Chapter 2: Back To The City

Emma's POV

I can't believe I'm leaving for New York tomorrow.

The week ran by too fast for my liking. One minute I was counting down the days, the next minute my suitcase was open on my bed.

Music blasted from my speaker Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber. My Spanish is terrible, but I don't care. I love the song because of Justin Bieber. There's just something about his voice I can't explain.

I swayed my hips as I packed, dancing around my room. Dancing has always been part of me. When I'm nervous, excited, overwhelmed ..I dance.

I turned around, shaking my hips dramatically..

"Jesus Christ!"

Mom stood at the door, smiling like she had just witnessed a full concert.

"How long have you been there?" I gasped.

"Long enough to see you shaking your ass," she replied.

We burst into laughter.

"Your dad wants to have a word with you," she added. 

I followed her downstairs.

Dad's attention was fixed on the news. I sat beside him while Mom sat on my other side. I was right in the middle, like always.

Dad turned to face me, his expression softer than usual. 

"I want to have a fatherly talk with you, Emma," he began. "Chasing your dreams has a starting point. You might know where you're starting… but you won't always know where you'll end up."

I swallowed.

"What I mean is, keep your head up. Stay focused. Remember who you are. You're my baby."

That hit me harder than I expected. I'm really leaving home. I turned to Mom.

 "Mom?" 

"If you're happy, I'm happy," she said gently.

"I love you."

"Young lady, no pregnancy before marriage," Dad suddenly added.

"Dad!" I screamed.

They both laughed, and the tension dissolved instantly. We talked for hours until it got late.

"You need to sleep. Your flight is by 9 a.m.," Mom reminded me.That's when panic hit. "I'm not done packing!"

"Emma, I reminded you earlier!" she called as I ran upstairs. 

"You need help?" she shouted.

 "No, Mom!"

Back in my room, I finished packing quickly. I didn't have much just the essentials. After a quick shower, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling.Tomorrow. 

Tomorrow, everything changes.

The sound of my alarm jolted me awake.

7:00 a.m. A knock followed immediately.

"It's open," I said.

Mom stepped in. "Good morning, baby."

"Good morning, Mom." 

"Freshen up and come down for breakfast." 

As she turned to leave, she paused. "You'll always be my little star, no matter how old you get." A smile spread across my face.

Downstairs, Mom kept insisting I eat more.

"I'm full!"

"You need energy," she insisted.

"It's almost 8 a.m. Daniel will be here soon," Dad said.

I hurried upstairs to dress. I kept it simple ..fitted light-wash jeans, a baby-blue sleeveless top, and a lilac knit vest. I have zero tolerance for cold weather, so layers are important. My favorite crossbody bag completed the look. I tied my hair into a ponytail.

I studied my reflection.

Satisfied.

"Daniel is here!" Dad called.

"I'm coming!"

Outside, I hugged my parents tightly.

At the airport, Daniel helped with my luggage.

"Safe journey, Bunny," he teased.

"Don't call me that," I warned.

He grinned.

What a friend.

***

As I stepped out of the airport in New York, the familiar breeze greeted me. I inhaled deeply. I'm back. "Emma, you're here again," I whispered to myself.

I had texted Lila earlier, and she claimed she had an urgent meeting and couldn't pick me up. While searching for a ride, a familiar figure caught my attention.

It couldn't be.

"Lila!" I screamed.

She turned, and we ran into each other's arms.

"I missed you!" We said it at the same time.

"What about your meeting?" I asked suspiciously.

She smirked. "No meeting. I wanted to surprise you. You come first."

 I shook my head. "I know."

On the way to her apartment, I called my parents to let them know I arrived safely.

"I missed here," I murmured, looking out the window.

 "I know you did," Lila smiled.

"To make up for it, we're going to club to dance our asses off tonight," she declared.

I loosened my ponytail and flipped my hair dramatically. "You missed me that badly?"

She stared at me like I'd just done something illegal.

"Lila, watch the road!" I screamed.

She swerved back into focus, and we burst into uncontrollable laughter. This is how chaotic we can be.

When we entered her apartment, my jaw dropped.

 "Are you kidding me? This place is insane. The pictures didn't do justice."

The space was simple but classy. The colors blended perfectly with the furniture.

"Why are you acting surprised? You picked half of this stuff, idiot," she laughed.

