"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have now reached our cruising altitude and are on schedule to land at our destination. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure all tray tables and seatbacks are in their upright and locked position. Thank you for flying with us today."
She glanced out the window and smirked, "Muori piccolo.." followed by a brief laugh before picking up her phone.
"Madame, everything is ready."
"It better be. What am I still doing here?"
Once downstairs, her bodyguard immediately escorted her, carrying her luggage.
"You look delightful. Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No, we're here now."
Madame Vanderbilt is known as a money snake and a man-eater; she has many collections and is involved in illegal activities, but she never gets imprisoned because of her husband.
"Hi, honey! I am happy to see you here!" she said, kissing his cheek and lips, but he pushed her away.
"Are you done? Get dressed, we have somewhere to go," he said as he walked away. She was about to say something, but she didn't continue because he was on the phone.
Annoyed, she muttered, "He didn't even ask how I was, but that's okay as long as no one takes him away from me." She grinned and happily climbed the stairs to their room. Her daughter suddenly arrived, and she immediately went to her, accompanied by the child's nanny. "Mommy! You're here, I missed you so much! I'm so lonely here, I have no one to play with," she complained.
"Don't worry, my dear. Mommy won't leave, okay? So now you have someone to play with!"
"Really, Mommy? Yay! I'm so happy."
After that, she quickly changed her clothes, unsure of what to wear among the many outfits in her closet.
"Nanny! Come here! Which one looks better, this one or this one? What do you think? I should look innocent and pleasing to people's eyes."
"I think the second one suits you better."
"Oh, this one! How ugly! The color is so bright, are your eyes okay? How can I wear this if it's so bright, huh? Idiot. I feel like punching you. Get out!" she angrily said, then threw the glass.
"What an idiot, is there no decent person with a sense of fashion that I like? I'm unlucky in that part." She immediately grabbed her phone and called her stylist to help her dress and prepare.
"Come here, help me get dressed. I have an event to attend later. Hurry!"
She sighed and lay down on her bed.
__
"Please tell her to hurry," he ordered their housekeeper, who was afraid because she knew she would be scolded. "I'll do it myself," her master said.
Her husband knocked before entering, "Oh honey.. I'm almost done, give me 10 minutes okay?" He got annoyed at her because she had been getting ready for hours but still wasn't finished.
"I'll go ahead, you can follow later," he said as he left, followed by her assistant and bodyguard, heading towards the car.
"B-but honeyyyyy!!?? Argh." She slammed her hand on the table, her voice seething with frustration. "Sh*t. You're all so infuriatingly slow! What's taking you so long?!"
"Because you've made so many changes," one of the stylist's companions replied timidly.
"What did you say? Come here, and I'll show you how it's done!" She snatched the lipstick and aggressively smeared it across her face, the pressure causing it to snap, before delivering a resounding slap. "Watch your words, they could be your downfall. Leave!" With a firm grip, the stylist helped the person to their feet, ushering them out hastily.
__
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and valued investors, welcome to our event. It's an honor to have [EconoGrowth Partners] here today. Your commitment to excellence and innovation inspires us all. Let's seize this opportunity to forge new partnerships and drive positive change together. Thank you for being here." Everyone stood up and applauded, curious about who they were.
They were surprised by the beauty radiating from the woman and the man standing before them, as if they were being dazzled.
"WOAH! They look stunning."
"Are they married? They seem so young, but it's amazing how they've established a company."
"Do you think they have children?" commented some of the people there.
The woman smiled, "Thank you for the warm welcome. We are honored to be here at this esteemed event. At EconoGrowth Partners, we are dedicated to driving economic progress through innovative partnerships. Let's work together to make a meaningful impact. Thank you." Then she held her husband's arm, and immediately, many cameras flashed in front of them, as this was big news for everyone.
Afterward, they talked with various investors. Many approached them to introduce themselves and to establish connections.
"H-honey! I've been looking for you, I'm tired," she complained, holding his hand and caressing it. The man took his arm and moved to leave, "Don't embarrass me," he said, while looking around.
The woman, deeply wounded, stormed off, her heart is heavy with the man's indifference. Meanwhile, he remained unmoved, tired of her recurrent behavior. As he trudged away, his steps faltered upon a startling sight. "I-Is that Lilith?" He stammered, his disbelief palpable. Desperate to confirm, he attempted to push through the throng, but the crowd's density thwarted his efforts. Standing frozen in place, he appeared lost, his gaze searching for answers.
"Why is she here? I thought she was gone!" He gasped, his voice trembling with shock. The revelation was jarring, considering their close friendship since grade school. Yet, the memories flooded back—of Kerstel's tragic demise by suicide during high school. The recollection of Kerstel's tearful appearance at her own wake haunted him still.
He stared at her for a long time, tears slowly welling up in his eyes. He didn't know what to feel—whether to be happy or sad at what he saw. He ran towards her and immediately embraced the familiar woman. He hugged her tightly and looked into her eyes.
"It's you, you're alive," he hugged her again.
The woman was surprised, "W-who are you? I just met you now," she said, looking at her, "I'm Kane, your friend! I really thought you were gone, I'm so happy to see you again," He said, while hugging her.
Her husband intervened, "What are you doing with my wife?" He let go of the embrace.
"S-So you're already married?" He couldn't believe what on he heard.
"I'm sorry, but who are you? You're not familiar to me, my wife never mentioned you." He held her wife's hand and left, with many eyes watching.