~Alyona~
I’ve heard that people come to New York for two reasons: to follow their hearts or their dreams.
The first time I ever traveled to New York was when I was in my mother’s womb like a peanut.
My parent’s short love story brought two kids into this world, including me.
Their particular love didn’t last long. Predictably, for the former reason - because of another woman.
But the allure of the city that never sleeps has never left my mom. After all, New York City is one of the most (maybe the most) iconic city in the world for a reason; the art and the history; the music and the architecture; the diversity; the noise; the never-ending lines of yellow checkered cabs punctuation every block.
Growing up in New York, I believed life in the city was for masochists. In the summer, we complain about the heat. In the winter, the cold.
At present, it’s a harsh winter. Keeping calm is vital when we are blasted with terrifying storms like the present arctic-polar-vortex-bomb-cyclone.
While walking toward home, I thought about grabbing a cup of hot coffee.
The coffee shop air swirls with aromatic dreams; little wonder it is a place where people decide their future.
The coffee shop of white cups and black coffee, of small jugs filled with cream, has that ambiance of friendly chatter.
Standing in the queue, I love seeing people’s expressions and how they change in a single moment.
“Hi. How are you doing?” A beautiful girl purred from another side.
“Hello. I want a small latte, please,” I answered.
“Anything else?” She marked a small white cup.
“Nothing, thank you.” I smiled.
“Your name? Please,” still holding the black sharpie marker to write my name.
“Alyona Marshall, write Alyona,” my mom gave the name.
After a few moments, she passed my coffee cup. The coffee cup was small enough to fit in the palm of a child, holding that potent magic brew only the hardiest of the grown-ups could savor.
I took the first sip; rolled my eyes till heaven.
The steam coming from the little hole of the cup gave me a sense of warmth on my nose tip.
Snuffling the aromatic coffee, I started walking towards my home.
I live in the city’s heart, where I can hear the pumping and thump in my house, the nightlife.
The nightlife of New York emerges. Without the crowds and the commerce, the city comes alive after dusk. It blushes on its avenues, whispers on its bridges, grumbles in its bars, and roars in its clubs. My home is an old building, a townhome.
The houses stood together in all seasons, feeling the rain and sunshine just the same. In any weather, they sheltered our families, stood firm against the winter wind, yet let in brilliant light even as it blew.
I took out my jiggling keys and wanted to open the door.
I can hear a worship song melody coming from my house.
Holding the cup in my other hand, I opened the door.
The sound of the melodious song changed the atmosphere in my heart as it hit my ear more profoundly.
As I entered the living room, I saw my mom dancing in God’s love.
It’s normal for me to see her madly in love with her God.
I stood there and smiled at how she created her new dance moves to show her happiness.
I kept my jiggling keys in the bowl next to me.
I took out my feathery coat and kept it on the chair, but my mother opened her eyes and signaled me to keep the fur on the hanger.
It made me smile; Is it only my mother who keeps me in check while worshipping?
She came toward me while dancing.
“For the fullness of his grace, we received one more blessing.” She twirled my body.
“What blessing? Mom,” I loved it when she danced like this.
She lowered the volume of the speaker.
“I got a promotion,” her eyes sparkled up.
“Wow, congratulation.” I hugged her.
“Yup, he always amazed me with his unexpected blessings. He knows I needed it, and he gave it to me.” Her eyes filled with tears while praising her God.
“Ok, tell me,”
“I got promoted as a head nurse with a salary increment,” she revealed her words with another twirl.
“That’s superb news, mom,” I purred excitedly.
“Did you inform Cassandra?” I added.
She shook her head left and right.
“Then let’s call her and give her this good news.” I grabbed my phone and called her.
Cassandra is my elder sister. She fell in love with a true-hearted man named Lucas.
They got the job in California and shifted last year.
Sometimes I miss her, but I am happier with the thought of getting full access to my bedroom without sharing it with my bossy sister.
I loved the window side bed after she got married.
“Hello, Cassie. How are you?” I screamed as I kept my phone on the Dining table.
“I am good. Did you give water to my Sammy?” I rolled my eyes. Even after one year, she didn’t forget her potted plant.
Fond with the plants, she called her potted one, Sammy.
I rolled my eyes and answered.
“Yeah,” I passed my phone to my mom.
“Hey baby, how are you?” My mom appreciates her elder daughter more than I do.
