CHAPTER 2: THINKING OF TODAY

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?

The woman looked at her as if she knew her very well. Being aware of this one gives her goosebumps.

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 showed her attire in front of her. She even turned around for her to see the smaller details of what she is wearing right now.

“I need to hear your thoughts on this, madam.” She said while grinning.

"I am happy that you’re taking my tastes into consideration, dear.” She commented as she narrowed her gaze upon her.Veena couldn’t help but giggle. For her, it’s already a great compliment from the one and only Miss Sally Greene.

"Madam, I also love how you choose your outfit for tonight. You looked elegant without any effort. Also, the curves fall perfectly into place as well." She showed a slight grin as she also turned around. She wore a backless gown that reached her feet. The color is just plain black but she looked regal in that outfit. 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.

"The convention will be in three-days time. Let's enjoy the activities prepared by the organization for us. I am only but a part of the big group. Like all of you, I am also excited of what's in store for the week-long convention. For now, let's enjoy the party and meet new friends. Women run the world!" She smiled as everyone clapped to her short message.

"Madam, you're indeed awesome! Look at your fans, they can't get over with you." Veena leaned closer to her as she smiled. They are both holding a wine glass and took a sip on it.

"I am loving this convention. All the delegates came from the respective fields I am admiring the most."

"But you're the best among the rest, madam. In fact, you're the main guest speaker in this convention."

Sally chuckled because of the amazement of her personal assistant to her. She had known Veena for more than two years. She's only twenty-seven and yet she's also ambitious. She's a lawyer of Sally, and a fan of her as well. She treated her job being with Sally Greene as the greatest job one could ever have.

Being the assistant of a world-class writer, a top calibre car racer and a wealthy businesswoman, she couldn't simply ask for more. Being Sally's personal assistant gave her perks and opportunities nobody could easily enjoy.

"Do not admire me too much. Just do your job and gather information of what really my role is, to this convention."

"Yes, madam. I will." Her face became serious all of a sudden as she nodded. In a few minutes, Veena is out of sight. This made Sally grins from ear to ear. She's relieved that she got a trusted personal assistant that will make her stay perfect for the coming convention.

She stood up and went to the group of delegates from South America. Like her, each of them is successful of her own. She noticed that the dinner gala only consists of women outnumbering men who were just roaming around the hotel. Some were just curious of what the ongoing party meant at the function hall.

"Hello, Ms. Greene. What a beautiful sight and an impeccable addition to the group." She smirked as she raised one of her eyebrows. She doesn't know if Helena Siorre really mean those words or she's just being sarcastic.

"I am just checking on everyone, not an addition to this 'impeccable' group." Sally mimicked the way she said it that the rest of the women in the group laughed out loud.

She saw the grim look upon Helga's face as she gripped her wine glass very tight as she smirked at her. She sipped on her glass wine but she's not avoiding her gaze at Sally.

"Sally, we'll be glad if you stay with us for a while. I know you have a lot to share." One of her business colleagues, Rissa Wells. She gently held her arm as she smiled. She politely removed it as she looked into her eyes.

"Good for you, you have a lot of time. I got things to do. I have to go ahead of you, "impeccables". She chuckled as she walked past them, poised and chin held up high as she held her dress.

She heard their quiet scorn while looking at her walking past them. Other delegates were already complaining that their knees were hurting bad because of the heels. Others simply have signs of gout and brittle bones.

She walked between the crowd and she noticed that Veena rushed towards her, as she did the brisk walking out of nowhere.

"Madam," She said, panting as she is almost catching her breath.

"What is it?"