The CEO'S VENDETTA

Claire is a woman in her late 20s, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She's petite, standing at about 5'3", and she has a delicate, graceful build.

She has a warm smile and a bright, friendly face. Her style is casual but stylish, and she always looks put together, even when she's just running errands.

"Welcome Claire Matthews", the speaker boomed, she was unsure if it was her name that was called. She had been called up to receive an award of excellence as the best graduating student of High view college.

Prior to this, she had received several awards from the contest sponsors when she went out to represent her school.

With all these awards, she was so sure to get a high paying job after school.

But life has a different turn it always take

"Not again!" she screamed. "Those were how beautiful my life was, and I hate remembering them" she continued muttering the same words, tears started trickling down her face

She doesn't want to remember when life was all good to her. This makes her feel the whole world betrayed her.

Ever since she got into the university, she faced different challenges, from the moment her dad was sacked from his workplace, all her mum's goods got burnt by some bandits who burgled her warehouse.

Her mum's health hasn't been stable since that particular incident, they've been frequenting the hospital for the past four years.

Her mom, Mrs Karen Matthews' health condition only grew worse, she was diagnosed with severe ischemic stroke.

"Stroke is a condition that can have a significant financial impact, both in terms of the cost of treatment and the long-term costs of care. In the first year after a stroke, the average cost of care is over $30,000, and the costs can continue for years. There are often expensive medications and treatments involved, as well as the costs of ongoing rehabilitation and care. Additionally, many stroke survivors are unable to return to work, which can have a major financial impact"

Reading that on the internet forced Claire to weep loudly. But she had to be strong for her family, as the money deposited for the family use has been spent on Mom.

In order to see herself through school, Claire had to loan some money which was given to her by pulling few strings, the debt of which she couldn't pay back after graduation.

The debt increases when her younger sister, Sarah Matthews gets admitted into high school, Claire after her experiences decided that her sister will live a stress free life.

With this decision, she declares herself to be responsible for her sister's fees and all other expenses.

Only Grace could tell it all, she was Claire's shoulder to cry on, Grace was Claire's best friend from high school.

Poor Grace, all she could do is to try her best to always comfort and cheer her up.

Grace will give her hope and courage based on how brilliant, beatiful and strong she was before all these happened

Claire was the best of her set, and those years were the best years of her days, She is always at the fore front, and that kept all the guys in the school on the run to be a candidate for Claire's love

Everyday is full of gifts and love confessions. But Claire focused on her education and snubs anyone who approaches her for love or friendships beyond hello, how are you...

"Do you remember Jones" said Grace while pouring out tea for Claire.

"You didn't even allow him to land a sentence before you walked out on him, you know you did that for too many people" Grace said as she noticed Claire is not ready for such conversation

"You did that for Alex too and that when he confessed to you after he won a basketball match, you turned a day of joy into embarrassment for him" Grace said as she placed the tea before Claire

"Maybe all these are nemesis for your bad behaviors" she said while maintaining her distance

"Will you really not stop ?" Claire said as she stomp her feet on the ground.

"Thinking won't solve issues, you should drink the tea, get out of here and get a job" Grace said stomping her feet on the floor too

"I'm trying Grace, I am, it's not just working". Claire said as she took the cup of tea and slurp it down

"Your trial ain't just enough, okay, the world hasn't turn it's back on you, you are just not yet in the right place, so you need to go and find the right place and fit in hmm, I will stay here with your mum for a while before leaving" Grace said as she packed up Claire's file stood her up and tried pushing her out of the room

Claire will always be indebted to Grace as it seems she was her manager in high school, a friend in the university and a mother now, she gave a smile as she looks at Grace, she let out the words from her lips "Thank you".

"Thank me with an employment letter" Grace said as she turned her back

Claire chuckled, "she's behaving like the mature one" she said as she smile and walked towards the elevator, deep in thought, she bumped into a man in his 20s.

They bumped into each other as she was lost in thought facing down and he was speaking with another man behind him without concentrating

With the force, she eventually stepped on his shoes and tripped over almost falling, the man grabbed by her hand and pulled her close but couldn't keep his eyes away from her

Getting back to her senses she begged and tries to free herself, she was in the hands of a very handsome man.

"Am really sorry" she said as she bows and take a quick glance at the face of the man in front of her

"It's not entirely your fault" he said as he helped Claire stand on her feet and watch her go into the elevator.

"Isn't that Claire" he mutters to himself as he watch the elevator close

"Are you okay Mr Alex" says Daniel, the man he was talking to before bumping into Claire

"Can you do a background check on her". says Alex as he gave a mischievous smile, "I hope it's not what I am thinking" he said in his mind

"Okay sir, will do". Daniel responded.