She said Cassie is more responsible than I am. I am the lazy one in our home.
I have never seen my dad, but my mom and my sister have pampered me since I was born. That makes my elder sister like my other mother.
“I am good, mom. You look happy. Tell me the good news.” Cassie knew my mom’s heart very well. Without letting her spill a single word, she knew there was good news my mom wanted to share with her.
“Did she get a job?” She added.
“No, she didn’t.” My mom defended me from my other mother,
“Mom got a promotion as the head nurse of the hospital,” I interrupted in between, trying to avoid her non-stoppable questions about me.
“Congratulations, mom, Hallelujah,” another praise.
“Aly, what is going on with your job search?” How did I forget? She never left me without asking her question.
“I am searching,”
My mom understood my irritated gaze; she interrupted.
“She just finished college. Don’t worry, she will get it.” My mom answered her fireball questions.
“Hey, mom, congratulations,” Lucas purred,
The rude Cassie’s husband.
He is like a big brother to me.
I love him very much as he always protects me from his rude wife, my sister.
“Hey, Lucas,” I popped up again on my phone.
“Hey, sissy. Did you got any boyfriend or not?” He asked.
“Nope, not lucky as Cassie,” I smirked at her.
“Don’t worry. I pray you will get a handsome hunk who will love you.” He winked at me.
“Amen,” I excitedly answered him.
“Think of a job first,” a harsh voice came in between cheerful conversation.
Cassie never missed a chance to dictate her decision to me.
“I will,” I answered in a low voice.
“Ok, mom. I will talk later.
Bye, Aly,” her voice irritates me.
But I know if she sees a single tear in my eyes, she will burn the world for me.
This is my small happy family, where the love of God binds us; his presence and our faith in him made all the mountains move from our lives.
I love my mom and my rude sis,
We enjoyed our supper as we watched prime time news.
Other than that in my life, I have two friends in my life.
Olivia and Ivy.
I hope we will meet tomorrow.
In the middle of the night, an expensive Boeing private helicopter landed with a whirling-whapping sound on the world’s tallest residential building in New York.The thrumming of the helicopter blades twirling the chilly weather into the gale of icy wind.As the door opened, an elegant young man wearing an expensive business suit designed by his couturier came out.His arrogant, cold looks perfectly matched his classy moves.At nearly 1,400 feet, looking down on the Empire State Building, you aren’t just above New York City - you lord over it. Cars become toys, and people become dots. Central Park shrinks from a lush oasis of trees and playing fields to a small grass welcome mat for your private domain. Your head is truly in the clouds.He lives on the top floor of the world’s tallest residential building.The penthouse on the top floor is called the statement.He is the owner of New York’s top fashion company named Enamore. Recognized as the youngest entrepreneur, he liked to stay on
~Alyona~“Will you be my girlfriend?” Shawn purred.“Shawn, I have never seen you like this. I don’t love you.” I answered as I was trying to get rid of him.“Please give me a chance,” He jeered.I tried to run, but my leg seemed stuck in the ground.His face is getting bigger as he pouts his lips towards me.I saw a stick to hit him, but when I picked it, it recast into ice- cream.What the hell is happening to me?“Alyona Marshall,” a sound was calling my name from far away.I looked here and there.“Alyona, don’t make me come up there,” it’s my mom screaming at me.But where am I?I woke up in a shocking state. My mother screamed my name as she called me to come down and have breakfast with her.But to whom I was running into my dreams.I shook my head.Suddenly, I remember. My clingy senior wanted me to be his girlfriend. He used to be my unwanted admirer.But why am I dreaming about him?I thought to myself,“Alyona, if I have to call our name again...”“Ahh... coming, mom,” I ans
Mom loved the way these two people made me happy. We don’t expect big things; these small moments we live with our friends and family will be our lifetime memory.Olivia and Ivy grabbed my hand as we went into my room.“I am leaving, Al,” mom called before leaving.I ran down and hugged her.“Thank you, mom, for everything you have done for Cassie and me.”A mother knows everything even when you don’t say it.“And thank you for allowing me to go with my friends.”I hugged her tightly.“Ok, ok... there is an envelope under my bed; you can take it for your shopping.” She patted my back.“No, mom. I don’t want money. I can manage by myself,” I answered.She touched my cheeks and said.“I know you are a big girl. But for me, you are still that little girl who wanted everything to be done by her mom.”She kissed my cheeks and took her coat from the hanger.“Mom,” I whispered.“Choose a beautiful dress for yourself. Maybe you will get your Mr. Right in that Masquerade ball.” She winked at me
