A letter to the post man

"Why would you do that to yourself? Life's good," his voice was deep, almost commanding.

I wanted to laugh at his words. Life is good? Life had taught me more than just "good" ever since I turned fourteen.

I opened my eyes and turned to look at the man with a deep, almost humorous take on life. And there he stood—he looked mature, perhaps in his late twenties, maybe 26. His thick, long black hair framed his face, and he carried a very masculine aura. A cold presence, yet somehow comforting.

He smiled, a small, sincere smile, and said, "Miss, you should never do that to yourself. No matter what you're going through, your parents wouldn't want you dead. And cowards run from their problems—you shouldn't be a coward and run from yours. You should try to solve them until your last breath."

I couldn't find the words to respond. His words hung in the air, and before I could gather my thoughts, he grabbed my hand and began descending the hill with me.

"What's your name?" he asked as we walked.

"Reina," I replied softly.

He smiled again. "Nice to meet you, Reina. I'm lost. I came to explore and somehow ended up lost in these mountains. If you don't show me the way, I'll miss my flight."

Without hesitation, I told him to follow me.

"Is it far from here?" he asked.

I thought for a moment. It would be a long walk to the airport. "It's quite far," I said.

He suddenly made loud, amusing noises, and I couldn't help but laugh. This man had a way of making anyone smile, despite his serious face. I later realized the noises were him calling for his horse.

Then, from out of nowhere, a white horse appeared.

It was his horse—Snowball.

He jumped onto the horse with ease and waved me over. "Hop on," he said.

I shook my head, laughing a little, "I've never ridden a horse before."

Without a second thought, he jumped down, picked me up, and placed me gently on the horse. He sat behind me, his strong arms around my waist, holding me tightly as the horse started to move. The moment was surreal, as if everything around me had paused. This man had just saved my life, and now we were riding a horse together.

"Which way?" he asked, clearing his throat.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I had to snap myself out of it. I directed him, and the horse began moving faster, its hooves pounding on the ground. He held me tighter, and I could feel the warmth of his presence.

For the first time in a long while, I felt something close to peace.

As we arrived at the airport, he dismounted and lifted me down. Just then, a few men in black approached him. He turned to me, leaned in close, and whispered in my ear, "Thank you, Reina."

He handed me a small candy, wrapped in a colorful package with a picture of a little girl on it and the words Sweet Tooth written across it. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the private jet waiting for him.

I watched until the plane vanished from sight.

I looked at the candy in my hand, smiling faintly. But then a thought struck me—I didn't even have a chance to thank him properly, or ask for his name, or where he came from. I felt a pang of disappointment in myself.

But then I remembered his words: Never give up.

I smiled to myself and ran home, feeling lighter than I had in days. A thought of him would pop into my mind every now and then, so I decided to sketch him. I drew him and wrote Mysterious Man beneath it. I tucked the drawing into my diary, a little keepsake to remind me of the kindness that had saved me.

As time passed, Alex calmed down and started talking to me again. He wasn't as distant. I helped him at the restaurant, and we managed to make enough money to look for a university for him. The money we made was only enough for him to go to school.

He deserved to go much more than I did.

Alex was soon accepted into the university, so he moved out. He would call and update me about his time there. I always encouraged him to study hard.

He was studying architecture, and I knew he was going to be better than our father ever was.

One afternoon, I was working at the restaurant when a new customer came in. He looked like a foreigner.

He stared at me as he walked closer and gave me a card .

I stared at the card slowly .

It was a modeling agency in the northern lands .

It was a brand called vulgari 

He had his number beneath the card .

I packed and closed for the day .

I went to shower and as I took off my clothes the card fell off and I decided to call the number .

A man answered " I told him I was given the card in the morning at a restaurant" he said he recalls giving me the card , he praised how I was uniquely beautiful and I was exactly what he needed for his modeling agency .

He told me all about it and said he would pay me 20,000$ after every single post I made.

I was so excited. 

But he said I would have to leave my hometown for the work .

I told him to give me a moment to think about it 

I hanged up .

I knew this amount of money could take care of Alex's education for a whole year .

I only had a problem ,I didn't know if Alex would agree to his demands for me to leave our hometown the southern lands .

I wanted to take Archie from my father .

I knew this amount could even help me cater for my family.

I decided to call Alex and tell him about it .

He hesitated for a while but I pleaded and told him about my plans and I would only be working for him for a few months and I would return .

He had no choice but to agree .

I called the man after a week and told him I was ready .

I closed my mom's restaurant,packed my few clothes and headed to the airport .

He booked my flight and we left for the northern lands .

It was a four hour flight.

I could tell he was a fashion designer 

He looked quite old 

Probably 45.

