CHAPTER 1: HER LUXURIOUS LIFE

“She’s here!”

It followed by a roaring cheer from her fans as she walked to that large hallway in going to the suites hall, a place suitable for conventions and press conferences. She flashed a wide, attractive grin to those people who were very happy to even get a sight of her. She waved at them in a very graceful manner. As a result, they cheered even more.

At the age of seventy-six, her grace and poise is still a bomb for the many people who admired her the most. Her health is still at its peak. Whenever people look at her physique, they couldn't easily guess her age if she will not reveal it herself.

She's wearing a nude mermaid satin long gown accentuated with brilliant crystals intricately designed by those sought-after designers who also happened to be her best friend. Underneath, she’s wearing glass shoes personally carved and made by one of her philanthropist fans.

"Wow, miss Sally Greene is really the best!" One of her die-hard fans exclaimed with glistening eyes.

"My gosh, I came all the way here just to see her! I mean, that twenty-two hour flight by plane is all worth it!" Another one boasted from the other.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment! I can never miss it!" One of her fans agreed and giggled to her colleagues too.

She smiled as soon as she heard them and most of her fans that's more than willing to hear from her. It's the most awaited day of the year again. She will be the major guest speaker for today's event about empowering women since it is women's month. A lot of delegates were expected to be present for this event that's coming from different countries around the world.

She waved gracefully as she passed by the crowds from different countries. Some people, if they will notice her coming towards their direction, they will get their cameras or phones right away. They will take pictures of her, mostly candid ones.

"Madam Greene, this way please." She held her chin high as she showed little to no reaction to the people assisting her.

"We apologize for the volume of people checking in this hotel, madam. They were just too excited to finally meet you in person." Her personal assistant walked beside her as she said those words.

"Well, that's understandable, honey. Let them. I am also excited to meet all of them."

"Madam, I regret to inform you that you cannot meet all of your fans. Your schedule is tight for today alone. Tomorrow's schedules are still tentative."

"Goodness gracious! What do they think of me? A pre-teen? They are not respecting an old woman." She sighed as she entered her VIP suit. Her personal assistant opened her door for her using a card.

"Madam, you don't look old, honestly speaking. Your essential oils are sold out in seconds."

"Thank you for the update, dear."

"I am more than happy to do it for you, madam." Her personal assistant smiled as she sighed. Knowing Ms. Greene, she doesn't easily compliment anyone unless she's pleased with their services. She loves to admire those who could do the things she wanted in the most perfect manner.

"Please rest here for a while, madam. We just landed from our flight. Time check," She glanced on her wristwatch and smiled.

"It's four in the afternoon. Your schedule for pictorials will be at 8:00 PM. I will go back here to check on you later, madam."

"Alright, do that Veena." She nodded as Veena closed her door. She looked around as she sat down on one of the most comfortable sofa beds in her presidential VIP suit. She could feel the softness of the material behind her. She admitted, it made her feel relaxed so much that she wanted to close her eyes.

However, she became very excited because this is an antique hotel she's in. Before she even accepted the invitation, she did her own research. This hotel has the best antiques in the world included as their decoration. She will be seeing the 1957 Aurora that she's been dreaming of gazing. She went near the window to see the antique car and it is indeed true. It is displayed between the garden. I can't help but to playfully tap my fingers on the window.

She went outside her room and walked along the quiet hallway, and only her clicking stilettos were heard. When she gazed her eyes around the hallway, it got foggy and mysterious all of a sudden.

An old woman her age appeared in front of her. She wore a simple dress from the 1950s. She beamed an inviting smile as she moved her hand as if letting Sally come near her.

"You have lived a full life." She greeted as she came closer to her.

"That's what they all say, thank you." The woman held her hand as she looked into her eyes. Sally gave her a puzzled look.

"Do I know you, perhaps?"

"Not at this age. I am only a part of your past. Do you really want to know me?" She smiled and it left Sally full of confusion clouded in her mind.

