There was an air of mystery that surrounded the area outside the mansion walls. Alessandra Korkunova at age five was playing with her dolls as she looked out her bedroom window. The mountain view was starting to get tiring to look at. She could be extremely aware and observant, but started off as a very sad and isolated kid. Korkunova felt like she was living the same day over and over again. The maids and butlers routinely floating across the mansion halls made her childhood even more mundane.

She was more than just a pretty face, she liked to think of herself as a human vessel of intellect and curiosity. Little did she know that when she’d get older, she’d gain more experiences than what she bargained for. Ten years had passed since the age of five and her mother started to realize her daughter’s true potential. Her mother, being the CEO of a wedding cake company, had excellent attention to detail and could see that Korkunova was growing up to be a very gorgeous, intelligent and classy lady.

Believe it or not, Alessandra’s mother started off from the very bottom selling baked goods from her tiny apartment. She would get catering orders from many of her friends and deliver custom cakes and other novelties. Nanette Korkunova’s passion was to cater to people’s sweet tooth. Her father was a chef so it was no surprise that she turned out to be a foodie. Hard work and perseverance was something that Nanette knew plenty about as she had been rejected ten times before someone hired her.

Nanette once tried to get her daughter into cooking and baking as well but she knew that she was destined for bigger and better things. Soon she would have to tell Alessandra her and her husband’s secrets to wealth, fame and power.

On one stormy evening, Nanette brought her daughter into her office. Alessandra was coming of age. Nanette wanted to make sure that she had a future ready to be embraced. Alessandra loved her mother but as time went by, they had grown very distant from each other. It wasn’t intentional. Nanette worked the long hours and Alessandra was being homeschooled alot and left with barely any time to herself. Alessandra’s father who is Edward Korkunova had passed away last year so she knew her sadness wasn’t going away anytime soon.

“Yeah?” Alessandra didn’t look up when she said that. She was dusting a piece of dirt from her jacket. A shuffle of papers came from Nanette’s side. “A friend of mine works at a modelling agency. She’s the, uh… Oh I don’t know.. The person who makes the girls all pretty.”

Alessandra looked up now. “A hair and make up artist I imagine?”

Nanette Korkunova massaged the side of her head with her hand. “Yes. That. God, I don’t know what’s up with me forgetting things lately.” 

Imaginary steam came out of Alessandra’s ears. She had always known the dangers of becoming big in business. It was evident that her mother’s personal assistant, Mike, was being too hard on her. Nanette would receive catering orders from all over the world, in more quantities than what her workers could handle. She was getting tired. She was getting really… tired. “Ma, you work too hard,” Alessandra whispered as she moved closer to her mother and embraced her in a hug.

This was the first time in a long time that they had shared an intimate moment with each other. Hell, it must have been years since they hugged. Alessandra hated seeing her mother like this. Exhausted all the time, stressed out of her mind and forgetting simple things. She wanted her mother to give herself a break. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take an off day from work before. Take a vacation or something, please. You need it. I love you so much Ma and I want you to take time off for yourself.”

Nanette looked up and smiled at her daughter. She was a workaholic and had never thought about taking a day off from work before, but her daughter was very persistent and wouldn’t let her say no. “On one condition…”

“Just one?” Alessandra’s arms were still wrapped around her mother’s skinny waist. Alessandra was getting worried. She would like for her mother to gain a few pounds on the vacation. “Just one, hon. Take the job offer my friend is giving you. The one at the modelling agency.” Alessandra was hesitant, but she took it anyway. Just to make her mother happy.

“Okay, ma.”

Alessandra rolled her eyes when she saw Mike’s car outside. I bet he asked to come. Why can’t he just leave my mother alone? As if her mother was reading her own mind, Nanette interrupted her thoughts. “Oh, he’s not coming with me dear. I told him specifically that this was going to be me time.” This earned a breath of relief from Alessandra.

“What is he doing here though?” Alessandra closed the curtain before turning around to help her mother with the packing. She picked up a yellow blazer and purposely made a disgusted face at it. Mike’s car was yellow. “He’s just letting me know on any last minute appointments that I need to cancel. Or postpone. Oh dear, I know Martin is probably cussing me out in his head right now.”

Martin was… her boyfriend. They had met at some coffee shop or something, a random moment that should have never happened. But alas, the Gods allowed it, so maybe he’s good for something. Money maybe? Alessandra knew her mother not to be a gold digger. “I don’t know why you bother with that guy. What do you even see him?” Alessandra stuffed the yellow blazer in the suitcase. In contrast to Alessandra’s concern, Nanette was quite satisfied with Martin.

