2 The first chapter

RYAN

“That's all for today. It's a free day again." Narin, my personal assistant said as she pushed the chair backward and got on her feet.

“Thank you, Narin. Inform the team working on the new game to get ready for the briefing tomorrow before lunch,” I said and closed the document, then stretched it out to her.

She reached for it with a polite smile. “Yes sir. Should I get the car ready?“

I nodded. “Please do”

She was out in a few seconds, and I pushed back my chair and got on my feet. I exhaled as I stood in front of the glass wall, staring at the beautiful view my office was opened to.

After a few moments of silently basking in the beauty of the city, I grabbed my suit and phone and headed out of my office.

An hour later...

"Oh, look who's here again." My mom exclaimed as soon as I walked into my parent's living room.

I smiled and walked up to her to give her a hug.

“Where's dad?“

“He's having lunch with Mr. Adams,” she replied as she picked up the TV remote control.

At the mention of that last name, I was reminded of someone, and my smile slowly disappeared.

I shook my head, decided to keep every tiring thought away for the moment.

“Is Zara up? She should be here by now.”

“She won't be coming. She said she's picking up a friend at the airport.”

I furrowed my brows as I started to head for the stairs. “A friend? Who?“

“Don't know. She didn't tell me.”

I sighed.

Zara was always up to something. We were supposed to spend the evening at our parents' place. It had been our tradition since we left for college as a way of making time for family despite our schedule, but now she was skipping that for a friend. I wonder how special this person was.

I pulled open the door, walking into the room that I had had since childhood. It's once every two months we spend the night here, and it's been two months since I've been here. Everything was still in place.

I came out of the bathroom wearing an ash sweatpant and black top. As I dried my hair with a towel, I noticed a frame sitting face down on the table.

'Where did that come from? It has never been there.''

I moved closer to the table and picked up the framed picture.

It was a picture of me, Zara, and the one woman that somehow manages to make me feel two contradictory emotions for her. Sophia Adams. The picture was taken at her college graduation. A few months before our lives changed.

Why was this here? I thought I put it away. I thought I put our memories away. Why do I still remember the words she spoke to me right before this picture was clicked?

My phone beeped, and I pulled out the drawer and tucked the pictures away into the back of the drawer. I picked up my phone from the bed and clicked on the new notification.

It was a news headline.

' A TOP CLOTHING LINE CEO LOSING EVERYTHING AT THE BRINK OF HER CAREER? Here is everything you need to know about Sophia Adams and the claims against her. '

A new notification appeared as I read the headline.

( I have the information of the people you asked for.)

SOPHIA

“Is this really you? Are you real?" Zara, my childhood best friend, asked for the hundredth time since we left the airport in her car.

I sighed.

"Oh, you seem tired.”

I was. Was that not already obvious?

“That bastard Jake and that bitch Naomi.”

“When I get them, I'll squeeze life out of them.” She gritted, gesturing with her hands how she'll carry out her intended actions.

“They'll beg for death, but they won't get it." An evil glint shone in her eyes as she looked at me, her lips curved into a smirk.

I turned her head back to the road. “Please don't get us killed.”

She sighed and shook her head as she finally turned away from me. “Those people there don't deserve you, but you-”

“Zara, I'm seriously not in the mood; I'll prefer a quiet ride home.”

She nodded.

“When I finally get to meet my best friend, she's a different person entirely. How great!” I heard her not so quiet whisper.

I exhaled and let my head rest on the window as I glanced outside, watching the cars speed past us.

That's right, Zara. I miss how my life used to be before the last two weeks. I miss smiling genuinely. I miss whining about going to work even though I actually liked it. I miss going out for dinner with my friends and trying to be happy, but what can I do? When I don't have those anymore?

What can I do when my genuine smile is replaced with pathetic cries? What can I do when I suddenly find it hard to sleep at night without staining my pillows with tears?

Nothing. I can only wallow in my miserable pain and come back to the place I left to start from the beginning. Going back to the first chapter.

An hour later.

“It's pretty right? It's the first time you are seeing it in person,” Zara grinned as she helped me with my bag into her living room.

“It is” was the only response I could give. I wish I could give more, honestly, but I couldn't even force it.

“Come on, I'll show you to your room." She replied and took one suitcase while I took the other and followed behind her.

The room was pretty. It seemed like she took extra time to prepare the room. It smelled fresh, the sheets looked clean, and everything was in place.

I didn't realize she was now standing in front of me until she put her hands on my shoulder.

“You might be right; I do not fully understand how you feel, but please know that I'm here for you.”

“You can take your bath and go to sleep afterwards. I'll prepare dinner. Specially cooked by me, okay?“

I fought the tears, but to no avail. She was such a sweet soul. I feel stupid that I ignored a friendship like this to focus and invest in one that only brought me pain and regret in return. Maybe coming back to this place was not entirely a bad idea.

As long as I don't come across him, I might be fine.

I wiped my eyes. “Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing.”

She gave me a tight-lipped smile.

I knew what she was thinking. I didn't want that. I didn't want anyone to pity me, but my situation can't be helped.

“Get some rest, okay?“ She patted my back as she headed out. She closed the door, leaving me to sort out myself.

I exhaled as I ran a hand through my hair, brushing it back.

“Sophia, remember? No tears,” I reminded myself and headed into the bathroom.

After a few hours... Evening…

I woke up to the sweet, savory smell of something cooking. I turned in the bed, looking outside of the window at the sun that was setting.

I layed that way for the next few minutes, trying to charge my brain and get myself together.

I unplugged my phone from the charger and stood from the bed, then headed into the bathroom, where I washed my face.

For the first time in the last two weeks, I had a good sleep. Maybe it was the bed, or the comfort I felt in Zara's house, or it was just something else.

As I picked up my phone, a call came in.

From 'Mother'

There was only one reason she'd call me. She and dad must have kept their tabs on me. They knew I was back in the States.

I stared at the call until it stopped ringing and then turned on airplane mode.

Yes, I would be ignoring their calls until I was mentally and emotionally sane to speak with them.

Turning around, I walked out of the room.

True to Zara's words and to the nice smell that woke me up, she was in the kitchen, whipping up something I was sure would be delicious. Zara was a chef. A professional one. She owned a high-end restaurant and partnered with one of the biggest hotel chains in the states.

Most of it all, I've missed her cooking. It's been eight years since I last tasted her legendary cooking.

“You are awake,” she called when she saw me walk into the kitchen. I nodded and made for the refrigerator.

“I had a refreshing sleep, thanks to the bed,” I said as I took a glass of water.

“I know right? I hit the jackpot with that one,” she grinned. My lips spread into a thin smile, and I raised the glass to drink. I returned the empty glass and went to stand by the counter where she was carefully dicing vegetables.

“How can I help?“

She chuckled and picked up a diced carrot, which she playfully shoved in my mouth.

“Just sit and look pretty, Milady. I'm treating you today as my guest.

A small laugh escaped my lips as I ate the carrot and went to sit on one of the stools.

I knew I made the right choice by calling her instead of staying at a hotel.

We heard the doorbell a second later, and I volunteered to go see who it was while she continued cooking.

I turned the key in the lock to open the door.

“You brat, you changed your passcode again?“ I heard the voice of the person as soon as I pulled the door wide open.

I froze for a heartbeat, and then my hands fell from the handle as I stared at the man who was standing before me. My lips parted involuntarily, and I blinked to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

I felt my heart skip a beat, a strange feeling settling in the depths of my stomach as I stared into the ever-so familiar brown eyes of Ryan Caddel.

The number one reason I vowed to not move back here.