Chapter 6

• Every perfect picture hides a crack—some are just better at staying out of sight; this was life as Melanie Cooper. While the world saw a firm powerful and stunning CEO, the young lady dealt with the tormenting feeling of being incomplete. She couldn’t tell what was missing, but she knew it was.
• **
• Now standing at the arrival hall with their bags in hand, Melanie wasted no more time finding the driver that had been assigned to her and while at it, she made sure not to lose hold of her child again.
• Thrown away by his looks, the handsome driver was dressed immaculately in a white suit that seemed almost too fine for the mundane duties of a chauffeur.
• “Welcome to Switzerland Madam.” The Man greeted with a smile.
• Hearing his accent, Melanie immediately confirmed that he was American, she was glad the company had found a native English speaker for her stay here.
• “Thank you.”
• The man immediately carried their bags and walked out to the curbside pickup where the car was packed.
• “Wow!” Mia exclaimed at the sight of the car, even Melanie was impressed, but what did she expect? She was the CEO and they would treat her to nothing but the best.
• The car in waiting was a Cadillac Escalade ESV 2024 model; a thing of beauty. They were ushered into the back seat and the driver took off with the speed of light.
• Melanie enjoyed being among the one percenters who could afford to ride in this luxury car, but life wasn’t always like this, she was not born into this wealth, she had spent the last eight years clawing her way up to the top.
• As they were driving off the airport gate, Melanie suddenly looked out of the window. There was a man getting into a Mercedes Benz S class dressed in a three piece suit, she had only seen his back but for some reason, he seemed oddly familiar.
• As it was her first time in Switzerland, Melanie doubted it was someone she knew.
• Melanie was here for a partnership deal and the biggest project that the company had ever scored, it was a wonderful time to be in charge.
• BioCrest Technologies GmbH, a limited liability company incorporated in Germany had been awarded a contract along with EcoNexus Corporation USA on a collaborative project to develop sustainable smart cities.
• Arriving at the Baur au Lac Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland, where she and her daughter would be spending the night, the CEO made a nice bath for herself and her daughter.
• Melanie quickly fed her seven years old child and put her to sleep with a bedtime story. She then got up from the bed and walked to the mirror. Melanie couldn’t help but admire the woman she had become, she was now a totally different person from eight years ago when she had left New York City, broken and torn apart.
• Leaving was the best decision she had ever made. She was a strong powerful CEO now, she looked better than ever. Her face glowing, her once long dark hair now dyed blonde and cut short to stop just above her shoulder.
• She had also disposed of her glasses, thanks to surgery; she didn’t need four eyes to see. She was in a better place, with her seven year old daughter who meant everything to her. A new name, a new identity, a new life!
• Camille Stanton had died eight years ago, and with her death, Melanie Cooper was born!
• **
• Melanie stepped out to the balcony to get some air, she needed to smell the air in Switzerland, it felt different from her home in Germany, her permanent place of residence.
• Melanie’s attention was suddenly caught by a familiar image, from above she noticed the same man from earlier at the airport, and again he was getting into his car, still wearing the same set of suit pieces.
• Melanie wondered if he was one of her delegates. Of course she was not here from BioCrest alone, the COO, Head of Business Developments and Partnership, as well as some of the company’s technical experts were here as well.
• While some of them had arrived before her, the rest came into the country after her. The convention between the two companies and their employer, the City of Zurich government, was going to be held the next day’s evening.
• The man soon zoomed off, driving out of the hotel in a hurry. Melanie sighed, maybe it was just one of the familiar faces from her past. For now, she needed to rest; she had a big day ahead of her.
• TBC!!