1 A Deal With The Devil

"So, do we have a deal?"

Here I am in my father's study, just like I've always been whenever it's time to accomplish one of his tasks. My father is a narrow minded man with his not so subtle ideology that there are some places women shouldn't own or manage and one of them is being the head of a office. He doesn't have an issue with women heading the kitchen though!

My half- brothers and I are used to completing his ridiculous task, and I being a female gets to handle the most difficult task! Just my luck!

At least, the son of a gun is being fair by allowing me participate in the 'race' for who is worthy enough to succeed him as the CEO of Bells Food Limited.

"Yes, we do." I replied, starring back at the old man, whose once black hair is now grey. The only feature I got from him was his green eyes, thank God for that! Can't imagine myself looking so much like him along with my half-brothers. 

I am a product of an illicit affair whose existence wasn't known by my dad until I was brought to his doorstep one Sunday morning after my mom failed to fulfil her promise of coming to pick me up later. The ten years old me was given a letter to give whoever opens the door. I could remember the long, red, full and curly hair of my mother. She was a beautiful woman with plump lips, cute pointed nose, not so big eyes and her perfect dimple on both cheeks whenever she smiles.

I'm a replica of my mother, the resemblance is striking, my father didn't doubt that I was Sarah's s daughter even before reading the letter that explains that I was his.

His wife, however, was disappointed, after several shouts, discussions, arguments on how to handle not so little Serena's case, it was concluded that I'd be shipped off to a boarding school and only come home if necessary in order to conceal the 'shame and a period when Garret Campbell was astray' from their friends.

The next day was for introducing Serena to my half-brothers which wasn't as bad as I thought. Garret JR. is the eldest and 5 years older that I am, Brad is the middle kid and older than me by few months and last brat is Henry, who is three years younger. It was an awkward 'meet Serena, your half-sister' session but there was no time to socialize because the next day I was shipped off to school.

I barely know much about my siblings and we hardly communicate, thanks to their parents who made it next to impossible to be friendly with them and I don't care whatsoever. Being alone throughout my years in boarding school has made me rely only on myself. I've been disappointed by adults who are supposed to be there for me through thick and thin, backstabbed by friends who are supposed to be loyal and I have brothers who I am always in competition with, the only thing we have in common is our green eyes.

After several disappointments by people, I leant to always keep my guard up, questions everything with clear and practical mind, always follow my instincts because they're never wrong. I always keep my cool and wear my poker face, always. I'm not out for revenge but I promised to prove to my dad that I'm good enough to succeed him, in fact, I'm better that my brothers and I'll do everything and whatever it is until he admits that I'm more competent to handle the CEO position. 

The only person fit to compete with me among my sibling is Junior and that's because he's smarter than my other siblings, ambitious like I am and has people doing his work for him, besides, he has the support of both parents, paving the way for him unlike me.  

"He'll always be junior to me cos i, am his senior", I thought.

While others were building their social lives by attending parties, hanging out and having relationships, I was busy acquainting myself with the business world, getting a bachelorette degree in Business Management and a master degree in Agriculture and Business Management because my aim is to be the CEO of Bells Foods Limited. We deal with farm produce, especially dairy products, we are one of the best milk, cheese and butter producers in the country and we have several outlets.

"so, let me get this straight, father" I asked

"This is the last task you will be giving me and Junior and whoever accomplish the deal gets to succeed you?"

"Yes" he nodded. "here is a contract which binds me to the deal", he passed a document to me which showed the detail of the contract and the stamp of his legal firm, whoever gets the work will succeed him after his death. 

"As you can see, Junior has signed his part, sign yours and move along", I stared at the contract and I nodded, appending my signature and my name in the dotted lines.

"A copy will be sent to your mail by the end of today" he said.

If what it takes to become the Chief Executive Officer is to make a deal with the devil one last time, then so be it.

Walking out of the study, I stole a glance at my father one last time and a bigger smirk appears on his face, I muttered to myself "enjoy it while it last because I am almost at the finish line, bastard!"

Not sparing a second glance at my step-mother who was descending the stairs, we can barely stand each other so we try as much as possible not to waste time on each other's company only when necessary.

 I sauntered out of the mansion to where I parked my red Porsche, I entered my car and drove off.