The seconds ticking by seemed like hours as Faye Westbrook stared at the contract she had just re-negotiated. She wanted to tear it apart and never see it again. In fact, she wanted to tear down the four walls of her office and just take a long vacation. Something like the rest of her life would do.

Faye was tired, but it wasn't because of the work. Work was one of the things that kept her sane. She was not tired of the environment either. In truth, she rather liked her office. Her title was even more attractive and invigorating: CEO! It was easy to be a slave driver and all you had to do was call it delegation. She was CEO of the fastest growing technology business in the world and no one would believe her.

And why would anyone?

A CEO at age 26 of a Fortune 500 company who looked like she was just in college.

Faye wanted to scream.

She never got the respect due her when talking with more...seasoned officers of other companies. Government officials looked down on her as if she were a joke. The media treated her as if she were a high school student who really didn't understand the intricacies of science and business.

Faye's hand slammed on the table. She was a great businesswoman and a smart scientist, damn it!

A knock on her door brought her back and she straightened from the slouch on her soft chair. "Yes?"

Her secretary, Peter, came in with a few post-its in his hand. "Mr. Kowalski wanted to know if you can report to the board later about the contract with Nanoco Group."

The question almost brought a sigh past her lips, but was quickly restrained. There was no dodging reading the contract so that she would have something to report to the owner and his family. "Yes. Tell him I'll be ready at about nine."

"Nine at the board room, then." Peter nodded. "Also, your aunt is on line three. Would you be speaking to her?"

"Which aunt?" Faye raised an eyebrow. The truth was, she knew which aunt was calling her. Or at least she was 90% sure it would be her.

"She said that if you asked that it was Julie Evans?" The puzzled look on his face showed his reluctance to deliver the message, but he did anyway.

Faye couldn't help but laugh. The last time her aunt called, her name was Veronica Chase. "Alright. I'll answer. Would that be all?"

"Yes, but...I was wondering...would you be working this weekend?"

The way he spoke told her volumes of what he wanted to ask for. "Any occasions planned?"

"It's my girlfriend's birthday and she's leaving tomorrow night for a month-long training in France. I was hoping I could take the day off for her."

Faye hid her puzzlement. It was still a mystery to her why people would invest in so much time, effort and emotions for another person who might one day leave them? All for a few moments of bliss together and a lifetime of tolerating the things you can't stand about them...and that was assuming they did not get separated. "Go on. I can handle things here. Don't worry. Just leave the keys on your desk before you leave tonight."

"Shouldn't you be resting, Ms. Westbrook?"

Faye's eyebrows shot up. There was pure concern in his voice and it still surprised her that people thought she was working to hard, when in fact, she only did what she had to do. "I assure you, Peter. The moment I feel the flu coming in, I'll stay in bed." Why couldn't anyone understand that she needed to have respect, and that the only way to get that was to prove herself.

He shook his head. "And still get phonecalls. Ms. Westbrook, I'm sorry, but I just have to tell you, you shouldn't be doing this to yourself."

"I'll ask for your advice when I need it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a crazy aunt to speak to." Without waiting to see if he listened, she turned away from him and picked up the phone. "Aunt Lila? What is it now? You know I'm busy. I'll give you five minutes to talk, starting now."

"Is that any way to talk to your elders, Faye?" Lila huffed over the phone. "Is that what you learn in the big city, young lady? CEO or no CEO, you show respect, you hear me?"

"Okay, okay. But I'm serious. You just lost..." she looked at her watch, "-fifteen seconds with that spiel."

"Oh, when I see you child, I'm going to give you a spanking that will rival the one your father gave you when you were ten and you thought of hitching to the big city on your own! It's time to plant those seeds of value in you again. Look at Nathan; still so sweet after all these years. And he actually visits town even though he's always so busy in his big city life!"

Faye groaned. "Auntie...you can't possibly compare me to that...that b-idiot! Why would I want to be anything like that conceited idiot?" she growled.