"Yes, I guess. The way I look at you, you seem to know me very well."

"Okay, let me introduce myself," The old woman smiled as she tightened her grip on her hand.

"Madam? Please wake up..." Veena gently tapped her shoulders that caused her to wake up all of a sudden.

Was that a dream?

But, she knew that she opened the door to her room a while ago. How can she forget that it led her to a quiet hallway? There, she met a friendly old woman, probably as old as she was. How come that it is only a dream when she could still feel the tightness of the old woman's grip on her arm?

"Madam, are you alright?" Veena brought her to her senses again.

"Y-Yes. What's my schedule for tonight?"

"Madam, I asked the management to just resume the remaining late night activities by tomorrow. You will only have the pictorial with some delegates and a small talk with them at the dinner gala."

"What a relief. Thank you for doing a great job, Veena." She smiled at her personal assistant who nodded right away.

"Anything for you, madam."

"Let's get ready for the dinner gala. I will be ready in forty minutes."

"I got that, madam. I will return here after forty minutes for you."

"Better get dressed, too. You are the reflection of me, remember that."

"Yes, madam. I will keep that in mind."

----

Sally Greene faced in front of the big mirror as she did her own make-up for a glam look. She could still remember the old woman very well. The way she would smile at her as if she knew her somewhere ages ago. She would fail whenever she would try to retrieve whatever information in remembering her. Why is that?

Did that woman come from her past? Why is she troubling her too much just for today? Is the woman ghost of this antique, five-star hotel?

Sally got the travel brochure from her handbag. She opened the section where she found this hotel: The Victoria's Heights. Where the past meets the future.

Her eyebrows met as she gently caressed her arm that's gripped by the old woman. The way she held her tight is still there. She can even see a faint, red circling mark near her wrist because of what she did to her.

Will she see her in the dinner gala?

She felt someone opening the door of her VIP room. As expected, Veena is the one who did that. She wore a long sleeved, black lace dress paired with crystal black stilettos. She also curled the ends of her hair for a stylish look.

Sally grinned with pride as Veena did a slo-mo turn for her.

"What do you think, madam?"

"That taste is perfect. I love it so much."

"Madam, I love your backless dress. It is showing your curves more." She showed a slight grin as she also turned around. She wore a black and white with leopard print backless dress that reached her feet. She matched it with five-inch stilettos.

"Madam, you know what? How I wish I could be beautiful like you as I grow older. Can you believe it? Even if you're seventy-six years old, you can still slay stilettos."

Sally Greene chuckled as she held Veena's arm.

"Age is just a number, honey. If you think you're old, you will just feel your body deteriorating. If you don't limit yourself to the things you wanted, you can do anything that you're passionate about."

"Thank you for that great advice, madam. I will always keep it in mind."

"I know you do, Veena. You're learning a lot as what I have noticed from you. You just have to keep it up."

----

They went to the function hall of the hotel and everyone is waiting for them to appear. When everyone spotted Ms. Sally Greene, they went wild that the host of the evening had to go in front of the stage to announce that they have to respect Ms. Sally Greene's space.

"I hope she will say something." Someone whispered to her friend near her.

"Yeah. I want to hear her secrets, you know." She also replied. Sally Greene gracefully stood up and went on stage. Everyone cheered as soon as they saw her in front.

"Hello, everyone. I am happy to be finally here before all of you." She smiled as she waved her hand. All eyes were on her as they anticipated what she'll say next.

“It’s an honor to be invited as one of the speakers. I am happy to share all the time that I had from the relevant topics we’re about to discuss. The whole duration of the event would be three-days time. I hope you will all be excited for what’s in store during these times. I am happy to welcome you in advance in attending this once-in-a-lifetime event. I hope you’re all enjoying everybody!” She smiled as everyone clapped to her short message. She noticed some of her spectators and bashers also raised an eyebrow because of her message. Well, she doesn’t care. The important thing is, she’s the star of this whole event and she can’t wait for it to start.