Maya was known in high school as the “scholarly, laundress’s daughter.” Because of this, she was constantly bullied by Beatrice , the Queen of the Campus and the Mayor’s daughter.
Ten years had passed.
Maya received an invitation to the Great Alumni Homecoming , which will be held at Beatrice Garden Resort .
The invitation included a handwritten note from Beatriz herself:
Maya, I hope you can come. Don’t worry, admission is free.
We need someone to remind us how fortunate we are in life.
Put on your best… uniform.
Maya knew it was a trap.
Beatrice just wanted to laugh at her and show everyone that, even now, they still considered her a servant.
But instead of getting angry, Maya smiled and accepted the challenge.
THE NIGHT OF THE REUNION
That night, the Beatrice Garden Resort was resplendent with luxury. Maya’s former colleagues arrived in gowns and tuxedos, showing off their cars and businesses.
Then Maya arrived.
She took Beatrice’s words literally.
She was wearing a maid’s uniform: a white blouse, a black skirt, and even an apron. No makeup. Just flat shoes.
When she walked through the door, everyone stared at her.
—My God, is that Maya?
—So the rumors were true: she’s still a maid.
—What nerve she has to come dressed like that!
Beatriz greeted her with a glass of champagne in her hand and wearing a sparkling red dress.
“Maya!” Beatrice exclaimed, blowing her a kiss without their cheeks touching. “I’m so glad you came! And… wow!”
You really wore your work clothes . Did you come straight from work? What a shame, we don’t have any laundry to do tonight.
Beatriz’s followers burst into laughter.
“Okay, Beatrice,” Maya replied calmly. “You told me to wear my best uniform. It’s what I feel most comfortable in.”
“Well,” Beatrice said with a mocking smile, “since you’re here and used to housework, could you refill our drinks?”
We’re short-staffed. Don’t worry, we’ll give you a tip.
She placed a tray in Maya’s hands.
Maya took it. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”
TWO HOURS OF HUMILIATION
For two hours, they treated Maya like a servant. They ordered her to bring handkerchiefs, collect the dishes, and clean up spilled wine.
His classmates took photos of him and posted them on social media with captions like:
Reuniting with our classmate who became a maid. How sad!
Béatrice was excited.
“Look at her,” he mocked. “She was the top of the class back then, and now look at her. She hasn’t progressed at all. Proof that poverty runs in her veins.”
When the program began, Beatrice went up on stage to give a speech.
“Class of 2014!” he announced. “Success is for people with class and wealth, not for those left behind.”
His eyes fell on Maya, standing on the corner.
THE INTERRUPTION
In the middle of Beatriz’s speech, a loud crash came from the sky.
¡ERROR! ¡ERROR! ¡ERROR!
The wind picked up. Napkins flew. Balloons and decorations collapsed. Beatrice’s carefully styled hair was completely ruined.
“What is that?” people shouted.
A black and gold luxury helicopter , marked with a royal coat of arms , descended in the middle of the complex’s expansive garden.
Panic spread.
“Is there an emergency?”
“Who is it?”
The helicopter landed. The door opened.
Four men emerged, dressed in black suits and wearing headphones: elite bodyguards from the Secret Service.
They moved quickly toward the crowd. Beatrice rushed to block them.
“Excuse me! This is a private party! Who are you?” he shouted.
The bodyguards completely ignored her, passing her by as if she were nothing.
“Step aside,” the security chief ordered.
They walked straight to the corner… towards Maya .
Everyone froze.
The four bodyguards knelt before the ‘maid’.
“Your Highness, ” said the Chief of Security. “Your flight to Geneva is ready. Your husband, the Prince, is waiting for you.”
Your Highness?
Prince?
THE REVELATION
Maya slowly took off her apron.
Underneath her maid’s uniform, she was wearing something else.
She took off her white blouse and black skirt.
Beneath it was a golden silk dress , designed by a famous Parisian designer, which shimmered in the lights. She let her hair fall freely: long, lustrous, and majestic.
A bodyguard opened a box.
Inside was a diamond necklace and a tiara .
They placed them on top of Maya.
He turned to Beatrice, whose mouth was open and whose hair was tousled by the wind from the helicopter.
“Beatriz,” Maya said with a smile. “I’m sorry, I have to go. The tip you promised me? Donate it to charity.”
“M-Maya…?” Beatrice stammered. “Who… who are you really?”
Maya leaned in and whispered in his ear:
I am Princess Maya , wife of the Crown Prince of Monaco . And that resort you’re so proud of? My company bought it this morning. So, technically… you now work for me.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
The resort that Beatrice boasted about now belonged to Maya .
“Next time, Beatriz,” Maya said as she walked away, “don’t judge people by their clothes. A true queen doesn’t need a crown to be recognized. She only needs a good heart, something you clearly lack.”
Maya boarded the helicopter.
She left the meeting as it rose into the sky, leaving Beatrice and her classmates below, dirty, disheveled, and burning with embarrassment.
The woman they treated like a servant turned out to be the owner of the land beneath their feet…
and now she was flying back to her palace.
