CHAPTER 1

"Do you really have to leave us? You can find a job here Ria" a woman muttered, holding a young lady's hands. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears which looked like they were waiting to be told before dropping.

I have to mum, and you know that. there are a lot of opportunities in New York City and I know it won't be long for me to make you proud. I really want to" the young lady smiled, wiping off the tears on the woman's eyes which started flowing immediately she touched them as if they were commanded to do so.

Other members of the family stood there. None of them seemed to be happy with the young lady's decision but it looked like they had to accept it, even if they didn't want to.

Silence enveloped the room as series of untold emotions communicate amongst each other.

"Sister, you promised to take me along with you once you secure a job remember?" A young girl about 18 years of age grumbled, breaking off the silence.

"I will Myler, I surely will" came the replied of the sister who was going away.

"Ria! Ria!" A loud voice echoed from outside and a knock followed.

"I have to go now mum, seems like Ann found a taxi" Ria announced sadly. She pulled her mother in a warm embrace, pinched her younger sister's cheek and hugged a young man who looked slightly older than her.

"I will miss you big bro" Ria whispered into the young man's ear.

"Shiii!" He held out his forefinger to his lips. "We both know you aren't specifically going to look for a greener pasture, so you can wipe off that pretence on your face." He whispered back into her ear, smirking.

"Sam!" She exclaimed in a whisper, looking back to make sure her mother didn't hear him.

"Sis!" Came his taunting reply, his brows raised.

"You piece of shit! You better keep your mouth sealed" she gave him a light punch on the arm.

"Ouch!" He faked a groan. "Yes ma'am, your wish is my command" he saluted and made a sealed sign with his thumb and forefinger across his lips as he threw away the imaginary key.

"Good, Now pick up the bag mister, and see me off" she ordered and smiled at his frowned face.

"Bye mum, Myler be a good kid" Ria waved as the knock came in again and this time, a red hair popped in.

"Let's go Ria!!!" 

******

"So you're actually going all the way to New York to surprise James? I don't feel like he deserves it though" Sam frowned as they all walked down the street. 

The cab Ann found had already left because they were wasting a lot of time hugging each other and when the poor driver couldn't take it anymore, he zoomed off leaving them behind.

"You're just jealous you aren't the one getting the surprise" The red girl said. She's Ann. Ria's childhood best friend.

"Shut it Ann! I ain't jealous of that trash. I have no idea what Ria sees in that dude, I don't like him one bit" Sam countered.

"Well that's for you. The dude's hot, Give him that credit!" Ann beamed, flinging her right hand as she dragged Ria's box with her left hand— down the sloppy hill of the street.

"I'm gonna miss this place" Ria muttered in a sad tone. She paused and took a moment to look around the street she grew up in.

"I can't believe you're leaving Oklahoma for New York girl. I wish I could also go there" Ann pouted as she stopped walking. She'll miss her friend terribly.

They have been friends ever since they knew the meaning of the word 'friendship' and had grown inseparable. It's hard for her to say goodbye even though she's happy for her friend, she isn't entirely happy for she was going to miss seeing her only friend around.

Ria noticed Ann had stopped walking and went to her.

"Are you crying?" Her eyes melted as she noticed the teardrop on her friend's eyelid.

"Please don't make me join you Ann" Ria muttered as she embraced her friend, Wiping off her tears.

"I will miss you so much" Ann sniffed.

"Awwww! What a cry babies!" Sam mocked, watching them.

"James better be worth all this sacrifices" Sam added silently.

He doesn't know why the name James gives him the irk. He doesn't like the man even though he did nothing to him but since his sister loves him so much, he had no choice but to let her be with him.

Whatever makes her happy, he shall support.

James birthday is in two days and Ria wanted to surprise him by moving to his state. They've been in a distant relationship for two years and Ria thought it was time she go over to him.

At first, Sam wasn't in support of the idea of Ria moving to New York. "What if the relationship doesn't work out, his sister would be left homeless?" He had thought but as Ria kept pleading with him to accept, he had no choice but allowed her.

Because he doesn't want her to be sad, Sam had to agree even though he doesn't entirely trust James, Sam doesn't want to hurt his sister.

