It was a bright and sunny day when Anita Baker, a 24-year-old woman and the first daughter of her parents, was set to graduate from the university.

She had five younger sisters. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a trader.

Anita was fair-complexioned, quite tall, and pretty like her mother. But sometimes, her father accused her mother of cheating on him, doubting that he was truly her father.

Her mother always cleared the air and told her not to pay attention to her father, assuring her that she was really his child.

Anita knew her father had threatened to perform a DNA test on her, claiming he couldn't understand the difference in their complexions.

Four of her sisters disliked her, except for her youngest sister, Glory Baker, who genuinely loved her.

When they say blood is thicker than water, in Anita's case, water held more value than blood.

Mr. Joshua Baker sent Anita to the university to further her education. He had accused his wife in the past of cheating and forcing another man's child on him, but he still supported Anita's education.

Anita was thrilled when her results came out with flying colors. Due to her father's remarks that she wasn’t his child and his claims that her mother had cheated, Anita refused to accept any romantic relationships.

She went on a few dates but ended up rejecting every love proposal she received.

Her best friend at the university, Temisa Patrick, advised her to give love a chance, but Anita refused, saying, "My father constantly accused my mother of cheating on him. Yet he went to her, impregnated her, and had me and my siblings. My mother says Dad loves her, but his daily insults don’t show us that he genuinely does."

Anita shook her head in sadness as she spoke to her best friend, Temisa, inside their room during their second year at the private university.

Handsome guys were always interested in being her boyfriend, but she felt they only wanted to use her. She believed that once a man got what he wanted—especially her virginity—he would change, dump her, or accuse her of cheating, just like her father constantly accused her mother.

Anita sat on a chair in the private room she shared with Temisa. They were preparing for their final convocation.

"Anita, I am so happy. Finally, we will be leaving this school. I can’t explain how much I’ve missed home already," Temisa said.

"Me too," Anita replied faintly. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t entirely true. She hated home and dreaded facing her father’s constant insults toward her and her mother again.

Meanwhile, her three younger sisters—Flora, Esther, and Favor—would torment her, calling her an outcast because they were jealous of her looks, as if it were her fault.

Anita shook her head in sadness, and Temisa noticed.

"What is it, girlfriend? You don’t seem happy, even though you’re graduating as one of the best students in our university today," Temisa asked.

She stood up from her seat, which faced the mirror, and walked over to Anita, who sat alone, shaking her head in sadness instead of packing her clothes.

"What’s the problem, dear?" Temisa asked again as she crouched in front of Anita, even though she already knew the answer.

Anita had told her why she hated men in general and saw them as untrustworthy.

"Don’t worry, girlfriend. When I get home, I’ll talk to my mother about letting you stay with us for your internship until you get a better job to support yourself," Temisa offered.

"Thank you," Anita replied with a faint smile.

She knew Temisa cared for her, but she didn’t want her to worry.

"You’re welcome, dear. You’re like a sister to me. You shouldn’t worry too much—graduating with a first-class degree is no joke, and you should be happy. Today is your special day! Come, sit here, and let me apply some makeup to your face."

Temisa gently pulled Anita up from her seat and led her to the chair facing the mirror in their room.

"You know I don’t like makeup," Anita said as she sat down.

"I know, but today is your lucky day! You should look stunning when you receive your award as the best graduating student. No excuses—just do this for me, okay? It will make you smile all day and lighten your mood," Temisa insisted, opening her makeup kit and preparing her brush.

"Okay," Anita sighed, staring at her reflection in the mirror as Temisa began applying a light brown powder to her face.

Temisa started with Anita’s eyelashes, then moved to her cheeks and nose, carefully blending everything. When she was finished, Anita was stunned by her new look. She gasped.

"Wow!"

Anita had never worn makeup before. Seeing herself in the mirror, she was speechless. She finally understood why Temisa attracted so much attention from men.

Temisa was a billionaire’s daughter. Her father worked for Benson Group, one of the biggest companies in their state.

The Benson family was also among the richest in the country. Anita had read about them online and wished she could work at their company. This was why she had studied so hard—to graduate as one of the best students in her department.

She had thought of asking Temisa for help in getting a job at Benson Group, but she feared it would seem like she was seeking unearned favors. She didn’t want to be seen as a gold digger, so she decided to submit her application on her own.

"All done! Don’t you see how beautiful you look? Oh my God! I’m the best makeup artist on campus!" Temisa fanned her face dramatically.

Anita smiled. "Don’t overhype yourself, girlfriend. Yes, you did a good job, but I still don’t like makeup," she admitted.

"Tch! Shut up. I’m hoping a handsome man will notice you today and ask you out," Temisa teased.

She always talked about relationships. She changed boyfriends every month like clothes.

Temisa didn’t believe in love. She spent her time dating different men, though she claimed she never slept with any of them. She only took pictures with them.

Anita found that hard to believe. Temisa was often spotted at the beach, in restaurants, and at clubs with different guys, yet she insisted she was still a virgin.

Anita didn’t believe her. She thought a virgin should be reserved and private so no man could take advantage of her. But Temisa dressed in revealing outfits—bum shorts, crop tops, and all kinds of seductive clothes.

Temisa was a dark-skinned beauty with an enviable figure, just like Anita. But she never envied Anita’s fair complexion. They were in the same department, studying the same course, which had brought them together as best friends.

Anita was more intelligent, while Temisa was the party-hard type.

"Let’s go outside now. I’m sure most of our family members have arrived for the ceremony," Temisa said, packing up her belongings.

She had rented the room they stayed in, and even though the school was on holiday, they had remained there.

It was finally time to say goodbye. Anita dragged her boxes of clothes out, ready to go home after the award ceremony.

They stepped out to attend the university’s final event—the awarding of the best graduating students.

Anita Baker was called to the stage and awarded a first-class honor in recognition of her academic excellence.

Temisa smiled proudly as she sat in the audience, clapping for her best friend, who stepped forward to receive her award.