I sat at my desk, sipping my coffee and staring out the window, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Stanbic Cooperation Company, a leading cosmetics firm, was now under my leadership. We were among the top three biggest cosmetic companies in Madae with numerous partners from all around the world.

My father, the founder of Stanbic Cooperation Company, was a man I admired greatly. He had started the company thirty years ago and through his hard work and dedication, it had grown into the successful business it was today. I remembered the countless times he would come home late at night, exhausted but still smiling, with stories of his struggles and triumphs. He would tell me about the early days, when he had to work tirelessly to get the company off the ground and how he had to overcome numerous obstacles to achieve his goals.

As I grew older, I began to appreciate the sacrifices my father had made for our family and for the company. He had dedicated his life to building Stanbic Cooperation Company into a household name and I was determined to carry on his legacy.

I thought back to the day my father had announced his decision to step down as CEO. He had called a meeting with the board of directors and had revealed his plans to retire. I had been shocked and saddened by the news but my father had reassured me that he had every confidence in my ability to lead the company.

"I've taught you everything I know, Maya," he had said, his eyes shining with pride. "You're ready to take the reins and lead Stanbic Cooperation Company to even greater heights."

I had taken my father's words to heart and had thrown myself into my new role as CEO. It hadn't been easy, of course. There had been many challenges to overcome and I had to make some tough decisions but I had persevered, using my knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the cosmetics industry.

As I looked around my office, I felt a sense of satisfaction. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of my family and me, as well as awards and certificates that the company had received over the years. My desk was cluttered with papers and files but I knew exactly where everything was.

Just then, Blessing knocked on the door. "Good afternoon, ma'am," she said, smiling.

"I've completed the file you requested and you have a meeting with the Trivia group in thirty minutes."

I took the file from Blessing and scanned its contents. She had done an excellent job, as always. Blessing was a hard worker and a valuable member of our team.

"Alright, get the boardroom ready and tell Jude to send the files over," I instructed Blessing.

"Yes, ma'am," she replied, exiting my office.

BROADROOM

The meeting with the Trivia group was a resounding success. As I concluded my presentation, the room erupted in applause. Mike, the CEO of Trivia, a man in his late thirties with dark eyes, approached me, a smile on his face.

"Wow, Miss Maya, I must say I'm impressed," he said, extending his hand.

"Thank you," I replied, shaking his hand. "We have a deal, then?"

"Yes, a deal," he confirmed, smiling.

As we finalized the details, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This partnership was going to be a game-changer for Stanbic Cooperation Company. If everything went according to plan, this product would be the talk of the town for years to come.

As the meeting drew to a close, Mike turned to me and said, "Thank you, Miss Maya.

I'm happy to be working with you, you're not only beautiful but also intelligent and hardworking. Why don't I take you out for dinner to celebrate?"

I chuckled politely.

"Business is business, Mr. Mike. I don't do dinner," I said with a smile.

Mike laughed. "Alright, then. I'll be seeing you soon, gorgeous," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he walked out of the boardroom.

I watched Mike leave, I couldn't help but ponder why he was perceived as a formidable figure in the industry. Within the cosmetics world, there existed individuals who wielded significant influence, capable of making or breaking a company with a single decision. Mike was one such individual, having assumed control of his father's company at a remarkably young age following his father's passing when Mike was just 15. Initially, he had struggled to maintain control, nearly losing the company to opportunistic individuals due to his limited knowledge of the cosmetics industry. However, he had persevered, dedicating himself to intense study and ultimately transforming his company into one of the leading cosmetics firms globally.

Mike's reputation as the "Red Devil" of the cosmetics world preceded him and I found myself wondering if this moniker was justified. Beyond his reserved demeanor, I saw no reason for this reputation. Perhaps he was merely being courteous towards me, as I was new to the industry and he sought to establish a rapport. Whatever his intentions, one thing was clear: Mike was a shrewd businessman who would stop at nothing to achieve his objectives. His business acumen had enabled him to acquire several companies without their owners even realizing it and he held shares in numerous other companies.

As I reflected on my encounter with Mike, I reminded myself that one should never judge a book by its cover. With this thought, I returned to my office, lost in contemplation.

I picked up my office phone and dialed Blessing's extension.

"Come to my office," I instructed her.

A few minutes later, Blessing entered my office, a file in hand. "Yes, ma'am?" she inquired.

"I've completed signing these documents.

Please forward them to Jude," I said, handing her the file. "Yes, ma'am," Blessing replied, accepting the file from me.

"I'll be taking my leave now," I said, rising from my chair.

It's had been a month since I assumed the role of CEO, and I was pleased to see that the employees had adapted well to my leadership style. The office was now free from the awkward gatherings that had once plagued it, and the detestable color blue was no longer a dominant feature. I smiled to myself as I drove home.