They finally found a taxi after walking for minutes.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay back Ria?" Sam glanced at his sister, hoping she would just forget about the trip and go back with them.

Ria smiled at her brother. She could see the crease of worry on his forehead. She knew he doesn't like James but has to support her since she love him. Moving forward, she pulled her brother into a warm hug.

"I will call you once I settle alright?" Ria reassured. Sam sighed and pulled back. He was stopping himself from crying.

That was the first time one of them was ever leaving Oklahoma for another state.

Ria got into the taxi after her luggages were taken to the trunk.

She waved at her friend and brother until she could no longer see them.

Smiling, she pulled out her phone to call James. He picked at the first ring.

"Babes!" she called happily, fighting hard not to tell him she was on her way coming to New York. She wanted to capture his surprised reaction when he finally sees her.

"How are you love?" James asked sensing the happiness in her voice. 

"I'm okay, I just missed you" Ria replied grinning. Well she was going to see him in few hours time. 

"I missed you too babe. I wish you were here" James hissed.

They chatted some more and Ria had to end the call when the taxi got to the airport.

She alighted from the taxi, paid and headed into the airport. See you soon my love!" She thought aloud.

"Bye Oklahoma! New York City here comes Ria!!!" she sing sang happily as she dragged her suitcase into the airport. 

*****

Few hours later...

The plane landed and Ria alighted. Her joy knew no bound. She would finally be meeting her boyfriend. They've been dating online for two years and hasn't seen each other. James planned on coming to Oklahoma to see her but Ria decided to surprise him instead by moving over to him.

Getting her luggage, Ria brought out her phone and dialed James number but it lead her to voicemail.

Since she had his address from one of their numerous chats, she decided to go over to his house. It would even be more surprising if he opens the door and sees her.

She got a taxi at the airport and handed over the address to the driver.

Staring at the beautiful city she would be living in henceforth, Ria breathe in excitement.

The taxi stopped at a block of apartments. Ria stared at the building and wondered how she would locate James's apartment.

Dragging her box, Ria got inside the building and met the receptionist who directed her to the apartment on her address.

Stepping out of the elevator, Ria was able to locate the number on her address book. There it was, apartment 106 staring back at her.

She heaved a sigh of relief as she rang the doorbell. She waited patiently for him to open up. 

"Who's there?" she heard a female voice. A very familiar female voice and if she was making any mistakes, that voice belonged to someone she knew.

 Concluding it was a mistake and she might be at the wrong address, Ria waited out for the door to open. She could ask the person about James if she happens to be at the wrong door and hopefully, She would be showed the right door" she thought.

Her heart flew into her stomach immediately the door opened and a figure appeared. Ria clutched her chest. Standing before her in a short towel was Pam, Her cousin sister who stays in California. 

She had introduced James to Pam during Christmas the previous year through one of their numerous video calls. What was her sister doing in New York. At her boyfriend's house?" Ria couldn't stop thinking. 

"Pam?" She called out in a gasp, Maybe she's mistaken. Maybe the lady was just her cousin's lookalike. She was still trying to convince herself the person standing in front of her wasn't her sister when Pam also mentioned her name.

"What are you doing in New York Ria?" Pam asked but before Ria could say another word, another figure on towel came out addressing Pam as sweetheart and asking her who was the door.

"James?" Ria froze. She doesn't need a soothsayer to inform her what was going on there. It was as clear as daylight.

Hitting him hard across the face in a resounding slap, Ria fumed. "So this is what I get from leaving my family and start to be here?" Her eyes watered but she blinked back the tears.

"I should have known, I should have believed Sam's conscience when he kept calling you an asshole. I should have known you were truly an asshole."

"And you Pam," Ria faced her cousin who didn't even looked remorse. "You didn't need to go behind me to take him, You should have been more bold and not pretend to dislike him while you were busy hatching on lashing him"

 "It's obvious I am disturbing your fun, I'll see myself out" Ria picked up her box and left the apartment ignoring James call.

She doesn't want to see any of their cursed face nor does she want to exchange anymore words with either of them.