CARLOTTA
"Miss Evans, your flight is ready."
I nodded and waved my manicured hands at her dismissively and ended that call I was on. The flight was scheduled for my departure and I boarded the plane. Only I and my personal assistant were in my cabinet and others who were my workers sat elsewhere in the jet since it was private.
"Brief me on our branch in New York." I demanded politely.
Sara adjusted her thick lens glasses and began reading off a piece of paper, since we'd taken off, I looked at the window to admire the fluffiness of the clouds and the amazing sunshine that tried to pierce through them. I halted up a finger, interrupting Sara.
"It's beautiful isn't it? The clouds." I whispered.
"Absolutely ma'am." She concurred.
My thoughts drifted back to the first time I had boarded a plane, how the clouds were a companion to me but instead they were dark and gloomy; a synonym of what my future was meant to be but I changed it. I exhaled softly and signaled for her to read on. I'd already gone through all the needed information on C&K Company and tonight was the official opening and unveiling of its CEO.
"Did you check out the guest list and ensure they'd RSVP'D?"
"Of course ma'am."
I leaned back and bit my lower lips, my heart was racing against the walls of my chest as the thought of returning back to the same city that held dreaded memories for me.
"Mommy, can I have some candy?"
I flinched as the little soft voice tore through the fabrics of my thoughts. I smiled instinctively and turned to face a five year old beautiful girl. She held out her hands and I carried her up, sat her down beside me.
"Klara, no more candies for you today, you had six already." I scolded.
She pouted, making her signature baby face to try and convince me otherwise or better, charm me and I laughed and handed her a chocolate bar. Sara was smitten by Klara's cuteness and tried to sneak her a candy past me but I caught them and we all chatted a little bit, like family would because I prioritize my family over business.
Half an hour later, we all fell asleep and was only woken by the air hostess's announcement that we were landing in five minutes. We braced ourselves for impact and in five minutes time, we landed. As a fleet of cars was already awaiting us to drive us to our destination, Klara was excited and wouldn't stop jumping around. She's had a fantasy for New York and it's been her dream ever since I told her about it three months ago.
"Where to ma'am? The company or your mansion?" Sara asked as we got into the car.
"My house." I replied dismissively.
She shut the door and relayed the message to the driver and they drove off.
We arrived at the mansion fifteen minutes later and though it screamed of luxury I owned better. Klara was more than energized and excited to check things out in there while I was focused on getting ready for the unveiling that night.
We spent some quality time together and though Sara was my Personal Assistant she was also my friend and loves to take care of Klara for me. We ate, took a nap to rest after the long journey and when it was time; I dressed up, put Klara in her nanny's charge and dressed up for the biggest event in New York city that night.
'Miss Gloria, can you look at the camera please?'
'When next will you be making a public appearance?'
'Who do you think is the CEO of this fast rising company?'
I could hear reporters drill the couple that walked the red carpet. My limousine pulled up and I alighted from the car, instantly getting their attention and they rushed at me like never before, luckily; my bodyguards shielded me from them and shoved them aside to allow me a passage.
'Who is she? This is a never seen face before, do you mind telling us who you are ma'am?'
'What do you think of today's event?'
'How are you related to C&K Company?'
'You're without a man, isn't that inappropriate?'
I halted and turned to face the reporter who asked the question, fear gripped her as I smirked at her.
"I don't need a man to shine darling, I've got sparkles of my own." I said, confidently and walked away, numerous questions trailing behind me.
I was ushered into the Vip section of the huge hall and there were not so many people there since only the necessary people were meant to be there. I could see the look of ridicule on one of their faces and I laughed, the man was a major shareholder in the company and was famous for looking down on people.
"You're dressed more glamorous than anyone else yet you're just a representative of some company, where are you from?" He asked, disdainfully.
I chuckled and stopped Sara from correcting him. I took her by the hands and walked out of the place, deciding to mingle with only the guests.
"You shouldn't be here." Sara whispered, getting scared.
"Relax, nobody knows me that well." I assured her.
She got us glasses of champagne and I inhaled the air around the place, it reeked of rich arrogant people who wouldn't bat an eyelid before stomping the poor and underprivileged underfoot. I once struggled to get into that clique but now? I own the clique.
I turned around to leave and suddenly bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see-"
"You moron! How dare you ruin my dress! Do you know how much it costs? I had to pay a fortune for this. Are you blind?" A feminine voice cursed loudly.
Sara was infuriated about how she spoke to me but I held her back and wanted to give the rude woman a piece of my mind only to be shocked by who it was.
"What do we have here?" I remarked, snidely.
She looked up at me and gasped softly, I folded my hands and chuckled a bit softly while I boiled inwardly.
"You!" She hissed.
Sara looked from me to her.
"Hello sister." I greeted sarcastically.
"Carlotta? You? You're alive? But how, where-"
I watched in amusement how she mumbled words and was visibly shocked. I'd anticipated running into her by mistake or never but didn't know it would be on this day.
"How have you been?" I asked, nonchalantly.
She scoffed and eyed me like I was an eyesore.
"How did you get in here? Who let you in? Did you steal something or get married to some old man to-"
"Who do you think you are speaking to her in such a manner?" Sara chipped in.
I glared at Sara and she gulped in nervously, Floria scoffed loudly at her and went ahead to find more words to ridicule me, I could tell that Sara was amazed since she knew me not to let anyone ridicule me this way but I was patiently waiting for the best time to strike.
"Life hasn't been any easier on you, has it?" I uttered calmly.
Floria opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by someone.
"Floria darling, I've been searching for you all night, where have you-"
A deep baritone voice that vibrates through my stomach sounded, one I was so familiar with that it was stuck in my memory. His words trailed off as he sauntered up to us, his eyes widening in shock as he set them on me.
"Hello Kai." I greeted, somberly.