"So you two were in competition ever since you were young. But that's past. You know, he's really cute now. He lost all those freckles and baby fat and he also got his teeth fixed!" Lila rushed on. "Oh, and I remember those awful glasses he used to wear! Good thing there's this new thing called laser surgery. Now he sees perfectly. You should have seen the girls in town looking at him as if he were a Hollywood celebrity! Oh and he dropped by and asked where you were and what you were doing and if you were successful. Oh, he was so thoughtful!"

Thoughtful? Nathan probably just wanted to rub in the fact that they were only either equally successful if he wasn't more successful than her. It's not like a disrespected CEO was any real form of success.

"Auntie..." Faye cut in before he could say any more. "What exactly did you call me for? I swear I really have a ton to do and..." she grinned knowing exactly how to hit the right cord, "-if I don't finish this soon, I won't be able to sleep early. I want to follow your advice." She really did. Only, her work did not permit her. It's not like she lied.

"Oh! Sorry, sorry. Anyway, the reason I called was because I just booked you for a vacation! Isn't that fantastic?"

"Okay..." Faye said cautiously, "When is this, auntie?"

"Why, this after the weekend! Isn't this exciting?"

Faye almost choked. "This weekend? Auntie! You know I just can't shoot off like that! I have so many things to do. These things are planned. You just don't buy tickets and then that's it. I have a ton of work!"

"Oh, for god's sake, stop worrying about your work. This is only for a short time."

"And how long is short for you?"

"A month. Honestly, you deserve half a year off."

Faye's mouth hung. "A month? A month! Auntie! Are you crazy? I can't be gone for a month! That's impossible!"

"But I already bought the vacation...and I spent my life savings on it. It's non-refundable!"

"Look. I'll just pay you for how much you spent on it."

"You'll pay for a hundred and ninety grand?"

"Shit!"

"Faye! Watch your mouth, young lady!"

"Auntie! What were you thinking? That's a year's worth of my salary including taxes!"

"Come on, Faye. It will be fun!"

"Look, just tell the guys who you bought it from that it was a mistake." Faye's insides churned. Her aunt probably did spend all of her life saving just to get her that vacation. It was wrenching her heart but she really couldn't leave work. She knew Lila was only looking out for her as she had always done when she was still a kid while her parents were away all day working.

Lila went on to read the fine print in the contract and Faye knew arguments were over. It wasn't that her aunt had a good argument. The soft spot for her just won over and she wanted so badly to repay her. She had always wanted to, but now, she was indebted to her aunt again. Refusing the old woman would be just too cruel. "I'll try asking my boss."

"Great! Come home and get your itinerary, ok?"

"I said I'll try. Please never-hello?" She looked at the phone receiver as the tone echoed in the room.

She put the receiver down and pulled out the contract, but one thing bugged her. What if the board would not allow her?

Hey, I was so tired of studying that I finally thought of writing a chapter. I was very excited because it's only the first chapter. I hope you liked the start. I published a chapter just for you guys so you know what the story's actually about cause the summary hasn't given much about the story.

Guess what? Another reason that got me excited was that this book got on the rank list just after a day of its publishing! Isn't that amazing guys?! ❤

How was it? How is Faye's character? Do you guys really plan on reading this book?

I think Emma Stone is apt for Faye's character. She is so beautiful, bubbly and cheerful but still so hardworking. But if you want someone else to be her feel free to take anyone.

If you have any criticism, please feel free to write it down here in the inline comments. I would really appreciate it.

If you liked the start, don't forget to tag your friends to share this story with them and for this book. And be sure to add it to your libraries if you liked it. Thank you so much for your kind love and support. You guys are the best!

So how are your Christmas plans? I don't usually celebrate Christmas but I know its a large festival in mostly English countries. I would love to hear how your preparations are going on.

Exams tomorrow. Over and out.