Niharika's POV

With the wonderful sun rays falling on my face, I woke up from deep slumber. Things have really been hectic since a while. Over years, I am used to the loneliness in my life but that is the story for some other day. I have a very robotic schedule that begin with getting up at seven in the morning and sleeping at eleven at night. I am quite used to sleepless nights too after all, being a CEO of a leading cosmetic brand is not easy.

I would have loved to introduce my business venture but as of now, it is seven o'clock in the morning and it is a cue for me to begin my day. My maid Sapna knocked at my room. She is more or less a personal assistant to me at home. Having lost her husband and disowned by her family, she was lonely and disturbed when I met her at a grocery store. Since she was not really well-educated and my maid had left her job, I offered her this position and since, then, her diligent work garners my admiration.

"Please come in", I subtly ordered her as I was still on my bed struggling to get up. Mornings are not really welcoming especially when I had a tiresome night. I was busy checking the accounts of my company sitting in the study till three in the morning. I was lucky to get sleep of at least four hours today otherwise there have been days when I get no sleep for about thirty six hours at times. Things are hectic because I am working over expansion of my business and willing to fulfill my mother’s dream otherwise life would have been smooth and peaceful.

"Good morning, madam. Here is your strong coffee. Breakfast is ready, madam. Kindly get ready and come downstairs. You have a meeting with your executives at 9:30 today", informed Sapna giving all the details sincerely. She was an immaculate person, no doubts. Without her, things were really difficult as I had never found a maid who would keep a check on my schedule and remind me things whenever required.

"Thanks a lot, dear", I said passing a small smile to her. I genuinely respected her for her hardworking nature and punctuality despite, life had been harsh for her.

Finishing my coffee and morning business; I got dressed into an elegant maroon colored business suit. It was half past eight by now so I grabbed my breakfast and rushed towards my Mercedes Benz where my driver was waiting for me. The ride to the office was short. I reached the office in ten minutes.

Well! I stay in my ancestral home which is just twenty minutes away from my office. I don’t believe in wasting time at all, after all. When life is a rat race, there is no point dragging it on a tortoise speed!

*****

"Good morning, madam. You have a meeting with the board of executives today at 9:30. After this, you need to meet the foreign delegates at The Leela today at 3pm. Later if you find time, please review the resumes for the interview of shortlisted Senior Scientists for the new project. You can meet them on Monday", said Mr. Bose, my official personal assistant, a man in his sixties and one of the oldest employees of my company. My father’s best friend and my well-wisher, Mr. Bose was a father-like figure for me after all, he has an important role in shaping my personality. Without him, I would have never been whatever I am today.

"Thanks for the update, Mr. Bose. See you at the conference room." I answered him politely and got back to my work. I was closely checking my presentation. Not that, I don’t have people to do my work, I simply prefer checking the minute details of things myself. This overburdens me with work but this habit of mine helps me in keeping a watch at my employees and avoid unwanted situations where my employees could cheat me.

*****

"People, I want you to support this idea. This is indeed revolutionary in Indian market. After all, who doesn't want to look younger than their original age, that too, without any side effects", I finished my presentation at an advertising tone for my dream project as I pitched my mother’s dream in front of the board members of my company.

This meeting was merely a formality however, I knew most of my executives were completely fine with this idea. I had never gone wrong over fifteen years. No doubts, I have received the accolades and praises for being the most inspiring entrepreneur nationwide. Yes, I am the leading entrepreneur, an ambitious businesswoman and owner of my mother’s dream company, The Exquisite.

‘The Exquisite’ is a leading cosmetic brand that make use of herbal, organic products and naturally occurring phytochemicals to produce beauty products that are widely accepted in the market for their impeccable quality.

*****

The meeting with the foreign delegates went amazing and I had cracked the deal. My joy knew no wonders. Soon, I will be internationalizing my business. Expanding my marketplace and increasing my consumer-base was indeed, a dream come true for me. This thought was enough to make me and my parents happy.

Giving this good news to my diligent employees, I began checking the profiles for the Senior Scientists for my pet project regarding which the board approved in the morning. I want the best people working on my mother's idea. Finally I will be fulfilling her dream via my dream project.

After rejecting 5 out of 6 shortlisted profiles, my eyes got stuck at the last resume.

Dr. Arpit Khandelwal, the name read.

The smile crept on my face as I recognized someone familiar. I was elated to find that he was the same familiar person and I could feel my face gleaming with happiness as my smile turned into a smirk. Making Arpit work under me was fantastic. After all, my dream project is giving me a chance to make myself superior in front of him.