“He’s charming, you know?” Nanette made dreamy eyes as she neatly folded a shirt. Alessandra wanted to gag. Well, whatever made her mother happy. Alessandra made it a promise to herself that if that prick ever tried anything on her mother, he would pay handsomely for it. Maybe add in an ear for that cherry on top. All the clothes were in the suitcase by the time Mike came upstairs. He didn’t bother to knock either and make his presence known when he saw the two of them hugging it out.

Mike was chirping away at some fancy dinner reservation oblivious to the fact that Alessandra was trying to have a moment with her mother. She wondered just how fast he could dodge a bullet through his head. “Can I please - just tone him out for like ten seconds while I hug my mother?” Alessandra said into her mother’s ear, her arms around her neck. Nanette smiled softly, pulling away as she put a hand to Alessandra’s cheek.

“I’m sorry for everything lately. I haven’t been a mother to you. Ever since your father went away, things have just been hard. I’m probably not going to last long with this Martin. He’s good to show off at dates though and I never have to pay for my food. I’ll always love Edward.” Alessandra joined her mother in laugher, shaking her head. She was still sad, but her spirits were lifted. That’s the Nanette Korkunova she knew. Unapologetically herself and a damn savage. “I’m going to miss you so much,” Alessandra said as she hugged her mother one last time.

"I'll miss you too, hon. Be sure to tell me of your experiences at the modelling agency when I get back.”

She never did come back. Alessandra didn’t waste any time when she heard of the devastating news. She called everyone and anyone she knew that could help her, but it was all for nothing. Some passengers of the flight were never found even after days had passed after the incident. Remains of the airplane were found washed up on the sore in some beach in Australia. Alessandra didn’t talk to anyone for months. Five months with no communication had to do something to her. Guilt and shame was eating her up. She couldn’t help but feel like it was her fault that her mother had to suffer like that.

Mike was gone now too. That leech never really cared for Nanette. He didn’t waste any time looking for another talent to hire and was never seen at the funeral for Nanette Korkunova. People were growing concerned over the rich heiress that would now inherit both her parents riches. Alessandra couldn’t handle the questions that people kept giving her and she went into complete isolation mode. Just like old times.

In her bedroom, curled up in a ball was Alessandra. Her legs were becoming numb from being in the same position for a long period of time. Every night was an uphill battle, one that didn’t seem to want to end. Alessandra stopped going to the modelling agency. It was a shame too - she was quite liking it there and began to take an interest in having an actual modelling career. Funny, it’s the one last thing that Nanette wanted for her.

Ever since the tragic accident, Alessandra had been hearing a small voice in her head and it sounded just like her mother. The small voice was a reminder that her mother’s precious soul still roamed around in the mansion. She was still here and Alessandra could feel it in her veins. Her mother was everywhere. In her thoughts and in her heart. One night she noticed a fancy envelope slipped under the front door. It was signed by the modelling agency her mother referred her to.

She was going to put it in the trash along with all the other mails that was piling up over the last few months. But her mother’s small voice was saying something again. 'Open it, hon. This is your chance to start again. Show the world your true potential. I have always believed in you to accomplish great things'.

Her mother’s voice wasn’t helping the anxiety that Alessandra was starting to feel despite the efforts to stay calm. Could she really redeem herself though? After all the pain and heartbreak in her life. Well, there was that one famous saying: What doesn’t kill you make you stronger. Heck, that was true and validating even for Alessandra who had gone through enough. She wanted her pain to somehow make sense or be a lead up to an opportunity.

Star Modelling Agency would be the start of something new for Alessandra Korkunova. She picked up the envelope, opened it up and read the first few lines. It was an exclusive contract. Alessandra wanted to pinch herself a couple of times. For a long time she believed she wasn’t worthy of anything so it was weird to see someone trying to recruit her. It took Alessandra a couple of days to think things through and get herself together. She started seeing her therapist again who advised Alessandra to take the offer.

The feelings of shame and guilt in Alessandra’s heart was starting to fade into bright hope and opportunity. Her mother would want this for her. Take it. Take the offer. The small voice began to speak in her mind again. Alessandra couldn’t ignore it this time.

Alessandra Korkunova lived comfortably in a small Philly apartment and had now reached the pretty age of twenty two. The mansion was no good anymore. She had it all to herself and it got quite boring and lonely. She should have sold it a long time ago. The apartment was small, but cozy. She didn’t have any butlers or maids catering for her anymore. Just her and her German shepherd named Buddy.