~ALYONA~Standing in front of that gigantic mirror, it lost me in my thought surrounded by these beautiful creations.Indeed, Mario did his best at work. When passion becomes your profession, nothing can stop you.“He is the best,” We heard the screeching sound as another rack came into the room.Mario husked in his manly voice. “Girls, here is my collection. My Assistant will help you try these dresses.” He signaled towards his assistant and sat on the couch next to us.“So, who wants to go first?” Ivy said.We thought it would be good if Olivia started the show.The dress looks fantastic. I would say the red was not bold; it’s the red taken from fresh tomatoes; Olivia seemed so beautiful in that dress. It revealed her flawless skin in this dress. She wore a black mask and made a messy bun as we stared at her without saying a word. She shrugged at us, waiting for some compliment.“It’s gorgeous,” we said together.She gazed at Mario as Mario winked at her, taking pride in making such
Excited, we three settled n the taxi—the churning of thoughts, the turmoil of enthusiasm keeping us on our toes. As the tires screeched in front of the gigantic building, my heart skipped a beat, thinking what was waiting inside was more than enough for me. There were so many people entering the building.Olivia stopped us and told us to come from the back door.“Guys, follow me,” she said.“But why are we not going from this entrance?” We asked.“That is for VIP guests, and for employees, there is a back door.”We followed her and entered the back door while she was busy greeting her boss.Ivy and I walked inside and saw a beautiful sight.A gigantic chandelier was hanging in the middle of the hall, sprinkling colorful light over every being presented inside.The hall was filled with beautiful people; some held their masks while others covered their faces. That reminds us to wear masquerade masks.“Mask,” I said to Ivy.The booming sound and colorful lights filled our spirit with enjo
~Alyona~I walked on the floor with this unknown, handsome man.As we walked, every peer diverted toward us.All the girls filled their eyes with jealousy as their jaws dropped to the floor. He delicately kept his hand on my waist, and a shiver ran down my spine. Our eyes collide with each other for a few seconds. He looked forward and smiled.His smile could kill thousands, and I was one of them. He got a cute dimple on his right cheek. Oh! God, I want to die for this dimple. Keeping myself calm, I got busy looking around, people gawking at us. Again, with my stupidity, I was about to stumble, but he held my hand.“Are you ok?” He said.His manly voice brushed my ears and suppressed all the surrounding sounds. I wanted to hear my name in his husky voice. I blinked my eyes again and again as I was damn sure I was in my dream. Dancing with a handsome guy like him can only happen in my dreams. He touched me again and asked,“Are you ok?”“Yes,” I replied in a guttural voice.No, I was no
~Alexander~ The party was at a peak when I entered it. Rich people were showing off their brands and money. That is what the party was all about. Tucking my suit button, I scooped my eyes through the crowd. It’s all about the plastic beauty ready to lure you for your status and power. No genuine appreciation for the work; it’s all about showing off. The men were complimenting others wives, trying their luck for extramarital affairs, and some were ready to turn their business deals into sustainable relationships by tying their kid’s life together. I didn’t come here to check on these people, but because I wanted to celebrate our achievements with Esrael. I saw the arrangements and signaled my manager. “Is everything ok? Boss,” “No,” he wanted me to tell him where the room was for improvement. But as my employee, he should know and assess the situation by himself. “What do you think I don’t like here?” He looked around, trying to pinpoint, but found none. “You are fired,” I r
~ALYONA~ We reached home, but I left my heart with that stranger. His beautiful smile and hazel eyes caught my attention. Olivia was stressed about losing her job, as she was sure her boss saw her with me and he would ask her about us. Ivy warned her not to shout or talk to me about what had happened at the party. We all went to my home, as we were sure only my house would be where we could talk about the chaos I had made. We entered the house, ran towards the room, and hastily changed the dresses as if mom would see us in these expensive dresses; she would investigate everything. After changing the dresses, Olivia called the person who took the dresses to Mario with a thank you note. We three laid down on the bed; quietly. Nobody attempted to talk to me. I was quiet and lost in my thoughts. What a beautiful evening it was! It was the first time I felt good after meeting Shawn. It’s because of him I met this stranger. My mind was stuck, and kept repeating his touch and his passi