CHAPTER 9 Mariposita

Tamsin stood in front of the mirror, checking herself out.

Light makeup– nude lips, eyeliner, mild mascara and foundation. Just enough to look put together without looking like she was seeking for attention.

Black short fitted skirt, white long sleeves, black corset with ropes undone at the back. The corset cinched her waist perfectly. Auburn hair falling over her shoulder and framing her face. Naturally long lashes, hazel eyes hidden behind big white shades. 

White pop up socks over expensive black loafers with chains clinking as she walked around the room. Every step sounded confident.

“ Girl's… do I look too serious? First day energy but make it CEO.

Vega spun in her pink cropped singlet, black flair skirt, heavy soled boots– one black, one pink. A pink bag on her shoulder. Hair in two ponytails, black and pink. She looked like chaos in the best way.

“Baby you look like you're about to buy the whole business department. We're serving goth Barbie meets the CEO. We ate and left no crumbs.”

Isidora leaned against the door in jorts, cropped top, Jordan sneakers, taking pictures with her phone. 

Long black hair flowing behind her with soft makeup. She looked effortlessly gorgeous.

“ We all ate. Divas like us don't need attention like those blood sucking VASA brats, even though we're about to be in four different buildings in 10 minutes serving hot tea to IE students.

Rosalia adjusted her wide boot cut palazzo paired with uggs, cropped shirt showing her waist and navel piercing. Short hair packed up with strands framing her face in front. She looked like she walked off a runway.

“Facts. Computer science for me. Business Administration for Tammy and Thea, Fashion design for Vega, Mass communication for Isidora.”

Isidora cuts in grinning. “Speaking of Mass comm… and business. 

Soo… news flash.”

“You haven't met my twin yet, Tamsin?”

Tamsin paused, fixing her corset.

“Your twin?”

Isidora: “ Yup. Her name's Teodora. She's also a BBA student. First year, same as you. But… there's something you should know first.”

Tamsin looks curious. “ What?”

Isidora : (exhaled dramatically) “Look she might not like you very much, cause she believes that I'm getting too attached to you. Too fast. But please be nice to her, okay. She might be a pain in the ass but just overlook her for me. Pretty please.” She made cute expressions and pouts.

Tamsin, stunned, just nodded her head.

Like an after thought, Rosalia raised her head from her phone.

“Wait up. Business Admin? Tammy that means that you and Thea will have all your classes together. 

Tamsin: 'Yeah I'll try to be nice to her because of Izzy and making a new friend won't be so bad either.”

Vega: (gasps dramatically) “ And Valentina Montenegro is in business too. But she's in her second year.”

Rosalia: “ Yeah she might be a year ahead but lecturers sometimes merge the classes. Case studies, presentation, that stuff.

So head's up, Tammy. Valentina's there. Keep your guard up.”

Tamsin: (smirks) “Noted. I'm not backing down for her or anyone though.”

Isidora: (pulls all three of them into a group hug) “ I'm gonna miss you weirdos so much. I've already created a group chat for the five of us including Thea. 

Text the group chat between lectures, okay?”

Vega: (links arms with everyone) 

“The pink and black bomb squad, even if we're in different departments. 

Aitana better show up to classes though cause I'm ready to cook her raw.”

Rosalia: (laughs) “Nope. I'm not accepting that cringe name.

And as for Aitana. She might not come to lectures. But we will. Let's go show IE who the divas are.”

They grabbed their bags and head out. Four different majors, one suite. Four girls walking like they already owned the campus.

                           ★

The morning light hit the glass walls of sector 4, a little too bright.

The house was quiet, too quiet. After what went down yesterday, nobody slept well. The air felt heavy.

First one out was Ivan. Coffee in hand, hair still wet.

Then Smith came barrelling out of his room in Crocs while yawning, phone in one hand and toast in the other.

At the same time, Hugo walked out of his room.

Their eyes met. Dead silence. 

Both Ivan and Smith looked at him and asked at the same time.

“Dude you okay?”

Hugo pauses at the bottom of the stairs. Knuckles still faintly bruised. He gave that little half-smile that never reached his eyes.

“Yeah I'm fine.”

Footsteps. Mario came out next. Cheek and lip were bruised and looked swollen. He saw Hugo. 

