Author's note: this is from Mona's point of view

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~ London ~

Six months ago, the Beauty Sphere opened its fourth location, in prestigious London's Mayfair neighborhood, just off the Piccadilly Street.

It's a prime piece of real estate that is close to everything and provides five floors for the employees and clients of the Beauty Sphere.

The first floor is dedicated to receiving customers and providing consultations in intimate rooms.

Right from the entry, customers are greeted with luxurious décor and tropical foliage while warm smiles of my staff and soft music provide an escape from the stressful bustle of London.

Floors two-to-four are set up with areas where our clients get pampered. We provide top-notch services, and also snacks and beverages.

The top floor of the building is reserved for offices, like mine, and there is a conference room where I meet with my staff and clients who want to book us for their events. It's amazing how many posh women celebrate milestones by bringing their friends to my spa, despite high prices.

My business reached the point where people brag to have a membership as frequent clients.

Life is good.

I'm sitting in my office, on the fifth floor of my newest location in the Mayfair neighborhood.

Normally, I would stand next to the window and enjoy the view of a busy street below and a green park in the background, but today I'm sitting at my desk and staring at myself in the magnifying mirror. I could do this for hours.

A week passed since my bizarre experience with Serina when I drank the funky potion, and I am observing the changes my body went through.

They were subtle changes that I couldn't point out exactly when they started or ended, but now I'm confident that my skin is glowing, all blemishes are gone, my breasts are larger with just the right amount of bounce, and my ass is firmer.

I cut myself a few times and confirmed that the miraculous healing ability is real.

I was underwhelmed. Sure, super-healing is great if you are in the business of getting hurt often but I'm not one of those people.

Another downer is that my hair and nails don't grow super-fast after being cut. I thought that my new powers will spare me from broken nails, but it's not happening.

To be honest, I expected more. Serina gave me so many warnings that I thought I might grow horns or wings, or I will start seeing aliens but everything is surprisingly the same.

Is this how non-aging people feel?

Serina told me to enjoy at least ten years before we need to figure out my aging strategy. That won't be a problem. I will minimize my appearances in public, and when I need to get out, I will add wrinkles with the help of makeup, and then I can live abroad for some time before I resurface as my own daughter. I saw these things happen in movies.

A light knock on my office door startled me and I swiftly hid the mirror in the drawer of my desk. I don't want my employees to catch me admiring myself.

They noticed that I'm beaming, and I told them that it's due to the latest products from Notte Pharmaceuticals. They all took samples home. Suckers.

"Come in!", I called.

"Boss, there is a man who wants to see you.", my secretary said from the door.

"A man? Does he have a name, Bella?"

Bella pressed her lips into a line. "He didn't give me a name, and he has big shades so I couldn't see his face, but he said that he is the new owner of the Beauty Sphere."

I was sure that my ears malfunctioned. "He what?"

"He said that he is the new owner of the Beauty Sphere.", she repeated, to my horror.

After noticing that I'm gaping at her without moving, Bella added, "The man said that he owns enough to attend meetings and he brought the documents to prove it, but he will show them only to you. He didn't sound like he was joking. Should I bring him in?"

My mind stuttered and I needed some time to compose myself. "No. Take him to the conference room and offer him something to drink. I will be there in five minutes…"

I thought about the ownership of my company.

Serina has 25%, and 12% are owned by seven other investors.

Did Serina sell nearly half of her share? No. I spoke with her two days ago and with me being her familiar, it doesn't make sense that she would sell without telling me.

The 12% that are not in my or Serina's hands are owned by seven people who refused to collaborate or sell their share to me without asking several times the value. It's not that I couldn't pay that much, but they were obviously trying to swindle me, so I gave up.

Just what is going on? Did one of them buy out the others?

When I created the company, I set the rule that unless someone has 5% or more, he (or she) can't attend meetings. How much does this man have?

I swiftly grabbed my phone and made a call.

"Hi Sean, Mona here… Did you by any chance sell your share of my company? … You did? To whom? … A secret?" I felt my temper rising. "You refused to sell it to me, and you make a deal with an outsider? … I don't care how much he offered!"

I ended the call angrily without waiting for Sean to respond.

Damn it! Sean owned the biggest chunk out of seven investors and he was the stubbornest of them all. And now it seems I'm stuck with a third party who owns enough to cause me grief.

I own 63% and he can't really prevent me from making decisions for the whole company, but he can give me a headache. One was starting just by thinking about this.

My heart was beating wildly, and I started sweating due to stress.

I patted my cheeks with enough force to sting.

Get up, Mona, and face this head-on!

The man is probably here to sell his share in bulk. After all, 5% is more valuable than 1% because other than 5 times the worth, it also has 5 times the power. He is here to make a deal. Right?

I stood in front of the conference room when the door opened abruptly, and Bella nearly bumped into me.

"Oh, sorry, boss… he is inside… waiting… I just brought him a bottle of water..."

Bella was grinning like an idiot.

I grabbed her forearm. "Are you OK? Did something happen?"

Bella shook her head vigorously and glanced at the half-open door of the conference room. She pointed that way and whispered, "He is H-O-T. Call me if you need a drink or a snack… or anything. I will be happy to escort him out."

I frowned. What the hell is going on here?

I waved at her to scram.

And then an idea hit me. What if it's Marius? He is hot enough to make any woman flustered.

I adjusted my skirt and checked my shirt for creases. Ah, I wished for a mirror!

Note to self: add mirrors in the hallways.

I plastered the best smile on my face and walked inside the conference room.

My eyes nearly bulged out at the sight of a man sitting in the leather chair at the head of the table.

It's not Marius, and we never met, but I know who he is.

A head full of chestnut hair with streaks of russet, piercing blue eyes, sharp features, and a solid frame that is not hidden under his perfectly fitting dark gray business suit. Damn! Even his purple necktie is handsome.

Snap out of it, Mona! This is NOT the time to space out!

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