He hand a French accent .

As the plane landed in the northern lands 

I knew this country had alot in store for me 

I had this feeling this town would change my life for the better.

This town felt like home .

He booked a hotel for me to stay and rest and told me he would call me back the other day 

He gave me money to buy some clothes .

The hotel was so big and expensive .

My room was a sight to behold 

I was so tired so I went to the shower and jumped to bed 

The bed was extremely soft so I drifted to sleep without telling Alex I had reached safety.

I woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. I had dreamt of my mother's death, and the words she told me kept echoing in my mind. I was so sad suddenly. I picked up my phone and saw fifty missed calls from Alexander. I called him, thinking he wouldn't pick up in the middle of the night. But to my surprise, he answered.

"Reina, are you okay?" His voice was full of worry, the concern laced with something deeper that tugged at my heart. "Where are you? I've been calling non-stop."

"I'm fine," I whispered, the sadness from the nightmare still hanging over me. "I just needed a moment to myself. I'm here, at the hotel. I'm safe."

There was a pause, and I could tell Alex was relieved. "I was so worried. I'll be okay, but don't forget to call, Reina. You don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you."

"I know, Alex. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner," I said softly. "But I'm here now, and I'll be careful. I promise."

We spoke for a while longer, but eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted back to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to the bustling sounds of the city, the unfamiliar surroundings sinking in. The hotel room was quiet, luxurious, and the weight of it all began to settle on me. But there was no time to waste. Today was the day I would meet with the modeling agency and take the next step in this new life.

As I got dressed, the card from the restaurant—Vulgari—lay on the bedside table. I picked it up again, staring at the number, and felt a surge of excitement mixed with apprehension. I had made the decision to come here, and there was no turning back now. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this would be more complicated than I imagined.

Just as I finished getting ready, I received a call from the agency. It was the man who had given me the card at the restaurant.

"Reina," he greeted me, his voice smooth, "I hope you rested well. I'll have someone pick you up soon to take you to our headquarters. I'm excited for you to start, and we'll discuss everything when you get here."

I tried to keep my voice steady. "I'm looking forward to it. I'll be ready."

I hung up and took a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror. Today would change everything, for better or for worse.

I decided to have a research about the brand .

As I continued my research, I found out more about Mr. Khan Vulgari and his daughter. The more I read, the more I felt like I had stumbled upon a completely different world. Khan Vulgari was indeed a respected figure in the fashion industry, known not just for his brand, but also for his charitable works. He had built Vulgari into a powerhouse of luxury, but it seemed that despite all his success, he had lost something irreplaceable—his wife. I could understand why that might have changed him.

His daughter, on the other hand, seemed to be a world away from the glamorous fashion scene that her father was known for. While her name was well-known in zoological circles, her interest in the wild—spending months in Africa tracking rare species—was a far cry from the runway shows and luxury collections her father was immersed in. The more I read about her, the more I admired her. Her passion for animals and her determination to carve her own path, despite being born into such wealth and expectation, was something I respected. It was refreshing to see someone so deeply connected to nature and the world outside the fashion industry.

I couldn't help but wonder if she would be a friend, someone who would understand my own desires and challenges. The more I thought about it, the more I found myself liking her. Maybe we could meet one day and share our stories. She had the kind of adventurous spirit I was beginning to admire, and I felt like I could learn a lot from her.

I was still lost in thought when I received a knock on the door.

"Miss Reina," the voice outside the door called softly. "It's time to head to the agency. Mr. Vulgari is expecting you."

I quickly grabbed my things, checked the room one last time, and headed for the door, my thoughts still lingering on the Vulgari family and what was to come next.

Timothy Clark, the man with the French accent, introduced himself formally as my designer and personal guide in the modeling world. His demeanor was refined yet approachable, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had mastered his craft.

"We'll start by preparing you to meet Mr. Khan Vulgari," he said with a slight smile, gesturing toward the car waiting outside. "First impressions are everything, and you, my dear, will need to look your absolute best."

He drove me to an upscale boutique in the heart of the northern lands. The shop was nothing like the ones back home—every corner glimmered with luxury, and the clothes looked like they belonged in a museum. Timothy expertly picked out dresses, jewelry, and shoes for me, moving with an air of precision and expertise. He selected outfits that were not only stunning but also elegant and modest.

"These will do," he said, handing a silk gown to the cashier. "You are naturally beautiful, Reina, but today, we enhance."

The next stop was a high-end studio where a team of serious-looking makeup artists awaited me. Their movements were swift and calculated, their hands weaving magic on my face. When they finally turned the mirror toward me, I barely recognized myself.

"Magnifique," one of them whispered, stepping back to admire their work.