"That's because I trust your fashion sense." she added and I acted surprised 

We talked for hours. She made pasta... delicious as always. Meanwhile, I ordered an outfit online for tonight because I packed nothing club-appropriate.

"So, which club?" I asked.

"District V."

I froze. "Wait… that's for billionaires. "She gave me a look.

 "Relax. I know someone there. Nothing deep." she said 

Hmm...

We spent the next hour shopping because Lila shops like she's supplying a nation.

Tonight is going to be interesting....

  

***

Alexander's POV 

I left the office earlier than usual. My assistant raised an eyebrow ... that alone was rare.

I promised Mom I’d be home for dinner. My driver was waiting when I stepped outside. Sliding into the back seat, I loosened my tie as traffic crawled past. I opened my laptop, trying to finish a few emails, when my phone rang. It was Ethan. Loud music blasted through the line.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“At a club,” he replied casually. “Meeting a client.”

“At a club?” I leaned back. “Female client?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter,” he said dryly.

I smirked.

“Are you still at work?” he asked.

“Heading home. Dinner with family.” 

“I hope it’s not what I’m thinking.”

I rolled my eyes. “Enjoy.”

“The rule still stands. No mixing pleasure with business,” it's just a business meeting he reminded me before hanging up.

By the time I got home, Dad was chatting with my sisters, Elizabeth and Jessica.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome, son,” Dad replied.

Jessica ran over and hugged me. “It’s been two weeks!”

Yes, because I work,” I replied. “Now release me. I need to shower.”

“Is shower more important than me?” she demanded.

“I haven’t decided.”

Elizabeth laughed from the couch. “He’s aging. Maybe showers are becoming essential.”

“Shut up,” I muttered, though there was no real annoyance behind it.

Jessica crossed her arms. “You’ve changed.”

“I’ve evolved.”

“That’s worse,” she shot back.

Dad chuckled from his seat. “Let the boy breathe.”

“Is that my baby boy?” Mom’s voice came from the hallway.

I exhaled. “Mom, can we retire that nickname?”

Elizabeth smirked. “Are you not her baby boy?”

“You enjoy this too much,” I said, shaking my head.

Their laughter followed me as I headed upstairs.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

After a quick shower, I changed into something comfortable and went downstairs.The dining table was overloaded.

“Mom,” I said, looking at the spread. “We have a cook.”

“You haven’t been home in two weeks,” she replied softly. “I was excited.”

“I didn’t do everything alone,” she added quickly. “The cook helped.”

Dad leaned back in his chair. “He’s stealing my wife from me.”

Jessica gasped dramatically. “Scandal.”

Elizabeth clapped slowly. “Family betrayal.”

I rubbed my forehead. “You’re all ridiculous.”

Dinner started light.

Jessica complained about a friend. Elizabeth ranted about her co-Model. Dad debated politics with himself. Mom kept adding food to my plate despite my protests.

After dinner, we settled in the sitting room, talking about random things before Mom hit her favorite topic.

“Anyone yet?”

“Mom, please… not again,” I said.

“Can you hear your son?” she asked Dad.

Dad said nothing.

“You’re turning thirty soon, and you’re telling me not again?” she pressed.

“Get married. You’re not taking steps toward it, and about the surgery...you’re not saying anything. Do you want me to die, son?”

I stood. “I’m not doing this with you today.”

“Those girls you flirt with… you don’t like anyone to bring home. Why are you keeping them?”

“I’m not keeping anyone, Mom.”

“Do you want your heart issue to get worse before the surgery?” she whispered.

“It won’t get worse,” I snapped.

"Don’t even say that... I had a chat with your doctor. The treatment isn’t going to fix your heart, kid," she said softly, her voice trembling.

Silence fell.

I started to say, 'The treatment is working...' but Dad interrupted me.  

I get it, son, but—  

I shot back, 'Dad, just let it go.'

I walked out. I needed air. The walls felt tight, the conversation replaying in my mind. I changed into something simple but sharp, grabbed my keys, and called Ethan.

“Which club?” I asked.

“District V.”

I hung up before he could say more. My pulse was already racing.

District V. The name alone made my chest tighten. High ceilings, private rooms, flashing lights,this wasn’t just a club. It was a playground for the elite.

I pressed harder on the accelerator. The city lights blurred past. My heartbeat matched the rhythm of the traffic. 

For some reason… my pulse quickened.

And I didn’t know why.