive her awards.