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Ixora Benedict, a very shy young lady who was well endowed, considered fat by females but sexually objectified by males. She was full of love, loved to show affection openly and dreamed of having a family someday. She had been in a few relationships but none was genuine. They couldn't see past her feminine features which were very accentuated and only wanted her for one thing which was Sex. She graduated from college two years back and has worked with an event planning company, Jolly Events, New York, from her last year in college till now but she gets fired because her boss finds out that she engaged in a one night stand with a guest at the wedding in which she had worked as an usher... After she's fired, she gets a new job as the secretary to the CEO of a big corporation. To her surprise it's the guy with whom she had the Steaming one night stand, He's the CEO of SMITH INCORPORATED, Jason Smith. He doesn't recognize her and is initially unkind to her but later on becomes nice to her. Ixora can not help but fantasize about him, little did she know that he had ulterior moves. She catches him speaking ill about her to his friend and sexually objectifying her just as other men had done in the past. She's mortified and decides to harden her heart. She embarks on a journey to build herself to the point that she no longer needs any form of male validation. The world's number one billionaire, same person who took her for granted earlier, now wants her for himself... Would she be able to give love another chance in her life? Or will she forever have disdain for love?
"Please I'd love it if you never called me again!" I said and slammed my phone on the bedside table.
On second thought, I hope I didn't crack my phone.
I immediately take off my eye mask and inspect my phone. Thankfully, it wasn't broken. I breathe in a sigh of relief. I really couldn't afford a new phone right now.
Imagine if I get my phone broken because I was pissed off at some stupid ex. I had broken up with him a long time ago but somehow he thought it was okay to call me today.
Sighing once more, I get out of my bed and look at my face in the mirror. The eye bags sat comfortably under my eyes. I sigh once more.
At this point, I don't know who sighed more between a snail, snake and I.
Oh, snakes don't sigh, they hiss. So much for being an educated individual.
I throw on a baggy shirt on the bralette I had on and head to the sitting room.
It was still early in the afternoon and I thought I'd be able to sleep for a while before I went out for the work meeting I had to attend later. I rarely sleep at night these days. No, not because I work at night. I just can't seem to sleep at night.
I don't want to take any medications and I have refused to admit that I had insomnia.
I have always been a big sleeper, I just don't know what was wrong this time. I have decided to address it as something temporary.
"Oh Ixora, I thought you were asleep." Jessica, my roommate said as she saw me.
"I can't seem to sleep. Well I was asleep before some idiot called me, totally distorting my sleep that was so hard to find," I said and sighed again. What was wrong with me and sighing countless times today?
"That's sad. Have you considered taking sleep medication?" She asked me
"No, I haven't. I do not want to take any medication that my body may want to rely solely on for sleep." I said.
"I think you should take some though..." she said and threw some popcorn into her mouth.
I threw myself on the couch and watched TV with her. She was watching some kind of entertainment news.
"The biggest corporation in the world from our very own country the United States of America," the presenter paused and smiled proudly, "has bought 10 small companies and flipped them into million dollar companies in the space of three months," she continued.
"Hmm, three months? It seemed this biggest company turned things to gold." I said jokingly.
"If it's Smith incorporation, then, Yes, they turn everything to gold. I'm sure if I went into that company now, I'll become gold. They're really good." She said. Jessica knew bits and bits about business because her family was into it.
"5 of these companies are in the United States. Other companies are in the United Kingdom, China, India, Australia, South Africa." The presenter stated.
I must admit, I was impressed.
"Among the five companies in the United States, one is in publishing, the other in media and entertainment, two in food production and the last in finance. Let's not forget that this company has invested heavily in agriculture. This company is no other than Smith Incorporation." The Presenter finished.
"I said it!" Jessica exclaimed.
"Did you know their headquarters office is not so far from us?" She asked.
"No, I didn't." I replied. Maybe I should get a job there. Because my bills were part of the reasons why I couldn't sleep.
"I have bill-induced insomnia," I said to myself and chuckled at the absurdity of that.
"Jess, I have to go in to work for a brief meeting," I notified Jessica and got up.
I dressed up and left for the meeting.
***
"We have a big event coming up. I want all of you to get ready. Prepare! Do whatever you have to. I don't want anyone slacking!" My boss, Miss Williams screamed.
I really couldn't understand why she was shouting. This is supposed to be a meeting for god's sake. It was worse because I sat in front and had her saliva all over me.
Will I tell her that? No. She's always right but at least she pays promptly even if the pay was beginning to seem very mediocre.
"Remember not to be personal with the guests. This is a high profile wedding and only high profile individuals will be in attendance." She rambled on.
"Ixora! Ixora!" I hear her call my name.
"Yes Ma'am?" I immediately reacted.
"Why are you zoning out in the middle of an important meeting?" She asked.
Important indeed. With her repeating what she says in every other meeting?
"I'm sorry ma'am, it won't happen again." I apologize, just as any employee would do. Isn't it crazy how you have to apologize for everything Even when you're right? Surviving in the present world isn't for the weak.
"It better not! Imagine if you zoned out while working?" She asked. What a foolish question. If I zone out while working, I'll fall flat on my face when I stand while working.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I'll try my best not to zone out while at work," I apologize once more and I hear some of my colleagues chuckle.
Miss Williams tutted and went back to her lecture.
***
The meeting was thankfully over. After the meeting I had decided to speak to my boss about a raise but she turned down my request.
Feeling downcast, I decided to take a different route home.
I now saw the headquarters office of Smith Incorporated that Jessica talked about. It wasn't just a big company, the building was gigantic!
Maybe I should try getting a job here. I'm sure the pay would be much better and maybe there wouldn't be so much nagging.
I walked towards the building but I felt out of place. I wasn't dressed like someone who should be given a job there. I shyly withdrew. I'll return well prepared.
***
I get into my apartment and my roommate is cooking
"Hey, you're back," she said .
"Yes, what are you making?" I asked.
"Mac and cheese," she replied.
"Oh that's nice." I said as she continued.
"Umm," I cleared my throat and started "please I know I am far behind on my rent but I'll see what I can do before the end of the month." I finished.
"Oh that's not a problem, do you want some food? I'm done cooking." She asked.
"I'm serious, I'll try to raise some money soon." I said.
"That's not a problem, Ixora. It's not a problem and has never been a problem." She said, suddenly very serious.
"Here, take your food and rate my cooking," she says jokingly and hands me a plate.
I ate and tried not to think of my troubles.
Clara Davidson, a maid in the Green mansion, has a run-in with her drunken master/boss; they spend a night together, and she ends up knocked up and pregnant with twins. She lives in hiding because this boss of hers is the head of a dangerous mafia. News of her pregnancy spreads like wildfire within the camp of her boss's enemies, and they take her hostage. Antonio Green, the most powerful young drug lord and mafia king, hears of this and takes it as a threat. He decides to teach his opponents a lesson-'Never mess with Antonio.' His advisers and right-hand men warn against this, as he'll be risking his whole empire just because of a poor wench. Will he heed advice? Or will this poor wench be the downfall of Antonio's undefeatable dynasty?
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!