The Cold CEO's Woman

CHAPTER 1

It was a bright and sunny day when Anita Baker, a 24-year-old woman and the first daughter of her parents, was set to graduate from university.

She had five younger sisters; her father was a banker, and her mother was a trader.

Anita had a fair complexion, and was quite tall, and pretty like her mother. But sometimes her father accused her mother of cheating on him and doubted that he was truly her father. Her mother had always cleared the air and told Anita not to pay attention to her father's accusations, insisting that she was really his child.

Anita knew her father had threatened to perform a DNA test on her, citing that he couldn’t understand the difference in their complexions.

Four of her sisters disliked her, except for her youngest sister, Glory Baker, who genuinely loved her.

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

Mr. Joshua Baker sent Anita to university to further her education, but he constantly accused his wife of cheating on him and forcing another man's child upon him. Nevertheless, he supported Anita's education.

Anita was thrilled when her results emerged with flying colors. Because of her father's remarks that she wasn’t his child and his claims that her mother had cheated, Anita had refused any romantic relationships with men asking her out.

She merely went on dates but ended up rejecting their love proposals.

Anita's best friend at university, Temisa Patrick, had advised her to give love a chance, but Anita rejected this idea, saying, "My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating on him, yet he went to her, impregnated her, and gave birth to me and my five siblings. My mother says that my Dad loves her, but his daily insults don’t show that he genuinely loves her at all."

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

Handsome guys were tripping over themselves to become Anita's boyfriend, but she felt they only wanted to use her. Once a guy crossed the bridge and broke her virginity, he would change, dump her, or accuse her of cheating on him—just like her father constantly accused her mother of cheating and wanting to send both her mother and herself into depression.

*****

Anita sat in a chair in the private room she shared with Temisa Patrick. They were preparing for their final convocation at school.

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

"Me too," Anita faintly replied. Well, she knew that wasn’t entirely true, as she hated home and dreaded facing her father's constant insults toward her and her mother again.

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

Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

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

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

"What’s the problem, dear?" Temisa asked again, approaching and crouching in front of Anita, even though she already knew what the problem was.

Anita had told her why she hated men in general and viewed them as scumbags.

"Not to worry, girlfriend. When I get home, I will talk to my mother about allowing you to live with us, even if it’s just for your internship until you get a better job to cater to yourself," Temisa offered.

"Thank you," Anita replied with a faint smile 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 too much. Graduating with a first-class degree is no joke, and you should be happy today as it’s your most blessed day. Come sit here and let me help you apply some makeup," Temisa said, gently pulling Anita to stand up from her seat and walk with her to the chair facing the mirror in their shared room.

"You know that I don't like makeup," Anita said as she sat in the chair that Temisa had pulled out in front of the mirror.

"I know, but today is your lucky day. You should look nice when you collect your award as the best graduating student from our university. No more excuses from you; just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile the entire day and lighten your mood," Temisa insisted, opening her makeup kit and preparing her brushes.

"Okay," Anita replied, staring at her beautiful yellow reflection that appeared in the mirror as Temisa began applying powder to her face.

Temisa started on Anita's eyelashes first, then switched to her cheeks and nose.

As Temisa finished applying makeup, Anita was stunned by her new look in the mirror and gasped, "Wow!"

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

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

The Benson family was also one of the richest in the country. Anita had read about them online and wished she could get an application to work for the famous company. This was the reason she studied hard, reading day and night to graduate as one of the top students in her department.

Anita had thought of asking Temisa for her father's help with an application to Benson Group, but she worried it might seem like she was trying to gain an unmerited favor and make others see her as a gold digger or a woman who sold her body to men for favors.

So, she decided against it and planned to submit her application to the company herself.

"All done now! Don’t you see how sweet you look in the mirror? Oh my god! I am the best makeup artist here on campus!" Temisa exclaimed, fanning herself with her fingers to create a breeze.

Anita smiled sweetly at her and replied, "Don’t overhype yourself just because of me, girlfriend. Yes, you tried, but no, I still don’t like makeup," Anita admitted.

"Tar! Shut up! I’m hoping a handsome man will see you today and ask you out," Temisa giggled. Everything was about relationships to her. She changed her boyfriends every month like pants.

Temisa was in multiple relationships, and she didn’t care what her fellow ladies had to say.

She didn’t believe in love and preferred to spend her time dating different men. Although she never admitted to sleeping with any of them, she claimed to only take pictures with her dates.

Anita found it hard to believe, especially since Temisa was usually spotted with different men—some at the beach, some in restaurants, and others in nightclubs, taking various photos together. Yet Temisa claimed she was still a virgin, after Anita told her that she was a virgin as well.

Anita didn’t believe Temisa, as she thought a virgin should be calm and keep to herself to avoid being taken advantage of. But Temisa dressed provocatively in bum shorts, crop tops, and other seductive attire.

Temisa was a dark-skinned beauty with sexy curves like Anita. However, she wasn’t jealous of Anita’s light skin; they were in the same department and studied the same course, which helped solidify their friendship.

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

"Let’s go outside now. I’m sure most of our family members have arrived for the party," Temisa said, quickly packing her remaining things into her box and stowing away her makeup kits before zipping her suitcase closed.

Temisa had rented the room where they were staying, and they had spent most of their time there, 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 already planning to go home once the award ceremony concluded.

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

Anita Baker was called up to receive her first-class award and recognition for her academic excellence.

Temisa was all smiles as she sat in the crowd, clapping for her best friend, who stepped out from her seat and walks up to the stage in the crowd to receive her award.