Chapter one

I trained my body for years, cultivated my mind, and above all, hardened my heart not to feel any compassion for Alexander Will Bennett.

My name is Ava Smith, I'm twenty-four years old, and I hold a degree in economics. I speak five languages: French, English, Spanish, German, and Italian. Tall, with red hair, blue eyes, and freckles on my face, I possess striking beauty. I am powerful, dangerous, and can have any man I desire eating out of my hand.

I wasn't raised by my parents; I lost them in a car accident early on. Since then, my brother Natan has taken care of me. Unlike me, he has green eyes and blond hair. Cold and calculating, he is the perfect definition of the man I consider a father.

I gaze at myself in the mirror one last time, and as always, I am stunning. My beautiful body is clad in a tight black dress, and my feet are adorned with high-heeled shoes of the same color. I applied light makeup and tied my hair in a pineapple bun.

I've always been passionate about my physical appearance; I love everything about myself, especially the freckles on my face, the color of my eyes, and my hair. I confess that when I lost Bella, I didn't care about anything else; I just wanted her back with me. I've lost count of how many times I begged God to bring her back to me, but unfortunately, my plea was never answered. Perhaps I should plead with more faith, or maybe I should simply accept her death, but I believe that will never happen. Fourteen years have passed, and yet I still remember that day as if it were yesterday.

After a few minutes contemplating my life, I grabbed my golden bag and left home in a taxi.

The driver stopped in front of the massive Bennett family building, and I must admit he looks even more handsome in person than in photos. I took money from my bag, handed it to the driver, and exited the car.

I took a deep breath before taking the first step, and when I composed myself, I walked to the main entrance.

"Your ID, miss," the security guard said.

"I don't work here yet. I came for the interview for the owner's personal assistant position."

"Alright," he said, assessing me from head to toe. "Please proceed to the thirty-seventh floor."

"Thank you."

As the elevator doors opened, I saw a young woman of average height with black hair and green eyes.

"You must be Sophia," she smiled.

When my sister committed suicide, my brother decided to change our names and everything that connected us to our past. It wasn't easy for either of us to leave our identities behind, but it was for the best. Today, my brother is called Natan, and I don't remember the last time he called me Brian, nor do I recall the last time he called himself Ava.

Leaving my country wasn't easy for me, nor was leaving the city where I lived, my neighbors, and especially Zara and Aunt Alice, who were like a true family to me. I would like to see them again, but I'm not ready for that yet.

Much has changed since Bella died. I've changed, Brian has changed, the world has changed. The only thing that hasn't changed and never will is the hatred I feel for Alexander Will Bennett. This man destroyed the best in me, and I am determined to show him everything I've become.

"And you are?" she asked, extending her hand.

"Samantha," I shook her hand. "Come, I'll take you to Mr. Bennett."

I hadn't paid much attention, and only now do I see how beautiful everything is; apparently, the bastard loves good decoration. Sophisticated tables and chairs in the middle of the room, Apple computers on each of them, and vinyl flooring.

People rushing around with papers in hand, others just having coffee, perhaps to cure their hangovers.

We walked towards a room different from the others, and Samantha knocked on the door twice before hearing a 'come in.'

"Sir, this is the last candidate."

"Thank you, you may leave."

"With pleasure."

Standing in front of him, I remember everything he did to my sister, how he destroyed her dreams and left her cruelly as if she were nothing. I've been following his career for several years; he's a handsome and successful man. It will be victorious to destroy everything he has built his whole life, not just his professional career, but everything.

"Please, Miss, have a seat!" he pointed to the black armchair, and I complied. He stared at me for a while, as if searching for someone in me, and then I realized he got lost in my beautiful and intense blue eyes. "I am Alexander Bennett, the CEO of this company," he said it as if it were a great revelation. "The four candidates I personally chose to interview have impressive resumes, much like yours. Tell me, Miss Villalobos, why should I hire you instead of them?"

"Because I am available twenty-four hours a day."

Alexander remained silent for several seconds, and by his expression, I can affirm that the answer pleased him greatly. This is much easier than I imagined. The questions continued, and I answered each one fearlessly. I had waited for this moment for many years, and no one could take the opportunity to be close to the enemy from my hands.

"Hired," he finally said. "Can you start tomorrow?"

"Of course," I flashed the fakest smile I could manage.

"Great, when you leave, talk to Samantha. She will take care of providing you with everything you need."

"Thank you, sir. I assure you won't regret it."

"I know I won't. I'm never wrong."

After Samantha handed me my new boss's schedule and personally took care of my ID badge, I left the company and decided to walk the streets of the country I was forced to leave as a child. Everything is still beautiful, just as I remembered it—people always in a hurry as if there were no others, speeding vehicles, and skyscrapers still catching the eye, although some have become more modern.

I stopped in front of a restaurant and decided to go in. I approached a table away from the others and sat down.

"Good afternoon, madam. Do you know what you'd like to order?"

"Yes, a cioppino, please."

"Noted, I won't be long."

And it wasn't long at all.

How wonderful it is to savor a good dish typical of your homeland. In Canada, there are many American restaurants, but nothing compares to the feeling of eating knowing that you are finally in your native land.

I missed it here, the warm and cold climate at the same time, amusement parks, squares, but above all, the food.

After leaving the restaurant, I passed by a flower shop and bought the flowers she loved (jasmine). It's been an eternity since I've been here, fourteen years, a long time, I know. My brother sends money every month to the caretaker who takes care of this cemetery, and now and then, he asks a friend to check on how the grave is.

Why, Bella, why did you do this to yourself? Okay, you loved him, but you didn't need to go so far. They say out there that it's possible to love more than one person in this life and that one love can very well heal another. Well, maybe I don't understand much about matters of the heart, but one thing I am certain of: he didn't love you.

The tears I tried to hold back when I arrived fell, and once again, I found myself swearing that I will get revenge.

I got home and sent a message to Natan, telling him everything went well and that we're finally close to the enemy.

I took a shower, put on comfortable clothes, and had dinner while watching some random soap opera.

Lying on my bed, I close my eyes and fall asleep happily, knowing that a new chapter of my life begins tomorrow.