Chapter 1: Graduating .

Anita Baker recently graduated from the university. As a 24-year-old lady, she has five younger sisters. While her father is a banker, her mother trades.

Anita looks like her mother but is more beautiful. Sometimes her father accuses her mother of cheating on him, doubting he is truly Anita's father because she is so fair-skinned. Her mother has always kept quiet about it and told Anita not to listen to her father, reassuring her that she is his child.

Her father even threatened to conduct a DNA test on her, as he couldn't understand the complexion difference.

Four of her sisters hated her, except for her youngest sister, Glory Baker, who genuinely loves her.

When they say blood is thicker than water, in Anita's case, water is thicker than blood.

Her father, Mr. Joshua Baker, didn't stop sending her to the university. He only accused his wife of cheating on him and forcing another man's child on him so he could marry her in the past. Nonetheless, he sent Anita to study business administration at the university.

Anita is thrilled as she wrote her final exams, and the results finally emerged in flying colors.

Due to her father's claims, Anita has refused to accept any relationship from any man asking her out to become his woman.

She only goes on dates but ends up rejecting their love proposals.

Her best friend at the university, Temisa Patrick, has advised her to give love a chance. But Anita refused and said, "My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating on him. Yet he still went to her to get her pregnant, and she birthed the six of us. My mother says that my father does love her, but his daily insults don't show us that he genuinely loves her at all."

Anita shook her head in sadness as she spoke to her best friend, Temisa Patrick, inside their room when they were still in their second year at the private university.

Handsome guys are tripping over to become her boyfriend, but she feels they only want to use her. Once the guy crosses the bridge and breaks her virginity, he will change and dump her or accuse her of cheating on him. Just like how her father constantly accused her mother of cheating on him and wanting to send her mother and herself into depression.

Anita sits on a chair in the private room that she shares with Temisa Patrick. They were preparing for their final convocation in school.

"Anita, I am so happy. Finally, we will be leaving this school. I cannot explain how much I have missed home already," Temisa says.

"Me too," Anita faintly replied. Well, she knows that it wasn't entirely true for her, as she hates home and knows that she will be facing her father's constant insults towards her and her mother again.

While her three younger sisters—Flora, Esther, and Favor—will want to torment her, calling her an "outcast," as they were jealous of her looks, like it's entirely her fault.

Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

"What is it, girlfriend? You don't seem to look happy, even though you are graduating as one of the best students in our university today," Temisa asked.

She stood up from her seat, which was facing the mirror, and walked up to Anita, who sat on the chair alone, shaking her head in sadness instead of packing her box of clothes.

"What's the problem, dear?" Temisa asked again as she approached and crouched in front of Anita, even though she already knew what the problem really was.

Anita has told her why she hates men in general and sees them as scumbags.

"Not to worry, girlfriend. When I get home, I will talk to my mother to allow you to come live with us, at least for your I.T., until you get a better job to cater for yourself," Temisa offered.

"Thank you," Anita replied as she smiled faintly at Temisa.

She knew that Temisa cared for her, but she didn't want Temisa to worry.

"You're welcome, dear. You know that you're like a sister to me. So you don't have to worry much. Graduating with a first class is no joke here, and you should be happy, as today is your most blessed day. Come sit here and let me help you apply some makeup to your face," Temisa said, gently pulling Anita to stand up from her seat and walk with her to the chair that was facing the mirror in the room they shared.

"You know that I don't like makeup on my face," Anita says as she sits on the chair that Temisa pulled out in front of the mirror.

"I know, but today is your lucky day. So you should look sweet when you're collecting your awards as the best graduating student at our university today. No more excuses from you; just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile throughout the whole day and lighten your mood," Temisa says, opening one of her makeup kits and starting to prepare her brush.

"Okay," Anita replied, staring at her beautiful reflection in the mirror while Temisa started applying the makeup.

Temisa worked on Anita's eyelashes first, then switched to her cheeks and nose. As Temisa finished applying the makeup, Anita was stunned by her new look in the mirror and gasped, "Wow!"

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

Temisa is a billionaire's daughter, and her father works for Benson Group, one of the biggest companies in their state.

The Benson family is also one of the richest in their country. Anita has read about the Benson family online and wishes she could work for their famous company. This is why she studied day and night to graduate as one of the best students in her department.

Anita had thought of asking Temisa for her father's help in getting an application to Benson Group, but she knew it might seem like she was trying to gain an unmerited favor and could be perceived as a gold digger. So she decided to submit her application by herself.

"All done now. Don't you see how sweet you look in the mirror? Oh my god! I am the best makeup artist on campus!" Temisa fanned herself with her fingers, pretending to blow a breeze on her face.

Anita smiled sweetly and replied, "Don't overhype yourself too much because of me, girlfriend. Yes, you did a good job, but I still don't like makeup," Anita admitted.

"Tar! Shut up. I am hoping that a handsome man will see you today and ask you out," Temisa giggled. Everything to her was about relationships. She’s actually mean when it comes to relationships, as she changes her boyfriend every month like she changes her pants.

Temisa is in multiple relationships and doesn't care what others say. She doesn't believe in love and spends her time dating different men. She never admits to sleeping with any of them, claiming she only takes pictures with them.

This was hard to believe for Anita, who thought a virgin should be calm and reserved. Temisa, on the other hand, dressed provocatively, wearing bum-shorts, crop tops, and all sorts of seductive clothing.

Temisa is a dark-skinned beauty with a sexy figure like Anita. But she isn't jealous of Anita's light skin, as they're in the same department and studying the same course, which made them best friends.

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

"Let's go outside now. I am sure that most of our family members have already arrived for the party," Temisa said, quickly packing her remaining things into her box. She kept her makeup kits and zipped closed her box of clothes.

Temisa had rented the room where they were staying, so they stayed back most of the time in the room, even though the school was on holiday.

It was their final year to say goodbye. Anita dragged all her boxes of clothes out, as she was going back home after the awarding ceremony ended.

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

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

Temisa was all smiles as she sat in the crowd and clapped for her best friend, who stepped out from where she was seated and walked out to receive her awards.