chapter Ten

After a long drive we were finally in the big city of Elyria. Never in my life had I ever seen such bright lights and so many people gathered in one place. The bright and vibrant energy surrounded me,this was very different from the quiet and peaceful life I left behind.

The towering skyscrapers seemed to stretch on forever, I could see the reflections glinting in the polished glasses and steel that was all along the city streets.

As I stepped out of the taxi, I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a dash of fear. The cool night air hit me as I looked up at the tall building that was in front of us. I stood there for a moment taking it all in.

“This is the city that is going to be my home”, I whispered to myself. Coming to this city I only have one goal, “become successful and be the best mother to Mia” . I won't let my past define my future and that's a promise.

“Emily…., we are here”, Nora interrupted my thoughts.

Due to the fact that it was a long distance, we reached late at night and Mia was already asleep. I carried Mia out of the taxi and Nora carried our bags to the house we were going to live in.

“Emily, I am so tired. Let's get some sleep. We shall organize all the stuff tomorrow". Nora said as she threw herself on the bed.

“It's okay, good night”, I said, my voice low.

I walked up to my bed and put Mia down and also laid so I could get some sleep. As I lay on the bed, my mind raced like a runaway train. It's been over a week since I got divorced and I have never gotten any proper sleep. Just like the other nights, my mind raced and my thoughts ran back to the time I was still married. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined my life could turn out this way.

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“Good morning Emily”, Nora's voice rose me up from sleep.

“Good morning too Nora”, I said as I stretched out of bed and smiled, feeling a sense of renewal wash over me as I greeted the new day.

“I am sorry dear, I had to disturb your sleep because I have to leave for work”, Nora said.

“Oh your reporting today”.

“Yes Emily, I am getting late, we shall discuss everything later, all the things you shall need are right there, in case of anything else you can call me using that landline phone”, she said as she ran off.

“As Nora left, I turned and looked at my daughter and smiled “I will make sure you have the best life sweetie”, I murmured.

I swung my legs over the side and rolled out of bed, I walked over to the window pulling back the curtains to let in the morning lights.

With a sense of determination I began to unpack, each item I placed in our new home was a testament of my commitment to this new chapter of my life. I was ready to write my own story this time. I was determined to make it different. I spent my day unloading our suitcases, placing each item in its designated spot.

In a blink of an eye, it was already evening.

“Good evening my people”, Nora came in.

“ Auntie Nora”, Mia went running to welcome her.

“How are you baby, how was your day”.

“My day was boring auntie, I didn't go to school”, Mia replied with a frown face.

“Am sorry baby, you will soon go to school okay”, Nora said as she turned her gaze and looked at me.

“Okay auntie “.

After her conversation with Mia, Nora walked up to me with a big smile on her face which left me confused.

“Hey, why are you smiling?”, I asked.

“I have some good news”.Nora said as she sat next to me.

“Really, tell me”, I asked with a voice full of curiosity.

“Our boss recently got divorced, and he was granted custody for daughter. I got some information that he will soon be looking for a nanny. I had a proposal, I would like you to apply, maybe you could get a job".

“Really, oh wow this is indeed good news,how do I apply then”, You could sense excitement in my voice

“I haven't gotten much information about it yet but tomorrow I will learn more and I will let you know when applications will be open, don't worry Emily you got me, I will update you on everything” Nora said as she held my hands.

“Thanks so much for everything Nora”.

“You're welcome, always”, she replied with a big smile on her face.

“But I don't have any experience, will I be able to get this job really”.

“Don't worry, have trust in yourself, you will, I believe in you”.

I looked at Nora and smiled, “what good thing did I ever do that God gave me Nora as a friend”, she is the best person I have ever met in my life. Even if I had to pay back with my life, it couldn't be enough to pay back for all the good things Nora has done for me.

As I lay in bed, my mind wandered back to the life I had left behind, as I delved deeper into the past. My thoughts turned to my mother,I wondered what she was doing now, a pang of longing shot through my chest , followed by a wave of guilt. Tears pricked through my eyes, slowly I took a deep breath and began to let go, that life will always be a part of me but I had to focus on my future.

For the sake of my daughter, I had to let go of all my fear and be brave because she needed me, in order for her to survive, I had to survive, therefore I had to make sure I survive in this city no matter what. “Tomorrow will be a new beginning for my life”, I murmured to myself as I smiled.