The same nightmares appeared again, still tormenting me and dissuading me from sleeping comfortably. Perhaps it is all I have, to endure as a punishment from God because of the offences I had formulated as I joined the corporate world. I didn't want to be harsh nor did I wish people to loathe me but the thought of my business crumbling into nothing but history made my heart heavy.

I always think back to the wise words my grandma once told me, words that raised me into the person I am today.

"This society believes that girls are reckoned to support men and that girls are fragile and worthless but I want you to break the barrier and show the world that men and women are equal. Show the world what you can do, my princess."

But she left me alone in this world to prove myself without any backup. I miss her because she was and still is everything that I need. My mother was such a wonderful lady although she had a shattered soul I won't complain because she's always provided me with everything that I could ever ask for.

God, I miss them so much, I thought sadly. But no matter what, I know that they left me in this world filled with segregation to survive and become something that they've always expected me to be, the woman who breaks the stereotype.

I live in this huge mansion with Dima; she is like a mother to me. She took care of me ever since I was an infant. I don't know and never questioned my grandma about how she knew Dima. My grandma would always tell me to trust both my instincts and Dima. And I believe she is the only family I have.

I cannot thank her enough for keeping up with my schedules, ever since I stepped into the business world. She is the only person who knows the real me, knows that I put up a facade in front of my employees and the competitors to keep them at bay.

The nickname they've given me, 'Ruthless CEO', seemed to have stuck with me as I'd reached the top. I personally think it has a nice ring to it. Everyone calls me by that term except for Dima and my friends Emma, Olivia, and Mia. They don't care about the extreme comments I usually receive from the entire populous of New York City.

As my alarm clock blared for the fifth time, I slammed it hard to shut off its awful sound, cutting through my ears. I don't know but if someday my patience level comes to an end, I'll personally throw this clock out of my window.

A knock echoed throughout my bedroom, giving me another cranky reminder to wake up. "Please Dima, you know I'm awake," I said, my voice coming out raspy due to the lack of water. "Come in."

As soon as my bedroom door is wide open, I see an aged woman standing there with a bright smile and a coffee mug in her hand which has my favourite black coffee I presumed. Her smile is contagious, almost making me forget about waking up early and the irritating tune of my alarm clock. I sighed and pulled my duvet closer to me.

"Well, well, well young lady, I am still waiting, you know?" Dima said, standing outside my room with a playful glint in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled and peek at her by lifting a small portion of the duvet. I knew very well what she was trying to say. Uncovering my face, I groaned because of the sunlight directly falling on my face. I quickly sat up and said, "Dima, can you please come in? How does this work with your 'manners'?" I air quoted it, my voice laced with sarcasm.

Dima has always been the one to strictly follow the rules and says that manners come before anything else, the reason why she was standing outside my bedroom door, waiting for my permission. Sometimes, she can be overly dramatic.

She finally complied with a hearty chortle. "Liara, you need to get ready," Dima said in a stern voice. I groaned again and covered my face with the nearest pillow on my bed.

"I thought you'd told me that you have a meeting at 7 O'clock in the SAMS?" She grabbed the pillow from my hands and raised an eyebrow, knowing very well that I'm not a morning person. My eyes widened as soon her words registered in my head and she gave me a cheeky smile.

I was stupefied because I totally forgot about the important meeting I have today.

"Oh, my God Dima, how can such an important meeting slip my mind?" I asked rhetorically with a panicky expression. I quickly glanced at the alarm clock to check the time and sighed in frustration. "And it's almost 6:30. I'll be late." I mumbled and took off in the direction of my en suite bathroom.

Getting ready as soon as possible, I headed downstairs in a haste and saw Dima leaning against the kitchen counter. I saw a plate full of delicious food, waiting to be devoured on the small round table. Even though my mouth watered, looking at the breakfast, I could think of nothing but the meeting I needed to attend.

I rushed towards the garage door, grabbing my car keys on the way. I stopped abruptly midway when Dima said, "Not today young lady, come back here and have your breakfast." As I said, she is very stubborn about her rules.

I took a deep breath and restrained myself from spluttering any excuses. I turned towards her to see her holding the plate so I grabbed a piece of bread, filled it with the cooked beans and rolled it back over. I stuffed it without caring about how it tasted.

I mock saluted her and walked towards my Lykan car inside the garage doors. I had purchased this luxury car after saving from my earnings for months and not to mention it has cost me a fortune. As soon as I started the engine, it roared loudly which was enough to boost my confidence and tackle down my 'pain in the arse' competitor today.

"Do not exceed the speed limit, Liara! Please be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you and you know that perfectly!" Dima shouts frighteningly as I exit the garage and soon outside the main entrance of my mansion but I don't pay much heed to her words.

