FIVE YEARS LATER
As the sun dipped in the horizon, casting golden shadows around
Mariama Navarette, formerly known as Annette Perez, stepped out of her sleek, black Gulfstream G650 private jet, her stilettos clicking on the tarmac.
She paused, standing tall and elegant as she stylishly pulled out her expensive dark sunshades and looked around.
Not much has changed in four years.
She was back now, not the poor, naive and uneducated girl she was known as, but as a woman of steel and steeze.
She was a vision of elegance, dressed in a bespoke, champagne-colored jumpsuit designed by her own fashion house, MN Couture.
Over the years, MN couture has gone beyond what anyone could imagine styling celebrities and even royalty.
Her outfit hugged her curves perfectly, showcasing her toned physique.
Her dark hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her makeup was flawless – a subtle, smoky eye and bold red lips, she pushed back her sunshades, still standing straight.
As she walked with poise and an unmistakable aura of confidence, two burly bouncers flanked her sides, jogging to keep up with her long strides which spoke of charisma.
A gleaming, silver Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up, and the driver got the door open and Mariama slid into the luxurious leather interior, her P.A., Rachel, scurrying to keep up, opened the door and sat close to her.
"Good evening, Madame M," Rachel said, just as she had been requested to be called.
She glanced down at her phone, it had beeped with a message from Juan, he had told her he would be coming over the next day with their little daughter.
He had a very important business to handle and be wanted their daughter to stay with him,the message had read.
She smiled thinly as she remembered the man that had given her life and power, but the smile vanished as she remembered that their contract marriage would soon expire
Rachel continued breathlessly. "You have a packed schedule tomorrow. A meeting with investors at 9 a.m., followed by a photo shoot for your new campaign at 2 p.m., and then a gala event at 7 p.m."
Mariama nodded, her eyes scanning the schedule on Rachel's tablet. "Anything else?"
"Yes, the designer from Paris is still waiting for your approval on the new collection," Rachel replied.
Mariama's gaze narrowed. "I'll get to it later. First, I have a score to settle."
She said her voice even as she smiled at what was going to happen.
This time for revenge, and she will serve it cold and juicy, as bitter as vodka and at the same time as sweet as honey.
The corners of her lips rose up in a sneer, they wouldn't be shocked that she was the one.
No, Annette Perez was dead, forgotten, but Mariama was alive. Thanks to the surgery, she still looked a bit like her former self though.
But no one would ever know.
Rachel's eyes widened, staring at Mariama, but she said nothing, knowing better than to pry into Mariama's personal affairs.
As the Rolls-Royce glided through the city streets, Mariama's mind was focused on one thing – revenge.
She had returned to this city after five years, and her sights were set on those who had wronged her in the past. The question was, who would be the first to face her wrath?
Raphael?
Roxanna?
Bernardo Esteban.
No, the old fool was dead.
But revenge would be served batch by batch, she assured them.
The Rolls-Royce pulled up to the entrance of the luxurious Bellavista Hotel, where Mariama had booked a suite for the duration of her stay.
As she stepped out of the car, a flurry of paparazzi cameras flashed, and reporters shouted her name, but she didn't have the time for that.
She was already expecting this. They wouldn't waIt to have a picture of Madame M. The reporters were going nuts.
Funny how people get to know you, track you down and even come very early to a particular place all because you are wealthy and damn popular.
Mariama smiled graciously, waving to the crowd before turning to Rachel.
"Get me everything you can find about the Esteban family," she instructed, her voice low and urgent. "I want to know their secrets, their weaknesses. Leave no stone unturned."
Revenge was brewing hot and she loved it.
Rachel nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She loved it when Mariama entrusted such tasks to her, it gave her immense joy and made her feel so important.
"Consider it done, Madame M."
As Mariama swept into the hotel lobby, heads turned in her direction.
She was a woman who commanded attention, and she knew it. She loved it.
The power, the charisma, the steeze and she wanted more of it.
The concierge rushed to greet her, handing her a key card and bowing low.
He was a small man dressed in a well-tailored black suit, glasses with thick rims which he kept pushing up the bridge of his nose occasionally as he rattled and was on his heels to keep up.
He kept smiling like the next day was his wedding day.
"Welcome back to Bellavista, Ms. Navarette. We've upgraded you to our presidential suite."
Mariama smiled, her eyes glinting with satisfaction, but she said nothing.
"Thank you. I expect nothing but the best."
As she stepped into the elevator, Mariama's mind was already racing ahead to the task at hand.
She had a reputation for being ruthless in business, and now she was ready to unleash that same ruthlessness on those who had wronged her in the past.
The elevator doors opened, and Mariama stepped into the magnificent suite, her eyes scanning the lavish decor.
She poured herself a glass of champagne from the waiting bottle and walked out onto the balcony, standing so strong,she was gazing out over the glittering city skyline.
Just then Rachel came in and said in a whisper.
"I think we have a small problem, Madame M." She said, Mariama took a sip and said nothing.
"Mr Bernardo Esteban is dead," she said in a rasp." The news got to us pretty late and tomorrow is his funeral. He is a business associate, and we are supposed to meet next week so he can hand the company over." She finished.
"What are we going to do ?"
Mariama turned around and pushed the half-drunk glass of champagne to Rachel, who tried to hold it without falling the tablet and files she was holding.
"And who says another person won't be able to sign the company away?" She said, walking off.
It was time to put her plan into action.
No turning
Back, no forgiveness. She doesn't need Karma's help now, she will do it on her own.
She was a woman of steel, steeze, sauce and suspense.