Set for unusual game

**Jaden’s POV** Today marks the fifth year since my uncle handed over one of his companies to me after seeing how hard, diligent, and determined I have worked over the years with him. His words resound in my heart. “Jaden, you’ve served me selflessly over the years, and for that, I will be giving you one of my companies within the city as a token of appreciation.” It sounded like a dream to me five years ago, but I’m happy at how much I’ve accomplished. I am just 28 years old but among the well-known billionaires in the city. I feel fulfilled with my financial status. Albeit, I have struggled with an emotional trauma that I experienced from younger ladies, and that has made me “domineering” My last relationship hit me so badly that I made a decision not to have an affair with younger ladies anymore. Viola, her name still sends shivers down my spine. She was the one into whom I poured my heart, and through her touch, I felt enticing warmth. Her looks were so sincere that I didn’t doubt the words that left her little pouty lips. I was blinded by my desire for her, I was lost by her beauty, sweet innocent face, alluring smile, and perfectly fitted body. But she manipulated the hell out of me. She used me for my wealth and status, she deceived me, she played me like a fool, and unfortunately, I fell for it. She made away with my trust, love, value, and heart for younger ladies. I had thought she loved me, but it was all a lie, she used me like a doormat. The memories still haunt me in a traumatic way. I have decided to be egoistic towards younger ladies. I won’t be a victim to their funny traits anymore. After my last heartbreak, I made a concrete decision to avoid women under the age of forty. I took that decision so that I could heal from the trauma Viola has kept me in. I need someone mature, possibly married with kids. Without that, I would have no reason to be attracted to them. My choice of staff might look like I have a thing against the young ladies, but whoever thinks that way isn’t far from the truth. I found a form of peace within myself that I hadn’t felt in a long while. Whenever young ladies walk into my company, hoping to secure a job, I do not hesitate to turn them down. I do that right in their presence, no matter how much degree, proficiency, and qualification they have attained to be fit for the job. I don’t just give them a “No” response, I deliberately sound rude and ill-mannered. I don’t sugarcoat my words so that when they get back they can inform their folks who have my company as somewhere they’re interested in working in a sneak peek of what it looks like. But my actions haven’t gone unnoticed. I’ve become the person of highlight in different companies in the city. The women I’ve turned down have talked, they shared their stories with others. They’ve called me- arrogant, heartless, rude. They went ahead in apportioning the blame to my uncle for giving me a company that I didn’t work for. And maybe they’re right. Maybe I am all those things said, but I don’t care. I am a billionaire, and I’ve got the power to do whatever I wish to do without a question from anyone. I can do whatever I want to do, and if it means crushing the dreams of a few young women, I’ll gladly do that without any guilt. My friend Kendrick reached out to me for the reason of the rumors flying about my insensitive way of treating the young ladies who apply to work in my company. “Listen, Jaden, I understand your pains and reasons for taking up this decision, but trust me, you're missing out on the potential your company has. Young women have a broader knowledge of what your company needs to function efficiently. And they're not like Viola. Most of them are genuine, hardworking, and loyal." Kendrick said. I think Kendrick is making a point in what he says, but how certain am I that these ladies won't lure me into having a mutual affair with them? I think I will let Kendrick's advice slide at the moment. I still prefer older women working for me. My relationship with my older employees was formal and professional. I could talk to them anyhow without a feeling of guilt, fear of manipulation, and judgment. I could discuss business strategies, market trends, and insights about the industry without getting worried about being taken advantage of. It was the reverse with the younger women, where I had to be cautious of my choices of words. If I could make their lives miserable, I would go the extra mile to do just that. For now, they should face the aftermath that comes with job rejection. I'm not into letting down any of them seen around my company. If not for any other reason, I feel fulfilled that my uncle has taken sides with me on not hiring younger staff. He understood my fears, doubts, and trauma. Battling with the emotional trauma inflicted by Viola, I've found it difficult to honor the invitations to high-social events, or even hang out at my leisure with fellow billionaires. My life has presently rotated from my company to my apartment. I convinced myself that I was better off alone, seeing love to be a luxury that I could not afford anymore. I strongly doubt if I would give in to love anymore, even if the ladies that come around me for love will be humiliated. My apartment and company remain my place of solitude. It is where I find assuring peace. I gave an order to my staff telling them not to refer any lady who was in her twenties or even thirties to the company to ensure my focus and well-being. I understand how unconventional it seemed, but my mental health and comfort remain prioritized on my list. I went on to tell them that if anyone disregards my order I will be subjected to disciplinary actions, which is most likely to come with a job termination. I sat in my office, taking a self-reflection on how my little company is gradually getting into the top ten high-ranking cities. I reflected on my journey, after which, I felt no regrets for the actions I'd taken, knowing fully that everything was working in my favor. But I suddenly began to sense that there was something different going on in my company that I wasn't aware of. I felt uneasy but resolved to let it slide since I wasn't very sure of what I sensed. On several occasions I drove into the company, I saw a young slender lady who looked like she was in her early twenties. I had the strong urge to walk her out of my company, but in a way, her looks didn't depict that of a young vibrant lady in her twenties. She looked pale, frail, and pitiful. “She might be among one of the new job applicants." I thought to myself. It didn't end there. I noticed that whenever I drove into the company, she either hid her face or looked for where to hide. Maybe she thinks that I'm not aware that I've been noticing her movements for quite a long time. The only hindrance I had in confronting her was being confused about her age. I wouldn't want to embarrass an innocent person for what she knows nothing about. My curiosity sparked daily as I kept seeing her around. I made a move to ask my security about her. Maybe he would have an idea at least. I felt disappointed when the security officer said he had no clue who she was, despite seeing her around often. I flared up at him. Why would he be in charge of the company's exit and entrance yet have no clue who that lady was? I didn't hesitate to fire him because of his incompetence. You might be right as well if you say I'm domineering. I'll proudly own that. I had a general meeting ensuring that all my staff were present. Maybe some of them, if not all, will have an idea of whom the young lady was. “It has come to my notice that a lady who I know isn't a staff member here has frequently been to this company. I've met her on several occasions but have missed every opportunity to get to know her because of how sneaky she acted. That Is the reason for this urgent meeting. Now, I'll ask the question. Which one of you is aware of that lady's presence in my company?" I asked them. The atmosphere went serene like we observed a minute's silence for a dead fellow. As no one gave a response to my question, all claimed not to know who the lady in question was. I dismissed them, giving them an assurance that when I got to know who the lady was they'd pay for the damages she had caused. They grumped and murmured at what I said, but that was the least that bothered me. I'd take it upon myself to know who she is; she might be a spy sent by some of the young ladies I turned their job application down. I know those good-for-nothing ladies will be up to something. I'm ready to spend the whole time investigating to know who exactly she is, and after that, I'll teach her the lessons of her life which she will never forget in her entire life. My search begins. Only time will tell what is yet to be unveiled. I will not rest until I find the uncovered truth.