Ravishing Desire

The beginning

Ayanna's POV

The atmosphere in the room intensified as I went through the documents they had presented to me during the board meeting, we had run out of Ingredients and finances were not looking so good

I gently closed the file and clasped my hands, my elbows leaning on the dark brown wooden round table. I ran my eyes around the table where all the people were looking at me anxiously, waiting for me to speak.

They all looked like they were all tired.

I turned my arm, checking the time, and it was past 11 pm. We had to find a solution to our current situation.

I tapped my thumbs together thinking of what to say; I was as anxious as they were.

“Mr. Lee?” I called the man who was in charge of procurement. He swiftly shifted, looking at me.

“Mr. Hanks?” I called the person who was the General Manager, and he looked at me.

“I want the two of you to work together on this…. I cannot lose this project, inform Mr. Smith that we will meet their demands. Mr. Lee ensures we have all the raw materials we need, Mr. Hanks take care of all the logistics. We will go flat out with production starting tomorrow. For the finances we will delay all the executive's salaries by two weeks,” I said to everyone who sighed heavily looking at me.

“I know it’s wrong and some of you suggested that we don’t pay the workers but they need the money more than us. If we don’t pay them, they won't be coming to work. Are you in your suits going to be doing the work?” I asked the directors who were all looking like it had rained on them. They looked down without responding.

“just as I thought! We are all dismissed” I said gathering my things before stepping out of the room with my phone.

“Are you not going home?” Charlotte my assistant asked rushing after me

“No! But you can go, I have other things I need to attend to,” I said to her entering my office

“But you have other meetings tomorrow morning, you need to rest,” She said to me and I chuckled looking at her

“Well, If I don’t work then there's no reason for me to attend those meetings,” I said to her and she looked at me closely

“Okay, but please rest up,” She said to me and I laughed. She worried about me right now instead of going home.

“I will now get going,” I said to her.

“Goodnight!” She said leaving the office as I opened the first file was on my desk.

I needed to work; it kept me sane when I was about to lose my mind. I started running the company when I was only 24 years old.

Most people said that I could never make it because I was too gullible and weak during the first two years when I took over from my father, but I proved them wrong I worked hard to ensure that the company grows.

I run TORE Group, it’s one of the world’s biggest companies that produce cosmetics. We mainly focus on makeup, skincare, perfumes, and Haircare.

We have a few competitors who try to ruin our reputation but we always come out of the scandals clean because everyone understands our core values and upholds that.

I looked at the watch and it was around past 3 Am I need to rest for a few hours before I start the next day.

Stretching myself, I quickly packed up and got all my documents for the meetings I had in the next five hours.

I made my way to the car and drove out going home.

I pulled over to my house and packed my car; I took all my documents and made my way inside. I punched in my passcode and entered the Tranquil Atrium foyer, which had glasses from Floor-to-ceiling. I made my way to the living room, placing my things on the table before I went to my bedroom.

I took my clothes off before going to remove my makeup. After finishing getting ready, I grabbed my phone and got in bed. It was the time I felt the loneliest, coming to an empty house at 35 years.

I quickly brushed off the thought and got my phone going through all my messages from father and mother. I didn’t have time to reply, so I just threw away the phone and closed my eyes.

*******

*******

Something woke me up the next day by a buzzing sound of my alarm, I knew it was now morning and I needed to get up.

I dragged myself out of bed and went to get ready; I brushed my teeth and took a shower. I pulled out the suit I planned on wearing.

I quickly did my makeup and put on my navy blue skinny pants, a navy blue blouse, and a deep red Jacket with red stilettos. I grabbed my phone and the new handbag I wanted to carry.

“Morning!” I greeted charlotte, who was busy preparing breakfast

“Morning, I like the outfit,” She said, and I smiled at myself going to grab some coffee

“I made toast, have a bite!” She said to me but I shook my head, I didn't plan on gaining weight this way. I was fine the way I was. I had a slender body type with a light complexion and dark brown hair that I usually let it flowing on my shoulders.

“We should get going,” I said to her as I placed my cup of coffee in the sink.

“I packed this for you,” Charlotte said to me, I just looked at her walking out of the house. Charlotte and I met about ten years ago.

I remember asking her when I had just taken over why she wanted this job; she told me she wanted to work with me because she needed money. Even when they wanted to throw me out she stood by my side and ensure that I stayed in the company by digging up information on the shareholders who wanted me to get fired.

I got in the car and started the ignition, driving ahead of Charlotte; I knew with how she drives she would soon catch up with me.

I arrived at the association where we were meeting the consumer's committee. I pulled over and stepped out, going inside.

I looked ahead and noticed the only man I hated to the core, Robert Newman. The man was a hardcore criminal who value nothing in life, no wonder he was still single. He never once smiled at anyone in his pathetic life, he was so pompous such that everyone trembled whenever he spoke.

“What is here doing here? I thought I told them if his attending then you can't be here,” Charlotte whispered to me and I just swallowed hard walking ahead of her.

These people knew that I can't be in the same room with Robert but still lured me to come, “We can go back!” Charlotte said to me but I shook my head

“I can't cancel, you know how they will start talking once they find out I was here but didn’t attend the meeting and who at this point will represent here?” I asked Charlotte, who nodded her head.

We walked in the boardroom, and charlotte took the time to look for my seat. We had this meeting twice every year to meet the committee to discuss pricing and quality.

“Hello Ms. Torres long time>” The man greeted me from behind, considering how deep, husky, and flat it was I knew who it was.

I smiled at him faintly as I turned, “Well, look who we have here!” I acted surprised, smiling at him.

“Long time, If you will please excuse me I have to be somewhere,” I said wanting to walk away but what he said next made me turn to look at him. he used to make my blood boil just by seeing his image, now he had the guts to talk to me? Like that? who did he think he was?  I was pissed off by his attitude