Just the two of us

Kavya stared at the two people seated before her-her so-called consultant and her incompetent marketing manager.

"Do I have to do everything myself?" she snapped, eyes locking with Glory. "As my consultant, isn't it your job to foresee possible setbacks?"

Then her glare shifted. "And you, Mr. Paul-your incompetence is sickening. I've had it with you."

Paul shifted uncomfortably. "Madam Kavya, it's just a minor setback. These things take time-"

"Minor?" Her voice rose sharply. "How dare you? I don't pay you the big bucks for setbacks. You know what? Get out of my sight."

Paul stood quickly, ready to flee, but then-

"And clear your desk while you're at it."

He froze. Then dropped to his knees.

"Please, Madam Kavya. I'll do better-I'll work twice as hard. Please, ma. I'm good at this."

Kavya took a slow, cold step toward him, eyes like steel.

"I don't want good, Paul. I want the best. If I were just good, would I have built all this?" She gestured around the lavish office. "Would Kavya's Glow be the top beauty brand in Los Angeles if I settled for average? Now get your ass off my floor and get the hell out of my building!"

Paul scrambled out in silence.

She turned to Glory. "As for you, missy-I assume you already have a solution to this new problem?"

"I... you... actually... yes, ma. I do," Glory stammered.

"Good. I hope so. Because if not, you'll be out of a job very soon. Get out."

When the room finally fell silent, Kavya walked to the large mirror across the office. Her reflection stared back-a flawless, poised, powerful 26-year-old woman. Beautiful. Elegant. Fiercely driven.

CEO of Kavya's Glow. The face of the brand. A woman who built an empire.

"Oh, Kavya, stay calm," she whispered to herself, breathing in deeply. "Breathe."

She exhaled slowly, steadied, and returned to her desk.

Just then, her office door flew open.

"What's up, girl?"

Patricia.

Kavya sighed. "I should've known knocking would be too much to expect."