CHAPTER 1

Scene 1: Anita Baker's Graduation.

Anita Baker, a 24-year-old woman, had just graduated from university. As the firstborn daughter, she was followed by five younger sisters. Her father worked as a banker, and her mother was a trader.

Anita was fair-skinned and possessed a beautifully shaped figure with curvy hips. Unusually, among her sisters, she was the only one with a light complexion. The others were dark-skinned, with some having a fair brown complexion.

Anita resembled her mother, but some would say she was even more beautiful. This resemblance, coupled with her fair skin, often led her father to accuse her mother of infidelity, doubting his paternity. Her mother always remained silent on the matter, reassuring Anita that she was indeed his child and to ignore his accusations. Mr. Baker had even threatened a paternity test, unable to reconcile Anita's appearance with that of her sisters.

Her immediately younger sister, Flora, a 22-year-old dark-skinned beauty, harbored resentment towards her, despite being only two years younger. In fact, all but one of her sisters (Glory, the youngest) disliked her. While the saying goes that "blood is thicker than water", in Anita's family, water seemed to hold a stronger bond.

Despite his suspicions, Mr. Joshua Baker provided for Anita's education, sending her to university to study business administration. He couldn't understand why his wife couldn't produce more sons and so always accused her. Anita was overjoyed to complete her final exams and even more thrilled when the results came back with flying colors.

Because of her father's constant accusations against her mother, Anita was hesitant to enter into romantic relationships. She would go on dates, but always ultimately rejected any proposal of love. Her best friend from university, Temisa Patrick, had urged her to give love a chance, but Anita remained firm. "My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating, yet he keeps going back to her and getting her pregnant. Mother says he loves her, but his daily insults don't show us that he truly does."

Anita shook her head as she spoke to her friend back when they were still in year two in the university.

Many handsome and successful men were attracted to her, but Anita feared they only wanted to take advantage of her. She worried that after taking her virginity, they would discard her or accuse her of infidelity, mirroring her father's treatment of her mother and potentially driving them both into depression.

Now, Anita sat in a private room with Temisa, preparing for their convocation.

"Anita, I'm so happy! We're finally leaving this school. I can't explain how much I've missed home," Temisa exclaimed.

"Me too," Anita replied faintly, knowing it wasn't entirely true. She dreaded returning home and facing her father's constant insults and the torment from her three younger sisters – Flora, Esther, and Favour – who resented her looks. It wasn't her fault.

Anita shook her head sadly, and Temisa noticed.

"What's wrong, girlfriend? You don't seem happy, even though you're graduating as one of the best students today?" Temisa asked, turning away from the mirror and walking over to Anita, who was sitting on the couch. Anita shook her head again, avoiding Temisa's gaze.

"What's the problem, dear?" Temisa approached and crouched in front of Anita, knowing full well what it was. Anita had often told her why she hated men in general and saw them all as scumbags.

"Don't worry. When I get home, I can talk to my mother about letting you come live with us, even if it's just for your internship, until you find a better job and can take care of yourself," Temisa offered.

"Thank you," Anita smiled faintly.

"You're welcome. You're like a sister to me, so you don't have to worry so 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 put some makeup on you."

Temisa pulled Anita up from her seat, and Anita smiled faintly, walking to sit on the chair in front of the mirror.

"You know I don't like makeup," Anita said as she watched Temisa open one of her kits and select a brush.

"I know, but today is your lucky day, so you should look sweet when collecting your awards. Just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile throughout the day and lighten your mood," Temisa said.

"Okay," Anita replied, staring at her reflection. Temisa started by applying a beautiful brown powder to her face.

Temisa started with Anita's eyelashes, and after that, she worked on Anita's cheeks and nose, applying the makeup. When she finished, Anita was stunned by her new look. She had never worn makeup before, and looking at her reflection, she was speechless. She now understood why Temisa had so many boyfriends.

Temisa was the daughter of a billionaire, her father working for the Benson Group of Companies. The Benson family was one of the wealthiest in the country, and Anita had read about them, wishing she could work for them. That was a primary reason she had studied so diligently. She had considered asking Temisa to speak to her father about an application at the BENSON GROUP, but worried it would seem like she was trying to gain an unfair advantage or be seen as a gold digger trading favors for connections. She decided against it.

"All done! Don't you see how sweet you look? Oh my god! I'm the best makeup artist on campus!" Temisa fanned herself with her hand, while Anita smiled at her.

"Don't over-hype yourself too much. Okay, you did a good job, but I still don't like makeup," Anita admitted.

"Girl, shut up! I'm hoping a handsome guy will see you today and ask you out," Temisa giggled.

Everything with Temisa revolved around guys. She changed boyfriends monthly like pants and didn't care what other women thought of her lifestyle. She also claimed not to believe in love, preferring to date various men simultaneously. While she maintained she never slept with any of them, that was hard to believe, given she was always seen with different men at the beach, restaurants, or clubs. Yet, she claimed to be a virgin, just as Anita had revealed her own virginity.

It was difficult to believe Temisa, a self-proclaimed virgin, was so outgoing. She was a dark-skinned beauty, curvy like Anita, but she wasn't jealous of Anita's lighter complexion. They were in the same department and studied the same course, which had made them become best friends, but 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, quickly packing her remaining things and makeup into her box.

They had rented the room they stayed in, so they stayed back most times in the room even though the school was on holiday.

It was their final year, so Anita dragged out all her bags and boxes, prepared to return home after the awarding ceremony.

They stepped out to witness the university's final event: the awarding of the best graduating students.

Anita Baker's name was called, and she was awarded a first-class award and recognition for her academic excellence. Temisa beamed and clapped for her friend as she stepped forward from the crowd of friends and families to receive her award.