"Gabriel!!"
Kamila jolted from her bed as the bullet implanted in her chest, the pain sent her spiralling out of slumber and into the real world. Her eyes shrunk in fear and sweat covered her form. Her chest heaved heavily, her body shaking and her eyes glistening with tears about to fall.
She had the nightmare again. The dream of how her life changed.
She managed to calm herself down, regulating her heartbeat, looking out the window, the sun had risen, and her alarm was singing to her repeatedly. Finally broken out of her trance, she grabbed her phone to see what time it was.
"I overslept…" she told herself and quickly pushed her from off her bed. Moving to the mirror, she was met with brown eyes that held the experiences of life, full and sad. Her lips were a plump pink from the lip stain that her personal shopper swore would never come off. Her wavy hair was a mess and her tanned skin reflected a good living. But as Kamila took off her robe, her eyes were met with the bullet wound of the past. Her fingers gently grazed over it and a deep resentment filled her once again. Her fingers clenched unmistakingly as she forcefully wiped out tears from her eyes.
Going into the bathroom to get herself ready, she did so rather quickly and picked her outfit for the day. One of her favourites, she wore it when she needed to make a statement and today was a day to make a statement. But first, she had to see her son before she went to conquer the world.
Kamila descended the staircase of her lavish mansion like a queen walking down the steps of a royal palace. She was dressed in a flawless sky-blue suit that hugged her body in all the right places. The fabric was smooth, tailored to perfection, and it flowed with her every step—sharp yet soft, powerful yet graceful. The blazer had a double-breasted cut, cinching slightly at the waist, emphasizing her figure without trying too hard. Draped over her shoulders was a matching long coat, lined with pale blue fur that added a touch of quiet luxury.
Her wide-legged trousers fell neatly, elongating her frame and giving her the commanding presence of a woman who knew her worth—and wasn't afraid to show it. In her hand, she carried a tiny white designer handbag, crisp and elegant, the perfect contrast to the blue of her suit.
As she walked into the dining room, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, her young son looked up from his bowl of cereal. His big brown eyes lit up in admiration. "Mum," he said with a grin that melted her heart, "You look amazing!"
Kamila smiled, her features softening, and sat beside him, placing a kiss on his forehead. Before taking over a company that morning, she chose to be a mother first.
"Thank you sweetie, where is Elisa?" her eyes darted for her personal maid, but looking at her son, she knew her maid had handled everything in her absence.
"She is packing my lunch. She got me ready too! But mum, you look so beautiful, you are the most beautiful person in the world!" Callum, her son, gleefully announced, and it forced a bit of red to stain Kamila's cheeks. She knew that when he grew up, he would be getting all the girls' attention with his sweet words. She pulled his cheeks lovingly making him giggle just when Elisa exited the kitchen with his lunchbox.
"Oh Madam, you are awake. I thought you wouldn't go to work today." She placed the box on the table gently before bending to greet Kamila. Kamila flashed her a small smile.
"On a big day like this? I am even dressed for it." her lips were curved in a small smirk as she threw her eyes to Callum for a quick second before returning them to her, "thank you for getting him ready while I was still asleep." she caressed his head gently and Elisa could only smile, she viewed Callum as her own.
"Madam, may I say a word?" she asked for permission and with a nod, Kamila allowed her, "my grandmother told me that we grow more when we do not harbour any bitterness. However, you have kept yours for 8 years madam."
"And this bitterness is what kept me alive. I will…" she paused a while, turning to her son who was enjoying his cereal, choosing to say what she meant in another way, "I have to pay the coin that was dealt to me. Then there will be no bitterness in my heart." she wanted to have her revenge, "Callum, it is time to go to school. Mummy will drop you."
Her words made him light up once again as he washed the residue with chilled water, "really? Mummy will take me to school, awesome!" he punched the air in enthusiasm while both women smiled at the child, "mummy, there is a PTA coming soon, are you going to be there too? I really want you to come." he gave her his best puppy eyes, and she melted right away.
"I promise I will be there. So all of your friends will see how cool your mum is." she pulled his cheeks again, and they could have sworn he did a cartwheel out of joy.
"Lets go!" he cheered as he rushed outside to the car, Kamila followed him and so did Elisa with his lunch box and bag in her arms.
After Kamila had dropped her son at school and kissed him goodbye, she drove to the prestigious Cinz cooperation. The headquarters reached the heavens, and they dealt in everything from construction technology. Everyone wanted to do business with Cinz and Kamila was taking over. Worth billions of dollars, this was the day Cinz would be hers, officially.
The truth is that Benny never died, the day she was shot, she had passed out and was unconscious. Fortunately she was found and saved, the bullet was removed, but her soul had changed. She was angry, and hurt, she was vengeful. Hence, Kamila was born. And Kamila sought revenge for everything that happened to her. She had done nothing but love Gabriel, and he had stabbed her in the back. She had planned her revenge carefully for years and this was her chance to pay back the coin she was dealt.
