The Cold CEO's Woman

Anita Baker was a 24-year-old woman and the eldest daughter of her parents. She had five younger sisters. Her father was a banker, while her mother was a trader.

Anita had fair skin and a beautifully shaped figure with sexy hips. Among her sisters, she was the only one with such light complexion; the others were dark-skinned, with some having a fair brown tone.

Furthermore, Anita resembled her mother but was even more beautiful, which sometimes led her father to accuse her mother of infidelity. He doubted that he was truly Anita's father because of her lighter skin, but her mother always remained silent on the matter and advised Anita not to worry, assuring her that she was indeed his child.

Her father even threatened to conduct a paternity DNA test, as he could not understand why she looked so different from her sisters.

Her immediate younger sister, Flora—a 22-year-old dark-skinned beauty—disliked Anita, even though Anita was two years older.

In fact, 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 Anita's case, it seemed that water was thicker than blood.

Despite his suspicions, Anita's father, Mr. Joshua Baker, never stopped supporting her education. He accused his wife of cheating and forcing another man's child on him just to marry her, yet he still sent Anita to university to study business administration.

Anita was thrilled as she completed her final exams and received her results with flying colors. Due to her father's constant accusations against her calm mother, Mrs. Tonia Baker, Anita had refused to enter any serious relationships. She would go on dates with men who asked her out, but she always rejected their proposals.

Her best friend at university, Temisa Patrick, had advised her to give love a chance, but Anita refused. She said, "My father constantly accuses my mother of cheating on him, and yet he keeps going back to her and getting her pregnant to have the six of us. Mother says he loves her, but his daily insults don't show it." She shook her head as she spoke to her friend during their second year.

Handsome and successful men pursued Anita, but she believed they only wanted to use her. She feared that once the man took her virginity, he would abandon her or accuse her of cheating, just like her father did to her mother—potentially driving her and her mother into depression.

Anita sat in a private room with Temisa, preparing for their final convocation. "Anita, I'm so happy! Finally, we'll be leaving this school. I can't explain how much I've missed home," Temisa said.

"Me too," Anita replied faintly, though it wasn't entirely true. She dreaded going home, where she would face her father's constant insults toward her and her mother, while her three younger sisters—Flora, Esther, and Favour—would torment her, calling her an outcast out of jealousy for her looks, as if it were her fault.

Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

"What's wrong, girlfriend? You don't seem happy, even though you're graduating as one of the best students in our university today," Temisa asked, standing up from her seat by the mirror and walking over to Anita on the couch.

Anita shook her head again and stared away, not responding.

"What's the problem, dear?" Temisa approached and crouched in front of Anita.

Temisa already knew the issue, as Anita had confided in her about why she hated men and saw them as scoundrels.

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

"Thank you," Anita said with a faint smile.

"You're welcome. You know you're like a sister to me, so you don't have to worry or cry so much. Graduating with a first-class degree 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 to her feet, and she smiled faintly as she walked to the seat facing the mirror in their shared private room.

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

"I know, but today is your lucky day, so you should look your best when collecting your awards. No excuses—just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile throughout the day and lighten your mood."

"Okay," Anita replied, staring at her beautiful reflection in the mirror as Temisa began applying a light brown powder to her face.

Temisa started with Anita's eyelashes, then moved to her cheeks and nose, carefully applying the makeup. When she finished, Anita was stunned by her new look in the mirror. She had not worn makeup before and was speechless; she now understood why Temisa had so many boyfriends.

Temisa was the daughter of a billionaire whose father worked for the Benson Group of Companies, one of the richest families in their country. Anita had read about the Bensons and dreamed of working for them, which was why she had studied so hard to graduate as one of the top students in her university.

Anita had considered asking Temisa for help in applying to the Benson Group but decided against it. She didn't want to seem like she was seeking unearned favors or like a gold digger who used her body to gain advantages from men.

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

"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.

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

Everything about Temisa revolved around guys; she changed boyfriends every month and didn't care about judgments from other women. She didn't believe in love and preferred dating multiple men, though she never admitted to sleeping with any of them—which was hard to believe, given how often she was seen with different men at beaches, restaurants, and clubs. She claimed to still be a virgin, just like Anita had told her she was.

It was difficult to believe, as a virgin was typically expected to be reserved and cautious, but Temisa dressed provocatively in bum shorts, crop tops, and other seductive outfits. She was a dark-skinned beauty with a sexy figure like Anita's, but she wasn't jealous of Anita's lighter skin. They were in the same department, studying the same course, which had made them best friends. Anita was more intelligent, while Temisa was the party-loving type.

"Let's go out now. I'm sure most of our families have arrived," Temisa said as she quickly packed her remaining things and makeup kits into her box and zipped it closed.

They had rented the room they shared, so they had stayed there even during holidays. Now, it was time to say goodbye to their final year. Anita dragged out her bags and boxes, as she was heading home after the awarding ceremony.

They stepped out to attend the university's final event and the awarding of the best graduating students. Anita Baker was called and awarded a first-class degree along with recognition for her academic excellence. Temisa beamed with pride, clapping for her friend as Anita stood up from her seat among the crowd of graduands and families at the convocation ceremony and went to receive her awards.