Even Timothy seemed momentarily stunned. "Reina, this is the version of you the world needs to see," he said softly. "You look like you were born for this."

I smiled shyly, overwhelmed by the attention. Cameras began clicking all around me, the flashes bright and relentless. I backed away instinctively, feeling a little overwhelmed by the sudden focus. Timothy stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Don't fear the cameras, Reina," he said kindly. "They will be your closest companions in this new journey. Let them capture your essence."

The words gave me courage, and I allowed myself to step back into the spotlight for a few moments. Afterward, I changed into one of the dresses Timothy had chosen for me—a floor-length gown in deep emerald green. It hugged my figure perfectly, the fabric shimmering faintly under the studio lights.

When I emerged from the dressing room, the room fell silent. Timothy gave me an approving nod. "Now," he said, "you look like a queen, just as your name suggests."

I felt a surge of confidence as I followed Timothy to the car. He drove me to Mr. Khan's villa, which was unlike anything I had ever seen. The house loomed before me like a modern-day castle, its grandeur almost unreal. Gold accents shimmered in the sunlight, and the entire structure seemed to sparkle as if it were dusted with diamonds.

Timothy led me inside, and I sank into the softest sofa I'd ever touched while we waited for Mr. Khan. It felt like a cloud beneath me, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the luxury. But my thoughts were interrupted when Timothy gestured for me to follow him to another part of the house.

We stood in a grand hall when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. A tall, impeccably dressed man entered the room with an air of authority. His salt-and-pepper hair and sharp suit spoke of wealth and experience.

"Miss Reina," he said warmly, extending his hand. "I am Mr. Khan Vulgari. Welcome to the Vulgari family."

I bowed my head slightly and shook his hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Vulgari," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm Reina Premiera." I didn't want to use my father's surname Lockwood .

"Premiera," he repeated, smiling. "A perfect name for a face like yours. Reina, you embody the elegance and sophistication that Vulgari represents. I am thrilled you've joined us."

"Thank you, Mr. Vulgari," I replied. "It's truly a privilege to work with such a renowned brand."

He nodded approvingly before stepping aside to speak with Timothy about the next steps. I excused myself and wandered the hall, trying to take it all in. This was a world so far removed from my own, yet I felt a strange sense of belonging.

Later, Timothy returned to inform me that I would be moving into a luxury apartment provided by the agency. "Your belongings have already been transferred," he said, handing me a sleek, customized card with my name etched in gold. "This will grant you access to the apartment and serves as your identification with Vulgari."

When we arrived, the apartment took my breath away. It was modern and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. Timothy handed me another envelope—a bank card linked to an account Vulgari had set up for me. I checked the balance and saw $1,000 already deposited. My first instinct was to send $500 to Alex.

I called him that evening, eager to share my excitement. "Alex, you won't believe it," I said, describing the villa, the photo shoot, and my new home. We laughed together, and he reminded me to stay true to myself despite all the luxury.

After we hung up, I explored the apartment, running my fingers over the sleek furniture and taking in every detail. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to feel hope. This was the start of a new chapter, not just for me but for my siblings as well.

Standing by the window, I looked out at the glittering city lights and whispered to myself, "This is for you, Mom."

It wasn't long when I heard a knock on the door .

A delivery man handed me a neatly packaged box, his tone polite but hurried. Inside, I found an exquisite outfit—a red velvet dress from Vulgari, a dainty diamond necklace that sparkled like stardust, and a pair of sleek black stilettos.

"This is for the welcome party," he informed me with a quick nod, before adding, "Please get ready and wear these. A car will be waiting downstairs shortly."

For a moment, I stood there stunned. A welcome party? Was this really for me?

I carefully unwrapped the items and slipped into the dress. It hugged my figure perfectly, the fabric soft and luxurious against my skin. I fastened the diamond necklace around my neck and slid into the stilettos. The box also contained a matching mask, which I tied around my face, adding an air of mystery to my appearance.

I caught my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the person staring back. I looked regal, almost like a character out of a fairytale. For the first time in a long while, I smiled at my reflection, feeling a surge of confidence.

As I stepped out of my apartment, a sleek black car was already waiting for me. The driver, dressed impeccably, opened the door for me with a respectful bow.

The moment I slid into the backseat, I felt like a princess. The car's interior was plush and luxurious, with soft leather seats and subtle golden accents.

The drive was smooth and quiet, my heart pounding softly with anticipation. When we arrived at the destination, the driver quickly exited the car and opened the gate for me.

What lay before me was breathtaking—a grand estate with towering gates, twinkling fairy lights, and an enchanting ambiance. It was a scene right out of a dream, and I couldn't shake the feeling that this night would be unforgettable.