THE DEVIL IN ME

The Africana

It had been a few years since the incident and she was as certain as ever that she would never fall in love again. She had made a name for herself, now she wasn't the lonely, naive and childish girl she was before although relationship still meant a lot to her, she would never mix that with business, she was now a stern, ruthless and stone hearted woman, who didn't like mistakes. Her father business was now hers and she had taken it to greater heights, more than anyone had ever thought of, she never liked to loose, she was now a free person no one remember the incident and showed her any sympathy or pity, she had lost her giggles and laughs in business and had also lost it in her life.
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After the court case, she took a knife and slit her wrist and immediately she was taken to the hospital.
"Why did you do that, huh, don't you love your mother anymore" Ann said making her tear up, water coming from her eyes and she hadn't even told anyone anything, although she had been through a lot she had always shared her problems, ' maybe that's the problem, I trust people, I'm too naive, I believe in love and worst of all, I never learn from mistakes. I have gotta change ' she though, "I'm sorry mom" were the only words she uttered. After dinner she fell on the bed and remember that night, it was horrible, she swore to always remember the night so she'll never fall in love, so she never make a mistake of trusting people, so she'll be self dependent, she looked at herself in mirror, although the scars and bruises on her body would eventually heal, the scars in her heart wouldn't, her Nana always said to let things go, well this time she would never let it go, "A wounded heart is much worse than any torment or torture, a wounded heart can kill, a wounded heart can destroy, a wounded heart can become the DEVIL or worse, Cherise never have a wounded heart because it'll change you into something you're not, always forgive and let things please my love" her grandmother's words flashed through her head, tears ran down her face, as she was about to break the one promise she had vowed to keep before her grandmother died, how people change with the change of time. She took out her most cherished childhood memories and threw them all in the trash can, going to her mother's room, she knocked and entered, "mom, do me a favor and throw theses things away, in fact just burn it, cos the owner of these items is dead" not waiting for her mom to reply she ran back her room, how people changed, she didn't care anymore, she stared at the wall for hours till she slept of.
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Days to weeks, weeks to months, she had turned to a stone cold business tycoon, earning a career that was know in almost every country in the world. From Tokyo to Alabama she was know for the partnership opportunities it gave, she didn't want to forget her past she didn't want to ever forget the pain, because it never washed away (mostly because she didn't want it to), it reminded her of every bad torment of that night.
"Ma'am, the clients are hear" Marilyn Albany said snapping Liz out of her thoughts to look her in her short pencil skirt with a light blue blouse to the way she parted her red hair, she stood up and walked behind her secretary. She stood in front of the people
"This is an accurate, visual representation of what the project is gonna look like if you partner with us" she said,
"We can understand but what if there is a loss in profit due to financial unstable means" the clever black man know as Fredrickson Bombash said, "thank you for your question but resources and assets have been made in case of that, but I'm sure it won't" she said. After the meeting everyone was in smiles as the deal was made and they Africans took her to lunch as a friendly gesture to celebrate and she had felt happy, for the first time she had experience a different culture and she seemed at peace with it, a smile had formed on her face after so many years. She went home that and planned for the trip to Africa,it was her first time, fully nervous about the second meeting to discuss the final plans and she was gonna meet the fierce business man that was known by everyone, the Boss of the company, he's name Julius Gonzales, she had never dare to see he's picture so it made it all excitingly nervous. The next day she drove to the airport and had waited for her flight, while reading the business section of a magazine, an old lady sat by her and said, " you seem nervous, first time flying", "no, not really" she answered, although she was stone cold she would never disrespect an elder, "ooo, so it's about business huh?", "Yes how do you know" she said
"Well, no one except from tycoons read business sections, cmon sweetie tell me what wrong," with her brain telling her not to, she couldn't help but tell her, "I have a meeting in a couple of hours in Africa and I know nothing about their culture, plus this particular company has stories that tell the state, the boss of this company is ruthless and doesn't settle for anything less than better than the best of the best, I have sweaty palms just thinking about it" the old lady smiled and asked, "what's your name", "Elizabeth Ranalde" she said, "well Elizabeth, if I wanna give you advice it'll be what my mother always told me ' boldness and courage are the best tool give to a good heart ' you have a good heart so be bold and don't let him detect your fear" and she smiled at the old lady and put her hands in hers, "thanks, aunt that means a lot and I feel a little less nervous, I'll make sure to remember your words" and then they heard, "Flight A7, please get to the front gate" she stood up and waved the friendly old lady good bye.
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