Nobody said sorry. Nobody needed to.

Hugo just tilted his head with a sick smirk. “ Dude. How's your nose? Iced it? 

Mario shrugged, walking past him to the kitchen. “ It's passed. We move.”

And just like that, the air shifted. Not fixed. Just…buried.

Just forgotten.

A silence that Smith broke by clapping his hand loudly.

“Alright, first day. Old students. New student. We're hosting the first pool party this semester. Sector 4 has been quiet for way too long.” He said grinning mischievously.

Ivan raised a brow over his coffee. “ You're saying it like it's already been approved? We ain't hosting a party bro, the semester's just starting. I can't afford to get any more academic probations because of you.”

“It will be,” Smith grinned. We need it to unwind. Reset. Let people see us together again. And ohh before I forget, think about the girls Ivan, the girls. Let's throw it the way we used to huh?”

Ivan, already convinced. “Okay I'm in. Whatever gets me the girls.”

Mario nodded slowly. “ Games, music, unwinding, the whole thing. Could be good for the house.” He glanced at Hugo as though seeking consent.

Hugo leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Count me out.”

“What? No.” Smith immediately chirped in. “Hugo, you have to be present. It's not going to be a party without you dude.”

“I'm not in the mood, Smith.”

“That's why you have to be present bro,” Ivan cuts in, calm. “It's showing up. For the house. Don't just stay in your room sulking. You're the face of IE.” He grins. “What will the ladies think!”

Mario playfully punched his shoulder. “Plus, you need to unwind. All of that AI, startups, ‘taking over daddy's company stuff.’ Come drown it. Literally?” 

Hugo stared at all three of them. The guy who stood with a dirty grin. The one with a bruised nose. The lawyer who parties. 

He exhaled. “Fine. I'll think about it.” 

“That's a yes in Hugo's language,” Smith laughed.

Phones buzzed. First lecture in 10 minutes.

They grabbed bags. For Hugo it was BCSAI (Bachelor in computer science & Artificial intelligence),

BDes visual for Mario,

 Economics for Ivan and LLB(Law) for Smith.

At the door, Smith stopped. “Hey. We're good right? HIMS boys always stick together.”

Nobody answered directly.

Ivan just nodded. Mario bumped Hugo's shoulder on the way out. Hugo didn't flinch.

“Pool party at 8pm bros. Don't miss it Hugo.” Smith called as they split into their different cars.

Hugo mounted his black mamba without saying a word. He strapped on his helmet and rode out fast.

Mario, not one to back down, also hopped inside his Rolls Royce speeding off.

Then Ivan and Smith drove off in their Bugattis picking up speed. 

                            ★

The glasses of IE slid open and Tamsin came in, coffee in one hand, phone in the other, following the campus map to Lecture Hall 4B.

BBA. Business Administration. First year.

The hall was a mix of first years and second years, but immediately she stepped in, all conversations paused. Some of the girls looked on with envy and jealousy while some openly complimented her outfit. And the guys: they were openly ogling at her. She ignored them and walked to her seat. Head held high.

Laptops opened, chatter continued. That loud pre-buzz before classes.

Tamsin looked to her left and there she was. 

Valentina Montenegro.

Sitting front row, hair perfect, reapplying her lipgloss, chewing bubble gum and pretending she didn't see Tamsin just walk in.

Tamsin didn't care either. She found her seat number on her allocated seat– ironically right across from Valentina.

Of course.

She dropped her bag, opened her MacBook already waiting on her desk, and connected to the lecture portal. Slides were already loading.

International business strategy 101.

The Lecturer’s back was to them. Early 20s. Maybe. Crisp white shirt. Sleeves rolled up. Light pen in hand. Pointing at graphs on the projector. Young. Focused.

Tamsin slipped into her seat quietly. Not wanting to interrupt.

Valentina leaned over, voice low but venomous.

“Little bitch. Don't think yesterday is over. I'm still going to deal with you. Just watch out for me.”

Tamsin didn't even look up. She typed something on her laptop and whispered back, “Ohh I'm scared. Please don't hurt me.” She said, smirking.

Valentina's jaw ticked. “ We'll see. My dad's going to deal with you. You're going to be so sorry for having the guts to slap me.”