"with the recent update we will be able to monitor the transaction of up to 15million users, and we are working on making it better". Daniel said

"That's enough to update, we can about talk that later".

For now let's focus on how to entice my mother, he said as he knocks on the door of the hospital directors' office

****

"Mr Alex, can I give you the report on the lady from the morning". Daniel said

"Oh yeah, you can" Alex responded as though he tried to recollect the conversation whereas he has been thinking about it all day

He couldn't concentrate on his work as he thought if that wouldn't be the case, because if Claire would be something today, she will rather be a hotshot with elegant appearance, but this girl looks nothing like that.

He carefully adjust his chair and collected the file from Daniel.

"Her name is Claire Matthews, she went to the same high school with you...." Daniel started but was stopped by Alex

"That's okay I will go through it later" Alex said

"Everyone is finding it hard to connect with you in the office, and I can't assume the role of your secretary, I'm your friend but almost becoming your personal assistant..". Daniel said as he places a file with employees request and information on Alex desk

"I believe you should hire a personal secretary or assistance". said Daniel affirmatively.

"And who would that be?". Alex said with curiosity " you know this is the tech industry and we should be careful of who we bring in".

"If you are not satisfied with the resume and information before you, you can consider this one". He said as he placed a single file on Alex's desk

"She is desperately looking for job to take care of her sick mother" he said as Alex goes through the file.

"We aren't here for charity, Daniel, she doesn't deserve my sympathy, and why do you think I will let in someone so inexperienced". Alex said with a change in his countenance

"Sorry bro, just thought you were interested in her and she is fit for the job, but if you insist, I will keep her file out as intended" Daniel said as he made to take the file from Alex but Alex did not release the file.

"I've always done everything to make sure you have whatever you are interested in, if one day one thing you are interested in can take away your sleepless nights and give you peace, I will be glad" Daniel said as he made his way out of the office.

Alex Reynolds has been suffering from insomnia as a result of Claire's action that day in high school, only Daniel and Alex's mom (the hospital director) knows about Alex's insomnia, but they don't really know the cause.

"If I can find peace, maybe I will employ her, and with or without finding peace I will make her pay for all she did to me" Alex said

*******

"Claire, Claire you have a message". Grace shouted and from the way she shouts Claire couldn't tell if it is a bad news or a good one.

Claire rushed out to the sitting room and checked the message..

It was an invitation to an interview at VisionTech.

"I already saw this in the morning as early as 4:00am, I'm not sure this is real, it's a scam, I never applied to such a company" Claire said as she looked dissappointed

"Hello, I'm Claire Williams, i got a message from your company VisionTech...." Grace said while on phone

"What's going on" Claire thought

Grace was already speaking with the person whose contact details was inputed on the message to confirm the appointment

After the call ended Grace was just so happy.

"I wonder what's going on, first, we don't know how real they are, second note, it's just an interview, third note, I'm not interested". Claire said as she intend to make it back to her room

"You will surely go to this interview and you will come back employed, I have a good feeling about this and we are going together" Grace said as she practically jumped into the room and started picking out what to wear

"It's in less than 2hours, please start getting prepared" Grace said as she packs Claire's files

Claire muttered few words of prayer and dragged herself to the bathroom, thoroughly brushed her teeth, took her bathe while Grace did the same.

Nothing must be left out today, Grace thought as they both walked up the steps to the imposing glass and steel building,

Claire could feel a wave of excitement and nervousness wash over her.

She had no idea what to expect from the interview with the CEO. She has never worked in such a high-powered environment before.

But she has to take a chance, to make something of her life. She took a deep breath and stepped through the door.

"I will be waiting and rooting for you" said Grace as she watched her go inside

As Claire stepped into the reception area, she was greeted by a polished and professional-looking woman behind the desk.

"Hello, my name is Lydia. May I help you?" Lydia said, her voice cool and crisp.

"I came for an interview" Claire said, trying to sound confident.

"Very well, I'll let him know you're here," Lydia replied, as she picked up the phone.

As Claire waited in the plush waiting area, she couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by the grandeur of it all.

"The office is the first by your right" lydia said dropping the phone.

"My boss is a kind of tough man, and very hard to please. Good luck." she quickly chipped in.

"Alright, thank you " Claire said as she walked away from the reception.

She adjusted her clothes, rub some oil perfume on my neck and wrist and knocked on the door.

"Come in" said the husky voice from within.

Just then, as she opened the door of the office, she saw a man, head bent scribbling some notes on a paper.

"Please, have a seat," Mr. Alexander said, gesturing towards the leather chairs in front of his desk. As Claire sat down, she could feel her heart racing.

"Is this Alex? What is he doing here?"