No first kisses, no prom dresses and no boyfriend. But she was good at appreciating the smaller things in life. Friends, her mother’s small voice that still resounded in the back of her head and a successful career. Alessandra was still with Star Modelling Agency too, but her personal manager had agreed that she should do her own thing. Which she did. With class. Her very own modelling agency. She was given six months to come up with a business plan and present it to her personal manager. It would be agreed that Alessandra’s company would be affiliated with Star Modelling Agency.

Luckily, Alessandra was blessed with great decision making skills and valued excellent customer service. She was also able to put her Master of Business Administration to use. Her mother’s voice in her head was always a big help too. Firstly, Alessandra needed a name. Korkunova Models? It’s not exactly the greatest name, but it was catchy and easy to remember. Heck, her family name took up most of the company name.

When she went into work the next morning and told her personal manager the name, she was given the reaction she didn't expect to receive. “What, you love it?” Alessandra spoke in an unsure manner, not agreeing, despite her manager loving it. Meanwhile he was bobbing his head up and down enthusiastically. He wasn’t looking up at her as he was flicking through an exclusive magazine in one hand. “It’s not too plain?” Her voice was less unsure now. She was just looking for validation.

“Mhm! You have about a month left. Do you have mostly everything ready?” Her manager looked at her with smiling eyes. He knew Alessandra to be very courageous and hard working, just like her mother. He had heard many things about Nanette Korkunova and was definitely not disappointed to meet the heiress. “Just about. Have to finalise some stuff and collaborate with the agents I hired, but other than that I’m good to go,” Alessandra replied.

Two months later…

“Alright, pose for me. There we go. Ah, yes..” The photographer danced funnily around a curvy model as he tried to snap the best photos of her. Just as this was happening, Alessandra Korkunova walked in. It had been two months since the launch of Korkunova Models. She was looking at a letter in one hand. The photographer realized her footsteps approaching and he spoke in an energetic tone. He was still trying to take photos of the model in front of the white backdrop.

“Ay luv, lunch again today?”

Alessandra sighed as she found comfort on a red leather sofa, tossing the piece of paper on the table next to the photographer’s tea. She was clearly not in the mood for some odd reason. The photographer had stopped taking photos now. “Alright. That’s enough, hon. Don’t be late for the session tomorrow.” The tanned, curvy model that was posing before had now taken her stuff and went out the door.

The photographer packed his things up and he continued his conversation with Alessandra. “What’s wrong darlin? The look on your face right now is giving me a scare like you just received the worst news of your life.” He finished and sat with Alessandra on the sofa, taking a sip of his tea that was on the table nearby. “Oh, I've heard worse. This one is just hard to understand.”

“That letter. What was on it?” One of Alessandra’s best photographers who she had scouted all over the land for. Over time, they had become the best of friends and she would always go to him in times of trouble. But this seemed pretty serious. He was nosy, most of all, and Alessandra knew that he wouldn’t let her leave the room now without spilling the beans. She was lucky to have him around though. He kept her on her toes without being too harsh. Eugh. Mike.

Alessandra gave the paper to her photographer. “Remember how I told you my dad used to work for the mafia?” He really did. Edward Korkunova had turned the age of twenty three and he was already hustling hard. Being associated in a family that quickly rose to the top had a lot of perks. However, with that came the consequences. Animosity and rage rose as well along with the success. Rival families that would cheer for the day that Edward Korkunova would be out of the mob business.

Alessandra's mother wanted to tell her her daughter all about those times. But she didn't have to. Just before she had moved to her new apartment, she had to clean out the whole mansion and put all her parents’ stuff in boxes. Out of all the things that needed to be packed, Alessandra spotted her father’s journal. It was covered in dust when Alessandra found it. But once she cleaned it and smoothed the pages out, her curiosity led her to read what her father had wrote about. The rest is history.

The photographer nodded as he looked down at the letter. “Yeah? What about it?” He put the paper closer to him. He was interested. Alessandra tried to ignore how annoyed she was. “The letter isn’t signed by anyone. But they want to buy me out. The only reason I know it’s from the mafia is because they specifically mentioned their connection with my father, Edward Korkunova. I assume it wasn’t a good connection judging by the condescending tone in that letter. They’re probably doing this as revenge for something my dad did.” Alessandra wasn’t easily frightened. If they thought they were scaring her, they were going to have to try harder.

“What are you going to do now?”

Alessandra stood up. Her white, flowy dress was angelic looking in the sunlight. She looked down at her gay photographer best friend and smiled. He didn’t know what she was about to do but he was damn excited to see what she had up her sleeves this time. “I’m going to do what I have always done, hon. Slay the bitch and all the bitches associated with that bitch. No one threatens me and thinks they can get away with it.”