“Try it. But don't expect me to stay quiet.” Tamsin whispered back. “Watch me.”

“Valentina Montenegro!”

The words cut through the room.

The Lecturer had turned halfway, light pen still in hand. He hadn't even faced them fully. 

“I can hear your voice all the way from the front. Care to explain what's so important to make you disrupt my class?”

Valentina immediately straightened, cheeks pink. “No professor, it's nothing.”

He hummed. “Okay. Then be quiet.”

He turned back to the projector.

Two minutes later, he turned fully– and froze. 

His eyes landed on Tamsin.

And then he smiled. Small. Knowing. 

Before he could stop himself.

“Mariposita!”

(Little butterfly)

Tamsin's thumb stopped. She looked up. Grey eyes, sharp, familiar in a way she couldn't place. Had she met him before? Summer program? Some event? Back in New York? Her mind couldn't place where she had seen him. She shook the thought off. Ignored it.

Focused her attention on her screen instead.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and continued.

Ten minutes in, he started firing questions.

“Give me one key challenge in global business Administration right now?”

A first year student raised her hand first but Valentina gave her a mean glare making the girl lower her arm. 

Valentina's hand shot up instantly.

Confident. Sassy.

“Supply chain distributions due to geopolitical tension, professor.”

“Correct, Valentina.” He nodded.

He scanned the room.

“When a multinational company prices it's products differently in different countries, what economic factor are they primarily responding to?”

This time Tamsin raised her hand. Calm.

“Currency fluctuation and purchasing power parity, professor. Exchange rates change costs, and local buying power changes what price the market will accept.”

A small pause. Then he smiled.

“Correct, Tamsin exactly.”

Valentina shifted in her seat angrily glaring daggers at Tamsin.

Next question. “What are the two main types of barriers companies face when entering emerging markets?”

Valentina stood up too fast, too confident.

“um…. Lack of technology and poor infrastructure.” she said with all confidence.

The Lecturer frowned slightly.

“Not quite.”

The room went quiet. 

“Any one else cares to give us the complete answer to the question?”

Tamsin stood up slowly.

“Regulatory barriers and cultural barriers.”

He smiled pointing the light pen at her.

“Correct. Well-done Tamsin.

Regulatory and cultural barriers are what sink most market entries, not just tech.”

Valentina sat down hard, jaw clenched. Fuming. Under her breath.

“This isn't over. I'll show you. You can't embarrass me and get away with it. I'll teach you a lesson.”

                              ★

The hall emptied fast. Students standing up. Some yawning, laptops closing, that post lecture rush.

Tamsin was last. She was still packing her bag, zipping her laptop, replaying everything that happened in her head. “Mariposita.” Why did that name seem familiar? And how did he know it?

She flung her bag over her shoulder and walked towards the door.

As she made to pass the Lecturer's table, his voice stopped her.

“Mariposita.”

She froze.

She turned slowly. Professor Mateo Ruiz was leaning against the table, arms crossed. Early twenties.

That same knowing smile from earlier. Familiar in away she couldn't quite point a finger.

“Are you talking to me?” she asked.

He tilted his head. “Yeah. Your name is Tamsin right?”

“….Yes. How do you know my name?”

“Your dad is a CEO,” he said casually like it was obvious. “ The richest in New York. 

And your Mom… Mrs Teal, right?” 

Tamsin's stomach dropped. “How do you know my parents? Have we met before?” 

He stared at her for a second. Then slowly his smile faded. 

“Wait, you don't remember me?”

“No,” she said honestly. “Should I?”

His expression softened. Almost sad. “It's me. Your chubby cheeks. From a long time ago.”

Tamsin blinked. “What?”

“Parque del Retiro. Madrid. You were four. I was ten.”

The name hit her like cold water.

………………………………………….

14 YEARS AGO

…………………………………………..

Alaric Dawson wasn't the CEO everyone knew him as yet. He had made money, yes, but not connections. Not the kind that brought generational wealth. Not the kind that promised a very bright future even after retirement.

So when an old friend from Columbia reached out to him from Madrid and said “I know a client with connections. He can be of a great help to you. Come meet him.”

Alaric didn't hesitate.

He took his wife and four year old daughter on a plane to Madrid that same night.

