ROSYMy eyes were shut as Veronica touched up my face. Did I just say touch-up? I have been sitting in front of the dressing mirror for an hour and yet it doesn’t seem like it is going to end soon. “You are going to look like the princess of the Connor group of companies that you are,” Veronica bragged and popped a bubble gum. I sighed and groaned loudly, “When is this going to end?” “Uhm… ugh… in an hour or two.” I snapped my eyes open and set my head sharply in her direction. Her lips pursed out as she stared at me. “I don’t have time, Veronica,” I rebuffed. She turned up her lips in disgust and gave me an eye roll. “Keep calm, I want to make sure that you will be the most beautiful woman in that conference,” she chimed, dabbing a rogue on my cheeks. “Be fast about this, Veronica.” “I know, I know,” she repeated, waving her hands in the air. “I have three hours…” “You don’t have to say that a million times.” “Veronica, please throw off your bad vibes,

ROSY My blood boiled in joy when the name of my company echoed in the large hall. Thunderous applause rented the air as I was called up on the stage. I let go of Evan’s frozen hand and began to ascend the podium, my head swirled in pride with each step I took towards the microphone stand. I got on the podium and stared at the sea of unfamiliar faces of dignitaries and business legends. My dad used to be one of these legends, he was my idol, the one I looked up to. Even though we never had a heart-to-heart relationship, I have always wanted to be like him, a powerful tycoon, a well-known billionaire, one of the richest in Sicily. Here I am, standing before a crowd of strangers with an award that people die for. How did I get here? How did I make this dream a reality? I never expected this shocking surprise. I don’t even have any speech prepared for this moment. What do I say, how do I begin? I took a deep breath and stared intently at the stream of eyes that gazed at me w