CHAPTER 3

Her thoughts raced, and her emotions were in turmoil. She couldn't fathom what had just transpired. "What?! Could she have just been intimate with Ralph's brother, Charlie? This is unbelievable!" She thought as she sat straight on her bed.

How could Charlie have deceived her? She knew Charlie to be cunning and crooked, but she never expected him to go to this length. "The battle line has been drawn!" Nina told herself this as she stood up from her bed.

The morning sun had cast a warm glow through the curtains as Nina stood up to stand before her vanity mirror with a determined look in her eyes. She brushed her fingers through her tousled hair, pulled it into a neat bun, and applied a touch of mascara to her lashes.

With a satisfied smile, Nina slipped into a sleek black dress that accentuated her curves in all the right places. She admired her reflection in the mirror, feeling a surge of self-assurance. Today was a new day, and she was ready to face the world with renewed energy. She wouldn't allow what happened between her and Charlie to affect her day.

As Nina arrived at her workplace, Johnson Associates, which was a bustling advertising agency in the heart of the city, she was greeted by the familiar hum of ringing phones and clicking keyboards. She navigated her way through the maze of cubicles and open workspaces, exchanging polite nods and greetings with her colleagues.

And then, there was Julie. Julie, with her bright smile and cheerful demeanour, approached Nina with open arms. "Hey, Nina! You're looking great today! How's everything going?"

Nina returned the smile, genuinely pleased by Julie's friendly approach. "Thanks, Julie! I'm doing well; I'm just trying to start the day on a positive note."

Julie's laughter was infectious as she nodded. "That's the spirit! We could all use a bit of positivity, right?"

As the conversation flowed, Julie's words had some warmth radiating like a beacon of support.

"That bastard and golddigger! Look how she carries her head up high like a peacock. Mtcheew!" Julie hissed as she conversed with her friend and colleague, Dora. Dora, who was also envious of Nina, remarked, "She always tries to form a class for herself, and I think she's just "trying too hard" and "just for attention."

Julie and Nina used to be friends since their university days until they met again at Johnson Associates. Julie and Nina were like two peas in a pod, navigating the complexities of academia together. But as close as they were, there was a shadow that hung over their bond—a shadow named Ralph.

Nina, Julie, and Ralph were coursemates. Ralph was a charismatic figure, his confident demeanour and dashing looks capturing the attention of many. To make matters more intriguing, he was the son of a billionaire, and he seemed to have the whole world within his reach.

From the very first day they laid eyes on him, Julie found herself drawn to Ralph. His charm, his aura of confidence, and the air of privilege that surrounded him ignited a spark of fascination within her. She couldn't help but be captivated by his presence, daydreaming about what it would be like to be by his side.

Julie's crush on Ralph was an open secret among her friends, Nina included. She would often tease Julie about her infatuation, playfully encouraging her to make a move. But Julie's efforts to catch Ralph's attention were met with disappointment. No matter how hard she tried, he never seemed to take notice of her advances.

She joined clubs he was a part of, attended events he was present at, and even managed to strike up casual conversations with him, hoping for a sign that her feelings were reciprocated. Yet, despite her best efforts, Ralph remained seemingly oblivious to her existence.

But just months before graduation, Julie learned that Ralph had started a relationship with none other than Nina. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, a heart-wrenching blow to her already fragile emotions. She was torn between her happiness for Nina and the sharp pang of jealousy that gnawed at her insides.

Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions as she watched the two of them together. The sight of Ralph's arm wrapped around Nina's waist and the genuine smiles they shared were like a punch to the gut. She had missed her chance, and now she had to watch as the person she had once yearned for was in a relationship with her closest friend. This culminated in Julie's hatred for Nina. Nina grew from Julie's closest friend to her worst enemy, unknown to Nina.

As fate would have it, Julie and Nina met again as colleagues at Johnson Associates, and the hatred against Nina continued.

While Julie and Dora continued to pass negative comments about Nina, Julie had the office telephone beside her ring. "Hello, Julie. Come over to my office immediately." It was the CEO of Johnson Associates, Craig Johnson.

Her heart raced as she made her way down the hall, her thoughts racing through the possibilities of what this unexpected meeting could entail. "Could it be the deal between the CEO and herself or something else?" She thought.

Upon entering the CEO's spacious office, Julie found Craig Johnson seated behind his grand desk, his piercing gaze fixed on her. She cleared her throat nervously, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

"Good morning, Johnson," Julie said respectfully.

"Good morning, Julie," he replied, his voice low and steady. "Please, have a seat."

Julie settled into the plush chair in front of his desk, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. She felt a wave of curiosity wash over her—what could the CEO possibly want to discuss with me?

"Julie," Craig began, his eyes locked onto hers. "What about the deal involving Nina? The one that's coded between us." The CEO asked.