Hotel life. Suitcases. Meetings with future clients.

On the morning of the meeting, little Tamsin was bouncing off the walls. Pink fairy dress, two ponytails with big ribbons, way too much energy for a hotel room. Way too much sunshine.

“Baby, I'm bored.” She had whined childishly to her dad.

Alaric had knelt down. “Okay. Nanny Clara will take you to the big park, okay? Retiro park. Ice cream. Swings. The carousel . Other fun Games. I promise I'll come get you after.”

“Promise?”

“Promise Tammy.”

They pinky swore.

So the nanny took her to the park.

                          ★

 Little Tamsin had two ice creams. One in each hand. She had played everything. The carousel, Slides, swings, bumper cars, the little train, the ferris wheel. She was loud, bright, everywhere at once. She couldn't wait to get back home, so she could tell her dad about her fun filled day.

Then she saw him.

A boy. Slim but with chubby cheeks. Maybe 10. Handsome features even then. Sitting alone on a swing. Not swinging. Just…sitting. Quiet. Sad.

Little Tamsin marched right up before her nanny could stop her.

“Hey chubby cheeks! Why are you sitting alone?”

“Go away,” he mumbled. “I don't want to talk to anybody. Just leave me alone.”

“How can you be sad and grumpy at the same time? Huh chubby cheeks?” she asked, hands on her hips.

“My parents left me with the driver,” he said grumpily. They said ‘park’ like we were all going together. I don't know if they're coming back.”

Tamsin's face softened. She held out her second ice cream.

“Here. Take this chubby cheeks. Don't cry. They'll come back for you.”

He looked up, noticed the ice cream smudge on her nose and burst out laughing.

“What?” She asked, touching her face.

“You've got ice cream here,” he said, wiping it off for her. She giggled too.

He took the ice cream.

“I'm Matteo. Ten years old. You?”

“I'm Tamsin. Four years old.”

“You're smart for a four year old.” He said in awe.

She blushed. “And you're cute too, chubby cheeks. I'm gonna marry you when I grow older.”

Matteo blinked. “But I'm older than you?”

“Okay, in the future I'll be old enough to marry you.” she said seriously. She tugged the pink ribbon out of her hair– her favourite one– and tied it around his wrist.

“Let's make a deal, chubby cheeks,” she said. “If in the future I forget you, show me this ribbon then I'll remember and we'll find each other again.”

“Deal Mariposita.” Matteo whispered.

“What's the meaning of that?” She tilted her head curiously.

“It means ‘little butterfly’ cause you're my little butterfly.” He said smiling.

“And you're my chubby cheeks.” She said, smiling too, while pulling at his cheeks playfully.

They pinky- promised.

Even pecked each other on the cheek.

They played until sunset. Until her nanny came to get her so they could go home.

Little Tamsin had cried and cried saying she didn't want to go but she had no choice.

That was the first and last time she ever saw Matteo Ruiz.

                             ★

Matteo touched his wrist instinctively.

Empty now. 

Like he could still feel where the ribbon had been.

“I called you Mariposita,” he said. Because you looked like a fairy and you were so beautiful. And you called me chubby cheeks and even pinched them.”

She remembered that. A flash. A laugh. A promise.

Her throat went dry. You're…You're him?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Matteo Ruiz. I guess I don't look that chubby anymore.”

“I can see that. You grew taller too.”

They laughed.

“What made you come all the way from New York to IE?” he asked.

Tamsin's smile dropped immediately. “Family stuff. It's complicated. I don't want to talk about it.”

Matteo nodded. “Ohh, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just curious about you.”

Silence.

“ Since I'll be seeing you in class often,” he said. “Do you want to grab a drink tonight? At the fresher party? Just to talk? To get to know each other better after all the past years.”

Tamsin looked at him.

Her professor.

6 years older.”

“I'll think about it,” she had said. But…I'd really liked that.”

She started to leave. “ I'd gotta go.”

“Tamsin.” He called softly.

She turned.

He didn't say anything else. Just smiled.

As she walked out, Matteo watched her.

His little butterfly had grown so much.

She'd turned into a beautiful young woman. 

He pushed up his shirt sleeve. The faded pink ribbon was still there, under his watch.

He hadn't forgotten.