Back to New York city

3

FIVE YEARS LATER 

My eyes stared out the window taking it's exquisite view.

It was awesome how the world could seem so small from up here.

The flight attendant voice boomed from above drawing my gaze away from the window.

Fortunately, it was an announcement to inform us on our arrival to NY city airport.

New York city.

The place I never wanted to visit.

If there was anything like a mind eraser I was sure I would use that on myself.

Never did I think I would return back to this city after so many years.

The plane successfully landed and we made our way to the exit.

Inhaling the cold air that tussled my hair, It reminded me of the fact that I was back.

If not for this redirection of theoject that they had done, I was sure to never have returned here.

Everything came hitting back to be like a wave and for some reason, a shiver passed down my spine.

"Mummy" the voice of a five year old sounded from behind me and up on turning, I found my daughter Sophie o be marching towards me.

With her pink teddy bear in hand and a bright smile to her face, who couldn't help but admire the little girl.

Sophiewas beautiful and smart with a charismatic side to her but most of all, she was my adorable little daughter.

Yes, the one I couldn't bear to part ways with.

Quickly she ran up into my hands.

"Did you enjoy the ride?" I asked pinching her cheeks for a chuckle to elude her lips. Her pure innocent face went to hide behind the teddy bear to her hand.

"Uh- huh. I did. I even slept like a baby" she giggled placing her hands to the side of her face in a way to show how well she slept.

"I see. Well now, we are here. Remember what you promised me?"

I asked to which she nodded.

"Always do what mummy says and never cause problem for her" she recited the things I had earlier told her.

I never wanted her to join me on this journey to New York city but with the way her constant complaints and bugging were non stop I had to besides, I couldn't dare leave her behind.

I knew my heart wouldn't be at rest.

"Mummy, I had New York city was a great place to come to.

Why didn't you ever pick that as our vacation spot?' she asked with a raised brow 

A faint smile could only cross my lips.

I couldn't dare to pick out this spot because it brought back so many bad memories.

Coupled with the fact that there was one person I was so terrified to come across and that was LUCIAN.

Up till now I couldn't bring myself to face him because I was still terrified of what he might do.

Perhaps he might still hate me for running away with little Sophie while she was still a baby.

Years back when I had just given birth to Sophie at that hospital, he had prohibited the nurses from letting me go close to my child.

I had to use the old mother longing for child trick to get one of the nurses to let me see my child just once.

Apparently it worked but what she didn't expect was to be knocked unconscious by me.

One thing she had said I couldn't quite get up till now were her words when she had uttered.

"Isn't she lovely? You can't wait to see the other one" she had said with a smile to her face before she got knocked to the ground.

"Mummy, mummy" little Sophie's voice drew me out from my train of thoughts and back to her where two lines were seen on her little forehead.

"You weren't paying attention" she voiced with a pouted lips.

"Sorry love, I spaced out for a while"

"I noticed. Stop pacing out when you're with me okay?" I nodded to her question for her face to brighten up.

I had just placed her down when Bruno came out with our things.

Gratitude filled my face and Bruno could see it.

Even now, he was a very big help to me and never for one bit did he leave me.

It felt like I was too lucky to have him in my life.

With our luggages already sorted and brought out, we made our way out of the airport.

For some reason, people couldn't stop staring at us.

A beautiful confident woman stepping out with an adorable five year old seemed to be the talk of the place.

And no doubt, in that five years I spent away, my confidence level was at its peek.

My phone rang out loud and looking at the caller ID, it was Evans calling.

"Clarissa, have you arrived? Or don't tell me you boarded another ticket to another city.

The boss won't be happy about it. Your constant nagging about not wanting to go to New York city has already put him on edge" his phone sounded from the phone making me to roll my eyes.

"Well.... Tell him to fear not. I have arrived safely and I'm in New York "

"Oh thank the heavens " he sounded. Evans was my colleague and also sort of a transgender.

But all in all, he has the greatest vibe and also helped me get sorted out in Chicago.

"Good. I don't know why the meeting was rescheduled and the project was shifted to NY but Listen girl if you hit the jack pot and seal the deal with Z's enterprises, trust me that's a straight win to hitting a promotion.

You will finally get that promotion you deserve besides, this is a big project for the c

3

Besides, this is a big deal for the company.

Don't let that 'Man' hinder your thoughts okay?"

"Thank you for the encouragement Evans" I said with a smile to my face.

"Your welcome darling. Besides, the chances of you meeting him are like... One in a million. So don't stress it" he said.

"Yh... One in a million. I hope" I uttered heaving a heavy breath I didn't know I was holding.

Somehow hearing Evans voice did encourage me.

"Good. Now do well and hurry back here. I'm already missing my Honey pie" 

And to that, he was referring to Sophie.

"I will"

"Before I go, the boss has already prepared everything for you and your little one. A hotel has been reserved for the two of you for tonight before you can move in to the apartment he had bought. So you'll see a girl at the airport. Her name is Miranda.

She'll make you comfortable okay love" 

"Oh.. I.." before I could get to utter more words, the line got disconnected.

It wasn't difficult to find Miranda in the mist of the crowd as she was already holding up a sign that clearly wrote.

'Welcome to NY city Clarissa '

No doubt that was for me and that I guess was Miranda.

Both Sophie and I walked up to her for a gasp to leave her lips.

"Hi, you must me Miranda" I said beckoning with a smile.

"Oh my, you look so good in real life than you do in the picture.

You look stunning" she admired fully, her eyes going wild in bewilderment.

"Thanks" 

"And whose this adorable little pumpkin. Geez, you're so cute.

Evans told me about you guys but didn't tell me you would look this good in reality" she said playfully touching Sophie's cheeks.

A frown was quick to cast up her cheeks as she swatted Miranda's hand away.

"I'm not a pumpkin, I'm Sophie" she uttered with a pouted.

Miranda didn't take any grudge to it as she simply laughed out loud about it.

"And I'm Miranda. It's nice to meet you Sophie" said Miranda as she extended her hand to Sophie who hesitated but finally placed her hand In hers.

"So... I'm glad to see you guys arrived safely and I know you must be exhausted.

I'll take you to the hotel room booked for you tonight" she said gesturing we follow her.

Miranda was quite the chatty type because as soon as we highlighted into the vehicle, she couldn't stop chattering none stop delving into the beautiful wonders and happenings of NY city.

Their drive was just an hour journey but before they could fully arrive at the hotel, Sophie complained about having a full bladder and the need to ease herself.

Quickly, Miranda drove to a stop.

Luckily for them, there was a toilet nearby.

"Kids" smiled Miranda. 

Sophie had assured me and everyone that she could be a big girl by going to the restroom alone but when it seemed like she was taking a while in there, I got a little curious.

And following in her directions,I called out her name repeatedly but there was no reply making my heart to race a little 

I searched for her only to find her talking to a stranger.

The smile on my face quickly faded and my eyes dilated in shock when I found the last person I ever wanted to see.

It was LUCIAN