I stepped hard on the accelerator as my mind kept rushing with the thoughts of all my responsibilities that I needed to finish today. Oh, my baby car, I thought with a huge smile on my face. I don't think I'd ever let anything happen to it willingly.

***

Somehow, I drove through the heavy traffic efficiently and reached my office on time. I parked my car in the special parking zone. My special parking zone is entirely filled with the fancy cars that were given to me as a token of gift by a few dealers in order for me to merge with them. Although, I'll admit I have never cared enough to use these cars.

I locked my car and walked into the hallways of my office that led to the reception. Without sparing a glance at anybody who greeted me out of courtesy, I kept on walking to my destination.

I was scrolling through my phone for the stock updates when I bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw it was Mia who was holding my phone that slipped from my hand. She was standing beside my HR Head, Natalie. Natalie stared at me with fear evident in her eyes. I could sense her uneasiness about the meeting that she will be assisting me with. She greeted me and I just nodded my head courtly, dismissing any further conversation with her. She started organizing the reports for the meeting when she got the hint.

"Mia, what are you doing here?" I asked quite surprised because of her sudden visit.

"Liara look, I need to tell you something really important. I came here because I don't think you know who you're dealing with and I need to brief you on them before you start the meeting," Mia said, shifting her weight on both legs. One thing is clearly obvious that she is tense. Her chest rose and stomach tucked as she took a sharp intake of breath.

Oh, I love challenges, I smirked darkly. I have been waiting for this meeting for so long and nothing can change my mind. This meeting is with the D'Luka Industries and a few renowned government officials of New York for the new research work that I have been engrossed in for almost 6 months. Unfortunately, The CEO of D'Luka Industries, Carter D'Luka, is my biggest business rival as well as a pain in the ass. Supposedly, he was also working on this research and this meeting will decide who will be the best business executive in the States.

I held her trembling hands and squeezed them to assure her that I am very well aware of these risks. After all, I'm prepared for them. "Mia, I don't want anyone to be worried about my company because this just shows how bad I am at it, which I don't think is the case now, is it?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow and she shook her head. "Good. I think I can take care of it. I really appreciate your concern but this is my business, so let me take care of it, okay?" I knew I sounded harsh but this was needed to be done.

"Liara, how can you be so ignorant and say this to me? I have been your friend since childhood. You can't just dismiss the fact that I care for you!" She exclaimed, exasperated. Her hands fell to her sides, hurt by my words.

"Mia, I know that you're looking out for me but its just... I can handle my business. I just need you to trust me," I tried to explain to her calmly. I wish I didn't have to deal with this right now. I am aware that she cares for me but I hate it when people poke into my business.

Ever since I lost my mom and grandma in that accident, I've lived my whole life alone without anyone's support. I started this business again on my own. I knew what she was trying to tell me here but better than that I knew what I was doing. I didn't want her to have this negative impression of me that I'm weak and need someone's help.

"Natalie," I called out and she looked at me expectantly. "Bring a cup of coffee for Mia," I ordered and she quickly scurried off. "And Mia, till then you can stay in my office. As soon as I am done with this meeting, I'll meet you there and we'll talk. Sounds like a plan?" I asked her just when Natalie comes back. Mia frowns at me angrily. I saw Natalie giving me pleading looks, not wanting to be alone with Mia. Natalie knows better than to piss her off at this moment because I won't be able to recognize my office when I come back from the meeting.

"No, that's all right." Mia smiled at Natalie who covered up the tension brewing inside of her with a huge smile. "I better get going. I've got other important work that I need to complete." She sent daggers in my direction as she walked away.

I sighed and found Natalie cursing under her breath almost as if whispering why she woke up on the wrong side of the bed to face Mia's wrath. I raised an eyebrow, not knowing how to deal with her superstitious beliefs.

I know Mia was angry, but I can't help it. She can't go on forever warning me about the threats to me and my company. I am big enough to deal with them without asking for anyone's help.

"Ma'am, I think you should have at least listened to what she was trying to say. She looked upset," Natalie suggested. She has always been a ball of emotions, worried about other people's state of mind. I walked towards the conference room. I could sense her presence behind me, tagging along.

I saw the conference room a few feet away from me when I turned around and gave her one of my scariest glares. "I don't think you're in the position to give me any advice. So next time before you give me suggestions without me asking for them, think twice or else I can gladly fire you. Do you get me?" I barked.

I saw her eyes glistening but I didn't care. I strode up to the conference hall where the meeting is going to be held, along with Natalie and my assistant, Aria. As I walked towards the double doors of the conference room, I looked down at my outfit one last time, straightening out my blazer. With a deep sigh, I opened the door making my presence known to the people inside.

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