Ella

"Jill! Jill!!" I screamed at the top of my voice.

"Oh that witch!" I could hear Jill say.

"Jill!!" I thundered some more.

I watched her from my office as she pulled back her seats and grudgingly walked up to me in my office. Her face was totally squeezed like that of a scary creature!

"Yes Ma." She replied and I shook my head to her.

"Jill!" I called, eyeing her ferociously. " I swear on this day to make your life a misery!" I said to her.

She just stared at me side-eyed.

I got closer to her and looked down on her face. I was so irritated at her guts and presence.

"I called you severely, and you refused to reply. I heard you call me a witch! I do not understand why my husband has decided to keep you here with us in this company!"

Jill smiled at me, she adjusted her glasses.

"Well Ma, I guess your body is not enough reason to convince Mr Maxwell to sack me!! I am actually more important than you think!" She said to me, folding her arms.

I spat at Jill's feet.

"You're nothing, bitch and I despise you!!"

"Take hold of your bitterness dear so you do not die quickly!!" She said and walked out on me.

I sat in my office, thinking of all the possible ways to make Jill miserable at work....After all, I was the young CEO's wife.

**

It was a bright day at work and representatives from the Bella Beauty Awards (BBA) were coming over for inspection.

The Bella Beauty Awards was a company responsible for giving awards to outstanding beauty products in the world, but particularly in the USA.

It places its focus on haircare brands, skin care brands, make-ups...

The Bella Beauty Awards has the purpose of encouraging brands in the beauty industry all over the world so they can produce much more quality and eco-friendly products.

Skin by Nature has won numerous awards over the years and this year will not be any different.

Bella Beauty Awards was the biggest beauty award in the USA and also all over the world.

Winning an award from Bella Beauty Awards was a massive hit to any beauty industry all over the world and it came with lots of coins and recognitions.

Every beauty brand worked hard to receive an award and Skin by Nature is not let out on this.

Skin by Nature has seen lots of growth this past year and we looked forward to an award.



****

"Good morning Ma'ams."

"Good morning Sirs."

A worker at Skin by Nature greeted.

The representatives were sent into the main hall of our office.

"Oh good morning to you all." I said hurriedly, finding my way down from my office to the main hall." I was on a cream and chocolate knee-length dress matched with a pair of stiletto heels.

I have always had a good dress sense and this day, in particular, I dressed to impress.

"Good morning Ma." Replied a woman from the group of representatives. She was Asian, very beautiful and her long hair was held together in a loose bun.

She stretched forth her hands to give me a handshake and I took her hands with both my hands, shaking her with all the gratitude in my heart.

"We are representatives from the Bella Beauty Awards, and we were sent here by tradition to inspect the brands that were listed out for the year's awards ceremony." She said, she spoke really elegantly, and I was so thrilled to be in her presence.

"Ok Ma, you are very welcome Ma! I am the first lady of Skin by Nature group of companies Ma. You and your team are highly welcome Ma!" I said.

"Thank you very much Ma. My name is Mrs Mia Soo." She said, giving me a beautiful smile.

"Oh don't mind my manners, I am Mrs Ella Russell."

"Very well then, I and my team would get to work. We have strict guidelines for inspections. We would be checking out the work environment and also the production sites of this company." She was saying.

"Well, my husband Mr Maxwell works mainly at the production sites Ma'am while I am here at the head office." I replied proudly.

"Oh that's brilliant Ma'am, and a good division of labor." Mia said.

"Come let's go to my office Mrs Mia as the rest of the team continues with the inspection." I said leading her up the stairs to my guest office.

"Of course Mrs Ella, that is so kind of you."

We both walked up the stairs. I took her to a reserved part of the office that no one really uses, not even me. Its exclusivity is its beauty.

My plan was to impress the spokesperson of Bella Beauty Awards so my company would have an edge over its competitors in getting the awards.

***

JILL

I rolled my eyes at the feigned gesture and hospitality of Ella. Ella has been acting so sweet and lovey dovey which disgustes me because they were all fake!

"Oh I am the first lady....indeed." I mimicked to myself.

"Girl what's up." Jackie asked, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing, Jackie."

"Our first lady seems very happy today, and she's not even trying to kill anyone today." Jackie said laughing, and I just smiled. I was not even in the mood.

"What's up girl, what is it?" She asked me again.

"Well I can't stand Ella!" I fired.

"Oh!!" Replied Jackie, slightly taken a back.

"Sometimes I wonder if she's still the same woman we had as our friend just before she became the CEO's wife!!!" I spat out.

Jackie's mood had completely changed. She held my hands and rubbed at it trying to calm me down.

"I understand dear. I noticed it too. Ella really changed a lot, and it was so painful to watch. You know Jill, when I heard she was to marry Mr Maxwell I was truly happy. I had thought at the time that if one of our own was to be first lady of Skin by Nature, life at work would become easier. But I was wrong." Jackie said, and a tear dropped from my eyes.

"It's okay dear, please do not cry. We still have each other. You and I together are unbeatable." Jackie drew me closer to herself for a quick hug.

"I cannot believe she has tried to sack me several times Jackie," I said, bursting into tears.

"It's fine dear. She cannot sack you or even me. Mr Maxwell is far more sensible than that, he would not let that happen." Jackie said, trying to console me.



*****

Ella.

"Take a seat Mrs." I said to Mia, trying to impress her. She could sit anywhere she wanted. There are soft white cushions arranged neatly in the office.

"Oh thank you Mrs Ella, for your goodly gestures. This office is indeed beautiful, it's like an escape." She said, staring around at the master craft.

"I'm glad you like it. This is not my office actually in a real sense but as you have said it so perfectly well, it is indeed an escape for me from all the hustle and bustle of super-heading skin by Nature." I said smiling.

"I also reserve it here for special guests like you." I added.

"Oh thank you Mrs Ella, you surely have your way with words, and I am glad you see me as a special guest." Mia said, getting a little more comfortable with me, and I was glad about that.

"So tell me," I said going to get drinks from the nearby fridge. "What other things do you do asides official duties like this?" I asked boldly. "Ermm what drinks do you take?"

"Give me a soda if you have one."

"Hmm a rare choice, but luckily I do have one."

I set up the table and placed drinks on it. I took off thin wine glasses, rinsed them off and poured soda into them.

"So you were asking Ma'am ?" Mai asked. She took a filled glass of wine and sipped at it.

"Well since I brought you to my escape room. I figured you might want to speak on other things asides work." I replied casually, acting really cool about it.

"Oh!!" She said giving me a smile which I now find coy.

"And what exactly do you want to know Mrs??" She asked looking really serious. I was stunned by the sudden change of mood.

"How about we talk about family." I suggested and I was shocked when she exploded into heavy laughter.

"Oh... have I said anything funny?" I had to ask.

"Mrs Ella." She called. "I am sure you did not bring me here to talk about family! This is your last chance. Tell me what you want."