My boss is a woman?

Chapter 1

Adrienne's POV

"If a man doesn't call you a 'bitch' at least once every day during work, then that means you're doing something wrong." That was the advice given to me by my business teacher when I disclosed to her my ambition of being a business woman.

Though that may have been the case in the nineties, when women had just started to be considered worthy of doing jobs that didn't only involve cooking and cleaning, I must admit times have changed. Nowadays, women have started holding high executive positions where the ice-queen image or the mother boss roles do not work.

One has got to find the right balance; not be too arrogant or strict making your workers fear you and thus decreasing employee satisfaction, and neither be too flexible or caring resulting in lazy work performance.

That aside, I don't think I'd be sitting here, in this 25'x 30' office made from the finest black marble as well as equipped with the latest furniture and technology, as the CEO of the world's largest clothing enterprise, without the help of one man.

One very important man who supported me endlessly to achieve my goal.

That one man who helped me gain confidence and believe that I could accomplish anything if I set my mind to it.

That one man who lifted me up when I just felt like giving up on my dreams.

That one man whom I owe my life and all my accomplishments to.

That one man... is none other than my father.

Looking back to the past, I remember how my mom used to recite me fairy tales to put me to sleep. Fairy tales about handsome, young men saving ordinary girls from evil stepmothers and eventually making them their brides. And then, they would live happily ever after with beautiful kids in an elaborate palace.

This ordinary 7 year old girl also wanted a handsome prince who would treat her like a queen and spend his life with her in a lavish home. That was my lifelong dream, or at least I thought it was.

However, as I grew up, with me progressing from middle school to high school, my thoughts, dreams, aspirations, they all changed. I learned things. Things that I imagined to be true in stories could never exist in reality.

Nonetheless, it's not so much the fact that there are no "happily ever after's" in real life that surprised me but, that I needed someone else, a man, to depend upon to live my life. And, that's when I decided to take my first step towards independence. Business had always been my keen interest and with the help of my dad, I was able to open my first retail clothing store.

When I had first told this idea to my dad, he had been confused and asked me about my sudden interest in this field. I knew I'd have to explain myself someday and told him about my desire to be independent and work for my passion.

I didn't want to be another ordinary girl who didn't have a goal in life besides having a hot and loving husband with a few kids... not that there is anything wrong with it. Nonetheless, I wanted to prove myself and show the world that women can achieve great heights and are able to sustain power.

Seeing the change in my attitude, he had simply smiled and said, "I'm glad you've discovered yourself."

Yes, it had been difficult being noticed and selling products in the beginning and often times, I felt like giving up. Was this a stupid idea? Maybe I was better off getting married than dealing with the stress of working. With slow sales and no hope of my company ever getting big, I became unconfident and doubtful of my potential.

Locking myself in my room, I lamented over my stupid decision of opening this company. And that's when my dad came in, which I'm thankful for to this day, motivating me to pursue my dreams and not back down.

"Ady, you have already taken your first step towards your goal. Don't tell me my daughter isn't brave enough to face such tiny obstacles. You want to make someone worthy out of yourself, don't you? A person whom,  when people will notice her, they will say- 'I want to be like her.'"

"Yes dad," I had replied as the spark, that had inspired me to start this company, slowly returned to my eyes.

"Then get up and show the world what you are capable of!" He said offering his hand. And from that day, I never broke down at the face of trouble, no matter how tiny or large they may've been.

Working day and night with the financial assistance of my dad, I, Adrienne Ashworth, have made Ashworth industry reach the height it is at today.

I feel proud.

Stroking the photograph of my deceased father, I whisper, "I hope you do too, dad."

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Raven's POV

Dear Mr. Raven,

The CEO of Ashworth Clothing Enterprise has appointed an interview with you concerning your accepted job offer as financial manager of Ashworth Industry.

Regards,

Ms. Marlene Lorenza (Personal Asst.)

I read the e-mail once again just to be sure as a grin forms on my face.

Just as I expected. Now, if all goes according to plan and that Ashworth doesn't catch sight of my true motive, nobody will be able to stop me from getting that position.

I chuckle to myself at my brilliance. Putting on a black Calvin Klein suit with a maroon Armani shirt underneath, I smirk at myself in the mirror.

The devil in disguise I am.

Rubbing some hair gel between my palms, I apply it to my slate black hair, already side parted, to give it a spiky, disheveled look. I position a few strands to land right above my left eye which was a sharp grey in color.

Perfect.

Grabbing my platinum office bag containing my curriculum vitae and all the research I had done on the company I applied to, I leave my one-bedroom, posh apartment and head towards the driveway where I had parked my car.

With a big grin on my face, I get inside my red Porsche and drive towards Ashworth headquarters in roaring speed.

Prepare for your demise Ashworth. Here I come.