When she reached Cinz, the receptionist immediately recognized her and let her in to see the CEO. She was an elite and she didn't need to wait to get into places she had to be.
Kamila stepped into the CEO's office of Cinz Corporation, her heels sinking into the plush carpet like they belonged there. The moment she crossed the threshold, her eyes swept across the room—this was no ordinary office. It was a masterpiece.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one side, offering a panoramic view of the skyline bathed in warm golden light. The fading sun hit the glass just right, painting the room in a glow that screamed success. Sleek, modern lighting lined the high ceiling, casting soft shadows over rich wood floors and luxe furnishings.
A towering bookshelf stood tall behind the massive desk, filled with leather-bound books and awards—clearly meant to impress. The desk itself was a bold statement piece: dark wood with smooth, crisp lines, and a silver accent running along the edges. Two large screens sat on top, perfectly aligned, next to a stylish desk lamp and a crystal figurine that probably cost more than most people's rent.
Plush leather chairs and a contemporary glass coffee table sat off to the side, surrounded by tall, healthy plants that gave the space a calm, grounded feel despite the power it radiated. It was the kind of office that said: only the most important people ever set foot in here.
Kamila, however, didn't flinch. She took it all in with the quiet appreciation of a woman who had seen wealth before and wasn't intimidated by it. In fact, she exuded such a calm, commanding confidence as she walked further in that even the CEO, who had been expecting a nervous wreck, found himself slightly taken aback.
Without waiting to be offered, Kamila glided toward one of the sleek chairs across from the desk and sat down—comfortable, elegant, completely in control.
This was her power play, and she was playing it flawlessly.
"I didn't ask to see anyone today." The CEO, an elderly man, looked at her with raised eyebrows, but Kamila wasn't phased, but instead sent him a courteous smile.
"How rude of me to come in without an introduction." She stood from her seat and went to the man who was behind the expansive desk and offered her hand, "Hello, I am Kamila Vernz, the CEO of Cinz Cooperation." her smile was coy, but it only angered the man. How dare she assume his position that he worked so hard to build?
"Enough of your foolery, I will have you thrown out this instant!" his last nerve stepped on and Kamila was slightly taken aback, she didn't expect the old man to have such a temper. But then again, she wasn't surprised since she knew he only treated men with a bit more respect. She pouted gently at him.
"You cannot throw me out. For you see, I own 70% of Cinz now, bought with my hard-earned money." she snapped her fingers and watched the old man's face turn, was he clueless? She was amused, "surely you should have known? Or didn't your directors give you the information? Your receptionist at least?" She felt bad for the old man.
"Chris, come to this office immediately!" speaking into the intercom, he summoned his receptionist and very soon, Chris came in almost running, feeling that his boss was about to behead him.
"Yes sir, what can I help you with sir?" he was shaking a bit before the old man pointed to Kamila with a harsh finger.
"You let this crazy woman into my office, get her out of here immediately!" he barked at him, but Chris turned to look at Kamila before turning to his boss, his brows creased with discomfort and awkwardness. He shook his head, raising his hands in defeat, "what do you mean by no? Are you mad too?!"
"Mr Hopkins, Ms. Vernz here bought 70% of the corporation last week. I sent you the email of the shareholders and directors willing to sell their shares to her for much more than it was worth. I also sent a text and a voicemail while you were out. I did everything sir, but she is the CEO now." Chris explained with a shaky voice and the reality of Mr Hopkins shattered to a billion pieces. His eyes went back to Kamila who had a near evil smirk.
He felt like a big idiot.
"Ms. Vernz, do excuse my rude behaviour. I—"
"Hold it. I am not here for apologies, I am here to offer you a deal. You have the remaining 30%, I want half of it for $500m. I am offering more, sign it over to me and I will forget that this ever happened." She proposed her deal and with shaky eyes and a ragged breath, Mr Hopkins weakly agreed to her business deal. She smiled at him ever so warmly before she flicked her index finger upwards, telling him to get out of the chair.
With his tail within his legs, he gets up for her to assume the chair of CEO. It was comfortable, and she liked the new position of power.
"Chris…" she turned to her new receptionist, and he immediately bent his head for her.
"Yes ma'am!" He was ready to do anything she wanted.
"Give me a report of all the pending deals we have with other businesses, I want to review them personally. I run Cinz now, and it is run by my rules alone." With a snap, Chris ran to do her bidding at the same time, escorting Mr Hopkins out of his old office.
Kamila took in the air like a champion, but this was just a small step in her grandmaster plan. Gabriel would never know what hit him when the company he thought he had scored a deal in would reject him in front of the entire world.