Memories of what she did to him rushed through her mind.

Claire was a girl classified as beauty with brain, she was from a middle class home but I was principled.

On the other hand Alexander, he was fondly called Alexo. He was from one of the richest family in town. His family was known to throw parties, drive exorbitant cars, he flaunted his wealth and girls were drooling over him. This in particular, made Claire to develop deep hatred for him.

He approached Claire, in one of the house summer party where Claire and her best friend Grace was present and he told Claire to be his girlfriend.

"One of your girlfriends?" she asked in bewilderment.

"I am popular, being with me can make you popular moreso I can polish you up", he said touching my chin.

With anger claire removed his hand.

Alex, unmoved by her attitude said I'll give you money, any amount, name it.

"Do I look like a commodity to you, am I so Cheap to you?" Claire blared

"I am not someone you can buy with money, not even your achievements but your parents achievements, shame on you". With these words she bent over, scupped up some dust and threw it at him letting us a long hiss.

He, feeling embrassed said loudly," I'll get you soon".

And from then Alex changed as he narrated the iñcident to Daniel, Daniel told him to get a principled girl, you must be principled.

Alex for a whole year started dressing cool to school, doing his assignments, answering questions in class, he joined a basketball tournament and won the game for his team

And right there on the pitch, believing he has turned a new leaf walked up to Claire with a creamy buttered chocolate cake and confessed his love to Claire, but Claire believing he is just a Playboy smashed it on his face and walked out on him.

The whole crowd erupted into laughter, the Rich Alexo is now a laughing stock.

This became a traumatic experience for Alexo that cost him sleepless nights as he kept seeing laughing faces everytime he closes his eyes to sleep

*****

"I had no idea I'll meet Alexander today. "He has changed a lot!" Claire muttered under my breath.

Alex is a man in his late 20s, with short dark hair and brown eyes. He's tall, standing at about 6'2", with a strong, athletic build. He has a relaxed, easy-going manner and a gentle smile.

He usually dresses in jeans and a t-shirt, but he can clean up nicely when the occasion calls for it.

"His features are chiseled and bold, his physique is well-honed. His eyes were deep and dark, like the ocean depths, and his voice was rough and raspy, like the waves against the shore."I thought.

(Alex's POV)

"So, tell me, Miss Matthews, what makes you think you're qualified for this position?" Alex said, leaning back in my chair.

"What a small world, who would have thought that the almighty Claire Matthews would be at my office today?" I questioned myself.

She took a deep breath and began to tell me about her education and work experience. But as she spoke, she could feel herself getting flustered. She was sure she was making a terrible impression.

Just as she was about to give up all hope, I smiled. "You know, Miss Matthews, I appreciate your honesty and your enthusiasm.

You may not have the most impressive resume, but I admire your determination. I'd like to offer you a chance to prove yourself. Can you start tomorrow?"

Claire couldn't believe her ears.

She had just been offered a chance to work for me, one of the most successful businessmen in the Tech industry.

"Yes, I can start tomorrow," she said, trying to contain her excitement, but there's a problem, she would be my Secretary.

"Excellent," I said, standing up. "I'll have the receptionist, Lydia, show you to your office and get you set up with everything you need.

Welcome to the team, Miss Matthews." With that, I extended my hand once more, and Claire shook it, still in a bit of a daze.

As she walked out of the office, she could barely believe what had just happened. She had just landed her dream job, and with Alex?

"Claire doesn't know what contract she has signed", I laughed.

But something really disturbs me, does she really not recognize me or she's just pretending not to be.

(Claire's POV)

I don't really know if he recognizes me, but I am happy I could land a job with him, Grace would be so happy to hear this

On my way out of his office, I collided with a lady.

"I'm so sorry ma'am," I apologized immediately.

"It's okay lady, I am Laura Miller. It seems you're new here." She said with a broad smile.

"Yes I am, ma'am".

"You're welcome, when you resume you could hit me up. My office is down there", she pointed

"Alright, I will. I'm sorry once again," I apologized.

"You are..."

"Claire...Claire Williams," I said

"I can't wait to tell Grace about this", I giggled after I left the company's building.

" I got the job, baby. I got the damn job, but..."

"But what dear? You can now pay the bills and take care of mom". Grace said worriedly.

"I know right. Alexander Reynolds, is the CEO of VisionTech Corporation, my boss." I replied coldly.

Grace was short of words, she had no idea of how to reply me. She pulled me in a warm embrace.

You can pull this off she said as she pats my back

"It's important you understand that you need to forget about what happened between you and Alex before now, I believe he has forgotten about it, you should just focus on the job and how to keep climbing the ladder of success you have started"

Those work meant a lot to me

Thank you so much I said as I flash through everything I have faced.